Gardens, shopping, UK B&B

How mobile is she? It may be difficult for her if she isn't reasonably mobile. Would she like self-catering? A couple of weeks at a B&B would cost considerably more than self-catering.

Cotswolds is cute- but most villages have nothing to do- virually only one small gerneral stor if that How about something like Tunbridge wells in Kent. Small town with an amazing main street "The Pantiles" with shops and an arcade all along in front of the stores. So mom can stay in her garden or go window shopping. Otherwise it is enough in the country that she can get out in the open. Another suggestion would be Henley on Thames or, slightly bigger, Richmond. From Richmond she can get into London easily if she wants a change

Man, I love the Travelers Helpline, you are all so awesome. I would be looking at self-catering, she's very self-sufficient, a young 65. As for the "nothing to do" she loves to go for short to moderate length walks and sit back and read. Not necessarily in that order. I will look into Tunbridge Wells, an area I am not familiar with. Keep those recommendations coming!

What about Canterburry. Lots to see and do when she wants to, good resturants and markets, easy to get into London (about and hour on the train) or to Dover if she wanted. I am not certain, but think there are some walks, too. I'd also check into something on the coast- say Brighton or similar.

I am only a few years off your mother's age and would go stir crazy if left in a small village for two weeks on my own. What about Bath, lovely looking place, more of a town than city atmosphere. She will have more opportunity to meet other people if that's what she wants. Either stay in a B&B near the centre or if she likes more privacy an apartment eg somewhere like this. http://www.thecourtyardapartments.co.uk/

Douglas, Bourton-on-the-Water....Broadway...and a few other villages are great....and I have to disagree with above post...they have a lot more shopes then just one general store. Your mom would love sitting by the river in Bourton-on-the-Water and enjoy the beauty. I'm close to your mother's age and I would love to be there for a couple of weeks. She could take the bus to some different villages (buses do not go to the very small villages). I'm sure she would meet some local people and probably even be invited in for tea. I truly think she would love it there.

Park Mom near or in London. It's actually just a collection of "quaint" villages. She can stay in the suburbs and ride the tube or bus or train and to go shopping, see free museums and do people watching. I've been a couple of times to London by myself. The Cotswalds can be boring for people who don't do hiking or watercolors. Bath is nice in a "Jane Austen" sort of way. Tunbridge Wells is alright...but their most of their shopping district other than a few expensive antique shops is just a shopping mall.

You know - I don't know your mother - and I don't know you - but I and my sweetie are not far off your Mother's age and I don't think either of us would care very much to be "parked". There may be great reasons to abandon her, especially if that's what she wants, but we prefer to be included and do things. Happy planning. PS, if your Mom does get left in the Cotwolds and has an ability to get about a little Bourton or Stow or Broadway would be great for shopping and gardens. Hidcote, one of the best gardens in the World is just a few minutes away from any of them.

Thanks for the thoughts Nigel. All of the history and architecture that my wife and I find fascinating are a complete bore to my mother. She's spent 60+ years reading English murder mysteries and would love nothing more than to park her bottom on a bench in a garden and read for a week.

Being a bit of a Dreamer; Hampton Court Palace (yes that place) has a few apartments in the building or adhacent facilities, that are rented out- I think through the National Trust. If you were going to park me- thats where I would want to be- great grounds and gardens

Your mother sounds like me...but then so do you and your wife. Ever since I first read your post I've been thinking about where I would like to be plopped down for two weeks on my own. My first thought was somplace in Dorset but with "my kids" heading north towards York, I don't want to take them too far out of their way. See how unselfish I am? Then I thought of Torquay..still a little out of the way... But I decided on a yet to be named village in the Cotswolds where I could walk the Cotswolds Way. And have a cream tea every day. Maybe Snowshill or Cirencester...

Douglas, Based on your mother's love of English murder mysteries, you should make sure she's close enough to London that she can go on the Jack the Ripper tour with the world foremost expert on Jack the Ripper. She may also enjoy the Tower on London with a Beefeater tour because of all its mysteries. and if she LOVES to read like I do, make sure you get her directions to both the British National Library (amazing!) and to the main Foyles store in London with 7 miles of books. That will give her plenty to do in between gardens, reading and tea.

Perhaps it's because I'm newly back from 15 days in England and still on a high, but I really liked our experience in Witney in the Cotswolds. We did have a rental car to drive to the other villages, but I just loved the town itself. It's a fairly large town with nice shopping, a movie theatre, many restaurants, and very nice people. I'm not sure if there are gardens close, but you can take a bus into Oxford. I'm trying to remember what English mystery series comes from there (?) There were major activities going on at the church while we were there (evening activities - art show - Elvis impersonator if you can believe it, etc), and the people were so very nice and friendly.

One other comment I will make about Witney in the Cotswolds, Minster Lovell Hall is close (absolutely beautiful)! I just noticed there's a B&B (Hill Grove Farm House) that has walking paths to Minster Lovell. When we were there, we saw many English people and their dogs walking in the area. Also, Cogges Farm Museum is in Witney. Look that up too.