England Bank Holiday 8/31

Posted by Emcee (SW Florida ) on 07/14/15 01:53 PM

We have plans to be in England for three weeks and can be flexible. We currently were going to leave London on Friday 8/28 and go to the Bath area. We will have a rental car. Here are my related questions:

Is a Bank Holiday similar to a major holiday in the US (Labor Day, Memorial Day) where things are busy and expensive everywhere or a minor holiday (Presidents Day, MLK Birthday) where things can be busy but not crazy?
Suggestions if we should suck it up and enjoy a busy holiday weekend or hunker down in an out-of-the-way place and hide.
Would London be cheaper because Londoners leave town?
We will have a rental car, we can turn it in any direction from London (lol). Is Bath a bad idea, any ideas for another area during that time?

Thanks everyone. Janet

Posted by pfresh3

Redding, California

07/14/15 02:29 PM

244 posts

Good question, I hope to hear some good advice! We too will be in Bath for the bank holiday weekend. We have rented an apartment for 3 days. I'm hoping it won't be too crowded.

Posted by harleydonski

Hampshire, England.

07/14/15 04:01 PM

1075 posts

What "Bank Holiday" means:

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/bankholidays.html

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

07/14/15 04:51 PM

33994 posts

Well answered by Emma.

It all depends on the sky...

I tend to stay at home, off the trains and off the roads because it always goes t^tz up.

Posted by James

07/14/15 07:25 PM

2599 posts

Beware of engineering work affecting some train routes - especially those in the Bath area. (My understanding is that trains will be able to reach Bath via Bristol but that the direct route to London via Chippenham will be closed for all of August along with that going SE. This is because of work to electrify the lines).https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/bath2015

Normally, it is not a good idea to have a car in Bath and best to use the trains. Parking is limited - just look at it on Google Ear

For a short trip from Bath, follow back roads NE to the lovely village of Castle Combe.https://sites.google.com/site/castlecombewiltshire/
You could combine this with Dyrham Park:>http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park/

Also consider Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury:> http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk

A good wet weather option is Cheddar Caves but this area will be congested on a bank holiday.http://www.cheddargorge.co.uk
The caves could be combined with Wells.http://www.wellssomerset.com

Posted by Emcee OP

SW Florida

07/15/15 11:13 AM

3 posts

I have read the Rick Steve's Forums regularly over the years, but have never posted. Thanks for the feedback. In particular thank-you for the real-time up-to-date information and suggestions. I will take all into consideration. if anyone wants to add to this thread, please continue.

Janet

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

07/15/15 12:57 PM

14822 posts

Janet, you may have noted this already, and it has nothing to do with the Bank Holiday, but often hotels in Bath have a 2-night minimum stay for Friday and Saturday nights. The room rates are often higher as well.

I love Bath and hope you enjoy it as well!