September trip. We will be landing in London, getting a rental car and then driving towards Highclere for a morning tour the following day. Would love to stay somewhere quiet (after our very long journey) in small village that would be a short drive to Highclere.
I understand Newbury is close, but looks like a large city? Would you recommend to stay there or another smaller town? If there is specific recommendation for B &B or hotel that would be appreciated as well!
Thank you,
Karen
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34010 posts
Newbury is close, but looks like a large city?
31,000 in the town, 70,000 in the area.
Not such a big city to me, more a good sized town. Smaller than Napa (76,000).
Sorry I can't give a name for a place to stay because I've never tried there.
Posted by
3124 posts
In Newbury we stayed at the Hare & Hounds and made it our base for exploring Avebury, Stonehenge, and elsewhere in the North Wessex Downs AONB as well as a day trip into London. We found it affordable and appreciated the very helpful staff. It has a nice restaurant for dinners as well as serving a good full English breakfast. It's easy to find, located right on the A4 (the main road toward Bath) near the roundabout with the A34.
http://www.hareandhoundshotel.net/
Posted by
OP
Napa Valley, Ca
61 posts
Thank you for your replies!
Posted by
8 posts
We also stayed at the Hare and Hounds in Newbury when we visited last May. Room was clean and comfortable. Pub and restaurant on site very convenient. Staff was very nice. It is good you have a car. We took a cab to Highclere. It was longer and more expensive than we expected. Also it was a bank holiday so the fare was at time and a half (!).
Posted by
Rochester, Michigan, USA
56 posts
Here is another vote for the Hare and Hounds! Wonderful visit with very accommodating staff.
Posted by
Milton, Delaware USA
138 posts
While Newbury is the nearest town, if you want to stay in a neat village, try the Bow River House in Leckhampstead, just north of the M4 and an easy drive to Highclere. We did it in 2012 when Highclere was only open a few weeks a year and were able to get tickets. The B&B is lovely and run by an Australian women whose children emigrated to England so she came and added on the B&B. She is lovely to talk to and she even let us into her massive kitchen which we had been admiring for days every time we drove up. There is a pub in the village and in the nearby villages. Very peaceful and an easy ride from Heathrow as we were going back to the airport from Leckhampstead. Check it out on Tripadvisor, its modern, rooms are spacious and you have the sitting room downstairs where you can get tea (she keeps a small frig with milk) also her daughter keeps horses so you may look out and see them in the fenced in area.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
According to Highclere website they are only open for 4 days in September, Sunday 3rd - Wednesday 6th.