I’m traveling solo and I’m a senior. I have about 8 days for travel. I definitely want to see the Costwolds and Bath, including Oxford and Stonehenge. Do I have time for York? I’m not renting a car, so I’m relying on guided tours, train, and maybe a driver. I’m not trying to include London. Any advice?
Posted by
Northern California
103 posts
Check out Mad Max Tours from Bath. Includes Stonehenge and Cotswolds. These small group tours get good reviews from Forum folks who have taken them. Madmaxtours.co.uk
Posted by
OP
8 posts
I’m just wondering with 8 days at an easy pace should I try to do more than Costwolds, Bath and Oxford.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6782 posts
I would recommend sticking to those nearby locations and not trying to shoehorn York into the time you have, especially if you don't want to rush and won't have a car. I haven't taken a Mad Max tour but others have recommended them in this forum. I'd recommend taking The Airline (actually a bus) from your London airport to Oxford, then a train to Bath, and Mad Max or other tours to Stonehenge and the Cotswolds (on separate days). No need for a private driver unless you want to pay more for a more personal experience. For returning, there are frequent trains between Bath and central London, or it might be easier to train back to Oxford and take The Airline back to the airport from there.
For this trip, assuming that you're now in North America, Heathrow would be an easier airport choice than Gatwick because it's west of the big city.
Posted by
Central Coast CA, USA
432 posts
Does 8 days mean actual 8 days/9 nights on the ground? So technically, yes you could visit York too, but only you know if that pace is acceptable to you. This is what the reality of it may look like:
Land at LHR and take National Express to Bath
Bath (3 nights): 1 day to explore Bath, 1 day MadMax tour of Stonehenge and the Cotswolds
Train Bath-York; few different options with changes. Around 4 hours
York ( 3 nights): 2 full days to sightsee
Train York-Oxford; there is a direct one York-Reading, I think
Oxford (3 nights): 2 full days to explore
Airliner bus to LHR
What time of the year will it be? Are you flying in and out of Heathrow?
Enjoy the trip and the planning!
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36933 posts
what time of year? That's important
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you for your replies, they’re very helpful. I should have mentioned I’m arriving by train from Brussels and planning to travel in September.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
5365 posts
I like maplady's itinerary. I have done a Mad Max tour from Bath but went to Avebury rather than Stonehenge and I would definitely recommend them. I prefer York to Bath.
Posted by
Central Coast CA, USA
432 posts
Thanks, Cala.
OP, I think it is definitely possible in September. The only change I would make to the earlier "itinerary" I posted is to take a taxi from St. Pancras International to Paddington station, and then a train to Bath.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Washington
1192 posts
Hi, I don't think anyone's mentioned...if you aren't already aware, the annual Jane Austen Festival is in Bath each September (9/11-20 this year). If that's your travel period, lodging may be limited and/or how busy things will be may affect your Bath plans. Just a heads up! Good luck with your trip planning!
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you for all the great replies! Has anyone been to Oxford? Blenheim Palace? I really want to see Blenheim palace but I’m not sure if I want to spend the night in Oxford. Right now, I’m thinking I will go from London to Oxford, spend the night and see Blenheim, then go to Bath. Do you think I could see l should travel from London to see Blenheim, , tour Oxford and go to Bath in the same day? Is Blenheim a half day visit? How much time does it take to see Oxford?