(I tried posting this earlier, and it didn't take)(here we go again) My wife and I are going to England for 10 days at the end of May. We're going to take the train from London out to either Bath or one of the small towns in the Cotswolds and then rent a car. And here's the problem: Where to stay? I've done a fair amount of research: bought and read books, gone on-line, asked friends, etc. There's just so many ideas on that area. I don't want to spend all of our time driving, so I'd like someplace in the middle. I think Bath would be the best place (bigger, more to do and see in the town, larger assortment of restaurants), but it seems to be really pricey(as it is, we're going to be dropping a bundle in London), and would driving to and from Bath become a pain. We'd be willing to spend $300 - $400 a night for a memorable hotel/B&B. But where? We'd welcome all thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.

Bath is a wonderful city -- we loved it last summer. However, if you decide to stay in one of the smaller towns, I would recommend Chipping Campden (we enjoyed the small Cotswold villages even more than Bath). Chipping Campden is very centrally located among the other Cotswold villages and we were able to do EASY day trips to Stratford, Burton-on-the-Water, Upper and Lower Slaughter and Warwick Castle. <BR><BR>In Chipping Campden, I HIGHLY recommend the Cotswold House. It was a lovely B&B and we had great meals in their restaurant. The proprietors (in fact ALL the staff) were extremely friendly and helpful during our stay. And their English garden in the back was so beautiful. We took tons of pictures because it was the epitome of what you would expect and want an English garden to look like.<BR><BR>I believe we paid $265 a night for 2 adults and a teenager. The room was extremely spacious and I think we slept on the most divine linens in all of England! <BR><BR>You can get rate details at their website which I've listed below. <BR><BR>The Cotswold House<BR>Chipping Campden<BR>Gloucestershire <BR>GL 55 6AN<BR>011 44 1386 840330<BR>Fax: 011 44 1386 840310<BR>[email protected]<BR>www.cotsw oldhouse.com<BR><BR>Have fun!

Thanks, Laura. Your post, with all the detail, reminds me of why we're all lucky to have the Fodors site.

Dave, I don't think you'll be able to easily base yourself in only one place. You don't need a car in Bath but do need one for the Cotswolds.<BR><BR>How many days are you allocating (out of the 10) to the Bath/Cotswolds portion of your trip?

When we did this trip. We rented a car in London and drove to Bath with a side stop at Stonehenge. For that alone, I woould recommend the same an would also recommend splitting your stay between Bath and the Cotswolds. It is quite a hike back to Bath each day and there is so much to see in the Cotswolds. We also went to the Cheddar Gorge and the caves there after leaving Bath. You can also pretty much see everything Bath has to offer in a short time. Not to downplay it. I loved Bath. Also if you don't stay in the Coptswolds, you will be missing out on a lot of the charm. Driving on the the B roads is like stepping back in time. We stayed in a old Rectory which was absolutely charming. Unfortunately it has since closed its doors to paying guests but there are many wonderful characterful B&B's which really won't break the bank.

And don't forget to include Wells in your itinerary!! (Just down the road apiece from Bath). Cathedral not to be missed... etc.

We found the LAMB INN in Burford on this site last year and it worked out great for us. <BR><BR>Some comments would say that Burford was too close to the edge of the Cotswolds, but we found getting around to be very easy. We made it to Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury in one day and were able to do all the Slaughters and other towns on other day drives. The Lamb Inn was built in the 1400s and the people were very nice. Town is small but we wanted that also.<BR><BR>I agree with one poster on the Bath trip. We did a town tour and the Baths in one day and it was great but it was enough time also.

With 300-400 to spend per night you should be able to afford the nicest hotels. In Bath the best are The Royal Crescent and then The Bath Spa Hotel. In the Cotswolds The nicest is the Lygon Arms. Have a great time!

With that type of very high end budget I would recommend either the Bear or Feathers in Woodstock. The Lygon Arms is wonderful - but the Bear is even older and "Posher" and the Feathers is almost as good. And you would be walking distance from Blenheim Palace, a short drive from Oxford, all of the Cotswold villages and Bladon.<BR><BR>In Bath - Definitely te Royal Crescent.

Dave, your message puzzles me because you said you're gong to Bath and the Cotswolds, and choose to stay in Bath because it's "in the middle." Bath is south of the Cotswolds, and really too far removed to serve as a tour base. <BR><BR>Distances on maps of England can be very deceiving -- except for the M-roads, assume that you'll travel at about 30 MPH, less if there's traffic or if you get lost. Bath is south of the M-4, the Cotswolds is north of it. I would recommend that you spend a night or two in Bath and a night or two in the midst of the Cotswolds.<BR><BR>Bath is certainly pricey if you're looking at places that cost $300 per night! I think you travel in a different budget plane than we do. We had a lovely time at the Sydney Gardens Hotel, which is actually a B&B, just a few minutes' walk out of town, for &pound;69 per room. <BR><BR>Bath is a very walkable city, but not very park-able. When we were there last sumer, even the locals had problems and couldn't give directions, as part of the major traffic pattern had been changed. Also, maps sometimes show roads where there are now pedestrian walkways!

Ellen makes an important point. Only stay in Bath one or at most two nights and leave the car parked the ENTIRE time. The city is impossipbe to drive in but very, very walkable. Everything in the city is walking distance from the Royal Crescent.

A note of dissent - as a user of restaurants only, I think that the Lygon Arms is average. I just don't think that the setting and food compare with Buckland Manor or Lords of the Manor (who have just changed chef). I also like the Bath Priory for food (tho I find the drawing rooms hilariously dreary, the restaurant is also bright and cheerful).<BR><BR>This is a little expensive, but you could look at an idea being run by four luxury hotels in the area called "Gourmet break", where they organise transfer to/from London and DB&B accommodation. Obviously you would be looking for xfers from, say, Bath to Upper Slaughter rather than via London, but they may well do that for you, saving the car rental cost/hassle. If you look at Homewood Park's website for details...<BR><BR>If you were based in, say, the Slaughters, and the weather was good (it does happen), I would suggest that walking is the most enjoyable way to experience the Cotswolds. You don't have to be super fit, I can assure you (I certainly am not!) Walking round the Slaughters, Swells and Stow would be super.

I have been to Bath 3 times & the Cotswolds once. I would prefer to stay in the Cotswold - either Bourton-on-Water, Stowe-on-Wold, or the Slaughters. We rented a flat in an old manor house in Stow - it was beautiful. The whole area is very quaint. Be sure to get to Upper & Lower Slaughter. I'm not sure how close Cheltenham is to the Cotswolds, but that is a lovely city as well.

The Royal crescent in Bath won hotel of the year about 1 or 2 years ago, so should be amazing. Plus you will not need to do 30 mph on all roads other than M (motorways, like highways). A roads are often good roads, where you can do up to 60mph, but probably more like 50mph, and B roads are slower, where you will often need to do about 30/40mph, but you will often get to see lots of the countryside on B roads.

Hi-just returned from UK and spent 2 nights in Chipping Campden at the Kettlehouse B&B. It was wonderful! The current owners are selling in July I think but are taking reservations until June-it was a great place to stay.

I've got to recommend Fern Cottage in the hamlet of Monkton Farleigh to anyone who still has not picked out a place to stay. Enchanting tiny place with one pub. Absolutely perfect for visiting the area. With a car, we drove up into the Cotswolds, down to Lyme Regis, enjoyed Wells and Glastonbury, Bath and Bradford-on-Avon. could have stayed two weeks instead of just one. http://www.visitus.co.uk/bath/hotel/fern.htm

Hi Dave. Having made two trips to the Cotswolds lately I would highly recommend taking the train from London to Oxford and renting a car. You will see the best parts of the Cotswolds - all the pretty little towns i.e. Stow on the Wold, Chipping Camden, Slaughters etc. We stayed at a delightful Manor House Hotel in Stow called the Stow Lodge Hotel - lovely main lodge and delightful carriage house accommodations. The meals were excellent and the price very reasonable. Give it a try if you get the chance and have a wonderful trip.<BR>Dorothy

Dave:<BR><BR>We are using Bath as a hub for travel to<BR>not only the Cotswold areas but to South Wales, Winchester and even down to Cornwall. You can stay at The Bath Spa Hotel and they have on site private cars/ drivers for 200 ($25 US an hour) a day that will take you where ever you desire. Enjoy

jim, do you have ANY IDEA how long the drive is from Bath to Cornwall? It makes absolutely no sense at all to base yourselves in Bath for Cornwall.

No only is Bath to Cornwall, but Bath to Winchester is 2 hours, Bath to Cardiff is over an hour. I sure hope "jim" really gets on well with that driver he's hiring! Jim, why not stay in a couple of different places, for two or theee nights each, rather than spending all that time driving in and out of Bath?