Stonehenge Questions; ‘what Stonehenge Tours run over Christmas / New year
28th October 2025
This week at Best Value Tours we are suddenly very busy with Christmas sales and as part of our ‘Stonehenge Collection‘ advise series and general Best Value Tour advise. Today we were asked about Stonehenge Tours at Christmas, so will be delighted to answer that and share in this post. What a wonderful mix, glorious rural Wiltshire in scenic winter and truly magical and mystical Stonehenge.
There are fabulous festive, Christmas and New Year tours that visit Stonehenge, but with the challenge of short days and lack of daylight, these are limited, sell out well in advance and if of interest now is the time to book. Plus an extra tip if in London New Years Eve, incredibly popular is New Years Eve, Thames River Cruise’s with Dinner and then moor up for the Fireworks at Westminster, these are all close to selling out now, so if that is in your plans book now.
Enchanting, Mystical and truly Magical must see Stonehenge in stunning Rural Wiltshire
Festive December, Christmas and New Year at Stonehenge and ‘what can we expect from the weather’
Festive December
Apart from Christmas Day, there are many Stonehenge Tours, including a limited range of small group Stonehenge Tours These are available all December, between Christmas and New Years Eve, New Year Day and into January there is still a great schedule of Stonehenge Tours. Please see below for full contact details, secure links with full tour details and if you choose to book.
Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours in December
The December/Christmas time Stonehenge inner circle options are very limited indeed (most run March until September each year). Due to lack of daylight time, Stonehenge only allow the morning inner circle tours in Winter and in December all available are:
Stonehenge Morning Inner Circle, Lacock and Bath – 13th or 27th December (the 27th December is particularly popular)
Stonehenge Morning Inner Circle, Windsor and Windsor Castle – 8th or 15th December
Experience the true magic of Stonehenge with Dawn or Dusk Inner Circle visit
What is weather like at Stonehenge in December, what are the best cloths to wear?
Well this is England so anything is possible weather wise, however if well prepared Stonehenge is still a fabulous winter destination and our weather forecasts are pretty accurate 3/4 weeks prior, so you should have a good idea before packing for your trip. Stonehenge is found in the South West of England in Stunning Rural Wiltshire, so do expect to be colder than say London or Bath. In winter daytime temperatures vary day to day and year to year considerably, anything in range from as little as around -3°C 26°F to around 17°C 63°F. So clearly check before you travel is wise advise.
Also take note of wind speeds and wind chill. Stonehenge is found, whilst on a gentle gradient, is quite elevated against the sounding landscape and as clearly exposed. A cold North/North eastern wind can make it feel much colder, but you will be fine if wrap up, hats and gloves and all and you will be fine.
Rain is always a feature in England, however December is generally dry, but do again check in advance and be prepared just in case. if you are lucky enough to be going on one on the privileged inner circle tours, you will be on the grass in the stone circle, so do wear suitable shoes, the grass may well be wet.
Weather closures are fortunately very rare at Stonehenge. We can only remember one day when Stonehenge closed in the last twenty years, when the snow came down so hard the path around Stonehenge was not able to be cleared in time for visitors. It can be icy on paths in winter generally, they are cleared at Stonehenge, but nevertheless good footwear is wise and take care and you will have a wonderful visit.
Christmas Eve and Boxing Day
Stonehenge and most other attractions are fully open Christmas Eve and Boxing day and so we have a wide selection of fabulous touring options including Stonehenge.
Christmas Day
Whilst Stonehenge and other attractions are closed on Christmas Day, Wiltshire nevertheless makes for a perfect Christmas Day destination. With panoramic tours including Stonehenge, followed by a sumptuous 3-course Traditional Christmas lunch at a historic pub, in 1000 year old walled city Salisbury and its charming Market Square.
Considered one of the best in the world , see magnificent Salisbury Cathedral on your visit to charming 1000 year old walled City of Salisbury.
New Years Eve/New Years Day
With Stonehenge and most attractions open, we offer a number of vibrant and fun New years Eve and New Years Day tours.
Secure Links with Full Details and options to Book
Stonehenge December Inner Circle Tours
Stonehenge Inner Circle, Lacock and Bath | Best Value Tours or Morning Stonehenge Inner Circle Tour and Windsor | Best Value Tours
Festive December Stonehenge Christmas and New Year Tours | Best Value Tours
Stonehenge Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Tours | Best Value Tours
Stonehenge Boxing Day Boxing Day Tours | Best Value Tours
Stonehenge New Years Eve New Years Eve Tours | Best Value Tours
Stonehenge New Years Day New Years Day Tours | Best Value Tours
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@bestvaluetours.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)
Also for more alternatives and for our younger audience 18-35 or young at heart, please visit our Sister Site Backpackertours – www.backpackertours.co.uk
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.