London excursions for day trip

Since you are going from London to Scotland, why not spend a night or two on the way in either York or Durham.

Cut your stay in London down by a night and stop on the way between countries.

Some idyllic little towns/villages and countryside would be ideal if I can do.

Your suggestion of Rye/Winchelsea would really fit the bill here. Both are small, laid back places with a lot of character and history. They will also be quieter and less busy than Bibury and Laycock.

You could look for somewhere in East Anglia - this is an area that is ignored by foreign visitors but has many small and attractive market townsd and villages as well as good countryside. In Suffolk, think about places like Southwold, Lavenham, Framlingham or even Bury St Edmonds. In Norfolk look at places like Holt, or Sherringham ...

York, Durham or Bath are all much larger towns/cities and are always busy with tourists and visitors.

Bath and surrounds is really the 'wrong' way for Scotland.

If you are wanting the break journey on the way north, then Look at somewhere like Pickering or Helmsley on the edge of the North York Moors. Alternatively there are loads of small villages and town in the Yorkshire Dales that would fit your criteria too - Skipton, Settle, Kettlewell, Grassington....

Thank you. I will look at these options.