I'll be in London for a few days to visit a friend and wanted see if anyone has any recommended overnight trips from London into the English countryside. I've been to London before, so I know it well. A couple people have recommended Cornwall or Cambridge. Any other suggestions? I'll actually have two nights, but need to come back to fly out of Heathrow.

Hi, Scott, <BR>If it's countryside you want and not just a smaller city in a relatively rural area, are you prepared to hire a car for a day? That way you can base yourself in a smaller town or village and tour around the countryside. <BR>In that context, Cambridge is great (the East Anglia countryside is marvelous for a couple of days). Cornwall is pretty far from London and Heathrow...your time there would probably be too limited. <BR>Or you might consider Brighton for a day - Royal Pavilion is fun, seaside rewarding, lots of Victoriana; or Bath for a smaller city and a drive around the Cotswolds. Hard to go wrong. <BR>

Maybe Cornwall is a bit far. I really enjoyed the New Forest area for country atmosphere, and also the Cotswalds. Make sure you have a car, because to explore these places properly you need your own transport. Cambridge is really only a day trip. <BR>Cheers <BR>Jo <BR>

I think the nicest overnight from London, and it has to be an overnight if you want to attend a theatre performance, is to Stratford-on-Avon. There are several small hotels in town as well as little restaurants and the Shakespeare performances are incredible. The next morning you'll have time for a nice walk in town, a bus tour, and seeing the grave of Shakespeare. It's a wonderful 2 days. Trains leave from Paddington as I recall. Alternatively, you could go to Chester, York, or Shrewsbury, all of which are just a little too far for a daytrip. Have a great time.

I agree that Cornwall might be too far out to enjoy when you only have two days. The Eastbourne area, especially walking along the "downs" is a beautiful way to explore an area of England that might otherwise not visit. <BR> <BR>During a two day holiday, you can easily get out to the Isle of Wight - like many other destinations there are regular trains to Portsmouth (make sure you take some time to visit the Tall Ships on display). A short catamaran or hover speed ride over the Solent and arrive in Ryde where you can catch either the coach or rail to other destinations on the island. The climate is wonderfully mild, we have visited the Isle of Wight twice staying once in Shanklin (Old Town is wonderful - all of the things people expect when they visit England for, thatched cottages, gardens with trees and flowers in bloom like visiting another time!)A visit to Osbourne House, built by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria is a must see. On our last visit we stayed in Venture - wonderful place to base yourself out of for trips to Godshill, St. Catherine's Lighthouse and terrific walks along the beach. <BR> <BR>Whatever your destination I know you'll have a wonderful holiday.

My choice would be The Cotswolds. Take the train out of Paddington to Oxford and change for Morton-on-Marsh. I have stayed for 1 night at The Manor in Morton & would recommen it. About 4 miles down the road is Stow-on-the Wold & I would recommend The Unicorn for an overnight stay. A car is needed. My first visit the The Cotswold I had a car & driver take me around, after that we just rented a car. Another suggestion would be take the train out of Paddington to Bath, there is a Herts Car Rental at the station in Bath and you could head toward The Cotswolds & drive through the most wonderful villages I have ever seen. There are B&B's all along the roads, stick to the A roads.

You might want to consider a visit to Edinburgh. From London it is only a four hour train ride. You will not have much time but to visit Scotland for even a day would be worth it. Have fun where ever you go. <BR>

You can board sleeping car trains in London at eleven at night, and next morning you'll be in Cornwall or Scotland. If you book with an Apex ticket the return fare, with bed, is 99 pounds. From Scotland you can be back in London at 0658, and from Cornwall at 0500 (but you can sleep in the train till eight), so you'll get to Heathrow on the Picadilly line by eight or earlier. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR>