Hi!
Where would you suggest using as a base for visiting Oxford, Stratford upon Avon and maybe getting over to Bath? We are a family and looking for self catering and like being in neighborhoods that are very walkable. We need excellent wifi because the parents are working online...
Thanks for all input!!!
London would do.
I beg to differ; I wouldn't use London as a base because the congestion of "commuting" to the outlying towns you want to visit would be a hassle. Also, lodging and food in London tends to be more expensive than in some other towns.
With the geography of the places you list, I'd look for a place to stay in Oxford. Being a university town, I would guess it has good WiFi all over as they are used to having visiting scholars who need to work remotely. Oxford is an easy day trip to both S-u-A and Bath (one day each, obviously -- not both on the same day).
As you are a family, I'm guessing you plan to rent a car, which will give you flexibility and will probably be cheaper than buying individual rail and/or bus tickets for family members.
Stratford-upon-Avon: Be aware if you drive up the M40 to SuA, the exit for SuA directs you to a Park & Ride and shuttle bus into town, so they want tourists to go there. We followed the A46 from there which was a mistake; had to drive through congested traffic for a good half hour to end up at the multi-level parking garage right by the TI where the HoHo bus leaves. If you take Warwick Road (A439) to the left off the A46 it is much less congested and runs more or less directly to aforementioned parking garage.
I agree that Oxford would probably work well. Travel time by rail to Bath and Stratford-upon-Avon is at least as fast as it is from London, and you don't have to worry about getting to the right train station in London. Oxford lodging should be less expensive. Bath, I have read, is quite expensive for hotels. I found Oxford much more interesting than Bath, visually. Both have sights of interest to the average traveler. Oxford seemed to have a great variety of ethnic restaurants. It's also a workable base for visiting the Cotswolds, though destinations are rather limited by public transportation.
Stratford-upon-Avon and Bath are not really close enough to make one a viable day-trip from the other by train.
Check out the rail options for your planned travel date on nationalrail.co.uk . If you plan to drive, use viamichelin.com for estimated driving times, but add some padding. My quick look suggests that driving times from Oxford to the other towns are about 1 hour faster than driving from London, each way.
