we are going to london mid november. been there many times and are looking for some different historic homes in or outside london(via train) any suggestions. also has anyone taken the train to Cardiff for the dat? thanks. seen any good theater?

This summer we took the bus from Victoria Station to Hampstead Heath, then visited Kenwood House. It is a lovely old home with beautiful and spacious grounds. The woman there kept talking about Notting Hill. Finally I asked her what she was talking about since we were so far from there. It seems the movie Notting Hill with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts filmed the big wedding scene there. The woman assumed that's why we had come. She said no Americans ever went there until after the movie. Anyway, we enjoyed that whole area including the charming little village of Hampstead.

Here is a tremendous website: <BR>http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ <BR> <BR>

With regards to National Trust properties please be aware that a lot shut for the winter from the end of this month so do check opening times before you visit.

Fodors <BR> <BR>Several fine houses in the home counties are on two sites: <BR>National Trust http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ <BR>(Im think this tells you months of opemning) <BR>English Heritage http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ <BR> <BR>From Mondays to Fridays buffet car trains leave London Paddington at 0645 and 0800 and reach Cardiff in two hours. They leave Cardiff hourly to 1925, then at 2115. The fares will be on http://www.therailline.com, or you can prebook something cheap by phone if you phone rail enquiries on 0044 0345 48 49 50. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome back. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

Its not a country house but Mompesson House in Salisbury should be open and it is certainly accessible by train. It is small but very nice-- on the Cathedral Close, with a nice garden in the back (I know you are going in November but this might be helpful for someone else)