We will be meeting our daughter in London and would like to take a three day long weekend trip outside of London with her. Any suggestions? It would be the first week of March. We are looking for pretty countryside, nice walks and maybe some castles or historic properties to visit. We are willing to travel by train. We would like to stay in a castle or a bed and breakfast. Thank you!

Edinurgh is a possibility..5 hours by train. York is another option..

Marilyn
I know you say you are willing to travel by train but would you also be willing to drive a rental car?
The Cotswolds is a nice area to visit for a few days from London and is awash with historical hotels to stay in - not necessarily lots of castles but certainly some beautiful places nonetheless.
It's also fabulous for countryside - both walking and also driving.
And what budget do you have for accommodations?

How about the Cotswolds or the Lake District? I can't specifically remember castles in those areas, but there is plenty of pretty countryside and the walking is great if the weather cooperates.

Happy traveling!

If you decide on the Cotswolds, and/or a little further west to the Wye Valley, post back and maybe I can help.

Oxford?
You can see the city and university, you can visit Blenheim Palace via public transport, and you can even take a van or bus tour of some Cotswolds villages.

Willing to take trains? OR - Must take trains/public transport?

The Cotswolds is an obvious choice - but not good by train.

Two other great areas would be Kent/East Sussex, or Suffolk/Norfolk. Especially in Kent there are a TON of castles and beautiful gardens. But again both areas would be a LOT easier by car.

Or you could go to Bath/Somerset/Dorset. Bath is easy by train - but the countryside around it is much more accessible by car.

York is easy by train and then you could also take the train for excursions to Thirsk or Harrowgate or Durham.

And Edinburgh would be terrific - you don't need a car at all in Edinburgh. But it isn't countryside - you could rent a car or take local tours if you wanted to get out into the Scottish countryside.

You can get to the Lake District by train - but not for travel w/i the Lakes. Not many castles and in March the weather will be a bit iffy for long hikes.