I am stumped! 3-4 nights away from London

The Cotswolds are an area of several little towns. The usual recommendation is that a car there is a good thing, at least in getting around from one town to another. Edinburgh is four hours by train from London. It's a beautiful and friendly city. It's a great place for a 2-3 day visit. Very walkable. There are some good b&b's and small hotels in the Dartmoor, which is like no place else I've been. Lots of hiking, etc., but you will want a car to get there. I'd give the nod to York over Bath, by a small margin. York is older, and has more of that feel to it. On the other hand, if you like Georgian architecture and lovely gardens, Bath is the place. York Minster is outstanding.

You will truly enjoy the Cotswolds and Bath. The villages in the Cotswolds are fairly close together and you can walk or take the local bus that goes to most of the them and Stratford upon Avon. Beautiful scenery! Lovely people. Lots of gardens, churches, Blenheim Palace, etc. And driving there is so easy, not much traffic. We were there 2 years ago and never wanted to leave. Bath deserves a couple of days too. Moreton in Marsh (the hub for the Cotswolds) is an easy one hour and a few minutes train trip from Paddington Station and you can rent a car if you're so inclined. Enjoy!

The Cotswolds are fantastic. The train from London is an 1 hr 40 minute ride. There is bus service there, but it doesn't go to most of the smaller villages. As you said it is walkable. Also, in Bourton-on-the-Water you could even rent a bike for a day if you wanted to.

thank you very much for the replies. now you understand my plight! Scotland, sadly i think is off. i just would want to do it right with 2-3 nights in Edinburgh, 3-4 in Highlands and Isles. So i believe it's going to be: 1. Cotswolds-Bath
2. York-North York Moors. i think it might be Bath-Cotswolds simply b/c the train does get us to Moreton and bus connections seem to be rather feasible in between towns. and like i said, we really want to relax in some villages and have some nice walks. whereas option #2, it seems like we would most definitely need a car. it's tough b/c i really do enjoy rugged hikes and ocean views. so we'll see!

From what you've described about what you like to see when you hike I'd offer this option, the Jurassic Coast hike. Would mean travel by rail and bus as well as by foot. Weather would be a factor as well but you'd have the scenic views. Where ever you decide have a wonderful time!

It would be hard to think of better places for Ye Olde Quaint, plus walks, than Bath and the Cotswolds. I am almost passionately addicted to this site (http://www.walking-routes.co.uk/) which I am currently using to plot walking routes for this coming November (provided my husband lets me out of Stamford Bridge or the adjacent pubs....) The Cotswold walks on the site are listed under "National Parks" at the bottom of the page. Of course, if by walking you mean just strolling around, then the Cotswolds are a delightful place to do it without breaking a sweat out on the trail. The problem with choosing based on help from this site is that there is such a glorious weallth of options to choose from. If I were you, I would go with my gut, choose Bath/the Cotswolds, and have a ball. You're young - I am assuming you will be making it back across the pond many times to come!

Jurassic Coast, this looks intriguing to me as well. It appears I can get to Weymouth via rail and many good hikes/walks are nearby, as is beautiful ocean sights. hmmm, more to consider.

Although I dont disagree with your choice of the Cotswolds, be aware that the bus services are very limited and usually go from towns outside the cotswolds in to one or two ed villages. There are web sites however which do give detailed instructions for walking within the Cotswolds using busses. there is also the Cotswold Way National Trail- approx 102 mile walk between bath and Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds. This passes near 9or through ) a number of smaller Cotswold villages Walking across the yorkshire Moors from west to East is a more rugged walk

I agree that the Cotswolds are great-wonderful place to stay (we stayed in Chipping Campden and did day trips out from there), but I'd also put in a plug for N. Wales. If you like castles, ruins, etc., Wales may be the place for you. We stayed in Conwy in Wales and absolutely loved the castle and walled town there. Also, while in Wales, you could day trip to Mt Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa for the Welsh) That national park has some truly excellent walking and hiking possibilities. There is even a train to the top of the mountain if you want to skip the walk up!

ok...well, i think we've come to some sort of direction. finally! we're going to do 2 nights in Bath, 2 nights in Cotswolds and with one of our London days; we're going to take a bus tour to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and the Dover cliffs. it leaves at 9am and returns at 18:30 or so. this way we'll be able to see a generally good expanse of the land. West, London and east/coast.

Bath: Be sure to take the free Bath Walks that start down by the church, is about 2 hours and well worth it. Skip Jane Austin Museum, most will agree not worth it. If you can get a bus to Wells, it is well worth it, loved the town and the history, Cathedral is fantastic. Rent RS video that includes it. We stayed at The Henry in Bath, about 4-5 block walk from train and is very central to everything. When we were there it was going through big renovation and understand they are now done so worth checking into it. A great day trip from London is to Windsor, easy commute. If you are going to see White Cliffs, download the song about the White Cliffs, can't remember singers name but awesome song about the Cliffs and WWII. Enjoy.

Leeds Castle visit is pleasant and Canterbury Cathedral and its surrounds (some medieval type lanes) is well worth it