We're planning a 10 day trip in late June to the South /Southwest region of England. Our primary focus is NOT on London.
From Heathrow we'll take the train to Moreton-in-Marsh. We'll rent a car and keep it for most of the trip. We're considering a Farm B & B as our base in the Cotswolds for the 1st thru 4th nights, but are open to all options.
The 5th day will be in Bath, with one overnight, possibly at a small hotel. From there we plan to drive to Cornwall for the next 2 days. Then we'll turn in the car and take the train to London for the remaining 2 nights.
We've looked at Air B&B, typical small hotels and chain hotels, and expect to spend from $100 per night for a Farm B&B to $250 for a nice hotel, but of course higher in London. Can you suggest places to stay/ Itinerary changes?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14830 posts
Without knowing what days of the week you will be in Bath, know that rates often go up on Fri/Sat nights and many accommodations have a 2-night minimum. If you can do Bath sometime between Sunday and Thursday your wallet will thank you.
I love Bath and always want people to get the most out of it so I hope you have time to spend there!
I have been there on my own as well as with both a Rick Steves tour and a Road Scholar tour. I've stayed at The Kennard, Brooks Guesthouse and The Francis Hotel.
Posted by
2599 posts
From Bath, it is not that easy to drive to Cornwall as you have to get onto the M5 motorway (Interstate). You may like to consider making a day trip to Bath from somewhere outside. If coming down from the Cotswolds on the A46, you will see a Park & Ride sign once south of the M4. P&R means you take the car to an edge of town car park and a shuttle bus will take you into the centre. (Bath is compact). Moreton-in-Marsh is at the northern end of the Cotswolds and ideal for seeing many of the lovely villages in the area as well as trips to Stratford-upon-Avon and Blenheim Palace/Oxford. However, although day tripable to Bath, it is a longer drive so I would still consider staying in Bath or somewhere nearby.
I am now going to throw another idea:> consider staying in Cirencester or nearby. From here, you could cover all the aforementioned areas by car as day trips. Furthermore, you may like to hire the car at Heathrow and drive to Cirencester as you will be on dualled highways all the way. You would also find it relatively easy to go south to the M4 which would take you west to skirt Bristol & join the M5 for Cornwall. If travelling by public transport:> Heathrow to Reading by Railair shuttle bus, train to Kemble - which is about 7 miles SW of Cirencester. www.gwr.com
Consider this place for reasonably priced no frills accommodation:>https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/86/Cirencester-hotel
To drive from Bath/ Cotswolds to Cornwall takes about 4 hours. 2 days is not really long enough in Cornwall to justify the drive down.
You could also consider the Exmoor area or SE Wales = Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey and up to the Crickhowell / Brecon area. This map will help you locate the places:>
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6136719,-1.9144507,10z/data=!5m1!1e1