Thanks to all who have chimed in on past posts! Comments have helped to guide me to a more thoughtful approach and hope to include further away destinations in future travels.
Im getting ready to make final choices and Im feeling confident about the overall approach including public transport options but I am open for guidance on specific questions below or overall thoughts.
Old things, being waterside, cute villages, castles, manor houses, stones are my focus for this trip. Traditional museums are fine in moderation. Here we go….
Arrive into LHR
3.5 days having a Windsor Base with day trips to Windsor Castle / Eaton stroll, Oxford (so much to do but many tickets not yet released so I’m not sure how it will play out - would really like to do Castle, Radcliffe, Dukes Library, Town Tour and end with late eve punt), and Hampton Court on the third full day. I would rather base out of Oxford for a longer day visit and random strolls but feels too far out for Hampton Court. I welcome advice, confirmation, and anything I’ve overlooked.
1 full day and 2 half days in Dawlish - will be focused on Powderham Castle but will be doing oceanside walks and ferry during free time. For the ferry, it appears there are options in Dawlish or the Ferry from Starcross over to Topsham Quay could be a lovely excursion if time allows. I was waiting to see what summer options pop up and then decide what best fits into the schedule. I’d really like to get on the water for a bit however I can. Along with being on the water I enjoy walks alongside. There are only a couple a shorts windows time wise but welcome comments on the SW trail and water opportunities in that area. Well fit but keeping walks at two miles one way per walk due to time constraints. Maybe Exeter Cathedral or Museum on the way out. Leaning towards museum but open to recommendations on one over the other.
2.5 days with Salisbury base is pretty fixed due to times of transportation, openings, and tickets but welcome comments. Plan includes bus and taxi combos to visit Stonehenge inner circle at sunrise and then outer circle at sunset (will be using taxi when busses not running). Old Sarum and Cathedral between. The following day is to Avebury for a full day including a 6 mile walk. Looks like I need to be ready to return around 16:00ish. The following day I was planning to visit Wilton Manor before heading out. However it’s a late AM start with a limited 1 hour manor tour. Sounds like gardens and tea area is otherwise flexible. Curious if anyone has thoughts on this? Is it still worth the visit or it may be better to skip and go on to the next leg after an am stroll?
5 full days in Bradford-on-Avon includes a full day in Bath, a full day doing the Mad Max Cotswolds tour, a full day in Lacock, a full day to explore BOA, one day doing Great Chalfield Manor and the Court Gardens in Holt with pasture walks along the way.
While exploring BOA, I ’d like to do the canal boat to the aqueduct but times are limited and it creates a tight transition to Bath for an evening Austin at the Abbey event. Canal seems worthwhile and I can head directly to Bath via train or taxi afterwards and probably be okay with the time but if boat trip is hoaky, I’d just as soon skip that rush around. Any comments?
3/4 of a day in BOA, Bath, or anywhere along route back to LHR area hotels. I plan to arrive to area 21:00 to check in to the airport hotel and then have a late AM flight out.
I welcome all guidance and opinions.
Thanks!