24 August 2026 - 5 days for £1,790 per person
Register for 2027 and we will contact when confirmed details including dates and prices are available.
Step into the world of our ancient ancestors on this exciting walking tour through south-west England’s prehistoric landscapes. Explore sites including Stonehenge, Old Sarum, Maiden Castle, and more, and see firsthand how archaeology reveal the secrets of our distant past. From mysterious stone circles to grand Iron Age hillforts, experience the places where early humans lived, worked, and left their mark.
This tour blends gentle walking with immersive archaeological and scientific exploration, taking you to some of southwest England’s most iconic prehistoric and historic sites, including Stonehenge, Avebury, Old Sarum, and Maiden Castle. Discover the ritual and astronomical significance of Neolithic stone circles, the complex defensive strategies of Iron Age hillforts, and the evolving patterns of settlement, technology, and society across millennia. Along the way, you’ll also experience the region’s stunning landscapes, from rolling chalk downs and ancient woodlands to dramatic hillfort vistas, seeing how geography and environment shaped human activity over thousands of years.
Accompanied throughout by Emily H. Wilson, former editor-in-chief of New Scientist. Emily will offer thought-provoking talks that bring ancient landscapes vividly to life. Enhancing your experience, a team of experts - including the Director of Wiltshire Museum - will reveal the latest discoveries, interpretations, and archaeological insights, offering a unique perspective on prehistoric artefacts and the cultures that created them. Through daily walks, immersive site explorations, and engaging mini-seminars, you’ll connect scientific inquiry with history, uncovering the remarkable ingenuity of these ancient monuments.
This tour is ideal for those fascinated by human origins, archaeology, and the scientific study of our past. Gentle walks through extraordinary landscapes provide immersive access to sites of profound historical and geological significance, while expert-led discussions and behind-the-scenes insights transform each visit into a deeply rewarding exploration of how early societies shaped - and were shaped by - the world around them.
In partnership with Kirker Holidays.
DAY 1: ARRIVE AT SALISBURY AND MEET THE GROUP
Check into The Chapter House in the charming city of Salisbury. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure.
Salisbury is a captivating historic city in Wiltshire, England, where centuries of history unfold along elegant medieval streets. At its heart stands Salisbury Cathedral, founded in 1220 and crowned by the tallest church spire in Britain, a landmark that has shaped the city’s skyline and identity for over 800 years. Beyond the city, the landscape is steeped in deep time: Old Sarum reveals layers of Iron Age and Norman history, while nearby Stonehenge connects Salisbury to one of the world’s most famous prehistoric sites, making the area a compelling destination for lovers of history, archaeology, and culture.
In the evening, meet your tour leader and Emily Wilson, author and journalist and former New Scientist editor-in-chief; and your fellow guests for a welcome drink at the hotel.
Afterwards, Emily will give an informal talk about tomorrow's visit to Cerne Abbas, which will be followed by dinner at the hotel.
DAY 2: CERNE ABBAS AND MAIDEN CASTLE
Walking distance: 6 kilometres - 2.5 - 3 hours
This morning you will travel by coach to Cerne Abbas. During the journey, Emily will talk about her time living in the village and the numerous Iron Age tools on the local hilltops that she has found.
Cerne Abbas is known for the Cerne Giant geoglyph, an ancient, naked figure sculpted into the chalk hillside that is more than 50 metres in length. Its origin and age is unclear, although one recent study has suggested an age of about 1000 years. While the village grew up around a Benedictine abbey that was founded in AD 987, there is evidence of Iron Age settlements above the giant. Cerne’s chalk stream and ancient springs have fuelled a highly successful brewing trade in past centuries.
On arrival at the village, Emily will then lead you on a guided walk of under 5 kilometres around the prehistoric landscape. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local pub in the village before continuing onto Maiden Castle.
Aerial view of Old Sarum in England Getty Images/iStockphoto
You will have a guided tour of Maiden Castle, one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe. Mostly built in the 1st century BC, it has multiple huge ramparts and is the size of 50 football pitches. Excavations have revealed evidence of occupation during the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods. The walk to the top of the hill fort is quite steep in parts.
In the late afternoon, return to the hotel and enjoy dinner together.
DAY 3: EARTH MOUNDS, AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE, ALEXANDER KEILLER MUSEUM AND WILTSHIRE MUSEUM
Walking distance: 11 kilometres - 3-4 hours
After breakfast, drive by coach to the Neolithic long barrow Adam’s Grave, a trapezoidal earth mound covering burial chambers. From here, you will walk towards Avebury, stopping at West Kennet long barrow. It is one of the largest in Britain, built in around 3400 BC, and visitors can explore inside its five chambers. Afterwards, you will walk to view Silbury hill, the largest artificial mound in Europe. Completed in around 2400 BC, it contains no burial chambers or remains, so its original purpose remains unknown. The walk is around 11 kilometres and will take around 4 hours. For those who don't feel confident walking this distance, there will be the option to transfer from Adam's Grave to West Kennet long barrow by coach and then on to Silbury hill, meeting up with the group in Avebury.
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Today’s sites are part of the Stonehenge and Avebury UNESCO World Heritage Site and in the afternoon, you will reach Avebury henge and stone circles. The henge is a huge, circular bank and ditch encircling Avebury village. Inside is the largest stone circle in Britain, dating back to some time between 2850 BC and 2200 BC.
Afterwards continue to the Wiltshire Museum for a private visit and introduction from the museum director. Here, you will explore more than 500,000 years of Wiltshire’s story. The collection includes more finds from around Stonehenge, including tools and decorative objects. Afterwards, return to Salisbury where you will have dinner at your own leisure.
DAY 4: STONEHENGE, OLD SARUM AND SALISBURY MUSEUM
Walking distance: 5 kilometres - 2 hours
Departing by coach after an breakfast, start walking from about 5 kilometres east of Stonehenge. This will allow you to visit several interesting sites, including Woodhenge, Cuckoo Stone and the Cursus Barrows, before the majesty of Stonehenge slowly reveals itself. You will be accompanied by a guide from Woodhenge who will offer insight into Stonehenge.
As one of the most famous landmarks in Britain, it attracts a lot of visitors, but we are aiming to get you there by 9:30am when it opens to appreciate its beauty without the crowds. Access to the site is through timed tickets, which we will have already booked for you. The visitor centre is also worth a visit, with an exhibition, outdoor gallery and reconstructed Neolithic houses. You will have plenty of time to explore the site.
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Return to Salisbury with time in the afternoon to relax.
In the late afternoon, visit the Salisbury Museum, the museum covers the story of Salisbury from prehistoric times and includes artefacts from Stonehenge. Enjoy a final dinner with the group in the museum.
DAY 5: DEPART SALISBURY
After a final leisurely breakfast together, it’s time to depart. Checkout is at 11am, but if you wish to stay a few more nights to enjoy the area, we can arrange this for you.
