Just in case it's REALLY raining when we plan a quick 1 day tour through the Cotswolds with my husband's sister ....................

Windsor Castle?

Hampton Court?

I looked up Waddesdon Manor in Aylesbury after reading a trip report from janisj, it looked pretty cool.

We'll be staying in Freshford near Bath that evening.

Why is rain a problem?

"A quick one day tour" sounds like driving a lot to me. Shlepping across to Waddesdon on a rainy day would be infinitely more miserable than popping round the hills. As for getting to Hampton Court....

If you were planning to walk, just put some waterproofs on.

It's kind of up to my sister-in-law, this is her "part of the trip". Last time we were in UK it rained a little in the morning and then quit, it was fine. I'm talking about a steady downpour with low visibility.

Well, for the Cotswolds you want to walk through the villages and explore the church, small shops etc - so don;t see why rain would be an issue. The Cotswolds aren;t mountains - there aren't any huge vistas you want to look at - although seeing small rolling hills with sheep is cute - rain just shouldn't be that much of an issue.

"I'm talking about a steady downpour with low visibility."

No such thing.

The flannerpooch and I are out on the footpaths at least once a day. About 2-3 times a year, early-morning cloud is low enough - for an hour or so - you can see the church tower peeking through when you're at the top of the pimple at the end of the street we call a hill.

Anyone wanting to spend a rainy day fighting their way along the A41 to Waddesdon to avoid that bit of magic is simply barmy.

Wren - If the Cotswolds with a brolly doesn't appeal ... how about Blenheim Palace?

Steve

Steve, I've thought of that. My husband and I were there, but we just did the gardens for the trees, we did not do the house tour. Some people seem to like it and some don't.

I'm really not some weather weenie, my husband and I wouldn't mind the rain. I'm just trying to have some options in case his sister-un-law isn't thrilled with the idea.

I mentioned Hampton Court and Windsor Castle because she's read some lately on Henry VIII and they have exhibits. Would they be absolutely crazy to go to on a Sunday with a car?

Berkeley Castle?

Windsor is only 10 mins from Heathrow - very easy. I think Blenheim Palace is very impressive - and has an interesting history. You could combine it with Oxford ...

Those would be my choices.

Berkley Castle would be a longer detour. If you're interested in art, Corsham Court might be another possibilty.

Steve

What is a reasonable amount of time to spend at Windsor without going into overload?

Windsor: The castle probably 2 hours absolute minimum. 3 is more like it.

But I honestly wouldn't worry about continual heavy rain. Just doesn't happen that often. My most recent trip in May - we had a few real down pours but w/i 10 or 15 minutes the sun was out and it was glorious - then maybe another shower a bit later then more sunshine. Had to wait out one wave at Minster Lovell but other than that no problems. That is pretty typical (though nothing is <i>really</i> 'typical' weather wise)

However - your driving plan is mostly just a drive - no time for much "get out of the car/explore/get wet". It will take you most of a day just to make the drive . . . . .

to give you an idea about what's doable . . One day we 'did' Bourton on the Water, the Slaughters, Burford, and Minster Lovell and it took most of the day. Got to Stanton very late in the afternoon. And -- we started out from the northern edge of the Cotswolds -- And -- I used to live nearby and pretty much know the roads like a "local".

My trip report has some details that might help you (though it is VERY long and there is a lot of kvetching and details about other 'issues')

You know it just occurred to me that trying to plan this won't work as Blenheim, Windsor etc don't even open until 10-10:30 on Sunday, by which time we would already be up in the Cotswolds!!!! Sometimes one can do too much planning!

So unless there is a hurricane (don't think you have those do you?) or a snowstorm, we will just head towards the Cotswolds. Done. Decided. Finis.

But we must get out of the car and explore some and walk in the villages. So janis, I took away Burford, you need to go back to my other thread and tell me which other ones you would take off my itinerary if we start running out of time!

But Burford isn't one you'd really want to take away IMO. Glorious church, attractive/bustling village, several good places to eat.

The problem is your drive is really a two-day plan. Taking out one or two places won't help that much since w/o stops you'll have 6 or 7 hours the car. And another problem - leaving LHR that early means you'll have to build in stops artificially just to delay getting places. It isn't just Blenheim that opens late -- nothing else will be open at 8 or 9 AM on a Sunday AM.

Wren - If Windsor or Blenheim don't work, why don't you just head straight down to Bath? Most of the sights are inside - Roman Baths, museums etc - and you can spend an enjoyable concert hour in the Pump Room.

That way you could have your 'Bath' day on Sunday ... and re-arrange your Cotwolds day from Freshford on the Monday instead. Just a thought ...

Steve

The Corinium Museum in Cirencester has an excellent collection illustrating the history of the Cotswolds, especially the Roman history. It does not open on Sunday until 12 but you could keep it in mind as an option if you want a change from visiting villages in the rain

Steve, that's not a bad idea, definitely an option.

We could head that direction, even stopping at Lacock and/or Castle Combe if it cleared up before heading to Bath.

vttraveler, I'll check out the museum, thanks