Sunday 3 July 2011

Private Sunset tour of Stonehenge Premium Tours Overview


With private viewing of Stonehenge - enter the stone circle normally out of bounds to the public.
Highlights:
  • Private viewing of Stonehenge at sunset
  • Enter the inner stone circle
  • Visit Lacock, a delightful Saxon village
  • See where Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice were filmed
  • Meal stop in a 13th Century inn (food/drinks not included)
  • Visit Bath - free time to shop and explore
  • Entrance to the Roman Baths and Pump Room
    The Tour: 
After your pick-up directly from or near to your hotel, we drive to Bath to visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room. In the late afternoon we visit Lacock for an early evening supper in a 13th Century inn, before driving to Stonehenge. As the sun begins to set, we enter the stone circle (which is normally roped off to the public) for a unique private viewing. The most dramatic and atmospheric way of visiting Stonehenge. 
On selected days the tour operates in reverse, beginning with a private viewing of Stonehenge before it opens to the public in the morning, so we see the stones in the eerie morning light. This is followed by our visits to Lacock and Bath. 
Stonehenge - private viewing at sunset 
Built nearly 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge is the most popular prehistoric monument in the world. Most visitors to the site are not allowed direct access to the stones. With Premium Tours you get that access, with a private viewing of the mysterious monoliths. We will enter the stone circle itself and stand beside the mighty Sarsen rocks towering above us. Our guide will explain the history of this ancient site, pointing out the altar, slaughter and heel stones, above which the sun rises dramatically on the summer solstice. There will be time to enjoy the peace, away from the crowds, as we experience Stonehenge at its most mystical and atmospheric best. Not to be missed! 
Lacock 
Lacock is a little known, picturesque village dating back to the Saxon era. Many of the beautiful buildings originally formed part of an extensive monastic complex and are now owned by The National Trust. So pretty is the village that it has provided the setting for many movies and television dramas including Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice and more recently Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. We will take a delightful walk before we enjoy an early evening supper* in The George Inn, a vintage English pub built in 1361. *food/drink not included 
Bath 
Bath, a world heritage site, is a beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces and architecture. There will be plenty of time to visit Bath Abbey, or to shop and explore. Your guide will also conduct an optional walking tour to show you where Charles Dickens lived and worked as a young man, and a give you a chance to sample some delicious cheeses fresh from the local dairy farms. Then we will enter the magnificent Roman Baths, where over one million litres of boiling water still burst free from the hot springs everyday.
Getting There:
HotelEvening tourMorning Tour
Thistle Euston
-5.30am
Russell Square
-5.35am
Cumberland
10.45am5.45am
Thistle Victoria
11am5.50am
Millenium Gloucester11.10am6.00am