9 days in england

Everyone has a different travel style and speed at which they like to travel. Our opinions may not match your style....

I think this is too much for one trip. Here is my thinking. I would look for 2-3 "bases" and have longer stays in fewer places. Your two year old will need rests and staying in fewer hotels will help to keep things a little more stable for him.

You don't mention whether you have visited any of these spots before. If not, there is enough in just London and Paris to keep you busy. Driving means bringing or finding a car seat, where public transport means that you don't need one.

We did 4 weeks in South Wales and England, not going to London.

Definitely visit York. Warwick Castle is fun, especially for kids.

Here is our trip in detail.
28 days in Britain and Celebrity Eclipse home
https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=599139

I'd definitely not go to Paris when you have only 9 days for England.

You'll need a rental car to get the most out of the places you want to visit, and with a 2-year-old the car will also be convenient as a sort of "portable home."

Keep in mind that in March it will be cold, possibly with some ice and/or snow which would affect road conditions. Don't be fooled by the mileage between places like Bath, Stonehenge, and Avebury. The distances may not seem that long, but your progress on secondary roads will be slower than what you'd expect for an equivalent distance in the US. People do drive very fast on the Motorways, but most of your trip will be on A or B roads.

Here's a suggested itinerary, mapped out with the idea of heading to the furthest point, then working your way back.
Nights 1, 2, 3: London
Pick up rental car, drive to Warwick Castle, then to a Cotswold village of your choice
Nights 4, 5: Cotswolds
Night 6: Bath
Nights 7, 8: Marlborough or Salisbury or other town accessible to Avebury & Stonehenge
Night 9: near airport for your flight home

In response to the earlier comment about Warwick Castle appealing to kids, that's undoubtedly true but I'm not sure a 2-year-old would get much out of it. If you want to go because it interests you (the parents), then do, but otherwise there are other castles and stately homes you might enjoy just as much without having to drive to Warwick. Hope this helps!

Thanks for such a post. It was one of my questions about the visit to England. So the process takes place for a long time.

I'm going to be a realist here and initially answer your question: "Is this reasonable to do in 9 full days" to which my answer will be no.

Now I'll continue with my unsolicited advice. Some forum members have suggested that replies should be kept to the OP's question(s). I've answered your question but without any further clarification or option it's pretty much pointless.

First, forget Paris, you don't have time. It's a faff with a toddler and you won't enjoy it in any meaningful way.

I have to admit to reading your itinerary and letting out a sigh because it's the same old, same old that crops up every time as if England only consists of London, Oxford, Bath, Cotswolds and Stonehenge that are worth visiting but I accept that travel advice is self perpetuating and when one see's areas frequently referenced they feel that they are worth visiting but I would ask you to consider why you want to visit those areas.

London itself can easily fulfill 9 days but I understand the temptation to branch out and explore whilst you're in Little Old England. Unfortunately, whilst comparitively small it's not an easy country to travel around in and distances take longer to travel than their US equivalent.

Forget Warwick Castle if your intention is solely for your child. He is too young to appreciate it, perhaps 6 and upwards but not at 2. If you and your wife want to visit for your own reasons then by all means visit.

Stonehenge and Avebury are hugely inpressive.....to those who are interested in Neolithic structures. I find them fascinating, my wife and children moaned and moaned until they reached the cafe/pub. Some people feel the need to go because it's a "must see" but "must see's" are only "must see's" if you have a genuine interest. Stonehenge and Avebury are going to be damp, cold, dreary or even snowed in in March. With a 2 year old how are you going to transport him around the stones? (Stonehenge is easier than Avebury) He'll have zero interest in the stones but you or your wife may have so if you do, go but be aware that it'll not be a walk in the park!

Likewise the Cotswolds. Sure, they're a bunch of pretty villages but really no different than bunches of pretty villages up and down the country. If you like tea rooms and antique shops then by all means go. I suspect long walks in March with a 2 year old are not on the agenda which is one of the attractions of the Cotswolds.

Which brings me to Bath. Yes, it's a lovely city and I find the Roman Baths incredibly interesting but not everyone does, a 2 year old certainly won't. It's one of the regular "must see's" that I note receives quite a lot of split opinion, people either like it or they don't. Ask yourselves why you want to visit and if the answer is specifc rather than "it's what's recommended" then go for it.

Oxford has never interested me, I'm not sure of its attraction, I've never been so I can't really make an informed comment on it.

You'll be visiting at a difficult time of year. Much of what I would suggest for a 2 year old, Legoland, Paultons Park, Drayton Manor, various petting farms etc are more suitable for the summer months. Late March can be pretty miserable or surprisingly warm and spring like, it's impossible to tell in advance.

If you're restricted to late March then I would strongly recommend spending a bit more time looking at what England has to offer beyond the well worn and predictable trails. Consider what your interests are, let us know and we can offer some more appopriate and perhaps more interesting places tailored to your interests. Your child is going to simply accompany you, there's not much that you can provide for a child that age in March that is going to entertain him.

I second what JC says. March isn’t the best time to visit the Cotswolds as there will be little colour in the gardens. I would be tempted to have 3 nights in York and spend the rest of your time in London, then you won’t need to hire a car. In York, see the Minster, walk the city walls and visit the Railway Museum.

You could take a train day trip from London to Bath or Oxford, but your 2 year old maybe bored by both.

If you to the Cotswolds then Bourton on the water would be a good bet - it's got the quaint charm you and you wife will like and your youngest will no doubt enjoy the model village, Bird World, watching the ducks on the river and a big sticky bun from the bakers. There's also a motor museum if he's 'into' cars. Don't be deterred by the weather. You could have it nice and it shouldn't be too busy as likely to be outside of school holidays. I think Windsor could work too including the Castle, Legoland and some time in Windsor Great Park if the weather is nice.
In London perhaps include visits to places like London Zoo, the Aquarium, science Museum and Natural History museum. Hyde Park if the weather is fair.