We have 5 total days to spend between Canterbury and Salisbury. Which town would you spend the most time in...Canterbury or Salisbury? We land in London, and we immediately go to Canterbury for 2 or 3 nights. Then we go to Salisbury for 2 or 3 nights. Any recommendations on the most efficient way to get from London Heathrow Airport to Canterbury and from Canterbury to Salisbury?
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1526 posts
Look at the National Trust UK online. This will show you what is around each location. They have an Overseas Visitor Pass available that may save you on admissions. Canterbury has the Cathedral and Salisbury has the Cathedral and Stonehenge. They are in opposite directions from London so the quickest way is to back track thru London. There might be a good coastal route to take between the two towns; check for possible discounts tickets depending on your age and time of day.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
" check with Britrail for possible discounts."
Britrail? They just sell rail passes (which you can't buy in the UK), separate point to point advance tickets would probably work out cheaper, for railway info go to www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Posted by
889 posts
This is an awkward itinerary, by car or by train. Heathrow is west of London. Canterbury is east, then back through or around London, to Salisbury.
What are you doing after Salisbury? Is there a way you can rework this?
Posted by
8331 posts
I agree with the others regarding the awkward travel from Canterbury to Salisbury. That requires taking the M25 Orbital, which is the largest parking lot in the World. I know from experience.
Of course, there are back roads that you could take if you wanted, but travel would be slow.
Salisbury is a great place to see the wonderful cathedral and old city, also it is not far from Stonehenge. You can see Salisbury in one day and take in Stonehange in the same day.
A better trip would be to take in Windsor Castle not far from Heathrow, the Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath the Cotswolds (Oxford, Stratford on Avon and more) then back to London.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7208 posts
2 nights in Canterbury. Salisbury for a night maybe 2. Consider Windsor for the last night. I always have a rental car.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I'd definitely be driving and spread out the trip. Some suggestions ...
1. Canterbury
2. via Dover to Rye
3. via Beachy Head to Brighton
4. Portsmouth
5. via Winchester to Salisbury
However, driving is VERY SLOW travelling 'cross country' along this route