UK Itinerary with 12 yr grandson

Comments on sequence: Bath is in the wrong order. It should be lumped with the Costswolds or you're going to be going forever north to south and back. Portsmouth and Dover are in the wrong order also, since they're the only thing south of London. Portsmouth to Dover is a three hour drive at best. With all there is to do in Portsmouth you won't have time to get to Dover - - plus what if the kid wants to see Battle or Brighton along the way? Comments from a kid's perspective: Bath will stink, Stonehenge and Avebury won't. Dover castle will be a let-down after Warwick. My kids didn't think much of the Cotswolds. You need another night in London. General comment: Kids don't vote unless they're funding the trip.

Although I love the Cotswolds, not sure that your grandson will be thrilled. You will probably want to go to bed early on your arrival day. Next day walking will be great for you, but is not necessary to recover from jet lag - you shouldnt need another early night. I cant see this being too interesting for your grandson though. Try the Cotswold Old Breeds Farm and chedworth Roman Villa or something that may interest him. If you do want to go to Bath- i agree with the above- do it immediately after Cotswolds and before Wales. Warwick and York should be great. Portsmouth doesnt work unless thats before Cotswolds. Dover could fit in as a day trip from london- add the night to London. Not sure what the attraction of portsmouth and Dover is though. Let us know, there will probably be better suggestions

Brian!!! Portsmouth is the home of the Royal Marine Museum.... (plus HMS Victory and all that other tourist stuff at the other end of the waterfront).

I think there are some places that he might like if you have him research where some of the Harry Potter filming was done... I stayed in Chipping Camden and we drove to Gloucester Cathedral because I was with a HP fanatic also. There are a few other locations you might have him find. I think the town of Greater Tew (small quaint thatched village) was used for some filming. If he is into history you might have him do a little background on Bath...you never know. Also, if he has his own camera it can make lots of things interesting. I travel with boys that age a lot because I have 4 grandsons. I also made up a travel journal that they have to fill out... so they don't have to 'journal' but they do have to keep a trip log. And no video games while we are traveling... a book is okay, but that's it.(no, they don't think I'm mean...they can't wait to travel with me)

When my parents took me and my 11-yo daughter to the UK, our first stop outside London was Bodiam Castle - it was great. It's one of the few that still have a moat, and it was very interesting to ramble around inside, climb the towers, etc. We also found Battle very interesting. Warwick Castle and York were great too; I haven't been to the other places on your list so can't comment. Have a great time; what nice grandparents you are!

I agree with some of the others that seeing Bath near the end of your trip is out of sequence. If you want to see Bath, I would suggest adding it as a day while sleeping in the Cotswolds. A half day in Bath and half day to Stonehenge might even be enough for you. (Perhaps start at Stonehenge so when you all come to realize how boring it really is, you can head to Bath all the sooner.) I would also suggest to save time (and money?) that you drop the car at York and return via train to London for three or four days there. There is plenty to do in London alone, but you could also perhaps do a long day trip to either Portsmouth or Dover, both of which have great stuff for a typical 12 year old.