kelvinteh

Hi,

I was thinking of visiting these 2 places in early April 2005. But I do not know which are the 'must-visit-sites' in Cotswold and Wales, given the time frame of 3 days only?

I'm thinking of driving from London to start off this 3day journey.

What would the weather be in Cotswold and Wales during this period: 13-16April05?

Any advise for this itinerary?

Appreciate every reply!
Thanks.

rgds,
kelvin

flanneruk

There are no must-sees in the Cotswolds. There is though just one must-do, or rather must-do-not.

This is not an area for rushing through, however little time you've got. We invented Slow Travel: see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34550638

The weather will be English spring-like. Not too hot and not too cold, though it might be a bit hotter than normal. Or then again it might be a bit colder. It might rain. But it might not. And it might be a bit windy.

Someone might refer you to a website that purports to predict weather in advance. Ignore them: you cannot predict British weather. Go to www.bbc.co.uk and tell it your postcode is GL56 0AA. Then you'll get three to five day forecasts for the area that'll be about 60% accurate.

henneth

If you are coming in from London or the airports around it then you'll probably head along the A40. Take this as far as Burford and start your Cotswold tour there. I hope you are in a car because the best part of the Cotswold region is to be found on the minor roads and in the little villages off the Tourist Track.
Head north out of Burford, left over the bridge then take the lefthand side road to Taynton then along the Windrush valley to Great and Little Barrington. Heading north again to Great Rissington and back down to the Windrush at Bourton on the Water (a bit crowded at times, very scenic if there is no-one there), onwards to Lower and Upper Slaughter then west via Naunton up to Broadway Tower then Chipping Campden, back towards Broadway, down Fish Hill, then follow the Cotswold escarpment via Stanton and Stanway to Winchcombe then finally over to Cheltenham.
This can be done in a day to allow you 2 further days in Wales. It can also be taken at a slower pace with an overnight stop around Chpipping Campden.At Cheltenham, you regain the A40 which continues to Ross-on-Wye and then it's a short hop over the border into Wales.

jstanton

I have been to Wales & the Cotswolds many time, was in Wales again this past October & in my opinion 3 days is not enough for either place. I know the drive from Bath to the Cotswolds is about 70 miles & it's a wonerful drive all the towns mentioned in another response are wonderful, we usualy stay in Stanton. Wales, depending on where you go, North, Mid, Or South have wonderful places to visit. If you stayed in Morton-on-Marsh or Stow-on-the Wold you could easily see, Broadway, Stanton, Burton-on-Water, Upper & Lower Slaughter.

r_h

Hi! I agree that 3 days may not be enough to see either of these places. Wales has beautiful countryside and coastlines plus castles and towns which are all worth visiting. I would def recommend a trip to the Capital, Cardiff. Look at www.visitwales.com for more ideas. The weather is likely to be cool so pack warm jumpers and a waterproof mac. Have a lovely time!

Mucky

Hi kelvinteh
The cotswolds is beautiful and in spring time it will be lovely, although be aware that Spring can sometimes be quite warm, sometimes very cold and usually will be wet.
Cardiff is a great place to visit and is easy to reach from the Cotswold area,and takes around 1.5 -2 hours depending upon traffic. It takes about 3 hours from london on a good day straight up the M4. Where do you plan to base yourself for this time?
I think you will be limited to see a lot in 3 days but driving around the Cotswolds to all the places Henneth mentions is ok for a day or so and a day in Cardiff is short but you can cover quite a lot with transport.
Take a look at r_h suggested website and also
http://www.visitcardiff.info/content...ault.asp?id=84

Muck

janis

OK - April 13 - 16 actually is 4 days, so did you mean 3 days sometime during this 4 day period, or did you mean 4 days/3 nights (Apr 13, 14, 15)

if the latter - then you could do both. I'd drive out from London early in the morning April 13 into the Cotswolds. Your actual route could be just about anywhere since the Cotswolds are lovely where ever you go. The thread flanner links and henneth's info are good places to start.

Stay in one B&B Apr 13/14 maybe near Burford or Stow-on-the-Wold. Wander some more the morning of April 15 and then drive over to S Wales around lunchtime. Visit Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey in the afternoon. Drop your car in Cardiff and stay there the night of April 15 and tour the city on the 16th. Then take the train back to London.

kelvinteh

Really thank you for all your advice.

Will re-think about the itinerary and hopefully make the best out of it, granted that the weather is good.

kelvin