Four "young" seniors with 5-7 days to spend outside of London from Bath to the Cotswolds. Self-driving, driver or tours? Lodging recommendations? B & B's or hotels? Trains or buses? Sights not to miss? Best tour for Stonehenge "behind the ropes". We self drove 2 and 1/2 weeks in Ireland and Scotland in 2016 and loved our experience. Currently planning to "train" into London from Paris following a cruise and probably training out to Bath. REALLY do not want to base ourselves in London and attempt day trips. Would prefer to train out to Bath and start our adventure there. Good idea or asking for trouble? In search of encouragement or cautionary counsel.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Encouragement, of course! Bath would be a good base for exploring in the Cotswolds, for Stonehenge, and for other places. You'll have to get from St. Pancras to Paddington in London, I'd suggest a taxi with the luggage you'll have. If you can handle driving on the left side, that would be the best way to see the Cotswolds. I don't know a lot about Stonehenge, but people on this forum seem to like the Mad Max tours out of Bath.
B&Bs vs. hotels seems like a topic you should already have some opinions about. Others will doubtless share their recommendations of particular places.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
I would recommend self driving, especially for the Cotswolds, public transportation is limited in thr Cotswolds. Chipping Campden or Broadway would be a fabulous home base for the Cotswolds.
Posted by
Land of La
9263 posts
Rent a car. Consider Cotswolds and/or Peak District.
All depends on time of year and what you are interested in.
Posted by
OP
Lewiston, Idaho USA
2 posts
Thanks everyone! This is my first experience with the "travel forum" and I'm loving it. Do so appreciate all the information and the time taken to respond.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14822 posts
For Stonehenge, if you decide not to drive, stay 2 nights in Salisbury and take the local bus out to Stonehenge. It's called the Stonehenge Tour altho it's not what most of us think of as a tour. It runs a loop all day from 2 locations in Salisbury (station and City Center), out to Stonehenge then back by Old Sarum. Salisbury Cathedral is wonderful - evensong is very lovely. THey have one of the Magna Carta but it may or may not be on display when you visit as someone whacked the case last fall and it's being reinstalled with more security.
I have stayed at Cathedral View B&B twice and enjoy it a lot. Location is excellent, breakfast is terrific and the hosts are very helpful.
I also love Bath - have stayed at 4 different places there thru the years and generally stay several nights. I love the sights in Bath and still haven't seen everything on my list after maybe 4 visits. If you decide not to rent a car MadMax day tours does a nice job with a day trip to the Cotswolds and also does a day trip to Stonehenge and Avebury.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5553 posts
THey have one of the Magna Carta but it may or may not be on display when you visit as someone whacked the case last fall and it's being reinstalled with more security.
It's back on display.