York isn't in East Yorkshire as someone said above, it's in NORTH Yorkshire. And it's a tourist hot spot for good reason - it's stunning and packed with wonderful things to see and do.
One or two somewhat 'different' suggestions being made of where you should base yourself. I think some responses are putting you in the best place geographically or practically but these places are often not what springs to mind for a tourist new to the area.
I think that's putting it as tactfully as I can!

So, first 2 bases ready (York and London). Now I'm deciding on the other base..its a fight between Bristol and Bath...Bristol looks to be more central especially for trains, while Bath although it looks nice, I'm worried that its not central especially for trains, also I ready that there are too few restaurants in Bath...correct me if I'm wrong.

Bath is about 10 minutes from Bristol on the train so there's no reason whatever to stay in Bristol when you could be enjoying Bath. And it'a very popular place so, yes, you're wrong, lots of restaurants.

Thanks.

Agree - definitely Bath over Bristol!

Suggestion for a daytrip by train from York: the town of Durham. See the cathedral, the university, the pedestrian old town and walk along the river. Durham Cathedral is one of my favorites.

"<i>I am thinking of the last 5 or 6 days to spend them in London and do 2 day trips from there.</i>"

First of all - IMO 5 or 6 days is not nearly long enough IF you plan 2 days trips. While Bath and Oxford and York all are wonderful, London is HUGE has many, MANY times more sites& sights.

If it was me - I'd fly into Manchester and take the train to York. Spend 3 nights there. 3 because day one will be eaten up w/ travel/logistics/jetlag. So you'll really only net 2 full days in York.

Then take the train to Bath - a 4-ish hour journey w/ one change in Bristol and stay 2 nights there (3 nights IF you decide to take a day trip w/ Mad Max to Stonehenge or the Cotswolds)

Finish up by taking the train into London for the last 7 or 8 nights - and do a day trip to Oxford (or Cambridge or Canterbury) from there.

Fly home from London.

Another way to manage the same trifecta w/o the open jaw flights would be to land at LHR and take the Express coach to Bath. Stay 3 nights (inc Mad Max day tour). Then early train to York and stay 2 nights - 3 nights if you take a later train.

Then train to London for the final week-ish.

oops - should say >>IF you plan 2 day trips.<<

<<definitely Bath over Bristol!>>

I beg to differ - lots to see and do in Bristol which is not just a tourist venue but a proper living city with loads of history, culture and restaurants. and you can do Bath by train or bus as a day trip.

but if you want a "foodie" element, try Ludlow as a base - surrounded by wonderful Shropshire countryside and a very good reputation for its restaurants.

is Salisbury nice to visit from Bath or Bristol?

is Salisbury nice to visit from Bath or Bristol?>>

rbezzina - if you were driving back from Bath to london, it would make a nice stop-off point, especially if you wanted to take in Stonehenge too.

London will serve all your city and museum needs. For castles, you have the Tower of London, and Leeds Castle and Dover Castle in Kent from your London base, and Chepstow castle from your Bristol/Bath base. Birmingham is as people have said it is, but is close to both Warwick and Kenilworth castles, and Stratford on Avon.

I would have thought possible 3rd bases could include
Salisbury, Bath or Oxford. Bristol is possible but is not a tourist centre. If you like the idea of Bristol you could also look at Southampton, Portsmouth, Newbury or Coventry but as Dr DoGood said "you're having a laugh".

Salisbury, Bath or Oxford each have a "historical centre" with Salisbury being roughly medievel, Oxford mainly a little younger while Bath 1700-1800s. All have the odd roman bit but Bath has the biggest bit (surprisingly a bath).

On top of these three cities they are also close to the Cotswalds, famous for their golden stone cottages with loads of little shops selling stuff to happy tourists. Despite my description many visitors have great breaks in this area but I think the best part is spend a night or two, take a walk in the hills and go to a pub. Part of visiting England is visiting a pub. It is worth researching the correct behaviour. You may be entertained by this article I wrote about this subject in Essex http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Essex_Drink.php

Bristol is possible but is not a tourist centre. >>

what do you base that on, bilbo? there seemed to be plenty of tourists there when I was, and there's loads to do both in and around about.

I remain mystified that it is off the tourist trail.

annhig, I understand that there is plenty of money trying to make Bristol a tourist zone. Over the years I've been there off and on, plus a major visit this summer. I just don't see it in comparison with other sites. Still I see that Birmingham is now trying to become a Mecca for tourists as well, we shall see.

bilbo - i spent 3 years there as a student over 30 years ago, and then 3 weeks working there in May-june this year . i was really struck by the efforts that had been made to attract tourists but also by the things it offers, just by being itself. Personally, when i am on holiday, i much prefer "real" cities like Bristol as opposed to tourist ridden ones like Bath.

but I agree with you about Birmingham - i lived near it for the first 18 years of my life and would be hard pressed to find anything good to say about it. Coventry, now, is an entirely different kettle of fish!

What do you think about the Lake District? May be I will base myself more to the North, Lake District and York, and then 5 days in London.

I like janisj's recommendation rbezzina. I think it will give you a good first time to England. And you will be back for trips to others areas & cities up north. (England has a strange draw on people!)

I love the Cotswolds, area and if I was independently wealthy would move there and buy a second house! If you like Shakespearean plays you can spend the day in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

If your itinerary is fixed and you're taking the train, it's well worth buying the train tickets early. You can save a considerable amount. Slightly out-of-date example: we bought tickets for York to London for about £32 pp; last minute walk-up tickets were more like £136.

If I had to do 7 days in York..will that be too much...as I was thinking of spending some time in the north and then go to London.