Bath/Wells vs. Cornwall
 

My family of 4 is planning a trip to England July '04. Trying to sort out some things. 2 nights in either Wells/Bath area or further down to Plymouth area. Any favorites? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

It depends where you're travelling from, and in what form of transport. Oh, and how long your family can stand to travel, and how you plan to travel when you get there. Bath is only 90 minutes by train from London, Plymouth takes 3-4 hours.

Bath is more immediately appealing for visitors, but both areas have much to offer. Post more info about your plans and I'll ty and help.

Bath/Wells - both lovely towns and as Flins says VERY close to London - so assuming you are coming from London and have only 2 nights I would pick them.
Cornwall is wonderful BUT you would have to spend a significant amount of time to get there and then you would have to drive around to see the sites while Bath and Wells are quite compact. Plymouth is a big port with some nice areas. Overall Cornwall is lovely but you would not have time to see its best parts.

I love Wells. The cathedral is my favorite of all the ones I have seen in England. I'm not sure why, perhaps because of the size - small and intimate. The exterior is covered with carvings of saints. And I love the town!
Also, Glastonbury (just south of Wells)has a ruined Abbey where, supposedly, Arthur and Guinivere are buried. Another one of my favorites.
Have a wonderful time!!

Thanks all for your input. We will have a rental car. I'm now thinking of more of a Lyme Regis & Bath/Wells experience rather than trying to head down to Plymouth. I'm afraid, that w/ all of the addt'l travel we're looking at ( on from Bath to Wales to the Lake District to Oban and back down to the Cotswolds ) that I will try to reduce the trip by a few miles. We will have our two children in tow. Any thoughts continue to be appreciated.

Bath/Wells/Lyme Regis is a great idea. You might find staying in Wells cheaper than Bath. They are very close.

Thanks JMM.........L.