We are driving to Stonehenge from London and then up to Stratford-on-Avon. Can anyone recommend a route to drive through the Cotswalds? We would probably have the afternoon and would just like to sample the area a little. Thanks.

Motorway to Swindon <BR> <BR>A361 to Lechlade (see Church - steeple was mentioned in a poem by Shelly) <BR> <BR>A417 to Fariford - quick stop at church to see 15th C stained glass <BR> <BR>Back roads to Bibury <BR> <BR>Back roads to Northleach - see wool church <BR> <BR>A429 thru Bourton on the water, stow on the wold, to Moreton in marsh <BR> <BR>Back roads to Chipping Camden <BR> <BR>B4081 and B4632 to Stratford <BR> <BR>Most of the stops can be 10 minutes to take a quick look (or longer of course) Getting off on any of the back roads is always fun and this gets you on some real nice ones. Even the larger roads are small but may have traffic faster than you like for just touring

Dear Emily, before my trip to England last fall, I spent a great deal of time pouring over maps of the Cotwalds and trying to find the optimum routes. I was going to spend a little more time there than you, but not much. (Wes was very helpful, too--thank you, Wes.) <BR>Basically, I wouldn't worry about it too much, but try to hit a few of the most lovely spots. And Steve is definitely right to get onto the smaller roads for their scenic beauty. <BR>In that regard, be sure not to miss these: Bibury (!!!) and Upper and Lower Slaughter. The latter probably still bears the markings on a small bridge of my husband's only mishap on his first attempt at right-hand driving. He got better after that, luckily. <BR>But people do seem to differ as to which spots they prefer in the Cotswolds. I went practically mad trying to tie them all into one trip, and you just can't do it. So, if you only have an afternoon, go through the smallest places which are the easiest to soak up, and perhaps the loveliest anyway. Enjoy!

Thank you so much! We will try that route. Any other suggestions are more than welcome.

If anyone has anymore suggestions, I would really appreciate them. Thank you.

I'm assuming a straight run from London to Stonehenge..then try:- <BR>A360 to Devizes; [A361 to Avebury (there's a terrific restaurant called Stones in Avebury, if you can get there by lunchtime, otherwise miss it out] and do A342 to Chippenham, A429 to Cirencester, then Bourton on the Water (Bibury is a tiny divergence if you feel the need), Little Rissington, Swells and Slaughters, Stow on the Wold ( where the wind blows cold!), Moreton in Marsh, A44 west then off to Great Rollright, Hook Norton, Compton Wynyates, Tyso, Edge Hill and a straight run into Stratford. <BR> <BR>Just a suggestion. <BR>