Our small group day trip from London begins with an escape from the city to rural Wiltshire, where high on the chalk uplands of Ancient Wessex we find enigmatic Stonehenge. As we travel to this awe-inspiring site our guide will illustrate the known facts and discuss the ever-changing theories connected to the monument. We head up to the circle itself and during our guided tour we learn of the different periods of building, some stretching back 5,000 years, we learn of the people that worshipped here and the various ideas of its alignments and purpose.
BathVisitors have been visiting Bath for centuries, owing to the hot springs that bubble up to the surface at several locations in the city. At a constant temperature of 46.5C, the only warm springs in the country, it isn't surprising that the Romans developed their resort of Aqua Sulis here 2,000 years ago. The city was beautifully re-invented in the 18th century when it became the fashionable place to see and be seen. Elegant crescents, squares and terraces were built as the rich and famous travelled from London for 'the season' and to take the waters in the hope that it would cure gout, rheumatic pain and stiffness of the joints. See the Roman Temple, and original Roman pavement. Take some time for lunch (own expense) in one of the elegant tea rooms, and try a famous Sally Lunn bread bun. Explore 18th century crescents and squares of the Georgian city, built 250 years ago when Bath became the social centre for high society with dancing, bathing and all manner of relaxation.
LacockWe then drive up into the limestone hills for a scenic country journey stopping in the Medieval village of Lacock, now owned by the National Trust and full of beautiful cottages and narrow streets which our smaller vehicle is able to navigate. This picture-perfect place boasts an ancient barn, old village lock-up and 15th century church. Due to the large number of old and beautiful cottages here, Lacock has been used as a backdrop for many TV and film productions such as Harry Potter, Cranford, Pride and Prejudice and the recent Downton Abbey movie. After our tour of Lacock, we'll continue to Avebury, a pretty village of thatched cottages nestling in the middle of a huge circle of ancient stones. Beautifully unique, the stone circle here is over fourteen times larger than its more famous neighbour, Stonehenge. Enjoy a guided walk around the mysterious standing stones and some free time to explore the attractive village before our small group day trip ends, and we return to London.