From the descriptions it sounds as though the site hasn't been changed much since we were last there; the perimiter fence appears to be all that's really new. I imagine that the stones at twilight would still be a magnificant and mysterious sight.

I have been to Stonehenge and Salisbury twice. We arrived at Stonehenge in the late afternoon - with the sun setting and the wind blowing - definitely memorable. Salisbury is a nice small town and the cathedral is magnificent.

Bath is worth a visit. I loved Oxford. I haven't been to Blenheim or Canturbury yet but they are on the list. You should go to Stratford-On-Avon. I have never been disappointed by anyplace I have visited in England or Europe for that matter. Can't wait to get back across the pond.

You must visit Stonehenge. Maybe you can arrange to arrive there just at the beginning of their day or near the end? And Glastonbury yes, and Wells yes, and Avebury's circle, yes. And has anyone suggested that you visit Old Sarem? J.

Hi again,
I forgot to mention Bath when I posted about Stonehenge being worth the visit. Bath is a lovely town, well worth a visit. I found the mix of Roman influence (the baths), Georgian architecture and literary associations (Jane Austen) made the city quite unusual from others. And I agree with another poster that Salisbury is quite a lovely town with a beautiful cathedral, if that fits in your itinerary. Our last trip we also went to Jane Austen's house in Chawton, outside Winchester. If you are a big Austen fan as I am, that would be a wonderful visit, too. Winchester is a lovely city to visit as well, with a beautiful cathedral. But if I had just one of these to choose, I probably would do Stonehenge (with Bath or Salisbury tucked in). It's very hard to make these choices -- which is why I keep going back to England!

Hi smroan,
we had a similar dilemma and opted to leave Canterbury for our next trip.
We got to Oxford, spending there the second half of the day (just walking around, enjoying the architectue, getting inside Christ Church, renting a paddle boat on the river - these were the most memorable experiences for us).

next morning we drove to the Cotswolds villages, Warwick castle and Blenheim (VERY busy day, we got to Blenheim exactly for their last tour); in our last day before returning to London we enjoyed Bath and Stonehenge. True, Stonehenge is very commercialized but still, we enjoyed seeing it for ourselves.

The highlights for us were definitely the Cotswolds, Warwick and Bath, so I would try not to miss those.

(in Bath we stayed in an amazing B&B called Paradise house hotel and had the most amazing view of Bath from our room, certainly made us LOVE Bath. The link: www.paradise-house.co.uk/ )
Enjoy your trip!

Again, thank you for thought-provoking replies. I will post my final (?) itinerary for commentary in a week or so (I am traveling mid-June).

Jane Austen is my favorite author, and the dual historical interest of Bath puts that on my list. I have decided Stonehenge is a must. Salisbury attracts me because of Edward Rutherford's Sarum. Avebury has been much recommended. I think London Walks has a trip that includes Salisbury and Stonehenge. (I am operating without a car.)

I hesitate to put Oxford on my list, as I have read that entry to the colleges is limited. Oxford had been at the top of my list (I am a Dorothy Sayers fan and my favorite Harriet Vane-Lord Peter is Gaudy Night, set amidst the "dreaming spires."

I am trying to go with person inclinations as opposed to the "must-see" items that go with my role of teaching Brit lit to mostly reluctant 17-year-olds. Canterbury attracts me because of its proximity (I think I have this correctly) to Dover. Murder in the Cathedral was a favorite in college.

On the other hand, despite having taught Hamlet and Macbeth probably 30 times each in a 31 year career, I am resisting Stratford, as I read that Shakespeare is a cottage industry there, and it amounts to "Shakespeare Disneyland." I always think of Shakespeare in London anyway and plan to see The Globe.

Decisions, decisions.

Other considerations: London Walks vs. Golden Tours-type bus trips vs. trains. London Walks seems a nice compromise.

I have accepted the role of a stereotypical tourist in that the first thing I do in a new city is to take the bus tour, and I am all set with my Big Bus brochure for my first day in London. Golden tours also looks for the most all-inclusive time effective and stress-free way to get out of London. I would hate to waste time getting lost.

It seems to me that I should choose between Canterbury and Salisbury, and see one cathedral or the other.

I borrowed a library booked called "London, Then and Now," in an effort to bring myself from the England (s)of Sayers, Christie, T.S. Eliot and Austen into the present. Despite that, I think I am in for culture shock!

All this in addition to narrowing down what to see IN London. I am booked for a Verger's Tour at Westminster, am planning to go to Hampton Court (train to, maybe boat back), the Tower, St. Paul's, the War Cabinet Rooms, Courtauld Gallery, Brit Museum, and devote some time to the parks. Also to Windsor. Am booked for three shows. I think I can do it if I don't sleep!

I was sitting at lunch the other day with a table full of Massachusetts teachers, most of whom had been to London at least once. All agreed that, although for many destinations, once is enough, London is a city that continues to attract, especially after one visit.

At the risk of crowding your itinerary even worse, I must say that it would be a mistake to avoid Stratford-upon-Avon. Yes, there are lots of Shakespeare Gift Shoppes, and several fake-half-timbered building facades, BUT the actual Shakespeare properties themselves are thoughtfully maintained and presented.

And although the plays at the Globe are very entertaining, Stratford is where we saw Hamlet presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company. My 14-year-old son was on the edge of his seat the whole time and still speaks of the experience 3 years later. He also enjoyed Stonehenge (Inner Circle visit with Astral Travels) and roaming the ruins at Old Sarum.

When you visit the Globe, be sure to allow enough time for the attached museum; we were surprised at its extent.

Surely a Jane Austen fan should visit Winchester Cathedral, where the author is buried. As a Dorothy Sayers fan myself, I would definitely go to Oxford and just look at the outsides of the colleges and the River Isis, where Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane spent that memorable afternoon.

And I'd love to see a "Pemberley." Any similar estates?