I can't say enough good things about the Stonehenge, Avebury. Lacock and Castlecombe tour. Excellent informative driver, comfortable bus, arrived at Stonehenge before the crowds, walked among the Avebury stones, and two beautiful Cotswold villages to finish out the day. It was a complete delight and Mike, our driver, was the best!

When reviewing the Bath website for things to do, we noticed a tour company offering tours to Stonehenge, the Cotswalls and Avbury. The price was right, particularly when we learned that the groups would be small rather than huge bus tours. We signed up on line, paid on line and got confirmation immediately.

The tour company meets you in Bath and it is easy to find -- right behind the Bath Abbey. Our guide for the day was a retired firefighter who is from the area. His running commentary was very informative and he took us first to Stonehenge. We arrived as one of the first groups to Stonehenge so we were able to get a prime parking spot in the bus parking lot. Easy walk down to the new visitor's center where we were qued to catch the trams out to the sight.

Before we left the bus our guide took a headcount of the people on board and took a count of what type of tickets he was to purchase. We paid him later which saved us all time. He handed out the tickets and also the audio guides so that we were ready to go. After a short ride on a tram to the site, there is a short walk to begin the audio tour. Once you traveled around the site on foot, listened to what the guides had to say, took a ton of photos of Stonehenge from all angles, you return to the tram to return to the visitor's center.

There is a restaurant on site, but they don't serve or offer sodas, except some exotic and unrecognized flavored drinks -- at least to the American eye. They do offer coffees and teas if you don't wish a cold bottle of drink. Perhaps these are the favorites of the Brits. There wasn't much of a selection of food either. But it is just meant to be a quick food rather than a full service restaurant.

Our next stop was Avbury, then Lacock and Castle Combe. Lunch, on your own was at the last stop. There were several choices for places to eat in town, so the choice is up to you when you get there.

We returned back to Bath around 5-5:30 p.m. Fun was had by all.

I booked the Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock, Castle Coombe Tour online after reading various reviews on Rick Stein's website. Our driver Mike made the day run very smoothly with the right amount of time in any one stop, and was very knowledgeable adding humour at times and engaging with everyone. The fact that this is a small group tour was very appealing to myself and my husband. I can highly recommend Mad Max Tours for a very pleasant experience!

We booked the full day: Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock & Castle Combe. Our guide, John, provided interesting and humorous commentary between sites and walking around in Avebury & Castle Combe. John went "above and beyond" when one of our group needed medical attention, driving the family to a nearby facility during our time in Lacock (where Mike, the other guide and a stone mason by trade, took us around and provided insight into building techniques). All in all, a wonderful day and coach time was a welcome break from walking tours. We appreciated the early arrival at Stonehenge, beating the tours with their crowds.

Tip: The lunch stop in Lacock isn't until 14:00 so bring snacks. Or, since you'll be traveling through country that looks like The Shire, "second breakfast."