Hi, I apologize for this as I know this has been answered previously but I am hoping to be more specific in my question and hence, get more specific responses. I will be traveling to LHR for 11 days the start of October. There are several things I've missed in London itself during my last 2 trips so I plan on spending a good 4 days/3 nights within the city. The other days, I would like to travel outside, primarily what would be considered day trips from London. Specifically looking at Bath, Stonehenge/Salisbury (Cathedral primarily), Cambridge, Bletchley Park. If there is enough time, we might venture also to Oxford and/or Cotswalds area. (here too I am open to suggestions) I understand London lodging would be best for many of these trips but as I enjoy getting away from the touristy areas, would spending a few nights outside of London work for any of these destinations? Or perhaps, staying somewhere on the outskirts of London would work for everything - albeit, would require a bit more time on trains/underground. Open to any suggestions or experience had by others in this predicament. We are not the kind of travelers that have every hour booked, we enjoy soaking in the atmosphere wherever we are! Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1668 posts
You can easily spend 2 -3 nights in Oxford - Blenheim Palace is an easy bus trip and Oxford is an excellent starting point for daytrips or tours to the Cotswolds.
You can also easily spend 2 - 3 nights in Bath, and incorporate day trips to Stonehenge and Salisbury from there.
Bath and Oxford are easily linked by short train trips, so no need to go to/from London,
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15796 posts
To Markcw's answer I'll add that you can easily spend 2 nights in Salisbury. On the full day use the Stonehenge shuttle provided by the local bus company to go out to the stones. It comes back via Old Sarum which is interesting too. The bus is called "The Stonehenge Tour" but it's not really a tour...they do run a DVD while the bus is headed out to Stonehenge but you are dropped in the car park.
I'd vote for 2 nights in Salisbury and 3 or 4 nights in Bath. IF you want to visit the Cotswolds there is a good day tour company in Bath called Mad Max which has a day trip driving thru several picturesque villages. I've done this tour as well as one of their Stonehenge/Avebury tours in the distant past and it was good but I now prefer to stay over in Salisbury so I can go to Evensong at the Cathedral.