3 final easy pretty villages days after a long UK drive Tour: Wiltshire or Surrey?

Surrey is more London commuter belt, albeit upmarket commuters, so I would opt for the more rural Wiltshire, for quintessential English villages.

Marlborough is a typical market town and there are several white chalk horses carved into the hillsides that have been there hundreds of years. The Vale of Pewsey and environs are attractive landscapes. I would give Stonehenge a miss and head for the more intimate Avebury if old stones are your thing.

There are some good NT properties including Lacock, home of photography and Stourhead House and Garden.

I may be tempted to hop over the border into Somerset to see Shaftesbury and into Hampshire for the New Forest.

I think you should have said where you are coming from - is it Trecastle in Wales?

I'll second Wiltshire for all the reasons Jennifer stated.

Wiltshire. Out of interest what are the 'main villages and towns' you have already seen in both?

My childhood was in Surrey and I love it. I'd pick Wiltshire.

Jennifer, your ideas are so frequently generous and most helpful. I'll study them carefully as always.

Responses: We've done delightful Lacock, the nearby NT and compelling photo museum, Stonehenge I've seen a few times including first eons ago when it was on a dirt road and directly negotiable just off parking anywhere around it. Those two particular memories are quite keen and sharpest.

r&g Beyond those mentioned above, I'd say for Surrey crossing from west off the M3 through the AONB with overnight B&B on my way to Kent and the coast is the time I last recall. Surrey memories are less particularly about precise spots, more in passing through and decidedly less sharp.

For Wiltshire dabbling, I'd also add times based in peripheral Bath, and the southern Cotswolds just north, as well as around nearby Abingdon. From such points, over the years, we'd spread out in area day trips. Not much specific~

I've got my eye on one of these two areas to become a bit more familiar. with one of the two, unlike so many regions in the UK far more familiar.

James, it is Trecastle; I should have clarified in that regard. which might have helped with drive strategy issues.

Ta, JC& Nigel--

Folks: The highest priority is an interest in keeping our request simple: please suggest the one of two you personally prefer primarily for less busy, charming villages and countryside as per our relaxing endgame theme; naming those spots that jump out would be great. The one complication beyond is we have both English Heritage and National Trust memberships, so suggested particularly compelling properties for either organization would certainly be considered in the mix.

All good things-----

-Whoops:since asked, meant to add Castle Combe to those great spots previously visited-

I don’t know how long you are staying in the Trecastle area but I would like to mention some places in this part of south Wales. Please click for a map:>https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.919305,-3.7266731,12.07z

Right, now I guess you can see Trecastle. Look to the south of the map and you will see The National Showcaves of Wales - well worth a look - you could take the backroad over the mountains. Having done the caves, you may like to continue south for about 3 miles and then hard left and head for the upper Vale of Neath (Glyn Neath) and turn left as traffic lights and go to Pontneddfechan. Park here and walk up river to Scwd Gwladys/ The Lady Waterfall = takes about 35 minutes.

Look at the south-western part of the map - can you see Carreg Cennen Castle = spectacular ruined castle on top of a crag - with a passage that leads into a cave under the castle. You could try and drive on the backroad form Trecastle via Twyn Llanannan. However, it is easy to get lost on the narrow lanes through Gwynfe - where you may have to drive backwards to a passing place. The road up from Llandeilo is much better. Just west of Llandeilo is Newton House (NT) and Dryslwlyn Castle (ruin) and Aberglasney Gardens (not NT). The National Botanic Garden of Wales is also not far away from these.

Can you see Llandovery? Going north from this town, a backroad leads up to the Brianne dam. The road continues through remote country northward and you could then take the old drovers road back down to Abergwesyn and Llwrtryd Wells - don’t do it if you don’t like single track roads with passing places - check out on street view.

So, you are looking for places in England while drifting back towards Heathrow and you have seen a fair bit of Wiltshire. If you have not been to the lower Wye Valley - that would be a good option - still in Wales. So - A40 from Trecastle to Abergavenny and on to Raglan - visit castle. Then head for the lower Wye Valley - probably going to Monmouth on A40 and then A466 going south. Visit TINTERN ABBEY (ruin). As an alternative - A40 skirting Monmouth & Ross > M50 and come off at Tewkesbury. Then head east to Toddington and the northern Cotswolds (Broadway, Chipping Campden/ Hidcote Manor Gardens NT, Lower Slaughter, Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-Water).

Another alternative is to go from Trecastle into the more populated Cardiff area. Dyffyrn Gardens - just west of the city is NT but if doing this, I would first visit Castell Coch, then St.Fagans Castle & Museum of Welsh Life (takes half a day) & then Dyffryn Gardens. Also in this area is Cardiff Castle (in centre of city) and Caerphilly Castle - 7 miles N of Cardiff.

Google places mentioned if interested.

Did I miss when the trip is? Summer?

My wife and I love Polesden Lacey (National Trust) in Surrey. Fabulous gardens and a beautiful house (good food) with a great lawn overlooking the Downs. So nice. Love it.

Bradford on Avon is a beautiful village. The Courts Garden (NT) is nearby, as is Westwood Manor (NT).

Back in Surrey, back on the Downs, is Box Hill (NT-free). Very steep, with beautiful views, very nice.

Nigel some fine ideas-thanks.

I'm asking others to stick to question as posed, please. I've done much in previous years that's being suggested here beyond the scope of my inquiry, as well as seven other full weeks elsewhere (one in Central Wales and six in England) on this particular trip.

On your way from Wales you could visit Dyrham Park which is a NT country house to the north of Bath ( close to the M4) then perhaps wind your way down to Bradford on Avon. Take the small roads across Wiltshire and you'll encounter plenty of charm. Perhaps wind your way back up to Royal Wooten Basset, then a lovely cross country route via abroad Hinton to Marlborough. Take in the High Street and down. By the river. Drive south through the Savernak forest, come off at Burbage. Take the Wolf Hall road to Bedwyn. Great Michelin star restaurant in Little Bedwyn work your way back up to Hungerford (technically Berkshire I think but still nice). You'll be heading in the right direction back to Heathrow then.