Help with SW UK Itinerary, please?

Running late for an appt. (CPA - taxes ) but just one quick comment. Highclere isn't far from Avebury which is great if you haven't been. And there are other neolithic sites in the area.

judy,

Bath should make an excellent centre for day-tripping - not only Bristol [by rail, obviously] but Wells, Bradford upon avon, Cheddar, and probably some other places I can't think of at the moment.

sounds like a great trip.

I so glad I heard from you both!
I was hoping you would help!!!!
I am still not sure how long and where.
The last day our flight leaves at 3 from LHR.
Do you think it is too far to drive to Bath on arrival day?

BTW,

I saw this in Bath:


http://www.hideaways.co.uk/holiday-cottage/great-pulteney-street-H496

Bath is an AWFUL place for daytripping from.

It simply isn't designed for cars - especially cars belonging to people who aren't full time residents, and the likelihood of single-handedly doubling Bath's civic income from fines you didn't know you were incurring is close to 100%.

It's got surprisingly excellent railway connections for provincial England (probably only Birmingham has direct trains to so many places). But of the places you've cited, that won't get you to Wells, Glastonbury (though I THINK there's a direct bus: check at www.transportdirect.info)) or anywhere in Devon apart from Exeter and a few other railheads .

You can find adequateish B&Bs in Bath's dull, car-friendlier suburbs. Or, possibly, the odd nice hotel with free parking well outside the camera-intensive centre. But if you need a car to get round, you'll struggle to stay in a nice honeycoloured Georgian gaff in central Bath.

"Do you think it is too far to drive to Bath on arrival day?"

After a sleep-deprived overnight flight, on a road where everyone else drives an average of 85 mph on the side of the road you're unfamiliar with? And when there's excellent nonstop buses or even more frequent trains taking less time to do the same journey?

If that's acceptable (or sensible, or legal) in your country, you're collectively more insane than even I thought.

OK, partly take it back about the Great Pultney St flat. But ensure you can actually get to and from it painlessly and finelessly. Something I rarely manage in Bath

And don't hire the car till after a proper night's sleep.

I agree w/ flanner . . . Bath is really a great place to visit/stay. But it isn't a great place to day trip from

Parking is a bee-atch, and driving can be worse. However staying in a Bath-area village is a good option. Day tripping into Bath (convenient park-and-ride lots) is much easier than day tripping from Bath - especially since few centrally located B&Bs have parking.

Look in places outside of the Bath/Bradford on Avon corridor.

Like here in Corsham http://www.pickwickfarm.co.uk/

or in Farmborough http://www.schoolcottages.co.uk/

Norton St Philip http://www.atthemanor.co.uk/

Those sorts of villages -- convenient for day tripping in to Bath and convenient to get everywhere else.

Flanner, don't hold back, tell me what you really think .
LOL
I am just getting ideas here.
We are fortunately flying business class this time and hopefully he will be able to sleep a bit. He did drive to Stowe on the Wold, but regretted it.
But I was also thinking of staying in Windsor for one night after landing.
Thanks janis for the links.
Anymore ideas about Devon, Exeter?

staying the first night in Windsor is a very good idea. Then you can easily drive on to the 'Bath area' the next day. Enroute you can visit Highclere (though it is not open between April 15 and May 6 so may not fit your plans) and Avebury.

Listen to annhig who lives in the area and forget what janis and flanner say - Bath can be a great base!

well, Pal, i have never tried staying in Bath and using it as a base for touring; perhaps jj and/or flanner have.

i was coming at it from the angle that it is very much a hub which could give good access to a number of different places, which has a variety of attractions in its own right, and being a city, a fair number of decent restaurants to eat in, which is what I always look for.

another tactic is to stay in a smaller place, perhaps in a country house hotel, and use that as a base, though that tends to bore me after a while, as i would prefer to be wandering round a city in the evening, even if the shops are shut. perhaps that comes from living in the country!

so the OP will just have to decide which approach she prefers.

We did a 3-day visit outside of Bath and saw Stonehenge, Avebury, Glastonbury and Wells. Details and photos in my TR/blog (blog link is towards the bottom of the TR).

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bath-stonehenge-more-3-day-weekend.cfm

We stayed outside Bath in Bradford-upon-Avon; actually outside of that in the country. The price was right but I'm not sure I'd recommend it (nerve racking blind single track road). However, I can confirm that it was easy to get into Bath. I think the fringe lot by the Cricket field was £15/day and was a short walk into city. A bit pricey but we saved well more than that on our B&B over the August bank holiday weekend. Cheaper options for parking may exist but ours was certainly convenient.

Hope that helps.

Indy dad, thanks for the info! Good report!

Annhig, I am with you in the city thing.
We stayed in York and loved the walking around at night, trying new restaurants etc. TRaffic was not that bad.
I am leaning towards the self catering with the DESIGNATED parking spot...a must have for my DH.

Now I am in the second part of planning. I thought I wanted to stay in Exeter, but have since changed my mind....
where else? Plymouth?
I want something really interesting for 3/4 days.

Itinerary: for 14 nights
Windsor-1 night
Bath-5 nights
Somwheres near Devon?Cornwal? 3/4 nights
Then something around 2/3 hours from LHR for our afternoon flight.

http://www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk/

How about St Michael's Mount - built by the same order of monks I think at the much more famous Mont Saint-Michel in France and built on an island that at times is part of the mainland and at high tide an island - as the original Mont Saint-Michel once was but is now almost always high and dry.

Anyway the English St Miohael's Mount is in a very pretty area - Penzance makes a neat old town to stay in. If into walking then there are many nice walks in the lovely country around Penzance - Land's End area.

Pal, that looks great!
We did see Mont St Michel in France.
I will have to give this more thought.,,so many places so little time, sigh.
I just don't want my DH to drive too far/much.

Also, we have decided to spend 6 days in Bath....WITH a designated parking space.

it all depends how far from Bath you are prepared to travel, judy.

Bath to Marazion [where St. michael's mount is] is about 210 miles and 3 1/2 to 4 hours drive - i just checked on viamichelin.co.uk.

my preferred place to stay in Cornwall is Falmouth - you have the advantage of a super position, loads of boat-trips, lovely gardens near-by, and easy access to the far west including Penzance and the mount. accommodations of every sort are available - from tiny B&Bs to 4 star hotels on the beach. you would certainly fill your 3-4 days, and more.

however if you want a shorter drive, Lynton & Lynmouth along the north devon coast are also very nice, and again you would find plenty to engage you in that area.

returning to London from Cornwall , you could simply return the car at Truro Railway station, and hop on the train!

don't hesitate to come back with any qs, will you? I'm always happy to plug cornwall.

Falmouth to me was one of the nicest most romantic seaside towns I have been to - If i recall an imposing fortress-like castle brooding over the town and sea.

If i recall an imposing fortress-like castle brooding over the town and sea.>>

that's Pendennis Castle, Pal, one of the fortresses built by Henry VIII. there is a little one down on the shore that is called Little Dennis - my kids used to love going down there, and sitting in one of the windows looking out to sea. across the channel that leads up to Truro, [which has the strange name of Carrick Roads] there is t. Mawes Castle - built to protect the harbour from the other side.

why did it need protecting? because it's allegedly the 2nd deepest natural harbour in the world, and at the time the castles were built, the deepest, Sydney, was unknown to Europe.

I am really thinking about Falmouth Pal and Annhig.

Remember Annhig, those are paltry distances compared to the US.
I don't think he minds driving in the UK if it is on decent roads.
Are the roads 4 lanes to Falmouth?

I was thinking 4 or 5 days in Falmouth, then spend 2 or 3 days in Salisbury...then head to Heathrow for our 3pm flight.

Remember Annhig, those are paltry distances compared to the US.
I don't think he minds driving in the UK if it is on decent roads.
Are the roads 4 lanes to Falmouth?>>

well, some of them are 6 lanes!

it is 6 lane motorway from Bath to Exeter, then 4 lanes all the way [almost] to Truro, when you will turn off to Falmouth - from Truro it's about a 20 minute drive, so all but 30 mins or so will be on what you would call a "highway".

Judy - 4-5 days in Falmouth, then 2-3 in Salisbury, sounds perfect.

please make it May, then we can meet up!

judyrem--You said you were using the GBHP map; guess you know the Pass itself is no more? Sad. The map is still a great resource, though, isn't it?

I hope you get to Wells and Glastonbury. If you have time and inclination and pretty day, the climb to Glastonbury Tor is worth it! (And if you happen to go to Cheddar--great cheese of course!--and climb to the top of Jacob's Ladder, you will see the Tor.) And Wells Cathedral is beyond amazing (prettiest I've ever seen).

Finally an ITIERARY!

1st night: Windsor
7 nights Bath in this fab self catering!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.laurastownhouseapartments.co.uk/apartments/circus-mews---7007
4 nights Falmouth
2 nights Salisbury
Drive early to LHR
TA DA!
I did it with all you fabulous Fodorites!!!! Love ya!

Texasbookworm, those lovely places are the reason we are spending a week in Bath!
I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!

What the GBHP is no more!!!!!????? Yikes!

Annhig, any hotel B&B you could recommend in Falmouth?

http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/map-directions/

Driving from Bath to Falmouth you could pass thru Lyton and take its famous water-powered Victoria-era cliff railway - well if into old funiculars and a nice old seaside resort.

Thanks Pal, looks interesting.

<<it is 6 lane motorway from Bath to Exeter, then 4 lanes all the way [almost] to Truro, when you will turn off to Falmouth - from Truro it's about a 20 minute drive, so all but 30 mins or so will be on what you would call a "highway". >>

In the US I believe you really do have highways with 4 or 6 lanes all going in the same direction. But I'd just to point out that in England the 6 lanes quoted is the total motorway - there are 3 lanes on each side going in one direction (or 2 on the dual carriageway after Exeter.

Judy, that apartment looks wonderful! Hope you have a lovely trip, and I shall look forward to the TR!

julia - thanks for clarifying what i wrote. many years ago, we drove straight out of Toronto airport onto their 18 [or should that be 9?] lane highway in the rush-hour.

judy - hope I haven't misled you. the motorway has, as julia says, 3 lanes in each direction. I hope that's enough for your DH.

Hotels in Falmouth - not easy for me as we tend not to stay in hotels in Cornwall, obviously. IMHO the nicest hotel is the Greenbank - it's got a lovely view overlooking the estuary, has a very comfy lounge bar, a terrace, and a very good restaurant. Draw-backs? it's a bit old-fashioned and it's not in the centre of town, but then none of the hotels or B&Bs can really say that they are all that central. more options can be found overlooking the beach at Gyllingvase, or between the beach and the town centre. if you have a look at a map and see where the hotels are, you'll see what I mean. it might be better if you draw up a shortlist and I'll try to comment on them, positively or otherwise!

Ah JuliaT of Ludlow (great place thanks for that), you are so sweet.
I love that Bath place too, and the fact that is has it's own PARKING place, be still my heart.

Annhig, I have been looking and looking and looking.
So far have the Polstar(only accepts cash though), Rosemullion B&Bs, and have been searching for moderate places.

BTW lovely ladies, as long as there are 2 lanes going one way, we are golden.

Well, the money is flying out the window here, can't tell DH.


I will keep in looking.

Judyrem, hope you enjoy your trip and report back. Cornwall is so lovely we went there twice. First trip in 1998 we left Bath after breakfast, detoured to walk around Stonehenge, then headed south with another detour at Tintagel to walk down to the ruin, and pulled into St. Ives around 5pm. This was against the advice of our breakfast crew who told us it was a bank holiday weekend and to expect 20-mile tailbacks. Well, we left on a Saturday morning and the tailbacks must have all gone the night before!

Falmouth sounds like a perfect pick. I have not been there but have stayed at St. Mawes--site of the other protective castle built on the water. Lots to see in the area, and of course if you area Daphne duMaurier fan Fowey is not too far.

If you are in need of a break on that expressway, you pass Jamaica Inn. When we stopped there in May 2000, the winds on the moor were whipping and blowing just like in the book. They had a room containing Daphne's desk, etc. There's also a stone in the floor marking where a murder was committed.

If you need inspiration for the Cornwall scenery, watch the BBC 'Doc Martin' series which was filmed, I believe, about 20 miles from Tintagel.

Hopingtotravel, thanks for the info!
Yes, I love Daphne, just finished Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel.
I will watch Doc Martin!
Annhig, I made reservations at Rosemullion. It looked nice, and was not TOO expensive.
BTW, annhig, it will be the first 2 weeks in May!!!!!

I made reservations at Rosemullion. It looked nice, and was not TOO expensive.
BTW, annhig, it will be the first 2 weeks in May!!!!!>>

looks like a good pick - overlooking the beach [the gilly cafe right on the beach is very nice for an informal meal] but not too far from the town proper, though their estimate of its being a 5 minute walk to the Maritime Museum strikes me as a tad optimistic.

i am so pleased you've picked May - we must arrange at least a mini GTG!

do drop me an e-mail - aw@kbgchambers.co.uk will find me, I hope.

BTW - Doc Martin is set in Port Isaac on the north coast. very pretty and pretty overcrowded!

It's a date!
We will be in Falmouth from May 10-14.


I was looking at some of the restaurants on Tripadvisor and they sound wonderful. We love fish and seafood.
We don't mind a good walk.
After a meal and wine, we need a little (a lot) excercise.

Ann, do try to meet with Judy. We tried to meet up last year in the Cotswolds, but sadly it didn't work out.

I was looking at some of the restaurants on Tripadvisor and they sound wonderful. We love fish and seafood.>>

there are lots of restaurants in Falmouth, some very good. as well as the restaurant in the Greenbank hotel [see above] several of the big hotels do pretty good food, and there are also places like the "bistrot de la mer" [very old established] and Samphire - our present favourite. and of course the Rick Steinery - though we've never eaten there.

slightly out of Falmouth down towards the Helford there is also the Trengilly Wartha Inn - in the middle of nowhere but a very worthwhile nowhere to find! i'm sure I can think of some more when we get closer to the time.

Would also recommend 'Trengilly Wartha Inn" at Nancenoy for atmosphere and good beer
Take boat trips in Falmouth - the Carrick Roads is wonderful.
Good little gallery in main street "Beside the Wave" and 'Seasalt Clothing' shop in Church Street too. Heaven!
At Penryn, just outside Falmouth we enjoyed coffee and breakfast at the delightfully named 'Miss Peapod's". Penryn is an interesting old place for an evening stroll.

Great you'll be in Cornwall in the spring. It's famous for its gardens. Our favorite was Trebah, just south of Falmouth: www.trebahgarden.co.uk

as well as Trebah, there are Trelissick, Trengwainton, Trelowarren, Trewithen, Trewidden, Heligan, Glendurgan.....and those are just the ones i can think of off the top of my head!

Judyrem, there is a great walk that you can do from the beach at Durgan [accessed from the Glendurgan NT garden] along the Helford estuary to the pub [oops, beach] at Helford passage, and back again; you could then see Trebah and have tea there afterwards, and follow it up with a drink at Trengilly.

if you are interested in gardens, I'll try to think of some more garden themed itineraries.

one other question, are you interested in going to the Isles of Scilly for a day trip? Helicopters go several times a day from Penzance. you can have several hours on Tresco - enough time to see the beautiful sub-tropical gardens and walk round most if not all of the island. and have a good lunch in the pub of course.

more details on http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com/the-islands/tresco

Wow such wonderful info!!!
Bellini, Seasalt clothing shop? Sounds great.
Carrick roads?
Mimar and annhig, I love gardens!!!!
I was looking at Glendurgan, fabulous.

Annhig, I am just a little bit scared of helicoptors.

Bellini - if you want one of those, hie thee to the Hotel Tresanton in St. Mawes - you can sit on their terrace drinking bellinis before having a lovely lunch - or their cream teas are to die for.

not cheap, but great for a special treat.

sorry you are scared of helicopters, but glad you like gardens.

I like Glendurgan, but my fave garden is Trelissick, [NT] which overlooks Carrick Roads. [funny name for an estuary, but that's Cornwall] you can get there on a ferry from Falmouth - once you've walked up through the garden you might like to reward yourselves with lunch in their excellent restaurant. there is then a very nice walk through the woods back to the landing stage for the boat to take you back to Falmouth.

You don't have to go by helicopter to Scilly . You can take a plane
http://www.ios-travel.co.uk/timetable_skybus.asp

It's a tiny little aircraft and they weigh you plus your luggage and place passengers carefully so as to balance the plane.
I would not recommend going by sea unless it is very calm and you are a very good sailor

I would not recommend going by sea unless it is very calm and you are a very good sailor>>

and it takes quite a long time. then if you wanted to go to Tresco [the best place on the Scillies for a day trip, IMHO] you'd have to get another boat, as the Scillionian only goes to the main island of St. Mary's. by the time you'd done all of that, it'd be time to come back!

as for the little planes, we flew in them to get to the Westerman Islands off Iceland. if you don't like helicopters, I'm not sure how you'd take to such a tiny plane!

Weigh me?
OMG, that would keep from doing that!!!!!! LOL

Since I only have 4 days there, I need to figure out what I really want to do...
besides meeting annhig!

Agree, expensive, but even brief time spent at Hotel Tresanton is memorable.