Day trips from London

www.walks.com http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/THE_GREAT_ESCAPES!_Day_Trips_from_London/default.aspx
Have taken numerous walks. Each enjoyable and informative. Can't beat the price or the organization.

Another vote for London Walks at walks.com. We did a day trip to Bath and enjoyed it very much. We also did a Beatles walk in London. They have lots of day trips, just check their website walks.com for schedules. Enjoy your trip!

Just don't try to do all the Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon, and Warwick all in one day, especially from London.

You are at least an hour from London to the general area and at least that long or longer to return. The Cotswolds is a very large area and full of fabulous discoveries which after several decades exploring I have not completed; at least several villages, a town or two, and a bit of countryside - it is beautiful - and will take time for the bus or minibus to get around if it isn't to just skim the edge.

Oxford is something unique, and the different colleges and their gardens are all different. Then there's the town centre to say nothing of the canal. Speaking of the canal, that is one of the great attractions of the large market town of Stratford upon Avon, to say nothing of the Shakespeare connections including his school and the church where he was buried as well as three other interesting properties.

And the nearby market town of Warwick with its medieval history and lane layout, to say nothing of the huge Warwick Castle will take even more time. And are you stopping at Lord Leycester Hospital? Or St Mary's church with the very scenic view from the top of the tower?

I'm not saying to not take that tour - just saying that the more that is included the more that has to be covered superficially or from a distance, or not at all.

Just don't do more in one day than you're comfortable with, you're presumbly not going to these to just check them off a list.

I have a suggestion for you to consider. How about 2 or 3 nights in Bath? Do a walking tour your first afternoon, do a Mad Max tour (small van) from Bath the next day to Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock and Castle Combe. Spend the next day seeing Bath and either spend that night there or head back to London late in the day. It does not get you to every destination you listed but it does give you time to enjoy what you do see.

I hope nobody will sell you a tour that covers 4 cities/regions in one day. If you take a direct train from London Paddington to Bath Spa station (1.5 hours), you could see more by staying overnight and you could consider the Mad Max tours that depart from there (p. 539 of Rick's London book). You can also get direct trains from London Paddington to Oxford, or a series of direct trains London Marlylebone/ Warwick/ Stratford Upon-Avon/ London Marylebone. Buy tickets for roundtrips whenever possible, and at least a day ahead; see also http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/britain-rail-passes#ticket-tips. Or, you might find that a BritRail London Plus or BritRail South West pass covers most of your needs (see maps on that page link).

On our trip last year, we stopped at both Stratford-Upon-Avon and Warwick on our way to the Cotswolds. We found Stratford to be extremely touristy with lots of souvenir shops. The whole Shakespeare portion of it was not appealing despite our desire to experience the Bard. We walked down by the waterfront and that was scenic but left after less than two hours. We wouldn't go back again as it just didn't feel "real" or particularly charming. We spent a little longer in Warwick, especially enjoying the little garden below the castle. We skipped the castle as it sounded more appropriate for families (we're your age). We briefly visited the Lord Leycester Hospital for a total time in Warwick of about two hours or less. In short, I wouldn't advise you take a day trip here unless you like a highly developed tourist area. We had a car and enjoyed our stay in the Cotswolds for three days. It's more countrified and charming so a tour might be lovely through there. Oxford might be a good choice or even Cambridge. We also really enjoyed our visit to Blenheim Palace (not far from Oxford/Cotswolds). There are two great tours in the palace itself, as well as an interesting history display about Churchill. The gardens are quite lovely - even spectacular, so you get some outdoor time as well. Hope this helps with your research.