We will arrive in London on March 11 for two weeks and trying to solidify an itinerary. My husband and I plan to take a train from Heathrow airport to Bath. We would like to see Bath, the Cotswolds, and York with possible day trips from each location, ending with 5 nights in London. We plan to rent a car for the Bath-York portion of the trip, my husband likes driving and has driven in many countries including Ireland. I am trying to decide how to best divide up the nights. We are looking for a variety of charming towns and beautiful scenery, we like to throw in a unique experience when possible. I studied abroad in London many years ago and have always wanted to go back to England. I am so excited for this trip. Does this itinerary look good? Any input would be appreciated.
Bath- 2 nights
Cotswolds- 3 nights
York-3 nights
London- 5 nights
Posted by
Los Angeles
1264 posts
Since your first night in Bath will be your arrival day, you might consider adding a third night there, and then two nights in the Cotswolds.
By train to Bath, do you mean from Paddington? Getting to Bath from LHR is a frequent topic on the forum - here are search results for the past year:
Posted by
Singapore
641 posts
Personally I think driving Bath to York is a complete waste of time an energy that will involve a whole lot of motorway driving without a lot of charming towns and beautiful scenery. Ireland is a completely different country and transport is totally different as well. I'd advise train London to Bath, rent a car at the end of the Bath stay and drive to the Cotswolds, drive back to Bath to return car, train to London, then train to York.
In terms of days, it's a little hard to say because ir depends a bit on personal preference- personally I think your a day too long in the Cotswolds and a day too short in York. But perfectly achievable if busy.
An alternative - have you considered just dropping York.and giving yourself extra time in Bath and the Cotswolds?
Posted by
Port Angeles
201 posts
It looks like a good itinerary to me. I did a version of this a couple of summers ago with my niece (from York we drove to Edinburgh and ended there). As someone already suggested, you might consider an extra night in Bath, since getting there will take up a chunk of your first day. It's easy to pick up a rental car there and an easy drive to the Cotswolds. We stopped at Lacock village/abbey on the way and really enjoyed it. The drive from the Cotswolds to York is not difficult, just not very interesting if you go the fastest route.
Have fun and happy planning!
Posted by
Preston UK
1297 posts
I would either drop York and go somewhere else nearer the south or south west of England, or go straight to York and then choose other options in northern England. And, if it were actually me, I would drop the Cotswolds in favour of somewhere more interesting and less crowded - there is lots and lots of choice.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
702 posts
You might consider a day trip to Durham from York. We went by train, and thoroughly enjoyed Durham. The cathedral there is so different than others we saw. Also, we took the train from Bath to York. Wasn't too long, and it was nice to just watch the countryside go by, without having to navigate or drive.
Posted by
Winchester, UK
145 posts
If you're feeling especially radical, drop the Cotswolds and York.
I would recommend the Cotswolds if you were planning to go around them on foot. Otherwise from a car they will look like ubiquitous countryside. The towns in central and south Dorset (Dorchester, Sherborne, Shaftesbury among others) give you more than driving through the Cotswolds could offer, and two of the towns I have mentioned are accessible by train from Bath.
The Cotswolds are lovely but I unequivocally believe that the best way to experience the Cotswolds is by foot. Have a look at the Cotswold Way which you can pick up from Bath.
I would also have recommended York if you were going to base yourself around that area. I don't support a mere 2 days in York simply because the city and surrounding area deserves more time.
I'd recommend just giving Dorset a look. It's an area of rich history and nature that is often overlooked by tourists, at least more overlooked than the Cotswolds.
Despite my cynicism, it sounds like a lovely journey whatever you decide :)
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you all for the great suggestions and recommendations. 3 nights in Bath and only 2 in Cotswolds makes sense.. Markcw, thanks for the great link to transportation to Bath, that was very helpful. Now to decide whether to drive to York or stay in the south. Dorset looks interesting, I will dig a little deeper. That is not an area that I had thought about. I really appreciate everyone’s input!
Posted by
8478 posts
Good advise already, take the train to York, don't drive.
In Bath, consider staying at the Brooks Guesthouse, at great location and has wonderful free breakfast.
In the Cotswolds, stay at the Volunteer Inn in Chipping Campden. You will need a car to do the Cotswolds.
York, stay at the Minster Hotel, it is walking distance to the old city. Also, is has parking, if you do decide to drive.