itinerary question again :)

Suggestions: Take the train from Paddington to Oxford & rent a car there (Avis is just behind the station). Doesn't look like you'll have enough time to go to York and, if so, a good alternative is the walled city of Chester near N. Wales.

I'd decide about the Paris day trip early. There are significant savings to be had by booking your fare early. Personally, we did the day trip several years ago and I didn't enjoy it. If you think you really want to see Paris, I'd save it for another trip. York can be done as a nice day trip. In fact, I wrote an article about day trips from London by train a few years ago for AAA Carolina's "Go!" magazine. Here is the webaddress for the article: http://www.aaacarolinas.com/Magazine/2008/Jan-Feb/britain.htm You might find it helpful. We've been to the UK ALOT. Feel free to private message me if I can help you.

Paris is amazing. Although it deserves more than a day trip, better that than nothing. I would trade a day in Paris for a week in London. YMMV.

Thanks Tim, I'll look into renting in Oxford, also Chester. Toni, I've read your article, very helpful thanks. We still have 9 months so I'll try to decide before we go!
I'd love to spend more than a day in Paris ... so little time....

At first I didn't know about rafting in the UK, but evidentally there is a company in North Wales. Stratford isn't all that exciting unless you book one of the plays at the local Shakespeare theatre. Some of the comedies are fun for even 10 year olds.
Warwick castle is fun for all ages...but be sure to leave time for the real castles in Wales...they are fabulous. Actually if you spent most of your time in Wales when not in London, you couldn't go wrong. Chester is a good stop on your way to Wales.

Warwick Castle is a real castle in a real town. Its been touristized by Madame Tussauds (they of wax museum fame) but little fabric has been added or taken away from the castle. The view from the road bridge over the Avon (yes that Avon) towards the castle by the fish ponds is breathtaking. One is a real medieval Norman castle and the other a 19th century bit of fluff, but I see the view as similar to that from Mary's Bridge at Neuschwanstein. The Earl of Dudley, the first Queen Elizabeth's favourite lived there, and also at the ruined Kenilworth Castle a couple of miles further down the road. If you have a car its worth seeing both the ruined one (run by English Heritage) and the preserved one. You don't have to go into Kenilworth Castle to see it if you don't want, and there are miles of footpaths around it to catch it from all the angles. Warwick itself is a wonderful town, equally authentic with Stratford-Upon-Avon which is also just 5 miles or so away.

There is an even more interesting view of Warwick from the water meadow (just over the bridge)- you can se both the wonderful old bridge and the castle behind the trees

Thanks guys, I will check out the views! My son will love the castle from what I hear. The rafting is for my husband, we kayak here on the rivers and he thinks it would be cool to get on the water in Wales.

Kris, I would suggest you check car rentals from Heathrow vs. Oxford. You can reach Heathrow by tube and, assuming a morning flight home, a stay on Aug 2 near Heathrow will make the return easier than returning by train from Oxford and staying in London.

David, good idea, but would we be charged that in and out of London with car fee? I can't remember what it's called.

Hi Kris, Consider getting your rental car in Oxford or what ever city you prefer and returning it to LHR. This won't incur a huge drop fee (if any) and would probably be more convenient. If your return flight isn't super early, you could spend your last night somewhere interesting-we liked Winchester-and turn in the car the next morning before your flight. We have been to both Chester and York and found York much more historically interesting. You can easily visit York as a daytrip from London-there are frequent trains from Kings Cross station.

Cynthia, Our flight is in the afternoon, so thats a good idea to get a place for a night. I'll have to check into the whole car rental thing, I have not researched it yet
Now my parents are trying to convince me that Cornwall would be a better spot than Northern Wales for the three night... It's so hard to decide!!

Hi Kris, I think your parents are right. We have been to Cornwall several times and it's one of our favourite parts of the UK (the Highlands get first place). We were only in northern Wales once, but the area was not a highlight for us. Your trip works better from a transportation standpoint if you stay in the west/southwest part of England. If you get your car as you leave Oxford, you can do the Cotswolds , Warwick / Kenilworth, Stratford, then head off towards Wells, Glastonbury, into Devon (nice castles), Tintagel, Cornwall, end up with Salisbury, Stonehenge/Avebury, Winchester. I can't help with slate mines; however, if you want an underground experience Wookey Hole is hokey but a beautiful cave. It's near Wells and the Cheddar Gorge. If you want specifics about accommodations, etc., let me know.

Cynthia,
I would love any accomodation info you have, especially that are good for kids. How old were yours when you went? You can personal message me if it's easier :)

My immediate ancestors are Welsh and Cornish; we prefer Cornwall over N. Wales by a little- much more to see. We do a lot of driving when we visit; I would go from Penzance on the South Coast via Mousehole (cute little village) St Ives, Looe, Lands End (dramatic must see). Tintagel has some awesome real ruins and an over touristy/kitschy village- see the ruins; Clovelly on North Coast is unique, continue on to selworthy, Dunster (great place to stop for a night). Also you can see the Moors. Lots of places I know, but it can be done in three days, or you could pick and choose. A little further on- the Tintern Abbey ruins to me are really interesting, and a fantastic location.

Kris you asked about the Congestion Charge Zone in London. It only applies M-F 0700-1800. There is information and a map at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharge/whereandwhen/

Kris, from the Cotswold area you could see Bath, then go to Cardiff Wales (by car or train- Cardiff can also be done as a day trip by train). There is a nice castle there- right in the heart of the city. And they have a rather new, very high quality soccer stadium where you can do tours. There is a slate mine nearby to tour, also. There harbor has recently been "redone" and has some nice touristy things to see/do. We love the shopping there- both markets and "highstreet" shops. If you prefer more rural Wales, the Snowdonia area is lovely. Lots of little villages (we like Bewts-y-coed), great walks, with amazing view of great streams and waterfalls. Mt. Snowdon has a cog-railway steam train you can ride to the top for some great views and I think there is a slate mine in the area to tour, too. York is a wonderful place to visit. You can even do it as a day trip from London. It makes a good stop over if you decide to head to Scotland instead of Wales.