Great Stones Trail, Southern England . This self-guided walking holiday in southern England is a journey through Wiltshire’s prehistoric landscapes.
Accommodation & Meals
6 nights B&B in a variety of small quality guest houses with ensuite accommodation. A mixture of inns or pubs, bed & breakfasts, and small hotels. They are located in delightful historic properties. 3 packed lunches are provided by your guest houses, where places to eat or buy provisions is limited. Evening meals are taken in your guest house or in local pubs and restaurants where you’ll have a choice of local cuisine.
When to Travel
Our self-guided walking holiday in Wiltshire is available from 1 April to the end of October. Rainfall in the south of England is below the UK average. July has the lowest level of rainfall on average of any month, as well as the warmest temperatures. As some parts of the walk follow ridgetops and hills, you may be exposed to windy conditions, which may help to keep it fresher in warmer weather but may make it feel cold in poor weather. Here is more detail concerning the walking seasons.
Spring
The climate is generally mild in spring, especially from April onwards with a good number of sunny clear days, interspersed with cooler and wet weather. During April and May the average daytime temperatures are between 12°C and 17°C.
Summer
Most days in summer range from mild to warm with the possibility of some rare hotter days. There may be overcast and humid conditions in the summer and the risk of storms is highest in the summer. From June to August the average daytime temperatures are between 18°C and 22°C.
Autumn
The climate can vary from some pleasantly mild days, particularly at the start of September to cooler days in October. Visitors can see some wonderful autumn colours in the gardens open to the public along the trail. From September to end of October the average daytime temperatures drop from 18°C to 14°C.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
This walking holiday for the most part follows clear paths, tracks, and minor roads. Some sections follow recognised long-distance walking trails which are clearly signposted, whilst others follow local trails which are less well-signed and less frequently used. Although we have selected the best trails in any specific area, some can be muddy or unclear for short sections, so it is important to carefully follow the walking instructions. Our walking notes are very detailed and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday.
Travel Options
Transfers included from Swindon to your first accommodation in Chiseldon
To Get to Swindon
By Train
Swindon is served by trains from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central, Cheltenham Spa via Gloucester, Swansea and the rest of South Wales.
By Air
The nearest airport is Bristol, however, Swindon is better served by train or coach from London
By Bus
Swindon can be reached by National Express coaches from London Victoria in 2 hrs.
Return from Salisbury
Salisbury is served by mainline station. Routes from London are via Waterloo station & take about 1hr 30min. National Express operates services to Salisbury from throughout the UK including London.
Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights or trains. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.
Extra Nights
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers during the holiday. If you wish to have more time to explore the historic city of Salisbury, then we would recommend an extra night so that you can meander the historic streets at your leisure, as well as having the time to walk around the meadows that surround the city. The centre-piece of Salisbury is it’s Cathedral which contains the best preserved of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta – an English Charter first published in 1215 – the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his subjects (the barons) in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privileges. There is also a large mechanical clock installed in Salisbury cathedral in 1386 – the oldest surviving mechanical clock in Great Britain.
The city of Salisbury was laid out in a grid pattern and it soon developed rapidly, and by the 14th century was the foremost town in Wiltshire. The city walls surround the Close and were built in the 14th century. Salisbury is a charming and relatively small city with some delightful alleyways with the cathedral sitting proudly in impressive grounds at its centre.
Combining walking holidays
Our Wessex walking holiday can be combined with any of our walking holidays in southern England such as the Dorset Jurassic Coast, just an hour’s drive away or our Wonders of Wessex walk which heads west from Salisbury through beautiful countryside to the historic hilltop town of Shaftesbury. The start of our Wonders of Wessex walk does include some of the same trail as the end of our Great Stones Trail, so we would make changes so that you don’t cover the same ground twice.
Tailor-Made Trips
Here is a selection of tailor-made trips to inspire you when considering your next holiday in southern Britain.
A Quintessential English Coastal Getaway
Embark on an extraordinary journey, weaving through the captivating tapestry of England’s coastal wonders and historical treasures. From the treasures of the UNESCO listed Dorset coast to the beautiful remote Scilly Isles located beyond the tip of Cornwall your coastal adventure will be a rural escape sandwiched between the cultural delights of London and the Cotswolds.
An Unforgettable Adventure Through the English Countryside
Imagine a 10-day English adventure packed with historic castles, charming villages, and a dose of that classic British charm. This trip has a bit of everything for everyone. Get ready for a down-to-earth exploration that’s all about enjoying England’s diverse landscapes and soaking in its unique culture. It’s going to be 10 days of awesome discoveries and shared experiences – the kind of trip that sticks with you long after you’ve unpacked your bags.
Belgium
