Driving along coast Dover to Bath

It's not difficult, just a bit tedious at times. It's about six hours from Dover to Portsmouth without stops if you really hug the coast Brighton never has rung my bell. Portsmouth does. I'd try to spend a night there to preposition for the run north - - Portsmouth to Bath via Stonehenge is only a couple of hours, leaving time for Salisbury, Avebury, etc. You'll probably want to go to Battle rather than Hastings since . . . .

Ed, would you recommend instead to drive a bit north from Canturbury, then down to hit up Arundel Castle & Fishbourne Roman Palace before staying in Portsmouth? Seems like it might be a bit quicker but not sure if it is a "nice" drive. Other people have told me they like Portsmouth too. Anything specific you would recommend there?

I hate telling people what to see, but for me it would be Canterbury, Dover (maybe), Battle, and Portsmouth. The point I was trying to make, and not very well, was to use the A-roads rather than actually hugging the coast all the way across. Using the better roads would take you right past Arundel and Fishbourne. You can spend well more than half a day in Portsmouth just around the dockyards/Gunwarf with all he museums, let alone the shops and places to eat. If you have any interest in the Royal Marines, they have a pretty good museum at the eastern end of the esplenade.

Stephanie Do you like Jane Austen? Not far out of your way is where she lived. Not nearly as many as before Eurostar trains stop in Ashford as used to. You could spend half a day just exploring the tunnels under Dover Castle. Agree with Ed about Brighton, but the Seven Sisters is magic. Traffic along the coast can be slow, slow, slow. Traffic around Southampton can make the other traffic seem fast. Using the inland A-roads will, as said, pick up the speed and interest. Seems like a busy day or two after arriving from Europe.

Your mention of Fishbourne leads me to think that you may be interested in British Roman history. If so, and you do go to Dover, try to visit the Roman Painted House while you are there. http://www.theromanpaintedhouse.co.uk/

We did something similar, but were inland a little- did not hug the coast- and found it fairly easy going. Have stayed at Arundel, Midhurst, Winchester, Salisbury and little places in Dorset. You can also go further North and stay in/or in outskirts outskirts of Oxford and Cotswolds. found some smaller villages by using a pub/inn guide to Britain

It's really difficult to "hug" the southern coast of England because of the many inlets and bays. Driving the A roads is the best bet with taking side trips to the sites. We enjoyed staying Wimborne Minster, a lovely market town. Our B & B had a thatched roof. It is inland but only an hour or less from the sea. Much nicer places for less money away from the bigger towns. Route yourself to sightsee at National Trust UK properties and you can't go wrong. You can buy an overseas visitor pass before you leave on line. Might pay off even for just two days, but check to see if what you want to see is covered. You might be able to do Dover, Canturbury, Hastings and Brighton in one day if you just stop at one thing each. Stonehenge & Aveberry are both worth seeing if you have time. Bath is charming...be sure to see the Costume Museum for a real trip back in time.