If you'd like to cut down on the driving, especially while jet lagged, you might want to consider taking the train to Bath and picking up your car there - that way you don't have to battle London traffic. Sometimes it's cheaper (and less hassle) to pick up a car in a smaller town rather than at the airport or the bigger cities.<BR><BR>Our kids were eleven and fourteen when we took our first England trip. They loved both Stonehenge and Avebury, spending more time at Avebury because you could actually walk among the standing stones. One of their favorite places was Glastonbury. They'd both read lots of King Arthur stories and felt that Glastonbury Tor was the perfect location for Camelot - their imaginations had lots of nourishment! You might want to pick up some kids books set in England or about English history - they really made the trip richer for our kids.<BR><BR>We had two weeks, so we were able to head north also. It turned out we loved York and Yorkshire so much that our next trip we stayed for a week in the Dales and a week on the coast near Whitby, with several day trips to York.<BR><BR>Have fun!!!

Oh ya...forgot to add that upon our arrival, and almost no sleep in 36 hours, I made the (driving) trip tp York nicely. Judging by all of the warnings, I must have been a complete Rock Star to have done this. I certainly wasn't energetic, but the excitement of being in my dream country probably helped me through! I'm just saying-if you are used to it, and dont succomb to jet lag too much don't worry-but I would get an automatic!

Thank you for the suggestions and comments. York seems to get consistently high marks, but I think we'll have to save that for hopefully a next trip ;-) Since we're flying into Gatwick, I figure we may as well focus on the South and Heart of England areas for this trip. Maybe next time the cheap airfares will be into Manchester! It seems like there are so many great options no matter where you go.

Since you seem to be staying to the west of London you will save time if you drop the car at Heathrow. We've done this with no extra charge. <BR><BR>You might also see if you can drop the car at Oxford and take the bus to London. Oxford according to Michelin is &quot;worth a journey&quot; and with Blenheim Palace nearby is a great place for an overnight.<BR><BR>Check this for fares:<BR>http://www.stagecoach-oxford.co.uk/oxfordtube/<BR><BR>There is also a Oxford/Heathrow and Gatwick bus.<BR>http://www.theairline.info/index.htm<BR><BR>

JSMITH, thanks for the suggestion about dropping the car off at Heathrow! I just assumed that it would cost more to return the car to a different location and so figured I needed to go all the way back to Gatwick. You were right, no add'l charge for me to drop off at Heathrow and it will be a cheaper transport from Heathrow into London than from Gatwick. Thank you!!!