Third trip to GB and will be basing out of London as friends are there. Wanting to get opinions on castles in that area of England.<BR>Seen and done: Windsor, Hampton, Dover and Warwick.<BR>Looking ateeds, Castle Howard and any others within a day trip range.<BR>Thanks!

havent got atlas in front of me but surely the group of Wells, Salisbury area would be doable in day trip? also Glastonbury Abbey - ignoring the New Age looniness and spurious relics, the site has been used for worship for centuries

Thanks John!<BR>Any more?

HI,<BR><BR>I was at Castle Howard in July. It is really more of a manor house, very, very impressive, gorgeous grounds. The Howard family lives there and in the off season use the bedrooms on the tour for their guests! <BR><BR>Patti

Castle Howard would be stretching it a bit for a day trip. How about Hever Castle? www.hevercastle.co.uk<BR><BR>I also like Ightham Mote a lot. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scri...&PROPERTYID=91

Don't stick with just castles as many of the manor houses are more impressive. See Hever Castle, then nearby Chartwell (Churchill's home). Leeds Castle is great along with Arundel in the South. Chatsworth is a great house to see in Derbyshire, along with Hadden Hall & Hardwick Hall. Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire & Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury are extremely impressive. Yes, Castle Howard is a bit far for a day trip.

If you go sw of london, there is a small, interesting castle called Nunney. I wouldn't make a special trip just to see it, but if you are out that way (say if you go to Wells), I would stop by.

Arundel Castle is a lovely one south of London in Sussex. Easy day trip on a train (I think from Victoria station) Nice town, lovely castle---just like the fairy tale version. Do you have to do castles? There are a lot of great cathedrals available to day trippers from London. Have done this many times since we visit friends who used to live in Twickenham. Now they've moved to Sussex so our focus will change. York and Castle Howard are too far away, plus if you mean real castles, Castle Howard doesn't do it for me. There's a book called "Daytrips London" that has been our bible for about 5 years now. Try Amazon.com

My favourite castle is a ruin! It's Bodiam castle, Robertsbridge. Take a picnic!