We would like to stay three nights in or near Bath near the end of July, 2003.

Any recommendations for hotels or B & Bs? Should we stay in Bath or Bradford on Avon or another town? We are 2 adults and 3 children.

Thank you.

Hi,

Well, I loved Bath when I was there. We stayed at a great B&B called the Brompton House. It was about a 7 minute flat walk to the Roman Baths and on a nice quiet street. Very nice rooms with big baths and good breakfast.

Try www.bromptonhouse.co.uk

I didn't stop in Bradford on Avon, though, so I can't compare.

Karen

Hi, mfo, Bradford-on-Avon is a really beautiful small town, and it does have some b&b's. Have you done a search to see if it has a website? If you prefer towns to cities, I'd certainly recommend that you stop there. Fantastic bridge.

Now, at the risk of being yelled at because I'm repetitive, I'll recommend Fern Cottage in Monkton Farleigh. That's where friends and I stayed several years ago. It's the tiniest place (they call it a conservation village) sort of between Bradford and Bath. It has a little church, a tiny store/cum post office, and a little pub, some beautiful creamy stone cottages, and the best b&b I've found in the UK. Do a search; they have a website now. Owners Christopher and Jenny Valentine. (We stayed in the carriage house.) J.

Thanks, JMW, I just sent them an email. Have any suggestions in the Warwick area?

Actually, we visited Warwick Castle while staying in a b&b in Wingrave near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, but I think those folks have retired. Wingrave is another very small community (church, pond, vicarage, etc.), so perhaps some sort of search might lead to something. Though I'm sure others will be able to recommend b&b's closer to Warwick. Perhaps the Valentines might even know of a good one. J.

Warwick is just 6 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon. We stayed there, a half-mile out of town, at the Victoria Spa Lodge and found it quite handy to Warwick Castle. And in Bath we liked the Sydney Gardens Hotel. Both have reasonable rates, huge English breakfasts, free onsite parking, family rooms with ensuite baths, and lots of info on their web sites.

I'm assuming you'll have a car. If you do, either Bradford (which is charming) or Bath are good options. Parking in Bath isn't easy, so make sure your hotel has parking facilities. If you won't have a car, I'd definitely pick Bath. Another good hotel in Bath is the Queensbury.

I loved Bath.
Stayed at Villa Magdala ( they have a website ) and if you need it , off-street parking.

I have recommended them to many others, and all have liked them just as much as I did.

Debbie