Thoughts on this two week England itinerary?

Just a few comments. There are a lot of folks on the forum who are more familiar with England than I am.

For the initial Heathrow-Bath leg, there are mutiple transportation options. You might take a look at those listed on Rome2Rio. Be sure to click all the way through Rome2Rio and follow the links to the operating companies' websites for accurate schedule and fare information; don't trust what Rome2Rio displays. Since you can't predict what time your flight will arrive and you'll clear Immigration, you probably won't want to buy an Advance rail ticket that's not changeable or refundable (though those rules may have changed). A last-minute train ticket from London to Bath could be very pricey. On the other hand, the all-bus option doesn't run very frequently. There's also a bus to Reading, from which you could get a train on to Bath. There's not a huge difference in those travel times; a lot will depend on how your Immigration-clearance time aligns with the bus and train schedules.

Time in Bath is something I'd base on your interest in the specific sights of that city. I am odd; I have no interest in the Roman Baths (which sound right down your alley), nor do I find the Georgian architecture very interesting. But there were two museums I really enjoyed. I day-tripped to Bath from Bristol and didn't need the full day in Bath. I think Rick covers Bath well in his guide book.

For me Wells and Cardiff are both worthwhile. Wells, in particular, doesn't require a full day.

For your University of Oxford sightseeing, I recommend a tour conducted by the tourist office. I believe they have more assured access to colleges during challenging periods.

I haven't been to Blenheim Palace but would be concerned that a bus tour wouldn't allow enough time there for someone with a serious interest. It has been my observation that tour groups go through sights a lot faster than I do.

I also wonder whether there would be enough time to fully enjoy the Cotswolds on a combination tour like that. I think a one-day tour of the Cotswolds is sufficient if you have no interest in town-to-town walks and don't have a car at your disposal. I took a full-day small-group tour by GoCotswolds and was happy with it. The GoCotswold tours depart from the train station in Moreton-in-Marsh, which is an easy trip from Oxford. There are also tours (MadMax among them) conducted from Bath.

I haven't been to Stratford-upon-Avon, but you'll need to get a really early start that day if you have to end up in York. The train from Bath to S-u-A takes about 3-1/2 hours. The trip from S-u-A on to York will be 3-1/2 to 4 hours, leaving you very little intervening sightseeing time that day. Folks have mentioned on the forum that the sights in S-u-A are somewhat scattered. Best to dig into your guidebook and check out that aspect of your visit. It might be better to postpone that stop until another trip.

I day-tripped to Whitby from York and enjoyed myself. I basically just walked around the town. I met a frequent visitor who told me there was a nice walk from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay (from which you could get a bus), but there was some sort of bus issue that day and I arrived in Whitby too late to try the walk. I don't remember whether I was told the walk is along cliffs or down at beach level. I should mention that Whitby is quite touristy, with a sort of beach-holiday vibe.

Great tips, I appreciate it! I was thinking the distance between Oxford-Stratford-York wasn't quite so far, so that's something I'll have to consider. That hike between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay sounds cool! But maybe between that and a day hiking in the national park, two nights/one and a half days the Whitby area is enough, and I could add a day to visit Stratford-upon-Avon. Lots to consider, that's for sure :-D

We did all those places in our 4 week drive tour of S. Wales and England.

I see that you ignored the Cotswolds. We especially like Bath, Stratford Upon Avon, S. Wales (loved Tenby and St. David), York and Whitby.
Here is my detailed review of our trip.
28 days in Britain and Celebrity Eclipse home

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=599139

Do read the trip report by geovagriffith. It's fabulous, and you will pick up some tips for your trip.

I wanted to comment on this segment of your trip:
Day 5: Oxford. Overnight in Oxford
Day 6: Guided day tour to Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds. Overnight in Oxford.
Day 7: AM train to Stratford upon Avon. Afternoon train to York. Overnight in York.

I totally agree about spending several nights in Oxford; very good idea.
"Guided day tour to Blenheim Palace"--I don't know that you actually need a guided tour.

There is an Oxford city bus that goes north to Blenheim Palace--actually to Woodstock, the town that Blenheim is a part of.
As soon as you walk up to the front box office/entry to Blenheim and buy a ticket, just walk in the front door. It's pretty much self-explanatory as you walk through. Don't forget to look for the room where Winston Churchill was born.
Also visit the cafe in the main house. Good lunch spot with a terrace out back overlooking the grounds. Walk the landscaped gardens. Look for the butterfly garden and the giant chess set.
Visit the gift shop before leaving. It has an amazing selection of books, scarves, sweaters, hats, garden seeds, and more.

The same bus you rode up on will take you back down to Oxford.
It's not a very long trip.

To continue what I was saying in my above post....

It is best not to try to do Blenheim and the Cotswolds in the same day.
You will not fully enjoy either one.
I would advise you to train on to Stratford-Upon-Avon as planned, but spend two nights there.
This is one of my favorite places on your schedule, and it is a lovely place to walk around, enjoy the sights, have dinner at one of the restaurants in town. Evening is the time to be in Stratford-Upon-Avon, after all the big tour buses have gone, all the daytrippers from London have left.

Your second day in S-U-A, do this tour around the Cotswolds with this company.
"Go Cotswolds" will pick you up from the front door of your hotel or B&B.
Make a reservation (a day or two in advance) online using their website.
I highly recommend "Go Cotswolds" tours, run by Tom and his wife. We have traveled with them on more than one occasion. Tom and Lisa live in Stratford-Upon-Avon, so they can give you good advice about restaurants, theater tickets and more.

https://www.gocotswolds.co.uk/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186399-d6696369-Reviews-Go_Cotswolds-Stratford_upon_Avon_Warwickshire_England.html

You will see many Cotswold villages, and have a chance to walk around in each one.
Spend that night in S-U-A and leave for York the next morning.

It seems like you don't really want or care to see London which is fine - but you are going to wayyyy too many places in 2 weeks- here is a revision (I've been to the UK 3x all over- for reference-- absolutely love it--)

Day 0: Overnight flight USA to London
Day 1: Arrive London in AM, train to Bath. Overnight in Bath
Day 2: Bath. Overnight in Bath
Day 3: Day trip to Cardiff - Overnight in Bath
Day 4: AM Train to Oxford. WALKING TOUR of OXFORD Overnight in Oxford
Day 5: Blenheim Palace Overnight in Oxford
Day 6: Guided tour of Cotswolds. Overnight in Oxford.
Day 7: Afternoon train to York. Overnight in York
Day 8: York. Overnight in York
Day 9: York. Overnight in York
Day 10: Train to Durham . Overnight in Durham
Day 11: Tour of Surrounding environs, (which could include North York Moors---) -- WHITBY while cute is VERY far away from things. If you are in the moors please visit Riveaux abbey its wonderful - you'll need a car for this segment possibly
Day 12: Hike in surroundings
Day 13: Newcastle
Day 14: Newcastle
Day 15: Fly home from Newcastle 😊

Wells is charming and Cardiff is also worth visiting. I think Glastonbury is over-rated.

As others have said, it’s easy to get to Blenheim and you don’t need a guided tour, but it can fill a whole day.

I think Stratford upon Avon is a hideous place to visit and best avoided! It’s just a tacky tourist trap with few decent places to get a meal as most places realise that the customers are one off visitors who won’t be returning, so the quality is poor. Day 7 - You have over 4 hours spent on trains plus travel to and from the stations so c 6 hours of travel, so not much time available for SuA.

York - the Railway Museum is a must and you can easily fill your planned time here. Whitby is charming (good fish and chips) and the Robin Hood’s Bay walk is lovely. It is relatively remote, but I prefer it to say Durham.

LOL! That's what I love about this Forum!
You will have one or two people who love Stratford-Upon-Avon, and one or two who hate it.
People have very strong opinions and likes and dislikes.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and all opinions are welcome here.

Wells Cathedral was just lovely. I agree that a visit to Wells would be well worth it.

I do like the new schedule posted/suggested by jaeson1992.

Yes, it is fun dreaming about traveling again.
Day one - you can take a direct bus from London Heathrow to Bath (2h 15m).
Day three – you can easily take a direct train from Bath Spa to Cardiff Central station (1h 15m) for the day.
Day four – you’ll need to change trains to get to Oxford so pack light and plan on doing laundry.
Day six – you can take a direct bus from Oxford to Blenheim Palace (45-minutes).
Day ten – you can take a direct train to Whitby (2h 30m).
Day thirteen – you’ll need to connect in York (4h 45m).
I’m jealous!

To comment on something the poster before me said:
"Day seven – I would skip Stratford-upon-Avon since it will be full of tourists and go straight to York. "

York will be rammed full of tourists, too. Both of these two places are very, very popular with tourists.
So don't expect to escape the crowds when you are in York. Not going to happen.
The most popular street in York--The Shambles--is frequently elbow to elbow with people.
However, York is wonderful. I've been three times, and will be going back in spring 2022.

One more comment about the above post. Mary Pat stated (before she changed her post):
"Day one - before the pandemic, you could take a direct train from London Heathrow to Bath, so I would wait until that option is available again."

You have never been able to take a direct train from London Heathrow to Bath.

The trains that leave Heathrow go into London--all of them.
Heathrow Express goes into London from Heathrow.
The tube goes from Heathrow into London.
From London, you must change trains in order to catch a train to Bath.

You can, however, take the bus (coach) from Heathrow bus (coach) station all the way to Bath.
You can also take the bus (coach) to Reading, where you can get a train to Bath.

I wanted to correct that, before you start planning, and rely on that information.

it is just 32 minutes from Magdalen Street in the centre of Oxford on the reliable green 500 bus to Blenheim Palace. There are 2 other bus routes going there too.

500 bus: https://parkandride.oxfordbus.co.uk/timetables/500

The limited stops 500 goes twice an hour all day and is a good service. The number 7 also goes, more frequently, but not as comfortable and stops more often so is slower.

From the Blenheim Palace transport page on their excellent website https://www.blenheimpalace.com/visitus/getting-here/

"There are three bus routes from Oxford City Centre to Woodstock. All three services operate every 30 minutes, 7 days a week. Buses stop outside the main entrance, from where it’s a 10-minute stroll through the park to the Palace.

Stagecoach Bus S3 and Oxford Bus Company’s 500 run from Oxford train station. Stagecoach S3 and 7, and Oxford Bus Company 500 all pick up on Magdalen Street."

Blenheim Palace is offering 30 percent off their admission for arrival by bus. Combination tickets (currently not available during covid) can be purchased from the driver. During Covid buy your bus tickets (contactless is prefered for the driver safety) from the driver and discounted Palace tickets showing your bus ticket at the Palace. No need to book in advance although it is permitted.

I agree that Blenheim is huge with vast amounts of things to do and see - to try to do that and see any of the Cotswolds in a day would be very ambitious.

I'm afraid that the information that there has ever been a direct train from Heathrow to Bath is wrong. There has never been. The track layout makes it impossible. Often the best choice is coach to Reading and get the train there, or coach all the way, from Heathrow. You can backtrack into London Paddington and get the train from there, but the same train stops in Reading where smart folks have used the coach to cut the corner and avoid backtracking.

Oxford colleges are (were before covid, don't know now) often open in the afternoons. Some open all day. There is frequently a small charge payable to the Porter's Lodge. You are right that they shut to the public during exams. A comprehensive list with current details is at the University visitors webpage https://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/visiting-oxford/visiting-the-colleges

For somebody on a literary history trip like you I agree that Stratford-upon-Avon is a worthwhile stop for its Shakespeare connections. I love seeing his half timbered school which is just as he left it and his church on the riverside (he is buried there too). I've never visited (despite having lived just down the road for 13 years) the three other properties. There are also the RSC theatres. The riverside is beautiful and where the locks are as the Stratford Canal joins the river Avon is a favourite place for me, but then I like messing about on boats. There is (was pre-covid, I haven't checked since) an information boat which gives you an idea of life on a narrowboat.

Stratford-upon-Avon is at the end of a branch line so that's why trains to and from are not as fast as main line trains, and it is a bit "round the houses" to get there. They are quite modern though.

For somebody without a car I think one of the mentioned specialist small group tours of some of the Cotswolds is a good way to have a nosey. The villages are not especially well connected by bus, being rural, and while you can organize your own look around at Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden and Bourton-on-the-Water by cobbling together buses it will probably be better in a minibus. I grew up around there and love it, others less so.

I wish I were able to help you more...

Nigel, thank you for your post.
As usual, you gave lots of valuable information.
Knowing which buses to take to get around Oxford is very helpful.
We will be going there next spring, so that was very helpful to me, too.
Thank you for giving a detailed description of Stratford-Upon-Avon so that travelers can decide for themselves whether it is worth a look or not.
It is helpful for the OP to get the real scoop on trains from Heathrow to London, London to Bath, from an expert.

Linnae, since you are starting out in Bath, you may wish to take a day trip to Wells or the Cotswolds with this company; Mad Max Tours. Check out the tours available here:
https://www.madmaxtours.co.uk/
Have a great trip!

I cannot comment on the early part of the trip, but the York and Whitby part looks great. We visited there in late April 2016—3 nights York and 2 nights in Whitby—-and had a wonderful time.

In Whitby, we hiked the coastal path from to Robin Hood’s Bay and returned by bus, then climbed the steps and visited the ruined abbey. All very scenic. We stayed in a small bed and breakfast with small-ish rooms, great breakfast and beautiful views; the name is Seaview Guesthouse.

But that was before we knew about HF Holidays and their country houses with guided walking, so I am going to suggest that to you. They offer 3- and 4-night all-inclusive stays, with room, board (excellent food), and guided walking in beautiful manor houses they either own or lease from the National Trust. We really enjoy the camaraderie on the hikes and at meals and pub time.

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/guided-walking-whitby-3?format=pdf&vid=968

Their programs operate on set dates (usually Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday), but they do have several options available for next May so perhaps the dates will work out for you.

Thanks for all the replies! I will be bookmarking this thread as I firm up my plans. Flights aren't even booked yet, so it's all still just a dream :-D.

I studied abroad in Bath with no car so I will advocate for the following:

Bath has a ton of sights. Prior Park! Sham Castle! Roman Baths! Abbey! Crescent! Circus! You can walk extensively around the outskirts.

Wells was an easy bus ride and one of the most pleasant days of my life. I was blessed with great weather.

I did enjoy Cardiff and went twice on day trips. One to see the lovely town and castle. Once to see the open air museum of Welsh Life. Chepstow was fun but not a whole day's worth.

My program went to Straford Upon Avon. It was fine. I'm not a big Shakespeare buff and am happy enough to sit in on a play so I enjoyed the plays and seeing the pretty half timber houses, but I was glad I didn't spend my own $$ to go there.

York is great. Oxford is great. I did the Cotswolds on a 3 village day trip with my program. You could probably buy such a tour, I enjoyed it. Cotswolds are about atmosphere not sights like London is. If you like cathedrals Durham is nice, but otherwise skip. It was also cold and I was ready to GTFO and go home to Bath!

I was young so 90% of Oxford colleges I walked in for free. A few stopped me and I paid. Class was out of session when I went.

Hi:

I just wanted to pop in with my Oxford experience from Fall 2019 with my husband and a friend. We stayed in Oxford for several nights. We took the public bus to Blenheim Palace and spent the whole day - audio tour of palace, Sunday roast at the restaurant at Blenheim, walking around the grounds, then bus back to Oxford. It was a great day, but I would not combine with Cotswolds. We did this tour of the Cotswolds:

https://www.cotswoldtourismtours.co.uk/

Secret Cottage Tour. We took the train from Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh & met our guide at the train station. Tour included several villages, option to stop for a pub lunch (we paid separately for this) & delicious afternoon tea with so many treats at the owner's own cottage. We got to walk around inside & it was fun to see inside the kind of cottage we had been seeing all day. I highly recommend this tour!

On our 1st day, we also took a walking tour of Oxford that took us inside one of the colleges. Also while we were there, a walking tour focused on Inspector Morse, Lewis & Endeavor as we are big fans!

Happy planning!