From Henry VIII's opulent Hampton Court Palace to Stonehenge's enigmatic giants, this day trip blends royal drama with prehistoric whispers! Stroll Tudor corridors, sip afternoon tea, and ponder ancient puzzles amidst colossal stones.
Combine the splendour of Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace with the mysteries of Stonehenge in this fantastic day tour. We will take a leisurely drive to Hampton Court via delightful views of Richmond Park, and then after a traditional pub lunch, we'll take you on to the ancient megalithic monument of Stonehenge on a trip through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
Take a journey through England’s dramatic history, with a visit to Hampton Court Palace on the banks of the River Thames. Discover the Tudor world and learn all about the notorious Henry VIII and his many wives at what is said to be his favourite palace.
Take afternoon tea in buildings constructed by Britain’s most famous monarchs and admire the Palace’s ornate, historic interiors. Brush up on your history and maybe even bump into one of the Palace’s ghosts in the Haunted Gallery!
Explore 60 acres of spectacular Palace gardens, home to the world’s oldest puzzle maze and a huge variety of wildlife, including the descendants of Henry VIII’s deer herd. It's an unmissable day at Hampton Court Palace for anyone interested in history; there are activities and things to see that will entertain guests of all ages. A fun, educational tour for all the family, plus the chance to see a ghost or two!
After the Palace it's time for lunch at a traditional English country pub. We like the White Horse Inn at Thruxton, a delightful thatched fifteenth century public house with old oak beams and a lovely beer garden. After lunch we'll then take you to the ancient megalithic monument of Stonehenge, which has captivated visitors for millennia.
It's thought that Stonehenge began as a burial area over 4500 years ago and has changed many times during this period, with stones being added and the site being reformed several times. Part of the changes made to the site were the addition of the bluestones. These immense stones were mined in Wales and were dragged to Stonehenge using the limited technologies of the era. This would have taken a large number of people and tremendous organisation. The on-site Visitor Centre at Stonehenge houses over 250 archaeological objects discovered in the area around the site.
On site is the fabulous Stonehenge Visitor Centre where (if your time slot allows) you can further explore the mysteries of the ancient stones. Here you'll enjoy world-class exhibitions and multi-media displays. Outside there are reconstructed Neolithic houses where you might see ancient crafting demonstrations and bread-making using prehistoric techniques.
If there's time we'll stop off at Woodhenge where you'll see concrete pillars marking the positions of Neolithic wooden posts which have long since rotted away. The site was discovered by aerial photography and has been dated to 2500BC, around the same time as nearby Stonehenge. Woodhenge originally consisted of six concentric ovals of standing posts, surrounded by a bank and ditch, which—like Stonehenge—were built to align with the summer solstice sunrise.
Our experienced tour guides will help you make the most of your tour to Stonehenge and Hampton Court Palace. Travel in chauffeur-driven comfort through the beautiful countryside of Wiltshire. We can pick you up from your hotel, the airport or port.
You will have around 2 hours to visit Hampton Court Palace on a self guided tour. There are professional guides and audio tours available inside the Palace.
