For the tourist interested in history or archaeology there is nothing like touring with an absolute…read moreexpert. We had the most wonderful experience touring with David. He is an excellent driver and a knowledgeable archaeologist who has a vast understanding of the landscape and culture of the southwest UK. We not only saw the popular Stone Age, bronze, iron, and Neolithic sites of the area with his interpretation, but also drove by the unknown gems that the layman passes unknowingly. We saw historic homes and archaeological landmarks with interpreted perspective one only gets with a local in the know. The added convenience of having a knowledgable guide is navigation of the lines and roads to optimize your time and avoid tourist roadblocks. Our day with Heritage Holidays was the highlight of our trip to southern England. It was a lifetime best experience.

A site that goes back nearly 5,000 years old. That's crazy. There are some ruins of the old castle…read more The views from the top are incredible. It was so peaceful walking around up there today. We took the local bus from Blue Boar Road to Old Sarum. Just tell the bus driver how many people you're paying for, and tap your contactless payment card.

A great historical site. If you are a history and military buff then you should visit. Walls and…read morecastle is broken down so you need to use your imagination and feel what it would be like to get a good sensation of the life. You can see great 360 degree views of the area and grounds.

The castle is lovely and grounds are absolutely stunning. Although the structure and landscaping…read moreare lovely, our tour guide felt the need to weave her strong political views into most topics. Examples would be regarding a pitcher/jug that is displayed in one of the glass cases. She said the pitcher "should not be here" and if she had her way "it would be returned" because it was "stolen from a masque." She also said when referring to Dr. Edward Jenner being the first to develop a successful vaccination for small pox that "it really is a question if he were the first." She said he barely beat Africa and Turkey in this world altering vaccine. To which doctors to whom was she referring to in Africa or Turkey? She made a comment of, " My grandfather always said, 'Whatever horrible acts done have been done have been done by the English first.' and I firmly believe this." She was also railing against the decisions of the monarchs before the addition of the parliament. Then she went on to say she wished she could get rid of the current government. A guide should concentrate on the facts and remove biases. It is quite distracting and unnecessary.

What can you say about one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world which is still owned by the…read moresame family from 900 years ago. You have to go. Its where Edward II was murdered with a red hot poker up his fundament .

The Pulteney Bridge in Bath is one of only four bridges in the world to have retail shops spanning…read moreboth sides of the bridge. Construction of the stone arch bridge was completed over the River Avon in 1774. Crossing the bridge (I was on a bus) has a very Old World feel. I was excited by the history and seeing the little shops on the bridge. The shops were packed with tourists.

Bath's iconic architecture is one of the many reasons why the city is a designated UNESCO World…read moreHeritage site, from its Roman origins to the fashionable eighteenth-century designs that form many of the city's most recognizable buildings. The guide informed us that the historic bridge is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides. (he meant Inhabited Bridges where shops/houses are built on the bridge) 1. Ponte Vecchio, Florence 2. Krämerbrücke, Germany 3. Pulteney Bridge, UK 4. Ponte di Rialto (Venice) I had been to #1,3,4 now. Pulteney Bridge is an impressive structure, its three arches sitting astride the River Avon, a splendid backdrop to the crescent-shaped river weir. The bridge in Bath is one of the most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in the city. it was designed in 1769 by Robert Adam and named after Frances Pulteney, wife of William Johnstone Pulteney. He had grand plans to create a 'new town' to rival that of John Wood's on the west side of the city. His grand scheme needed a new bridge, and he didn't want just any old bridge; he wanted a spectacular bridge, one which everyone would talk about, and that's how this came into existence.

Friend decided to do a tour for her Hen Night. You are met at Bus Station, The Hard, Portsmouth by…read morea red double decker bus, driver and guide in costume. You are taken around Southsea and Old Portsmouth, do not expect spooky, spooky, but there are a few surprises along the way, do not want to spoil it, more a historical tour than spooky. I really enjoyed it though, great for something different, if especially around Halloween.

We did the inner circle tour and it was worth every penny! There is an option for a sunrise tour…read moreand sunset before and after the place closes to the public. We opted for the sunset tour and were still able to spend our money in the gift shop, as it remained open. But there were no food options open at this time. We then took the bus to the site and were allowed to go inside the circle. Normally, you must stand about 10 yards away but being inside was unreal! There were so many unique photo ops from this vantage point and the fewer people was priceless. There were about 30 people total and they split you into 2 groups to take turns being inside. The guide and information presented was great as well!

As a history lover, Stonehenge has been on my bucket list. My visit yesterday did not disappoint…read more In fact, Stonehenge is an amazing wonder. My heart skipped some beats as I got my first glimpse of the great rocks. My husband and I took a small group tour to visit the site. We arrived early in the morning before crowds of tourists. I had downloaded the audio tour on my phone, which was fabulous. We bought tickets at the site. Tickets allow access to the museum/discovery center, a bus ride to the site and access to the walking path around the stones. Fees collected support the site. Paid admission is totally worth the visit. Stonehenge is a Neolithic site that was built over a 1000 year time period 3000 B.C. The site was a burial site, ceremonial site with astrological importance to these early people. The construction of the site is a prehistoric wonder. Two different types of huge rocks were gathered and moved across many miles to the site. The stones were carved to shape and secure them in place. Thousands of people must have participated in construction. Burial mounds surround the rock formation. Artifacts discovered at the site suggest that people were highly sophisticated. Some of the artifacts are displayed and replicas of there homes can be explored at the Center. Stonehenge is a World Heritage UNESCO site. Parking is available but there is a fee. Restrooms are nice. There is a cafe that is quite good at the center and a gift shop with reasonably priced visitor guidebooks. The site is accessible for wheel chairs and strollers, but the path is not paved. Worth a visit....I highly recommend.

We had a private tour with Simon Whittaker to a small portion of the Cotswolds. Not only was he…read moreprompt for our pick up he was full of historical information about the whole area. We were able to see and walk through a few villages and really see what makes this area a wonder. Not to mention many of the villages we visited were used in filming a lot of television and movie productions. We were able to stop and have a coffee at an historical hotel and lunch at a lovely spot far from the beaten path. Very enlightening! Simon was very personable. I highly recommend a tour with this Company and with Simon.

We hired Simon to give us a private 2 day tour of Bath, Stonehenge and the surrounding area. He was…read moreexcellent; helpful, knowledgeable, organized and with the sweetest disposition. He picked us up at the Bath train station and took us straight to Stonehenge. From there we did a half day walking tour of Bath. The next day he took us to Lacock to show our kids all the Harry Potter filming locations, not to be missed if you're a HP fan! Then he drove us through a few quaint villages on our journey to Highclere Castle to live out our Downton Abbey fantasy. He even found a way to surprise us with a stop at Avebury on the way! We had the best time with Simon and learned a lot, but he also taught us there is so much more to see! We'll be back again one day and will definitely be sure to hook up with Simon again.

Preface: A couple of the one-star reviews on Google were very unfair to Lion Tours. One of the…read morereviewers clearly never went on the tour (writing on behalf of others) and the other reviewer was merely repeating the former reviewer's review. It seems that the only person "lacking variety" is the latter reviewer. I usually don't call out other reviewers but something had to be said before someone stepped on either of these landmines. Now, on with the review. Paul was the greatest tour guide in the history of tour guides... maybe ever. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the surrounding area and we were completely blown away by his attention to detail. Did you know that Thomas the Tank Engine was conceived on this route? Wild! Paul knew. He also accompanied us to Stonehenge itself and gave us an in-person walk-through of the site, which I hear the competition doesn't do. The other tours just drop you off and wait in the cafe for you to be done. A bit impersonal if you ask me. Paul even keeps spare rain jackets in case you didn't bring one to the Henge. What a saint. Need recommendations for what to do in Bath? Surprise, Paul's got them. If the other tours are Bieber and Swift albums, then Lion Tours would have to be Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill, an absolute classic. Would book again!

We toured Stonehenge, Avebury, Lalock and Castle Combe. Paul was knowledgeable about the area and…read moreprovided us a unique and personal experience. He provided a special tour in Castle Combe that others could not show! We had a great day and recommend this tour