As we're finalizing our itinerary, we have a gap in our plans and could use some advice on what to include. Right now- May 14 – 7am Gatwick arrival. Rental car. Stonehenge. Sleep in Bath May 15 – Bath. Maybe Wells or Glastonbury. sleep in Bath. May 16 – Lacock & Avebury, sleep in Stow May 17 – Cotswolds, maybe Hidecote. sleep in Stow May 18 – ?? May 19 - ?? May 20 – transition to London. Either turn in car and train in or drive in and return car near London, seeing additional sights on the way May 21-23 – sleep London
May 24 – 10am flight home I'm travelling with my mother and teenage daughter. Mom loves gardens. Daughter likes Harry Potter, people watching and food. I'm open to almost anything. It's more important to us to have a relaxing, interesting trip together than to see everything. We could extend the B&B in Stow another day or two but I'm concerned there isn't enough to do. Oxford Christ Church looks interesting for daughter as does Blenheim Palace for mother. Any advice on where to stay/what to do on May 18/19 or whether I'm trying to put too much into the days given our travel style is appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
Fredericksburg, VA, USA
409 posts
Hi, Deanna: A few random thoughts....(1) Don't miss Wells - wonderfully compact town and the cathedral is amazing. We attended Evensong there and sat with the choir...enjoyed it as much as Westminster Abbey's Evensong. (2) It's probably too late, but Mad Max tours offers a great day trip from Bath that hits Stonehenge, Lacock, Avebury, and Castle Combe (site of filming for War Horse and some Harry Potter). (3) Stow is wonderfully located for touring the Cotswolds and nearby sites - Stratford-on-Avon, Blenheim Palace (yes - don't miss), Oxford, Cirencester (Roman sites), and all the beautiful villages (personal favorites: Lower Slaughter, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway). I would extend one night for sure and maybe two, especially if you're looking to relax before heading into London. (4) I would drop off the car somewhere outside London and use the city as a base for at least one trip outside the city...Windsor, Cambridge, etc. (5) Consider an apartment rental vice a hotel in London. (6) Oh, although we didn't go there, there's an estate outside Bath with gardens (for mom) and an animal park (for daughter). Hope this helps...have a great trip!
Posted by
Fredericksburg, VA, USA
409 posts
Oh, and take mom to Hidcote. Took my mom there two years ago and she loved it.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
I could easily spend another two nights in the Cotswolds. There is so much to see, at a slow relaxed pace. And Stow is a very convenient starting point each day.
Additional sights to see: Blenheim Palace (Woodstock village, right at its doorstep is cute- good place to spend before going on to oxford); Fairford church- ancient stained glass windows; Cotswold rare breeds farm; model village at Bourton on the water; Chedworth roman villa... all these are in the Cotswolds. Some great cottage gardens in the cotswolds You should do stonehenge and Avebury on same day- they are really close
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1862 posts
In the "near south-west" area of England, we have enjoyed Winchester, and Salisbury, Corfe Castle, Warwick Castle and Kenilworth Castle (close to each other). You might want to also add one more day to London.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
After Stow, I'd suggest Blenheim, then drop the car in Oxford if you can, visit university sights there, and take a train to London. You don't want to drive into London for sure. If you haven't been to London before, and aren't averse to big cities, I'd suggest giving it more time even at the expense of earlier places. Clearly you won't see "everything" anywhere, but London has so much to offer.