Planning on five days in London this late Spring. I know there is more than enough to keep me entertained in London for that time but a day trip to bath and/or Stonehenge looks like fun too. Rick's book mentions a day bus tour from Victoria Coach station. As I am not a fan of group tours, perhaps just a train or bus ride out to bath for the day? Any recommendations? Thanks!
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
The train is easy- catch it at Paddington Station (the final destination is usually Cardiff Wales). Bath is a lovely place to visit. You can catch a small group tour out to Stonehenge in Bath.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Solo Steve,
You can travel from London to Bath either via train or Coach (National Express). There's a Coach station just around the corner from Ebury Street in the London Victoria area. However, keep in mind that the trip is about 3 hours each way so that wouldn't leave much time for touring around Stonehenge. You might consider spending at least one night (and preferably more) in Bath, as it's a wonderful city!
You'll need some form of transport to get to Stonehenge from Bath, so although you're "not a fan of group tours", you might consider a Minivan tour with Mad Max Tours. They offer an afternoon tour of about 4-5 hours that includes both Stonehenge (about 1 hour) and the historic village of Lacock (a National Trust site, about 1.5 hours). They also offer tours of the scenic and "quaint" Cotswolds villages.
It would be possible to travel to Bath by Coach, take a Mad Max Tour and return the same day, but it would be a LONG DAY!
Happy travels!
Posted by
London
291 posts
Your choice is either take the Andersons Tour from London that goes daily from London for 49 GBP and is the most economical option by far or do this independently and stay late in the evening in Bath.
The Anderson Tour gets to Stonehenge about mid morning and Bath about mmidday and leaves Bath at about 15:30 and includes admissions to Stonehenge and the Roman Baths.
Going independently just get an early train from Paddington, though midweek this can be expensive. There areafternoon tours to Stonehenge by both Scapa Tours and Mad Max and you can buy tickets from the tourist office in Bath.
The National Express coaches from Victoria are too slow for a day excursion. The excursion tours from Victoria I think Rick mentions from Victoria are the kind of whirlwind tours that anyone half independent minded finds a turn off. Its for the tick it off the list, got the photo and souvenir brigade.
The Anderson Tour isn't bad though - tends to be used by a much younger crowd.
Posted by
Paris
14 posts
You can take a train from London to Salisbury and then take a bus right from Salisbury station to Stonehenge (non-stop). That way you can avoid an organised tour.
Posted by
Jacksonville, Florida, US
69 posts
We did a van tour through International Friends that took us to Leycock, Bath and Stonehenge. There were only 4 people on the tour. The driver was great and provided lots of information.
Posted by
Anoka, MN, USA
48 posts
I've done day trip to Bath twice - very doable. Trains run regularly out of Paddington to Bath Spa. Once you get to Bath it is easy to get around. I took my whole family (young adult children and spouses) last spring and they really enjoyed it. Roman Baths are worth it.
I would recommend the train over bus - I got off peak tickets and they were cheap and the trip was only a little over an hour from Paddington.
Bath and Windsor would be essential parts of any 5 day intinerary I was planning for London.