Wiltshire

We did a 4-day inn-to-inn walk to/from Bath a couple years ago and loved the countryside (of which we saw a LOT, and in the rain too). We stayed at Bradford-on-Avon, Lacock, and Castle Combe, all of which were charming. I'm sure you could easily see them in one day with a car.

To me, it's a pefect idea. My wife and I often used to take short countryside breaks in January or February. The days will be short and the trees bare and it will make it marvellously atmospheric for looking at Neolithic and Bronze Age sites, as well as some of the sites of King Alfred's battles against the Vikings, though there is not much to see of those. Marlborough (note the spelling) is a lovely town and you're also not far from north Dorset or east Somerset, so you aren't restricted to Wiltshire.

Day 1 is going to be very busy with the train to Bath, a full day there then hiring a car and driving to East Kennett. Hiring a car and driving will probably take 2 hours.

The Vale of Pewsey is attractive countryside. Lacock is interesting, but is possibly too far west when you are heading east. Salisbury cathedral is worth visiting.

It will be dark at c 4pm in January. You will also be driving to Stonehenge partly in the dark. Snow is a possibility, but not likely. Frost is more likely.

Oops on my spelling of Marlborough!

Visit Winchester, particularly the cathedral. Winchester isn't in Wiltshire, of course, but it is only about thirty miles from Salisbury. It is interesting to compare the two cathedrals and Winchester has a nice central area to explore.

If you are physically able to do so I would recommend wondering around Old Sarum. My son and I really enjoyed the history and the scenery around this place.

If you rent a car, consider driving to Wells and Glastonbury, south of Bath. You can see Bath in one day. Avebury is worth a stop. Salisbury and Stonehenge you can do with Avebury in one day.

So many ideas. I hope I can return someday so I can explore more sights outside London. We don't want to run helter-skelter so we will see most of what we can in London and take time for some of what is suggested here.

Days will be short and most of what you want to see is outdoors, so make sure to get an early start each day or else the sun will go down on your sightseeing. We had a rental car and did most of what you describe, but at a time of year when the days are longer.

Can you skip Bath or put it later in your trip, after Salisbury? Because if you want to see Avebury and the Witshire White Horses, how are you going to do that without retracing your steps from Stonehenge?

Driving from East Kennett to Stonehenge you have a fairly straight shot through Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve and down the A345 (Salisbury Road) to the A303. These are small country roads and it is easy to take a wrong turn at a roundabout, especially in the predawn darkness. Honestly I would allow 2 hours (i.e., leave your B&B by 6 AM) because if you're late for your Inner Circle tour, you're out of luck.

If you stick to your plan to train London-Bath, it will take you all day just to get to East Kennett, even if you don't really see much of Bath. Then after you've enjoyed Stonehenge at 8 AM, your route back towards Avebury and the chalk horses will take you right past Durrington Walls & Woodhenge (just north of the intersection of Salisbury Road and A303). But, that means you'll be driving south to Stonehenge before dawn, north to Avebury in the late morning, and then back south to Salisbury in the afternoon -- right?

Here's what I suggest: You could take the train from London to Newbury as it's the nearest town to East Kennett that has train service. Get a rental car in Newbury, drive from Newbury through Marlborough, continue to the chalk horse(s) and Avebury, then spend the night in the lovely B&B in East Kennett. Next morning, 8 AM Stonehenge etc., then proceed to Old Sarum and Salisbury. After enjoying Salisbury, drive to Bath, enjoy the sights of Bath, turn in your car and train back to London. Would that work?

epltd .....those are great suggestions. I will look at this again!

Excellent suggestions by epltd. And I would definitely see Salisbury Cathedral.