Itinerary Planner

Products in this Suggested Itinerary

A Prehistoric Journey on the Great West Way

Take the train from London and step back in time on a prehistoric journey along the Great West Way.

This prehistoric adventure takes you through the ancient landscapes of the Great West Way, and journeys from the famous English capital, London, to the small Medieval city of Salisbury, just to the south of the main Great West Way route. Over three busy days, you may only cover a few hundred miles but you will travel through thousands of years of history.

Day 1

Your journey back in time begins at the far end of the Great West Way route, in vibrant London – England’s capital.

Morning

Begin your Great West Way journey at the world-famous British Museum, the first national public museum in the world! Discover the vast diversity of human cultures from the dawn of human history, to the present amongst its display of over 8 million objects.

Afternoon

Once you have thoroughly explored the British Museum, travel from London down to Salisbury using the Great West Way Discoverer Pass. The journey takes only an hour and a half by train. When you arrive in the Wiltshire city of Salisbury, spend a few hours exploring the historic streets; with 800 years of fascinating history to see!

Evening

After a busy day exploring England's past, venture back to the modern day with a meal at one of Salisbury's contemporary restaurants, and a quiet drink at one of the city's many bars or pubs. Then it’s time for an early night - you've got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow!

---

Day 2

Get up bright and early for a visit to Stonehenge itself, the most famous ancient stone circle in the world. Hop on The Stonehenge Tour, at Salisbury city centre and enjoy a journey through stunning Wiltshire countryside, passing the historic Old Sarum, before reaching the magnificent, magical henge!

Morning

Begin your day at Stonehenge, a short journey from Salisbury. With space for just 30 visitors, a Stone Circle Experience lets you get up close to the world-famous ancient monument, walking amongst the towering, mysterious stones as the day begins. Each visit takes place at dawn and lasts an hour, after which you can explore the museum-quality exhibitions at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre to find out more detail and context about the stone circle's past.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon back in the city of Salisbury for a visit to Salisbury Museum. Located in the Cathedral Close, the museum is surrounded by the city's historic sights, including the awe-inspiring Salisbury Cathedral. Inside Salisbury Museum you will discover a world-class gallery of archaeology housing one of Europe’s most extensive collections of Stonehenge and prehistoric artefacts, as well as other exhibitions dedicated to the history of the local area.

Evening

Spend your evening exploring and experiencing Salisbury’s nightlife; the city has a huge array of restaurants, bars and pubs to enjoy as well as theatres with a busy programme of plays and performances throughout the year.

---

Day 3

Explore further afield on your final day, and see more of the ancient landscapes of the Great West Way.

Morning

Travel out of Salisbury to the Wiltshire market town of Devizes, taking less than an hour by car. This pretty little town boasts a traditional market square, independent shops aplenty and pleasant walks along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Here you will also find Wiltshire Museum, a treasure trove of information about the area’s history. The Prehistoric Wiltshire Galleries tell the story of the people who built the mysterious monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury, and features artifacts from the over 4,000 years ago, to complete your understanding of our area's ancient history. 

Afternoon

In the afternoon, explore the surrounding countryside to walk through the timeless landscapes you have heard about on your trip. The large stone circle at Avebury - dating back more than 4,000 years and running through the village itself - is a short drive away from Devizes. While you're there, visit West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill to fully immerse yourself in the ancient landscape, and enjoy a walk with far-reaching views over the Wiltshire countryside. West Kennet Long Barrow is a Neolithic tomb built more than five thousand years ago - step into the dark interior to feel like you have travelled backwards through the millennia. A short walk away, Silbury Hill is a man-made hill created at roughly the same time as the Avebury stone circle, similar in size to some of the ancient Egyptian pyramids, and built for mysterious unknown purposes. 

Evening

Now that you have thoroughly explored the ancient landscapes and prehistoric past of the Great West Way, its time to end your journey by returning east to London. Or you may prefer to explore the rest of the Great West Way route by travelling West to the vibrant cities of Bristol and Bath, which both have a wealth of attractions, activities and history to enjoy. Make use of your Great West Way Discoverer Pass to explore the full touring route this year.