Bath for a one night jet lag sleep over

No, I don't think you'll be forever disappointed! You can just watch both versions of Persuasion (although preferably the Ciaran Hinds version) about five times each, and you'll get a feel for everything except the Roman Baths. I like Bath; I think it's wonderful, but I'm not quite getting Rick's determination for people to make that their jumping off point after getting off a transatlantic flight. Carless, I'd just as soon head into town (London) for a night or somewhere along the bus or rail line and get over jet lag. If renting a car, well, I wouldn't recommend hopping in a car right away after getting off a flight, so I think you're on to a good idea.

I only mention this because I was listening to one of his radio programs recently, and RS brought up the Bath idea again. I was literally yelling at my radio "Enough already with the Bath right after landing!" It also seems like ETBD would just run their Best of England tour counter(anti-)clockwise so that they could start in London and take the train to York, then pick up the bus in the north. I just don't find London that intimidating, and quite frankly, the directions to get there for first timers seem easier than the directions for getting to Bath from LHR. (Although I guess some are traveling into Gatwick.) :) In any event, have a great time!

I've stayed in Bath as a jet lag stop, though I gave myself 2 nights and took the train on to London.

It was fantastic. I forget the name of the hotel, though I could easily find it if needed. I stayed in a slope-ceilinged room at the end of a frosty October. I walked everywhere, no bus, sorry.

I enjoyed the baths - I think the taps in the ladies' room used hot water direct from the baths - is that possible? I made several Jane Austen-related stops and had a picnic in my room that evening while the sleet hit against the window and I watched Vanity Fair on TV. It was pure pleasure.

I left for London refreshed and ready for my main course. I recommend Bath as a jet lag stop. I know I will visit it again this way - either arriving or departing from the UK.

Debbie

The Roman baths and old cathedral are really something.

Of course, the answer all depends on your interests. I am not a big fan of Bath. I've been there 3 or 4 times. The Roman baths are superb. Other than that, Bath is not my favorite place. On our last trip, we flew to Heathrow and stayed in Winchester for the first 3 nights (used as a base to go to Portsmouth and Salisbury). Winchester is a very historic city -- great cathedral and town is very nice place to visit.

This doesn't answer your initial question but if you are going to Avebury, could you make that your first stop? It's not too far from Heathrow. Easy drive, mostly on motorway. Avebury would be a good first day visit. We actually stayed in a neighboring village which was quite nice....B&B, ate dinner at a nearby pub. Bath can be visited as a day trip -- I would just do the Roman baths. With Bath as a day trip, you can avoid a town that tends to have expensive hotels, difficult parking.