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Winter Solstice along the Great West Way with Oldbury Tours

On the Saturday before Christmas a very different celebration will take place at Stonehenge and you can take part in it.

Most archaeologists now believe the winter solstice, the year’s shortest day, was the most important solar event at Stonehenge. It is one of only four days of the year when you are allowed to walk among the stones at dawn and on Saturday the 22nd December 2018 Oldbury Tours will be taking a small group down to the stones to share that experience and enjoy a day out in prehistoric Wiltshire. 

You will be driven by minibus from the centre of Calne or from the The Abbey Hotel in Bath to Stonehenge for sunrise at the stones. During the journey Laurence, owner and guide of Oldbury Tours, will introduce you to the many mysteries surrounding the UK’s most famous ancient monument including the latest theories about its winter purpose. On arrival you will join the day’s celebrations within the circles led by the modern Druid orders. It is a very relaxed form of ceremony and everyone is welcome.

After a warming tea/coffee at the visitor centre there are two options:

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Option 1: To continue a tour of prehistoric Wiltshire with Laurence. 
From Stonehenge you will be taken to Avebury where more prehistoric monuments remain as witnesses of other past ceremonies. Here you will follow the mysterious stone avenue into Avebury, the largest stone circle in the world.

Lunch will be at The Waggon and Horses a traditional thatched pub described by Charles Dickens in The Pickwick Papers.

After lunch you will finish the day with a walk up to and into West Kennet Long Barrow, a 5,500 year old tomb and spectacular views of Silbury Hill, the largest prehistoric man made mound in Europe.

You will be returned to Calne by 15:00 and Bath by 16:00 – the shops will be open late!

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Option 2: To go straight back to Bath from Stonehenge to do any last minute Christmas shopping.

Places are limited so you will need to book by emailing Laurence here: info@oldburytours.co.uk. Please quote the reference ‘Winter Solstice deal 2018’.

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The Abbey Hotel are offering a discounted dinner, bed and breakfast rate of £375.00 for a two night stay in the centre of Bath. This is based on two adults sharing a Superior Double or Twin room on Friday 21st December for two nights. It is inclusive of full English and Continental breakfast each morning and dinner in their restaurant which opened last month, Koffmann & Mr. White’s (£30.00 allowance per person).
If you want to take advantage of this great pre-Christmas offer call them on 01225 461 603 or email them directly at reception@abbeyhotelbath.co.uk. Don’t forget to quote the reference ‘Winter Solstice deal 2018’

Stonehenge is an extraordinary place and the experience there at mid-winter is especially remarkable. If you want to visit on any other day please email Laurence on info@oldburytours.co.uk.