Next Spring we are considering a bus tour from London to Bath via Windsor and Stonehenge (staying in Bath; not returning to London) IF the tour operator allows our luggage on the bus with us. Anyone have any experience or recommendations for this?
To me this tour does not allow enough time in Windsor or Stonehenge (or Bath for that matter but you've solved that by staying there).
How many nights are you in London? How many in Bath? I'm asking to see if it's feasible to do Windsor as a day trip from London and Stonehenge as a day trip from Bath either on your own or via a small van tour like MadMax.
I agree with Pam 100%. Since you are staying in Bath, why take a tour that stops in Bath?. Visit Windsor from London and Stonehenge from Bath.
I've taken a few tours with Madmax and enjoyed them all. They use small vans.
I second Mad Max and seeing Windsor on your own.
I think I wasn't clear. We begin in London, 5 days. Then 4 days in Bath. Then on from there. We are considering using a bus tour ending in Bath that stops either at Windsor or Stonehenge, or both, as transportation to Bath. But only if they allow luggage. Anybody know about that?
Or would a train direct from London to Bath then day tripping to Stonehenge in a rental car make more sense?
Comments and suggestions appreciated. Thanks
Train/Bus to Bath then rental car to Stonehenge. You will have more time to explore. Between the site and the museum it can take awhile including dealing with crowds. Then you can also stop in Salisbury which is nearby.
The reason we say this is because trying to do Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath in one day is rush, rush, rush. It doesn't matter if you are getting off in Bath, you don't get more time in Windsor and Stonehenge.
But if you insist on taking the tour, you will have to contact the tour company to ask if they will allow what you want to do.
Oh, I thought you were clear and I my understanding of your intent was as you stated. I think the bus tours are a poor choice for a form of transportation between locations.
Yes, with 5 days in London, do Windsor as a day tour. With the Windsor Castle admission you get a free multimedia guide. You can go at your own pace and stop if something is of interest or move on to the next thing if something is not interesting to you.
https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
For Stonehenge from Bath, to me you have 3 choices.
A small van tour such as Mad Max which Frank and I have both done and both mentioned.
You can DIY and take a train from Bath to Salisbury then take the local Salisbury Reds shuttle bus out to the stones and back via Old Saurm. They call this route "The Stonehenge Tour" but in my mind it's not really a tour. They do have a narrated portion on the way out of town to the stones. The pick up is at the Salisbury Train Station and you can buy your tickets from the driver. There is also a pick up/drop off point in the City Centre. I've done this shuttle bus several times and it's very easy. If you do it, purchase the ticket that includes Stonehenge entry as it will save you some time.
https://www.salisburyreds.co.uk/the-stonehenge-tour
- Renting a car and doing it on your own. Depends on how you feel about driving on the left. I'm a solo traveler and just don't have any interest in renting a car especially when there is a manageable form of transport.
You know what you would enjoy!
Thanks to all who've responded. Great insight from experienced travelers.