Spend this Christmas on 11 Day Festive Discovery of England Scotland with Christmas in the Highlands Scotland

4th December 2025

Last min discounted for this Christmas Departure – 17th December 2025

and great discounts on Black Friday deals for fabulous 2026 departures  

11 Day – England and Scotland Tour

Image: Visit the Stunning Lake District, England

Full details below and for more discounts available until this Sunday …. At Backpackertours with 3 Days Left ends 7th December we are excited to offer Discounted Black Friday Deals – available right now  30% Discounts across most of our Britain/UK and Ireland, Europe and Rest of the World Tours and Cruises, for full details and Contact Details please see below. Plus of course UK Day Tours, Stonehenge Tours, On the Beach and Party Tours, Festivals, Adventures, Cruise Sail and Surf, Safari, Ski and Board

Last min discounted for this Christmas Departure – 17th December

and great discounted Black Friday deals on fabulous 2026 departures  

11 Day – England and Scotland Tour

Experience the very best of Britain on this unforgettable 11-Day England and Scotland Tour, a journey that seamlessly blends world-famous cities, spectacular natural scenery, and centuries of history and culture.

Designed for travellers who want to see the true essence of both nations in a single, expertly organised adventure, this tour takes you from England’s bustling capital to the dramatic peaks and lochs of the Scottish Highlands, ending with the vibrant energy of its great cities.

Your journey begins in historic London, where iconic landmarks and timeless traditions set the tone for the days ahead. From there, travel into the heart of England to explore the academic beauty of Oxford and the medieval character of York’s ancient streets. Continue north to Liverpool, a city bursting with musical heritage, maritime history, and a deep love of football.

As the landscapes shift, enjoy the peaceful charm of the Lake District, where rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and poetic scenery offer a calm contrast to the cities. Crossing into Scotland, you’ll be immersed in the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands, a region of rugged mountains, mysterious legends, and dramatic vistas at every turn.

The adventure concludes with time in Edinburgh and Glasgow, two cities full of character yet completely distinct from one another. Edinburgh enchants with its medieval Old Town, elegant Georgian New Town, and iconic castle, while Glasgow shines with modern culture, lively neighbourhoods, and world-class museums.

Throughout the tour, you’ll enjoy comfortable accommodation, knowledgeable guides, seamless transportation, and thoughtfully curated experiences. With its rich diversity of destinations and landscapes, this journey offers a comprehensive and captivating snapshot of England and Scotland—perfect for travellers who want to discover culture, history, nature, and contemporary city life all in one remarkable trip.

2026 Black Friday Discounts – Just 3 Days Left ends 7th December  30% Discounted Black Friday Deals – UK Day Tours, Stonehenge Tours, On the Beach and Party Tours, Festivals, Adventures, Cruise Sail and Surf, Safari, Ski and Board

Contact Us

Our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be delighted to help you find your perfect tour and best discount.

For up to an extra up to 30% discount of many multi-day tours, Call or WhatsApp us on:

Call +44 (0)20 7170 5878 WhatsApp +44 (0)74 1497 1573

Email us at enquiries@backpackertours.co.uk

Or go to our website www.backpackertours.co.uk where you can live text with us (message service available 24 hours a day, live text during normal working hours)

Call us +44 (0)20 7170 5878 or WhatsApp +44 (0)74 1497 1573

2026 – 4 Day Dublin St Patrick’s Celebrations

Your unforgettable St Patrick’s adventure begins in central London, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and hop aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach. As the excitement builds, you’ll journey west through the rolling scenery of England and Wales before boarding the ferry across the Irish Sea.

8 Day Islands of Croatia Cruising

Dubrovnik to Split 6 Fabulous Croatian Adriatic Coasts – Adventures and Nightlife

Fabulous Dubrovnik, Croatia

3 Day Winter Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye

Glencoe, Cuillin Mountains, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Rannoch Moor

Your three-day journey begins as you depart Edinburgh and travel west to the magnificent Kelpies, the towering horse sculptures that mark the gateway to the Highlands. From here, the route leads north through the scenic Trossachs and across the wild expanse of Rannoch Moor. Winter adds its own drama to the landscapes, especially in Glen Coe, where towering mountains and deep valleys create unforgettable views.

Stunning 11 Days Greece – Four Islands Hopping

Mykonos, Paros, Santorini and Los – Adventures and Nightlife

16 Days On the Beaches of East Coast Australia Bushwalks and Surf

For a truly unforgettable experience, the Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour is an absolute must to unlock the magic of this mystical and ancient monument, with 1000’s of years of fascinating and much varied history, from the Druids to the Romans, to modern day and everything in between. An exclusive inner circle or also know as private access visit, offers rare access inside the world’s most famous prehistoric monument, which only a few privilege visitors get to enjoy each year.

On our inner circle tours you will be accompanied by an expert Stonehenge Guide who will bring the stones to life for you. Show you and explain the phenomenal ancient mathematical accuracy of the calculations made. How astonishing our ancient ancestors were able to align the vast Sarsen stones and not so small Blue Stones, to all but perfection alignment for; various alignment throughout the astronomical calendar with the sun and moon, setting and rising.

A quite remarkable achievement with the resources 2000 years when the current version of a monument on that site stands. A small part of the 5000 year history at this site of monuments and celebrations. All consumed into the magic the stones hold and that can truly feel as part of the memorable inner circle experience, come see for yourself, it is real.

Stonehenge Inner Circle Calendar

The Stonehenge Inner Circle Summer is considered March to September and most inner circle tours run during that period. Due to ground conservation reasons, currently Stonehenge do not allow access tours in October or November each year. Although there is general talk with more modern conservation techniques this may change in the future and we will announce if that happens.

The inner circle tours are morning or evening (evening when available). There are only limited dates throughout the year when it is possible to be inside the stone circle for the actual sunrise or sunset. If that is an ambition for you, please contact us (contact details below) and we will help free of charge. The time slots most tours enjoy, just after sunrise or just before sunset are spectacular and the way the sun and the moon align with the sun and moon will all make sense, all brought to life by your entertaining and knowledgeable, Stonehenge Expert Guide.

Due to lack of daylight hours, the evening/sunset tours only run March until September, however there are a good amount of morning tours still available December to February. Christmas, there is no access Christmas Eve, Day or Boxing Day, New years Eve or Day.

A wonderous time of year and each year; 20th June Sunset and 21st Sunrise, the site becomes as it has been since ancient times, a place of celebration, worship, music, drum, pipes and much merriment. We offer two outstanding Solstice tours that include options for sunrise, sunset and much more, further details below and we cannot recommend more highly this joyous and invigorating experience.

In Preparation for and clear up after, the Summer Solstice Events, Stonehenge are unable to offer access 16th to 19th and 22nd to 30th June each year. Thus as you will imagine as is by then peak summer, the weeks or so before or after 16th to 30th June are the most in demand of the year and the most popular dates sell out rapidly after launch (expected later this week). If you would like any guidance or assistance with this please contact us (contact details below). We are happy to deal with any questions you have and this is a completely free service.

This still leaves many 100’s of inner circle tours that are available each year and we will be delighted to help you find (free of charge) you best and best Value option and again our contact details are below. We have been commended for outstanding customer service so feel free to contact our knowledgeable and friendly agents whom will be delighted to help with your Stonehenge questions.

Best Value Tours also offer tours around the UK and Ireland, Europe, the Rest of the World including outstanding multi-day tour across the world. We are also currently laughing a new ski and board section, so in addition to Stonehenge we can help with most travel requests, with same friendly and knowledgeable customer service. For our younger traveller or older but young at heart. you will find at further range of tours at our sister site www.backpackertours.co.uk.

Beyond closure dates that occur each year as set out above. English Heritage/Stonehenge occasionally allow filming or other events at Stonehenge, when again inner circle access is not possible. as example there were block dates for filming this year 22nd to 30th September. We have advance notice of such events or filming, so can help you in your holiday date planning. if the Stonehenge inner circle is a must do for you, it is wise to plan that element, before if possible you finalise your holiday dates.

Charming, Vibrant, Colourful and Musical. Various Morris Dancers groups most welcoming attend the Solstice adding much Joy.

Finally a note on prices, which so sorry are frustratingly not cheap, however they are nevertheless still exceptional value. If you extract out any individual entrance costs, the actual tour cost is quite small. Plus great value as luxury transport with free wi-fi and your expert guide are also included. So amazing value for which we promise, will be a memorable and maybe spiritual experience that many experience inside the mystic and mythical ancient stone circle. Come and feel it to believe it.

More randomly, there are occasions when Stonehenge allow filming and so forth, as example 22nd/30th September  this year, so no access were available then. if you would like some help planning your inner circle experience please do contact us, details below and it is a free service.

Whilst so sorry the inner circle tours are not cheap, they are nevertheless still exceptional value, as include all entrance fees. If you extract the attractions entrance fees which are all expensive, you will find the actual tour cost is amazing value. Not least as includes an expert Stonehenge Guide, who will bring the stones alive for you and explain the astonishing accuracy of the alignment of the sun and moon, sunrise and sunset with the stones. Genuinely magical and enchanting.

The regular inner circle tours only depart and return from London, there are no regional departures. So sorry we can only help with tours, if you want Stonehenge Inner Circle tickets only English Heritage will be able to help with that and sorry it is not possible to meet any of our tours en-route or at Stonehenge.

Our Collection of Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours

Stonehenge Inner Circle, Lacock and Bath | Best Value Tours

Morning Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour and Windsor | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Evening Inner Circle Tour with Avebury | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Inner Circle Sunset and Windsor Open Top Bus Tour | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Morning Inner Circle Tour with Salisbury | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Sunrise Inner Circle Tour with Lacock and Bath | Best Value Tours

Afternoon Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour with Windsor | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Summer Solstice 

Stonehenge Summer Solstice, Lacock in the Cotswolds and Avebury Stone Circle | Best Value Tours

Stonehenge Summer Solstice Sunrise Express Tour | Best Value Tours

More Stonehenge Stonehenge Tours | Best Value Tours

Alternative regular Stonehenge Tours Stonehenge Tours | Best Value Tours

Small Group Stonehenge Tours Small Group Tours of England | Best Value Tours

Cruise Shore Transfers including Stonehenge Shore Excursions & Cruise Transfers | Best Value Tours

More Day Tours Day Tours | Best Value Tours

Scotland Day Tours Scotland Tours | Best Value Tours

Contact Us for Best Value Tours and Backpacker Tours

Our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be delighted to help you find your perfect tour and best discount.

For up to an extra up to 30% discount of many multi-day tours, Call or WhatsApp us on:

Call +44 (0)20 7170 5878 WhatsApp +44 (0)74 1497 1573

Email us at enquiries@bestvaluetours.co.uk or enquiries@backpackertours.co.uk

Or go to our website www.bestvaluetours.co.uk where you can live text with us (message service available 24 hours a day, live text during normal working hours)

Recommended as Stonehenge Experts

Here at Best Value Tour we are proud of our Owner and Principal British Olympian Paul Harmsworth. Paul developed our exceptional and entirely free Stonehenge Customer Service, from his great personal passion of Stonehenge. From as a young child spending time playing at the stones and picnicking, visiting with his family as his grandparents lived close by in Amesbury. A passion much indulged with a 2 year spell working at Stonehenge, a time he remembers most fondly around 20 years ago and 18 years since, helping 1000’s of guests get the best Stonehenge experience possible.

When Paul first visited Stonehenge in the 1960’s, it was very different than today. Firstly, Wiltshire back then was very rural and very quite. As time went on and the road networks developed; Wiltshire’s wealth of ancient and more recent historic histories, all set in a region of outstanding natural beauty, became more accessible to visitors. Thus evolved to the iconic and mystical region visited by many each year, taking away lasting wonderful memories.

Stonehenge has somewhat of a varied history of fences, no fences, charging for entrance and not charging. Fortunately a period around 1963-1977 when Paul was young, Stonehenge was completely open, no fences, no staff or security. Was a popular destination for locals for summer weekend picnics of which Paul has warm memories (there is apparently a picture of him there in the 1960’s we are trying to locate).

History of fences/no fences at Stonehenge

Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, has a fascinating history not only in terms of its construction and purpose but also regarding how the public has accessed it over the centuries. In the early 1800s, the site was privately owned by the Antrobus family (famous local philanthropists, a name still known locally at the popular historic Antrobus Hotel still in Amesbury), and visitors could approach the stones freely, wandering among them across the Salisbury Plain without restrictions.

However, as visitor numbers grew and concerns about potential damage increased, the family introduced an entrance fee of one shilling in 1901. This was done to help fund the protection and maintenance of the monument and marked the first time that public access came with a cost.

In addition to charging an entrance fee, early efforts to protect Stonehenge included the introduction of fences, which were installed in the early 20th century. These fences were intended to prevent vandalism and manage the growing crowds of visitors while preserving the integrity of the stones.

When Sir Cecil Chubb purchased Stonehenge in 1918 and subsequently donated it to the nation, he stipulated that local residents should retain free access and that the general admission fee for other visitors would remain minimal. Over the decades, fences were adjusted and, at times, removed, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s when restoration work, including the re-erection of fallen trilithons, aimed to restore the monument and its surrounding landscape.

By 1977, fences fully enclosed the stone circle to safeguard it, limiting public access to controlled paths and special arrangements. Today, visitors can still enjoy close views of Stonehenge, but touching the stones is prohibited, and entry to the inner circle is reserved for solstice celebrations or exclusive tours. Modern management by English Heritage ensures a balance between preservation and tourism, allowing people from around the world to experience the monument safely while maintaining its enduring mystery and historical significance.

Here are some personal pics taken by Paul at his time at Stonehenge

Starting

Nearly there

Hooray Sunrise

Sunset at Stonehenge

sunset taken from the Stone Circle

Next a few of behind the scenes filming at Stonehenge

A snowy Stonehenge

Aricholigical surveying at Stonehenge

Druids celebrate at Solstice

The grass still needs cutting even at Stonehenge