England March 2018 Itinerary

I'd suggest adding Oxford. UK experts may know better, but logistics by train might be easier with this routing.

March
2. Arrive London. To Oxford (2)
3. Day to Stratford on Avon
4. To Cotswolds (2)
5. Cotswolds
6. To Bath (2)
7. Bath
8. Via Stonehenge to Salisbury (1)
9. Via London to York (2)
10. York
11. To Liverpool (2)
12. Liverpool
13. To London (5)

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/content/routemaps/nationalrailnetworkmap.pdf

I would head to Chester on your free day, then it's a short journey to Liverpool. Visit Chester cathedral and walk some of the old wall. The Lakes aren't at their best in March and are best covered by car. There is still a risk of snow there.

What do you guys think about this.....remember no car....

Date

Thursday, March 1, 2018 Leave USA
Friday, March 2, 2018 Arrive London (Travel to Bath)
Saturday, March 3, 2018 Bath
Sunday, March 4, 2018 Tour Stonehenge from Bath
Monday, March 5, 2018 Travel to Oxford
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Oxford
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Blenheim Palace from Oxford
Thursday, March 8, 2018 Travel to Stratford
Friday, March 9, 2018 Travel to Liverpool
Saturday, March 10, 2018 Liverpool
Sunday, March 11, 2018 Travel to York
Monday, March 12, 2018 York
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Travel to London
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 London
Thursday, March 15, 2018 London
Friday, March 16, 2018 London
Saturday, March 17, 2018 London
Sunday, March 18, 2018 Fly Home

If you rent a car it is important to plan on where you are going to park. In cities like Oxford parking will require parking on the edge of the city and it won't be cheap.

Why go to Bath before Stonehenge? If leaving from Heathrow, start with Stonehenge.

We plan a drive tour of Britain in October and are staying in Bath three nights, also six nights in Chipping Campden. From Chipping Campden we will visit Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Stratford on Avon and see the Cotswolds.

If going to Liverpool after Stratford on Avon, you might consider Chester, it is an ancient Roman city, very historic.

no car, mentioned twice

On your open day go see Blenheim Palace. Skip Liverpool and do Chester instead.

I like your revised itinerary although I would prefer the Cotswolds over Oxford. However, Oxford would be easier without a car.

If you are a Beatles fan, do not skip Liverpool.

There's no reason you can't see both Chester and Liverpool. They are VERY different, so they make a nice contrast. Liverpool has lots of indoor attractions (lots of museums to see in addition to Beatles sights), while the appeal of Chester is walking around outdoors, so if the weather's lousy, definitely favor Liverpool that day.

So now I'm thinking this itinerary......What do you guys think? Should I add Liverpool back and remove days from London? We have never been to England before....also I'm not a huge Beatles fan....Open to any suggestions???

Does anyone have good hotels suggestions in Oxford that are quiet and a good budget option?

Date

Thursday, March 1, 2018 Leave USA
Friday, March 2, 2018 Arrive London (Travel to Bath)
Saturday, March 3, 2018 Bath
Sunday, March 4, 2018 Tour Stonehenge (Madmax Tours)
Monday, March 5, 2018 Tour Cotswolds (Madmax Tours)
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Travel to Oxford
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Oxford
Thursday, March 8, 2018 Blenheim Palace from Oxford
Friday, March 9, 2018 Travel to York
Saturday, March 10, 2018 York
Sunday, March 11, 2018 Travel to London
Monday, March 12, 2018 London
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 London
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 London
Thursday, March 15, 2018 London
Friday, March 16, 2018 Daytrip to Canterbury
Saturday, March 17, 2018 Daytrip to Windsor
Sunday, March 18, 2018 Fly Home

I really like your latest plan. Canterbury is really nice. I particularly enjoyed the Cathedral. Has medieval stained glass and lots of history.
The train is easy to figure out for Bath, Windsor, Canterbury, and Oxford.
Your other stops, I have only gone there by car.
Sounds perfect for your first visit!

Have a wonderful adventure!