I think I posted this in the reply section so sorry for posting again. I want to visit Hampton Court, Stonehenge, and Bath when I visit in England in June. Any suggestions on how much time I need to plan for these excursions. I have no time limits. Is it better to visit certain places during the weekdays only. I know trains or buses my not run as often during weekends. Thx

http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2...epeatingloop=Y
Hampton a half day
Stonehenge a day if you include Salisbury (and you should)
Bath a day
weekends just means the restaurants will be more full.

Hi CapShe,

you can make Hampton Court into a very pleasant full day trip by taking a boat down the Thames in one direction, and getting the train back, or vv.

Saturday transport should be no different to weekdays, but sunday services can be less frequent and slower.

re annhig's suggestion of boat/train to/from Hampton Court Palace --very good idea.

But it is best to take the train TO the Palace and the boat back into London. Main reason being time management. The trip is slow and can take anywhere from a bit under 3 hours to over 4 hours. If you take the first boat of the day you won't get to HCP until after lunch time at the earliest.

Better to take the train out first thing - well after 9:30 so the fare is off-peak/cheaper. Spend as much time as you want touring the palace and grounds, eat lunch, tour some more and then take a leisurely boat ride back to Westminster Pier . . . IF the weather is nice. Otherwise, take the train back.

good idea, jj to take the train there.

would the same apply to a trip to Greenwich?

Hampton COurt: you can also take the boat from HC to Richmond and then a train from there, to reduce the amount of time you spend on the river (and you won't miss that many visual attractions).

Greenwich: options - train from Waterloo East/Charing Cross/London Bridge, or DLR from Bank, or fast Clipper ferry or slower tour boat. The train is obviously fastest, and it's probably better to go there direct first and take a more relaxing route back.

There's an assumtion it seems that you'll be visiting these places from London, a fair assumption but is it true?

If you aren't in a hurry, and it appears you are not, then why not have at least 1 night in Salisbury and 1 or 2 in Bath and have more than the usual perfunctory visit. There are many things to see in both locales, including dinner in the evening and walks late and early before the daytrippers arrive to make the extra time worthwhile and possibly more memorable than anything you'd experience in 1 day. That's been my experience. I and others can give you suggestions for other things to see in the areas you mention if you're interested.

OOPS -missing punctuation can wreak havoc w/ the meaning

Should have said >><i>Better to take the train out first thing - well<B><red>,</B></red> after 9:30 so the fare is off-peak/cheaper.<<</i>

So not 'well after 9:30' but 'take a morning train but wait til off peak around 9:30'

Thanks for the responses