Cotswolds itinerary
 

Hi We are going a a couple of weeks.. Our hotels are set.. We are driving.. Wondering if I am trying to get in too much or missing something.. Thank you in advance!!

Thurs Driving from Bath. stopping in at Cirencester just for an hour or so ..on our way to Cheltenham.

Fri..this is where I goofed and bought tickets for the RSC.. should have done it different.. oh well. Stow on the World,Moreton-in- Marsh,Stratford upon Avon.. staying for the day through the show. back to Cheltenham

Sat Cheltenham..Bourton on the water..??? anything else or is this enough.. had thought of doing Cirencester also this day.. but it seems to make more sense on the way there.

Sun..busy day.. drive Bishops Cleve and Evesham(parents are from this area and Cheltenham so puttering around)Broadway, Chipping Campden,Hidcote Manor Gardens..drive to Royal Leamington Spa.. just there for an hour or so ,,then check in at the Univ Warwick. I will have time by myself all day the next day to go back to Leamington Spa..Thinking we should maybe have an early dinner there. There does not look to be too interesting places at the Univ, without getting back in the car..Alternatively we could just check in and then drive over there for dinner.

Going to Oxford as well and London.. a busy trip!!

Warwick Castle looks so touristy....not sure about that.

Your plan has you all over the place and to-ing/fro-ing a LOT.

Just a few things to consider:

Stow on the Wold is only 4 miles from Bourton on the Water and about 10 miles from Chipping Campden.

Chipping Campden is less than 3 miles from Hidcote and Hidcote Manor is about 10 miles from Stratford.

Evesham is about 15 miles from Stratford.

As you can see - everything is pretty close to each other . . . all except for Cheltenham. Driving to Cheltenham late at night after the play will take more than an hour.

Unfortunately, Cheltenham really isn't the best base for the things/places you want to see/do. But if that is where you are staying -- at least organize your days so you group things geographically.

Hi Thank you. yes the RSC is really where I goofed.. we may only stay for half.. or even in the end give up the tickets..

Hidcote isnt open on the the day we go to Stratford.. bummer. But thank you for your other notes.. I have been pouring over the map and using Mapquest to see whats where.

My parents were from Evesham and Bishops cleve so I thought it would be great to see that.. or should I just skip it? I figured it was a drive by. thank you

Oh -- I wouldn't skip Evesham or Bishop's Cleve (Bishop's Cleve is the only place on your list that is actually near Cheltenham). And I wouldn't drop the RSC - what play are you seeing?

But what I <i>'might'</i> consider . . . Have you prepaid in Cheltenham? Or can you cancel? I'd personally try to find a place somewhere like Chipping Campden. It is more central to the sites you want to see (other than Bishop's Cleve) and is only 12 miles from Stratford so an easy drive back.

There are lots of good B&Bs and hotels in Chipping Campden.

Warwick Castle is a little touristy, but it also gives a glimpse into what life in a castle might have been like. I have more details in my trip report from 2007: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...b-may-2007.cfm

Lee Ann

I think I have figured it out.. I dont want to cancel the B&B as the inn keeper has been really nice and helped out.. otherwise that would make sense... I hear the literature festival is on so finding a new spot might be tricky anyway.I guess I was sentimental about Cheltenham when I booked. My parents used to dance at the Queens every weekend.

I am going to forfeit the RSC tickets in Stratford..we will go to Stratford and Hidcote on the Sunday on our way to Warwick Univ.

But I will book RSC in London, which is Much Ado About Nothing..I just cant imagine us driving after such a long day an hour at night.. this will also be perfect for that day in London.