Mark Vaughan

I just received an E-mail from Astral tours that the special access tour of Stonehenge is sold out on the day that I requested. Does anyone else know of any tour companies that provide inner circle access to Stonehenge? Is it worth seeing from outside the ropes? The girl from Astral tours said that we could join the tour there for 30 pounds each, if we provided our own transportation. I'm not sure I'm willing to go exploring in the British countryside just yet and this seems kind of high for just that one part of the tour. Any suggestions from people who have done a tour of Stonehenge?

Marilyn

We took the tour group recommended in Rick Steves book. It went to Stonehenge and Bath. We enjoyed it very much. We booked on the internet. Only problem was it was too short. M.

Ellen

What a shame! <BR><BR>The day I took the Astral Inner Circle tour, there were several no-shows, so you could ask to be "wait listed" and notified if there are any cancellations.<BR><BR>Stonehenge is run by English Heritage. They do offer independent "private access," Astral doesn't have a monopoly! Their web site is a bit vague, but perhaps you could contact them directly to find out who else might have inner-access tours.<BR><BR>http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...t%26WCE%3D4969

Tony

Personally, I don't think the "inner circle access" is that big a deal. Just another gimmick to get the tourist dollar. You really can see the stones just by walking around them, and if you've never seen them, it is well worth it. It won't take you that much time. You probably wouldn't spend more than a hour there total. Instead of a tour (and a long bus ride), it very easy to take a train from London to Salisbury. There are buses right at the station in Salisbury that will take you out to Stonehenge. After you have seen the stones, return to Salisbury. The town and cathedral are quite interesting. When done, just hop on a train back to London.

Debbie

Mark,<BR>My husband and I toured Stonehenge with Evans and Evans daytrip tours. Our tour was outside the ropes and was just fine. Our pictures didn't even show the ropes, we were that close. We went in 97 however, and that day tour was a really good one that also included the Salisbury Cathedral with lunch at the Kings Arm Pub (I believe it was called) and also Bath. Great full day trip and a nice company to tour with. Also check with Frames Rickards. Those are the two best touring companies that we deal with. Good luck.

Ellen

If you haven't taken an inner circle tour, then you really have no basis for judging it. Having taken one, I would liken the regular Stonehenge experience to be just half the experience, like looking at Westminster Cathedral or the Tower of London buildings from the outside. <BR><BR>I can understand why, just looking at the stones from a distance, you would think that they're not worth seeing up close; but you might not feel that way if you DID see them up close, seeing the lichens and old carved graffiti, the way they're fitted together, etc. <BR><BR>I travel on a very tight budget, did this tour because it was the one thing my teen son requested during our entire 3 weeks in Britain, and I consider it money well spent.

Mark Vaughan

Ellen,<BR>Thanks for the valuable info. I got on the English Heritage website and they have a private access application that you can download and send to them to gain access to the inner circle either before 9 am or after 6:30 pm. There is also a phone number to call to request access. So hopefully I'll be able to gain access through them and just hop on a train to Salisbury. Thanks again for giving me these valuable insights.<BR><BR>Mark