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Tour some of Britain%u2019s most significant historic sites, from Salisbury%u2019s medieval cathedral to Wiltshire%u2019s great Neolithic landmarks of Stonehenge and Avebury.7 DAYS from%u00a31,249ppDays 1-2. Arrival in Salisbury & Avebury stone circle tourYour holiday begins in the cathedral city of Salisbury, where we meet the Tour Manager at our Georgian hotel, a short distance from the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral. After check-in there%u2019s time to get to know the city, its marketplace, quirky shops, and art gallery, Fisherton Mill. Salisbury has plenty of green spaces to enjoy, from the parkland around its cathedral to the riverwalk beside the River Avon. After a welcome drink, we dine in the hotel restaurant. Day 2 is a guided tour of the prehistory galleries at Wiltshire Museum, where we see the largest collection of Early Bronze Age gold on public display in England. Discover more about Stonehenge, before handling some real artefacts, then looking around the museum independently. We drive to the World Heritage site of Avebury, the world%u2019s largest stone circle, stopping for lunch at the famous Red Lion %u2013 a traditional pub situated in the centre of Avebury%u2019s stones %u2013 before a guided tour and a talk. There%u2019s time after our tour to visit the museum. We return to our hotel before dinner. Days 3-4. Private Stonehenge experienceDay 3 starts with a private guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral. Featuring Gothic architecture, exquisite stonemasonry and Britain%u2019s tallest spire, the cathedral also houses an original Magna Carta from 1215. After our tour, you are free to keep on exploring. After time at leisure in Salisbury we have an early dinner, ahead of a special visit to Neolithic Stonehenge. Arriving just before sunset*, we have private access to the museum, before entering the inner stone circle of Stonehenge, usually roped off to visitors. During this exclusive experience, with no other visitors here besides ourselves, we are free to walk among these mystical 5,000-year-old stones and wonder at their significance. At the end of the evening the coach takes us back to our hotel. Day 4 is at leisure. The Salisbury Museum houses impressive collections, from local archaeology and natural history to art. You could visit Old Sarum, two miles north of the town, to walk on the ramparts of this iron-age hill fort and look out across the Wiltshire plains. The Norman castle was built by William the Conqueror, and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was imprisoned here. Salisbury has a great choice of eateries for dinner on your free evening. *On some departure dates we will visit Stonehenge at sunrise instead of sunset. Days 5-7. Heritage railways and homeward boundAfter breakfast we drive to Blunsdon station to board a heritage steam train**for a round trip on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway into Wiltshire countryside. After free time to find lunch, we head to Swindon to visit STEAM, the museum of the Great Western Railway, for a guided tour. After time to look at the iconic locomotives and wander around we return to the hotel before dinner. Day 6 is a trip to Old Wardour Castle. Built in the 14th century as a luxury residence and fortress, after surviving two sieges the castle was destroyed during the English Civil War. From here we drive to Cranmore station for a round trip on the East Somerset Railway into the rural countryside around Shepton Mallet. Later, we drive back to our hotel, before our final dinner. On Day 7 your Wiltshire holiday reaches its end. After breakfast, you are free to set off home, or could continue to explore historic Wiltshire on your own.**Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.YOUR ITINERARYSecure your place now with a %u00a3300pp deposit2025 Departures: MAY, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEPTour Code: WLS | %u00a3 per person based on 2 sharing. Supplement for solo travellers from %u00a3400.WHAT%u2019S INCLUDED:%u2713 6 nights%u2019 4-Star hotel accommodation%u2713 Standard Class rail travel%u2713 All rail and coach travel throughout your tour%u2713 Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish%u2713 Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 5 dinners %u2713 All guided tours and excursions SalisburyDevizesBlunsdonSwindonAveburyStonehengeOld Wardour CastleEast SomersetRailway6Mobility Rating 1 2 3 4ENGLAND 27Search greatrail.com/WLS25Classic