zubragalubra

What is a good base to stay at where I can take anvantage of both Bath and the Cotswolds?

We're planning to be there for two full days (3 nights) and would like spend a day at both. Is it even practible to be someplace inbetween?

jmw44

Without a doubt, if you have a car, consider the little bed and breakfast, Fern Cottage, in Monkton Farleigh. No kidding. It's a tiny historic village near Bath and Bradford-on-Avon, and it is the perfect location for driving into the Cotswolds and down as far as Lyme Regis. We stayed 7 nights with Christopher and Jenny. They've got a website somewhere, but I think the e-mail address is

[email protected]

J.

mclaurie

You don't say where you'll be on either end of this 2 days which could make a difference, but I'd stay the first night <i>in</i> Bath. Spend day one touring Bath then at the end of the day, head into the Cotwolds and pick a town depending on your next stop. Locating someplace inbetween IMO just lengthens your travelling time to/from both. Parking in Bath is not easy either unless you stay someplace in Bath that has parking.

jmw44

The good folks at Fern Cottage told us about a parking lot just at the outside of town with easy buses to and from downtown Bath. No problem. J.

p.s. Do find time to visit Bradford-on-Avon if you can. Lovely old town, great bridge.

zubragalubra

Landing 5am Sunday 26th of Sept. picking up car and driving straight to Bath region. After Bath we are traveling to the lakes for two nights, Scotland for four nights then down to York/Yorkshires for two nights and then five nights in london. Total of 15 nights.
May seem ambitious but we like to tour. Nothing etched in stone yet though (except London). We will play everything pretty much by ear.

mclaurie

So are you saying one of the 2 days is your first day on arrival??? Or are you not counting that first day? Otherwise I'm confused.

Well, plowing on, while I'm sure the Fern Cottage is lovely and I agree Bradford-on-Avon is very nice, staying there doesn' t seem to accomplish the &quot;inbetween&quot; request.

So I've done some research (here), taken out my trusty map of the Cotswolds and the Chilterns and consulted my lovely English husband. While we've never been to this place, Fodors recommends Owlpen Cottage near Dursley here.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...;feature=30003

We concluded it would be a practical place to stay for both driving from Heathrow, heading north to the Lake district and being within reasonable distance to Bath and other of the Cotswold villages. You would be &quot;overshooting&quot; Bath by heading there directly but could stop in Malmesbury, Tetbury or elsewhere on the way.

Hope this helps.