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Our Three Week England Itinerary

Posted by (Portland) on

Excitement abounds for our September 2019 trip. We are hoping to use public transportation for the entire trip. Can you review our choices for any slip-ups or gotchas? We are not planning to get the Two Travelling Together pass, because we want to travel earlier in the day on some travel days, but we will be booking 11 weeks out to get the best ticket prices. Our lodgings are booked.

Two of us are flying into Manchester, arriving 10:am, Tuesday Sept 3. We are allowing 3 hours until our train to Windermere. Expecting to take the First Transpennine Express. Staying in the Lake District While in the Lake District we will be taking a guided day trip around the district and another to Hadrian’s Wall as well as walking around on our own. Leaving Sunday Sept. 8th for London. What train route do you suggest? Back through Manchester? We want to go direct to London not staying over anywhere else. While in London, staying near Paddington Station, we will be taking a day trip on our own to Bletchley from Euston as well taking a London Walks trip to the Cotswolds. Other days we will be using the Oyster Card in addition to lots of walking.

From London, taking a train from Paddington Station to Bath Spa early Sat Sept. 14, where serendipitously, we can partake in the Jane Austen Festival.

Monday Sept. 16 this transportation part is murky, but our destination is Wadebridge as home base from the 16th, checking out on September 19th. While in Cornwall we will depend on local buses to Port Isaac, Walking the Coastal Path. Then, arranging public transportation from Wadebridge to Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 Premier Inn 2 nights. Do you suggest bus to Reading, then train to Heathrow? Last day before departure visit Windsor by bus.

Now, is it possible to do this trip we have in mind: Highclere Castle and Island Donkey Sanctuary. In terms of public transportation, would this work better as a day trip during our London stay or from Heathrow? If the latter, we would go to Windsor as a daytrip while in London.

We welcome advise or alternate travel recommendations. Thank you.

Posted by
27109 posts

Just one thought: Rather than taking the London Walks Cotswolds tour from London, which will mean a fair amount of time out and back on a bus [correction: I think London Walks uses a train rather than a bus to get you near the Cotswolds, but my point about excess travel time still stands], you could take a MadMax Cotswolds van-tour departing from Bath. That way, you'd have more time in the Cotswolds. There may be other companies operating out of Bath; the tour I took departed from Oxford, which wouldn't be particularly advantageous for you.

I'm not sure how the advance-booking requirements vary between MadMax and London Walks, and it would be beneficial to know something about the likely weather conditions before committing, but I hit a somewhat rainy day and still enjoyed my tour.

Posted by
3122 posts

Check this forum for the thread on Lake District Boat Cruises, if that interests you.

Have you determined that Highclere Castle will be open to the public at the time when you'll be nearby? It has very limited opening days. From Newbury train station it's a taxi ride of about 20 minutes. There is a taxi stand at the station, but you may want to call ahead to make sure of a ride, and then either call again when leaving Highclere or else arrange to have the driver pick you up at Highclere at a certain time. In case you want a meal in Newbury, there are a few restaurants in the high street right near the station.

Some of the trains between Newbury & London require a change at Reading; others don't.

Posted by
13934 posts

I loved being in Bath for the JA Festival a few years ago. I’m guessing the 14th is the opening day. I hope you get there for the Grand Parade - just fun to see everyone in Regency dress. Do take a look at the program and maybe sign up for some things. I did a JA walk as well as a program which turned out to be in someone’s Georgian townhome! I also paid to go in to the vendor site in the GuildHall. It was only about 3£ so I didn’t mind.

Based on my other visits to Bath it is no more crowded than at other weekends. Do get your lodging reservations soon. There will probably be a 2 night minimum and prices are always jacked up on the weekends.

I’ve done the Mad Max Cotswold day tour from Bath and it was good but with just 2 days you’d probably want to add a day there. Last June, Monday was a Cotswold day - she doesn’t run them every day.

I’ve done plenty of London Walks but not one of the day trips. I’d guess it would be very good too, you’d just probably have a longer travel time than going from Bath.

I hope you’ll do a Trip Report!

Posted by
2404 posts

Not sure why you are asking for advice AFTER you have booked accommodation.

Firstly, although you are right about the cheapest rail tickets being available around 11 weeks ahead, Trans Pennine Express say on their website that you can use any train within 3 hours of your booked departure if landing at Manchester Airport. So, land, clear customs and just catch the next train to the Lake District. See https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/special-offers/manchester-airport

My advice would have been to go from the Lake District by train to Bath rather than go back to London. Then to have gone direct from Bath down to Cornwall. From Cornwall, finally back to London.

Your nearest rail station to Wadebridge is Bodmin Parkway - see map of rail network:>http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/images/structure/css/nationalrailnetworkmap.pdf

Trains:> www.nationalrail.co.uk
To find buses:> www.traveline.info

If going from the Lake District back to London (Euston) you will need to firstly reach the main line at Penrith or Oxenholm maybe Lancaster. Then you will be on >https://www.virgintrains.co.uk

The train company between Paddington > Bath & the south-west is >https://www.gwr.com and this company also operate down to Cornwall:>https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

(All bookings can be made with the one company for any of the other companies if need be - though it is easier to get refunds for delays if using the actual company you are travelling on). Split ticketing can work out cheaper and this site will tell you:> https://new.trainsplit.com

Posted by
452 posts

Just to comment on the London Walks day trip to the Cotswolds. I did this tour with them a few years back. They really have got this day trip sorted. Earlyish train from London and a bus to meet you in the Cotswolds. You do get a full day there before returning and they do get round a lot of places so you really feel you've had a good overview.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you everyone for your responses. Thank you James for the train schedule links. Katy, glad to know the London Walks day trip to the Cotswolds is a good one. Epltd, our Lake District guided day tour does include a cruise, but thank you for the Highclere Castle opening days reminder. Pam, we are looking forward to the Bath JA festival and we will try to remember to give a trip report.
September is approaching quickly!!!

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