I think it depends on the weather but I would rather slow down and spend time between Cotwolds and Bath. Have a look at a detailed map before you go. There are places like Ross on Wye and the Forest of Dean on the Welsh border that are all beautiful. I will have a look at some other options tomorrow. It depends when you are going. High season then yes I would book on line for the Cambridge to Heathrow bus.

July. it's a bus? not a train? thank you for your suggestions-I would love to go to the welsh border. I feel like I would miss something if we don't see Lynton....but it would be more rushed and I am doing all the driving...

Coach (bus in US English). That will be direct, otherwise you have to change train stations in London.

See: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

>>not a train?<<

OK -- you need to understand the trains in the UK. Kinda Sorta similar to the hub and spoke air routes in the States.

There is no train between Cambridge and Heathrow or Cambridge and Oxford, or Cambridge and Bath, etc. In each case one would travel by train in to London, cross London by tube to a different train station, then a train out.

London is the main hub for most of the southern UK. So if one is traveling out to a place w/ direct trains from London - easy peasy. But crossing the country east/west from point A to point B -- not so much.

In that case you often want National Express coaches (long distance buses)

ok, buzzcolin, I am taking your advice. no Devon. so leave stratford on sunday am and arrive bath on wednesday pm. would love to go to the welsh border. so 3 nights. should we stay in one place and make day trips?
thanks so much!!!

>> welsh border. so 3 nights. should<<

That.

By picking a place in the north central-ish Cotswolds you will be w/i day trip distance of Chepstow/Tintern Abbey, the Forest of Dean, all of the Cotswolds, Oxford, the Wye Valley -- plus easy drive from Stratford and easy drive to Bath.

you all are the best!!!! thanks

It depends on what you want from the Cotswalds or the borders, for me the walking is the key to the Cotswalds, so you need to saty a couple of nights and walk on the many footpaths around to a pub and walk back on another. The borders are more about visiting sites, castle, roman villa etc..

I agree with janisj, a 3 night stay will give you 2 full days to explore the Cotswolds and surrounds. We were there for a week and did not see everything. Hope you have a great trip.

oops -- seem to hav cut off the >>quote<< should have been >>3 nights. should we stay in one place and make day trips?<<

But you understood what I meant :)

ok, will look for place to stay northish.

buzcolin: "Stratford on Avon is so close to Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds it would be a pity to not include that in your itinerary. "

In fact you could stay in Chipping Campden instead of Stratford. I didn't like Stratford; it's very touristy, crowded, lots of schlocky shops.

Note: after we went to a play in Stratford, we came out in the dark night and were totally at a loss trying to find the parking lot where we left our rental car. So make an effort to remember your way.

I did like Bath very much. There's a lot to see there: the Roman Baths, the Abbey, the Pump Room, the Crescent, the Circus, the Assembly Rooms (and the Fashion Museum there), Parade Gardens. And, of course, the Jane Austen museum. We did a walking tour sponsored by the tourist office. And walked over to the Kennet & Avon Canal and watched river boats go by.

>>In fact you could stay in Chipping Campden instead of Stratford. <<

I agree -- no need to stay IN Stratford - even if you are going to an evening performance. It is only about a 30 minute drive at most (as long as you don't get lost in Stratford ;) )

being a pretty nervous "not know where I am" driver, I would stay the one night so we don't get lost after the performance. I am having hard time with accomodations. looking at chipping, moreton, stow. we can stay in small hotel in town or small b and b looks like country-ish. anyone ever stay White Hart Hotel in Moreton. Kings Hotel in Chipping? Maytime Inn? Whatley looks great but way beyond our price range. Love the manor idea but they seem so expensive. Any suggestions on places to stay? up to 200 british pounds a night?

I looked on booking.com and they had several hotels in Chipping Campden. The Kings gets excellent reviews and fits into your budget. I remember seeing it on the Main street. You did not say when you are going so could not put in relevant dates. We had a great meal at the Red Lion which had a charming old pub with a huge fireplace. It also has accommodation. Broadway is also quite close to Chipping and has lots of good accommodation. It get busy during the day but once all the day trippers leave it is lovely.

Completely off topic, but for Pal - Keighley is pronounced Keethley the same as Drighlington is prounounced Dridlinton, Slaithwaite is pronounced Sloughit, Alnwick is Annik and Wymondham is Windam. Not to mention Mousehole, Leicester, Gloucester, and Worcester. It's just the way they are pronounced.

Plenty of places in the US are pronounced differently to the way they are spelt too.