Stonehenge and Bath

Most Brits including myself will tell you that combining Stonehenge and Bath in a single day trip is a crazy idea, unless you are just into box ticking, as you will spend too long in transit rather than actually seeing either place. Pick one or the other and travel by train from London. My choice would be Bath if it were an either or.

The baths to see in Bath are the Roman ones, The Cross Baths are a modern spa. Worth visiting if you like that sort of thing, but hardly worth travelling from London for if your time is limited.

Check to see if you need a reserved entry ticket for Stonehenge...it may depend on time of year. I would go early to Stonehenge and arrive after Lunch in Bath. You may be able to do a Day Return Ticket. But I would suggest doing an overnight in Bath. The last thing you want to do is jump out a relaxing Bath and run to a Train.

Laura, depending on how much time you want to spend at each venue you might want to look into a Gray Line tour. They have a single-day itinerary which includes both, as well as Windsor Castle. I took this tour in 2006, and while it was a full day (arriving back into London around 7:45p), it was an efficient way to see these places without having to rely on trains or worry about making connections. They pick you up at your London hotel, drive out to Windsor (recall about 90 minutes on-premises); then on to Stonehenge; and finally out to Bath where you have 2-2.5 hours to see the Abbey and roman baths, and enjoy a pub, before getting back on the coach for the return ride to your hotel. Might be an easier day for your 14 y/o and for the parents!

When I think ( thought) of the Baths.. I thought of the ancient baths.. not a modern spa.. in fact did not even know that existed.. Is that where you want to go?
Most folks prefer seeing the original baths ,, and the ancient roman ruins in the museum below .. and the tearoom.

I have been to Bath twice now.. first time I just took the train there and spent the day.
The second time I took a bus tour that combined Salisbury, Stonehenge and Bath.For me it was a mistake. Stonehenge was not my cuppa.. don't get wrong, it IS kind of cool.. but really to me I could have literally just driven by and been just as satisfied.. instead I think we spent an hour there.. about 45 minutes too long for me,,especially when I felt we were rushed in Bath. Salisbury was nice.. but if I had to do all over again ( and may as hubby has never been to any of the three) I would do Bath separately .

You have your heart set on doing all three.. then perhaps a tour might work.. its a long day and not cheap for three people however.. but you should do what your heart is set on as who knows when you would have the chance again .
PS If 14 yr old is girl.. the Clothing and Costume museum in Bath is worth a visit.

I also think it's crazy to do both Bath and Stonehenge on the same day. Pick one. They're both very interesting. Could you make it a 2 day trip and do both?

Laura -

• Lion Tours offers a half day "stonehenge express" tour. Leaves Bath at 8:30, returns at noon, so a fairly quick trip. (32 gbp/pp)
• Looking at the National Rail site, there is a 6:30 out of Paddington that arrives in Bath at 8, which would give you half an hour to walk the quarter mile to the bus pickup. (33 gbp/pp standard class / 66 gbp/pp first class)
• The Baths in Bath also offer a package deal where you get admission to the Roman Baths museum, two hours' soak in the Thermae spas, and lunch for 76 gbp/pp. (http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/spas-ancient-modern-package)
• Assuming an hour for lunch, two hours at the spa, and four hours at the museum (which is generous) and an hour for getting around, that's 8pm.
• There is a return train from Bath to London that leaves at 8:40pm (10:15pm to London) at 14.50 standard / 33 first class.

This assumes that all trains run on time and more importantly assumes that you (and your party) run on adrenaline and caffeine. On paper, it is technically do-able, but it's a gamble I personally would not feel comfortable in doing. My wife and I are doing the middle bits (stonehenge express and half day in bath, possibly including Thermae) but we are waking up and sleeping in Bath.

We want to both see the old Roman Baths and soak in the modern spa. We are renting an apartment in London, not staying at a hotel, so we don't have access to that there. Has anyone done the spa thing there, in the Cross Baths? Was availability limited? We can't do the package deal with the 14 year old (boy) because you have to be 16 to be in the Thermae Spa. I know this is a quick and full day. Our time is limited in London and so one full, somewhat rushed day, is going to happen. We are all high-energy folks so I think we can do it!

one more question - how much should the train cost? I'm looking at London Paddington to Bath at 8:00am. It's about $62/person. Does that sound right?

Sorry, I have zero experience with the Cross Baths.

As far as the follow-on train fare question - 62 dollars or 62 pounds? It all depends on what day you're travelling. A glance at the national rail shows early June midweek 8am departures from Paddington for 61 pounds for first class, yes (and 25.50 for standard). There's also a 14.50 (standard/38.50 first class) that leaves a half hour later.

62 pounds....I didn't see the standard class fare. And I see that a Network Railcard would save me a tremendous amount - 1/3 off the 3 adult fares (also have a 17 year old) and 81% off the child's fare. More than makes up the 30 pound cost. And date we are looking at is a Tuesday in early April.

Call me the uncultured, boorish Yank, but I fail to appreciate the difference between first class and standard travel, especially for anything under two or three hours.

Good luck with your journey. Hope to hear how the whirlwind spins out for you.

Hamlet's Shrink - We are also from Seattle (well, Kirkland, small world isn't it) and would travel standard not 1st class.

DH and I did the Cross Baths spa and it was heavenly. But that was on a lengthy trip when we had scheduled a whole afternoon of downtime and relaxation during our trip. If you have ONE day, I'd skip it entirely. Tour the Roman Baths and spend the rest of the day walking around the lovely city of Bath. It really IS just a spa. And I certainly wouldn't want to be lugging around wet bathing gear and whatnot on a tour bus.