November in London and Oxford Itinerary
 

I’m finally taking my pandemic delayed trip. I’m planning on being in England for about 3 weeks. I will be traveling alone. Because of a disability I am a slow traveler and have to build in rest days. Thus far I plan to stay about a week in London, a week in Oxford, and then another week in London staying in a different neighborhood. I’ve been to London once but Oxford is new.

I'm looking for advice on day trips. Obviously Blenheim is best from Oxford, but which city is best for Bletchley Park and Bath. What about Highclere? Im more interested in Avebury than Stonehenge, but perhaps they are a package deal. I’m open to other suggestions.

I like history and art and museums. I’m not a hiker. i prefer small group tours that focus on one thing.

Some random questions/comments:

• Since this is a city-centric trip I assume you don't plan or renting a car - right?

• Would you consider three bases instead of just London and Oxford? Something like a week in London, 4 days in Oxford, 3 or 4 days in Bath, and finishing up with 5 or 6 days back in London - taking trains between all three cities. This would make some of your day trips a lot easier, would allow more time for Bath and there abouts, and still give a very nice taste of Oxford/Blenheim.

• Stonehenge would be much easier by public transport than is Avebury. Either from London or from Bath. That is if you plan on visiting independently.

• But Mad Max does 2 or 3 really good day trips out of Bath that include Stonehenge, Avebury, the Cotswolds, etc.

• Bletchley is by far easiest from London -- from Euston Station.

Great advice from Janisj! Do stay in Bath. It is lovely, much to see, history, architecture, Roman baths, good food, etc. The Abbey in Bath is gorgeous. Do you like Jane Austen? Great, free walking tour from the Pump Room. I would spend more time in Bath than in Oxford. One day for Oxford (tour perhaps the colleges) and one afternoon for Blenheim is enough for Oxford, though I did enjoy the shops more than in most places.

Mad Max tours from Bath worked well for us since DH wanted to see Stonehenge, I wanted to see pretty villages and we did not rent a car. It was a rather long day, but there was plenty of time to see everything, time for a couple of walks and lunch.

Don’t know if weather is a factor. I was chilly in June and ended up buying a jacket.

If you really are tired, Bletchley is easy from Milton Keynes

I too think you should add a few days in Bath. However, there is a great deal to see in Oxford, the Ashmolean museum, the Bodleian Library, the quirky and uniquely organized Pitt-Rivers museum, and of course, the college or colleges of your choice. I wouldn't cut your time there too short.

I would recommend seeing both Avebury and Stonehenge -- very different experiences.

I like the idea of staying in Bath. You are right I won’t be renting a car.
I’m happy to shorten the second stay in London Generally at the end of a trip I stay a few night somewhere a bit posher to reflect on my trip and rest for the journey home. It’s also a chance to repeat something I really loved.

Bletchley is an easy, 40-minute train ride from London's Euston Station. The relatively new museum reveals many secrets about the intelligence gathering operation that was a fundamental factor in winning WW2 in the west. Best experience is a demonstration of the massive code-breaking machine that is now considered the grandfather of the modern computer.

Okay, I think I’ve got my itinerary down.
8 nights London
5 nights Oxford
4 nights Bath
4 nights London
So I just have one question left: is this order okay or is there some reason Bath first would be better?

Since you want to start in London and return to London before flying home, it makes no difference at all. Oxford > Bath or Bath > Oxford same-o same-o.


Or . . . If you decided to lump all the London days together . . . I'd do 4 nights Bath, 5 Nights Oxford, 12 nights London

The only way to see Avebury really is with your own vehicle. While this may seem a pain its not a bad option given that to see Avebury is actually free (except for car parking). This link might help you more:

https://stonehengevisit.co.uk/avebury-and-stonehenge

One other place to also consider is the Cotswolds, its such a beautiful part of the UK and there are tour companies that can take you there in a day, but I would always recommend longer in somewhere like Bourton on the Water.

I’ve given up on Avebury. My final plan is:
Arrive at LHR on 5/11
8 nights London (Main things to see Hampton Court, Bletchley Park, British Museum, and V&A)
3 nights Bath (Baths, eat in the Pump Room, possibly Fashion Museum)
4 nights Oxford (Blenheim Christmas celebration, Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museum)
4 nights London (Posher hotel, rest, Christmas shop)

I know one could pack much more into the time, but I am slow traveler. What I can do is what my body allows.
My last bit to figure out is the best way to go from Bath to Oxford.

That sounds like a terrific division of time.

"My last bit to figure out is the best way to go from Bath to Oxford. " It is an easy 1.25 hr train ride from Bath Spa station to Oxford with a change in Didcot.

For a "Posher hotel" in London, rates have risen sharply this year! I would book sooner rather than later. Depend how post/expensive you want to go but Nobu have opened an new hotel in Portman Square - having lunch there in a couple of weeks (can't wait!) great for shopping. There is also The Londoner in the heart of the West End in Leicester Square.

I see you have given up on Avebury. We enjoyed it but it was a short stop to be honest. The Mad Max folks seem to offer it only as part of a very long, packed day, Not sure how well that would work within November’s limited daylight hours, There seem to be other tours operating out of London if not also Oxford — your choice.

My reservations are all made. I’m elite with Marriott so Marriotts it is. My middle week will be free on points. The last nights in London are at the Xenia in Kensington. I know it’s not the Ritz but I have a free upgrade. It will be roomier than the Hub by Premiere I’m starting out in.