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15 days in Southern England-itinerary help
My husband and I are flying from the states into Bristol airport in September. We plan on spending the first two nights in Bath, go back to the airport for car rental pick up. Then we will head to our first overnight on the road in Lynton. Next three nights in Penzance with a stop in Port Isaac. Our last leg of the trip three nights in Chipping Camden or close by. Last night will be in a Bristol airport hotel for an early morning flight. I need help with the in between. Would like to drive the southern coast. We would like to see Stonehenge or more stone circles if possible. Also Dartmoor National Park. Stop to see the remains of Castle Cary asI my husband’s ancestors were the Carys of Castle Cary. Spend a couple nights on the Isle of Wight. See the Jurassic. Take a boat ride to see The chalk cliffs at Old Harry Rocks. I am trying to figure out the route to take and possible other stops. Windsor Castle? Would appreciate some input and also we would be willing to wing it as far as pulling into a town and getting a room. Thank you! |
>>go back to the airport for car rental pick up<<
You can easily collect a rental car in Bath. The drive to Lynton would be a bit longer but you wouldn't have the hassle of nearly an hour getting from Bath to the airport. There is seldom a drop off fee for a one way rental. Do you have 15 days on the ground or is the entire trip 15 days? If it is 15 days 'on the ground' you actually have 13.5 free days (can't count your departure day). That will be a stretch for all of that. Bath to Castle Cary to Lynton to Penzance to Lyme Regis to say Yarmouth to Stonehenge to Windsor to Chipping Campden to Bristol is a LOT! Just car time point to point will be more than 25 hours - so 4 full days butts in seats just moving from one area to another without any excursions or sightseeing. Then you have 8 nights set for Bath/Penzance/Chipping Campden. Something has to give. I certainly would not try to wing it on such a hectic schedule. |
The ferry crossing to the Isla of Wight is really expensive - among the most expensive, if not the most expensive per mile travelled. Unless you have a really pressing need to visit the IOW, lovely as it is I would skip it. Likewise Windsor which is a long way east of everyhting else you list.
I would visit Avebury, and maybe do a drive by Stonehenge if you feel you must see it. Castle Cary is a nice town, but there is precious little of the castle left, and afaik there were never Carys there - it is named after the river not a family. Maybe Castlecary in Scotland had Carys. Get a map and plot out what you want to see, and where you want to stay and decide what is a priorty and most importantly a logical route. Allow plenty of travel time. Book places to stay, September is still popular as a holiday month. |
Same question as janisj: Why would you go back to the airport to pick up a car?
We were singularly unimpressed with the Isle of Wight. We wished we hadn't bothered with it, except for the bus ride we took all around the island and watching the hovercraft land on the beach. Cornwall on the whole, however, was wonderful, as were Bath and Bristol. |
We have 15 days on the ground. I’ve read driving is horrendous in Bath, that’s why my thoughts on returning to the airport. I think we will skip the Isle of Wight and Windsor Castle. I couldn’t figure out if it was doable. As far as the Castle Cary connection, I was going by the Cary Memorials in our possession which was was written in 1874 by Samuel Cary. There is mention of Lord Adam DeKarry of Castle Cary. Reading further online, I found a mention of the family coming from the parish of St Gile-on-the-Heath, near Launceston in the county of Devon. Obviously I have more research to do. I like the the suggestion of Svebury vs. Stonehenge. thanks to all for your help. |
To get to old Harry, best catch a boat from Poole quay or Swanage beach. You could walk from Studland along the coast path or from Swanage beach. Do not attempt to walk the ridge to Mrs old Harry (the big stack) that is dangerous.
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>> I’ve read driving is horrendous in Bath<<
One does not need nor want a car IN Bath but collecting a car there to leave the city wouldn't be bad, and would be a lot better than having to schlepp back to BRS. EuropCar, Alamo, National etc are all on the A36 which is the road you'd take out of the city. |
Good to know about old Harry. Will check out Poole when we get there. Also appreciate the car rental advice. I have rented one in Bath and will return in Bristol. Thanks to all for the advice. |
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