Stay in Bath or Cotswolds?

I like The Grove Lodge in Bath. Inexpensive rates for Bath, large rooms, very clean, excellent breakfast and helpful hostess. It is on the edge of Bath with a bus right outside the door taking you downtown. We stayed 2 nights and loved it. I think you will be able to see much more in Bath by spending a night or two.

I found Bath to be a much bigger city than I expected as well as being confusing with my car. I much prefer staying in the villages and seeing the castles and countryside... to me that is the Cotswolds. Bath was fine for a few hours, but not high on my list of places I want to re-visit. I would spend more time in Stratford or Warwick with the kids. I think they would enjoy it more. (I usually stay in Chipping Campden... one of my favorites )

I, too, found Bath to be much larger than I was expecting. It can be very busy and crowded, especially in high summer. In contrast, the Cotswolds has a lovely rural charm, but may not be as exciting for young kids. We had a car and stayed in Stanton, which is very small. Instead, you could try Cirencester, a beautiful Cotswolds market town closer to Bath.

We have stayed in both with a rental car. We loved Bath and were there several days for the Jane Austen festival in September. Chipping Campden was great as well. We day-tripped out of both with the car. Not sure where you can get lodging for 4 people but we have driven from Chipping Campden to both Blenheim Palace and Oxford which is a few miles farther. In our experience, it's an hour drive from Chipping Campden to Blenheim Palace even though it's only really about 30 miles away. Of course, we're Americans driving on the other side of the road. It's even farther from the Palace to Bath. The drive, according to www.viamichelin.com, is 90 minutes.

I would stay another night in the Cotswolds, a few hours in Bath with your girls would be enough.

Honestly, we spent 1 full day and two nights in Bath. I can't see that the children would get a bigger thrill out of that than spending more time in the Cotswolds. If I were you, I would skip Bath. Last October we stayed in Little Broom B&B (http://www.cotswolds.info/webpage/little-broom.htm) in the hamlet of Maugersbury, which is blocks away from Stow-on-the-Wold. The girls might like the covered, heated pool and the absolutely large and beautiful yard with plenty of parking in the big yard. The house definitely feels like a typical/old (but well kept) English cottage and Brenda serves a fabulous full English breakfast. Plus, the location is so convenient to everything Cotswold. We did a day-trip to Blenheim and then wandered through the countryside on our way back to the B&B home. The girls would probably also enjoy Snowshill House. There is a lovely walk between Upper and Lower Slaughter that you'd like. Chipping Campden didn't have quite the cachet that we expected it to have. Bourton on the Water would be fun/cute for the family. Brenda owns race horses which might interest the girls, although the horses aren't on her property. You could also make a day trip to Avebury from here, if you think the girls might enjoy that. Be sure to see the wonderfully restored manor house where children are encouraged to sit on the big beds. Make sure that you tour the stones with a guide. I think you'd be a very happy family immersing yourselves in the Cotswolds rather than taking in the larger city of Bath.

Bath is a half-day deal. Period.

Ed has ticked Bath off his list and made his judgement.

I live only a few miles from Bath, so go there fairly regularly. Every time I go, I see something new. There is no way that you can appreciate Bath (or many other places) in half a day. That's the sort of thing that gives tourism a bad name.

I am also intrigued by those who say that Bath should be visited out of season. How many times have they been, and at what times of the year? There is no out-of-season for Bath. The Christmas market there was so popular that they asked people to stay away. We went to Bath last Saturday to go the theatre. (Did you see the theatre, Ed?) The park and ride bus was full. We had lunch in a branch of Cote, a mid-market chain restaurant. They were turning people away. On a Saturday in January!

We all make choices when we travel. If you can only spare a day for Bath, then make the best of it. But don't think you have exhausted the possibilities of the city in that time, or even in a lifetime.

Thank you everyone for your replies. It is good to hear input from people that have actually been there or live there.

Maybe I was unfair, but I don't knock a place unless I've given it a few tries.

Both of my wives liked Bath, but liked the Cotswolds more.

Roman stuff and Georgian architecture bore me beyond hope. Victorian is not much better. The abbey is excellent, the Tudor examples adequate.

I'll admit that it's a pretty good overnight if you're running the Kennet and Avon, but youse guys really screwed up when you closed the Victoria Bridge.

Theater? I have no couth and wouldn't be caught dead in one. Okay, the Minack's an exception, but you're not cooped up in a building.

Half a day and split. Period.

Your budget problem with Bath may stem from its popularity. According to an article by The Economist (I think) a year ago, the average hotel price in Bath is equal to or a little above London, and of course with far fewer choices. The other consideration is that during tourist season a fair portion of the central area is closed to traffic. My friend who lives on the edge of the Cotswolds uses a parking lot on the periphery of Bath with a shuttle bus downtown.

If budget is a problem, then I would suggest you to extend your visit to Somerset. Admire the thatched roofs, country pubs and undulating green landscapes with your family. My friend just returned from there and suggested a few good hotels. You can choose between some good options- http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/bath--somerset.

I am sure these will be well in your range and your family will love to spend a complete day here. Hope this helps :)