Southern England Itinerary help!

I haven't been to the beginning of your itinerary for many years, so I'm going to start my comments on Day 7. What do you plan to see in Bath? It is possible to make a few hour stop there -- we did it ourselves, spending most of our time in the Roman baths and skipping most of the rest. You can't see everything and have time to get to the Jurassic Coast. I don't know anything about the Mapperton Estate and how much time it takes to see. This day seems pretty full. It would only be doable if you get to Bath early and don't spend too long there.

Have you considered the Bovington Tank Museum? We spent most of the day there (one of my sons loves tanks.) It is close to the Jurassic Coast. We stayed in Wimborne Minster, which we liked very much. It is not really a tourist town. Had a great tour of the Minster, its chained library and astronomical clock and other interesting bits by an elderly gentleman who was delighted to show us everything!

Salisbury is very nice, esp if you like cathedrals. We enjoyed Old Sarum (just north of Salisbury)

I would not drive to Dover for one night. It is a long, slow drive. You could visit Winchester instead, or perhaps Portsmouth. Winchester is a convenient last (or first) night stop -- easy drive on motorway to Heathrow.

Good luck in your planning.

"Day 8: Jurassic Coast/Salisburg. Sleep in Salisburg?"

Assume you mean Salisbury?

Thanks Eef! I've done a bit more research and I think we may skip Bath and head to Gastonbury to see the Abbey instead, then head down to the Jurassic Coast. Thoughts? I will look into the Bovington Tank Museum. Thanks!

oops, yes, Salisbury. We were recently in Salzburg, Austria so I mixed it up!

If your flight time allows for it, I would head straight to Heathrow from Salisbury (90min drive) on your departure day.

Forget about Dover. I would also not hire a car in London. Consider taking a train out from London to Oxford - check into a hotel and see the city. Following morning - pick up a hire car & visit Blenheim Palace before heading west for the short drive to a Cotswold base. From such a base, you could make day trips up to Stratford-upon-Avon and south west to Bath - best to park in a Park & Ride on the approach to Bath (near the Racecourse - follow signs from A46). You could, of course, consider doing Bath on your journey south as this would save you from returning back to a Cotswold base. Note that should you stay in Bath, that parking is restricted.
Trains:> www.nationalrail.co.uk

You could go to Windsor for the night prior to your return from Heathrow - as it is very near the Airport.

Bath is far better than Glastonbury. I would not bother with Glastonbury but if you do go, throw in nearby Wells as well. Check the roads on Google Earth & Streetview to give you some idea of the driving conditions.

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp

I have been researching for our drive tour of England and Wales next year. One thing that keeps coming back is that Oxford is not auto friendly. Also, you have one day for Oxford, Blenheim and Bletchley Park. Not enough time for all those places.

For the Cotswolds, there are several great options, but Chipping Campden seems to be the best to stay. From there you can drive to Blenheim and take the train into Oxford.

Why no real time in Bath?

Salisbury is great, but you have planned too much in the allowed time. Yes, Dover is way out of the way. Stay away from the M25.

thank you all for your advice! I think staying in Windsor the night before we leave and doing the castle then might be best, rather than heading back into London for the last day. I like the idea of staying in Cotswolds for 4 or 5 nights and doing the daytrips to oxford and bath. Thank You!

I would also not drive to Dover for just one night. That will put you very far away from Heathrow where you must return for your flight.
If you have a great interest in Dover, you will have to re-arrange your schedule a bit. You want to end up closer to Heathrow on the last day before your flight.

You said, "We plan to see a few castles/palaces and WWII sites". If you end up rearranging your trip in order to go to Dover (earlier in your schedule) there are plenty of castles in Kent. You could see these castles on the way to Dover.
http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_Castle
https://www.leeds-castle.com/home

Someone else mentioned Stratford-Upon-Avon, which is a nice place to visit. If you go there, you will also want to visit Warwick Castle, in Warwick, which is not far away.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Castle

We spent three weeks in England this past May. Took the train from London to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Based at a hotel there for three nights, we took a drive throught the Cotswolds one day. Another day, went to Warwick Castle.

We also took the train to Salisbury and stayed for three nights. Salisbury Cathedral is amazing. Salisbury Museum is right across the lawn from the cathedral. We also went out to Stonehenge one day.

Agree with eef; if you will already be in Salisbury, Winchester is very near and is interesting.

Another option is to do one or more day trips out while you are in London.
The London Walks company has day trips to Dover, Leeds Castle, Hever Castle, Salisbury, Winchester, and dozens of other destinations. They also do historical walks around London. They have a good reputation and are highly recommended on Trip Advisor. We have taken several of their walks and day trips and been pleased. www.walks.com

Another company that does day tours out of London is Golden Tours. They are affiliated with Gray Line bus tours, and have a good reputation. You can leave London Victoria Station on their bus in the early morning, see several castles or towns, and return to London that evening. www.goldentours.com

These two companies might provide you with an opportunity to do a quick out-and-back day trip from London, a couple of days before you pick up your car and begin your Oxford/Cotswolds/Bath/Salisbury driving trip.

I just posted a trip report for Salisbury, Bath, Cardiff. I have been to Cotswolds on a bus trip-wasn't impressed. Are you sure you want to spend two nights there? I really enjoyed the sites in Cardiff area. Went to Dover on another bus trip-Dover Castle is one of my favorite castles but Caerphilly near Cardiff would be easier to manage if you go to Cardiff.