Four of us will be in London in September for a limited time. We'd like to book a day trip from london to see some other sites, such as Bath, Windsor, etc. In the past, we've relied on recommendations from friends when we've booked day trips, and have been lucky to book with excellent companies that have friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, great vehicles and good itineraries. Unfortunately, none of our friends have been to London within the last 10 years or so. As a result, we need recommendations for the best travel companies that offer day trips from London. Thanks!
Personally, I've never been disappointed with London Walks. http://www.walks.com Presently their calendar only addresses walks/sojourns through April 2014 but you can see what one of their excursions includes by simply looking up Day Trips from London.
Guests have been pleased with Evan Evans tours.
You can easily do a Windsor castle trip on your own. We have done it twice with two different family members. We took train from London both times and train station was not too far from castle. I think one time we changed trains in Slough but someone else like Nigel here will be able to give you that information. We has also found a "two for one deal" at a train station which we used for the Castle. At the train station there are several restaurants for a cup of tea before touring castle. Have only taken London walks for their tours in London itself and were impressed with their guides. Good luck.
A personal friend of mine is a fabulous London guide including day trips out of London... Google Sally Botwright. She's wonderful.
I would also recommend Evans Evans. They leave from Victoria coach station and offer tours to Salisbury and Stonehenge as well as Bath and Windsor. www.evanevanstours.co.uk or try Golden Tours. Leaves from same location. www.goldentours.com
I've done three Evan Evans bus tours over the years while in London, and have been very pleased with the experience and their service. First, I did the one with Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath....then the one with Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover....then the one with Stratford, Oxford and the Cotswolds. I would rank them in that order of priority to see...the first is a must as all three places are "must-see" in England tourism. The next was nice but not critical. The third was enjoyable, but unless you are really really big on Shakespeare or Oxford, there's no need to do it. (The "Cotswolds" part of it simply means you drive through it.)
Oh, I just remembered....last year I did the E-E daytrip to Paris. A long day, but for someone who had never been on the continent of Europe, I enjoyed seeing Paris. I have reviews on TripAdvisor for all this.
In my online planning for this summer (Belgium) and beyond, I discovered Viator.com, which seems to be a rival with many trips to consider. Good luck!
I agree - Evan's Evans is wonderful. We booked our tours through Gray Line. They sub out their tours to Evans Evans. We totally enjoyed all our tours with them.
Another vote for London walks. Check their schedule and see what interests you. I've not been disappointed in any of the walks I've taken with them. That is a great group!