Hello! thought I would update on 18 days in October, mostly in England. Comments and suggestions most welcome!
We arrive Heathrow at 1015 October 07. Current thinking continues to be take th eExpress to
Paddington the train (probably the 1300 departure) to Bath. Check in to the Hotel Z, eat a not-heavy meal, take a walk, then retire. While there visit the Baths, the Abbey, probably Stonehenge and Avebury, and see a play.
On October 10 take an early-ish morning train to Cardiff, spend a few hours at the castle, walking, and possibly the port before going on to Aberdare late in the afternoon on one of the hourly trains, perhaps the 1500 and staying at No. 30. Our time in Aberdare will probably be a mix of doing things (The Welsh Coal Mining Experience for one) and walking, taking in the sights, and a bit of genealogical research.
Then on Oct. 13, train to Cardiff and then to York, ideally on the 9:45 direct train. To catch that one, need to be on the no later than the 0822 departure from Aberdare. We're staying at the St. Mary's Guest House.
While in York, the Railroad Museum, the Minster and perhaps evensong, a walking tour (or two!), and probably laundry.
And on the 16th, train to Berwick-upon-Tweed, then bus via Borders Buses) to Wooler, where we will stay at The Old Mill B&B, which was recommended by a local. This will probably be a low key, relaxed and relaxing stop.
On the 20th, bus back to Berwick-upon-Tweed then train to London King's Cross and the tube (or perhaps taxi) to our hotel near Paddington Station.
During our 3 full days in London: most likely go to Bletchley Park, definitely Churchill War Rooms, likely the British Museum and Daunt Books, probably the Imperial War Museum and Stanfords Books, possibly a Jack the Ripper walk and Kew Gardens. We continue talking about the Tower - my partner feels that while yes it's the Tower and all that, the admission is steep.
Our return flight leaves Heathrow on the 24th after 1300 and we will likely be through security well before we need to be, so that morning may be mostly blown.
At some point we will want/need to do laundry beyond washing out socks and underwear, probably in York. Suggestions welcomed!
Applied for/received ETA approval today; details are in the ETA Experience thread.
We decided that for train travel, the path of least resistance (that is ease of use) combined with greatest flexibility, though possibly not least costly, is to go ahead with the 8-day Britrail pass.