Southern England Itinerary Help
Mar 27th, 2024, 01:36 PM
#21
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Last year I completed a 10-11 day road trip over a similar circuit to what you are planning, also in late May. There were a few one night stop-overs which I had very nervously planned as I have always typically sworn by and done the 3-4 night base from which to explore. But it turned out absolutely fine once prepared with the mindset that is how it is going to be.
A few tips come to mind.
Having spent time in London first, I picked up a car at LHR and stayed in Oxford driving in off the A40 from the north onto Branbury Road. As I stayed in accommodation a 6 minute walk from the centre of Oxford I had no issues with traffic or car parking. I left the same way and it was easy. This same road is also on a bus route into the city, and so you could choose to park the car in this residential area (use JustPark app) and explore without staying overnight. Burford is very close by and a gorgeous choice.
The app JustPark is fantastic for finding someone's driveway to rent for a few hours. The only time I could squeeze in a visit to Bourton-on-the the-Water was to arrive around lunchtime and it was during the Spring half-term school holiday.. would you believe? I knew it was going to be very very busy, not ideal, and parking a real problem. JustPark came to the rescue and I was able to quietly slip into a lovely lady's driveway a 3 minute walk into the town centre.
The focus of my trip was to visit many of the great gardens and not to feel rushed. I stayed in Chipping Campden, a 5 minute drive from Hidcote and Kiftsgate gardens, and Snowshill Manor. Mottisfont Rose Gardens and Hinton Ampner (both National Trust) are worth a visit, en route from Salisbury and close to Winchester. East Sussex is a goldmine of great English gardens, do consider visiting Great Dixter and RHS Wisley if you have time.
The Seven Sisters was an absolute highlight. I stopped at 3 different locations to view these magnificant cliffs to get a variety of perspectives. If you were to break your journey between Salisbury and Sissinghurst you could stay in the small medieval village of Alfriston (a delight in itself). From there it is a short drive to Seven Sisters Country Park where you park the car and then walk to Cuckmere Haven (the best outlook to the East). Then onto Birling Gap for another view, and then to Beachy Head with stunning views to the West. Perhaps add Battle to the drive for some famous history.
Do go to the Chelsea Flower Show, it is mind blowing!
You are going to have a wonderful time!
A few tips come to mind.
Having spent time in London first, I picked up a car at LHR and stayed in Oxford driving in off the A40 from the north onto Branbury Road. As I stayed in accommodation a 6 minute walk from the centre of Oxford I had no issues with traffic or car parking. I left the same way and it was easy. This same road is also on a bus route into the city, and so you could choose to park the car in this residential area (use JustPark app) and explore without staying overnight. Burford is very close by and a gorgeous choice.
The app JustPark is fantastic for finding someone's driveway to rent for a few hours. The only time I could squeeze in a visit to Bourton-on-the the-Water was to arrive around lunchtime and it was during the Spring half-term school holiday.. would you believe? I knew it was going to be very very busy, not ideal, and parking a real problem. JustPark came to the rescue and I was able to quietly slip into a lovely lady's driveway a 3 minute walk into the town centre.
The focus of my trip was to visit many of the great gardens and not to feel rushed. I stayed in Chipping Campden, a 5 minute drive from Hidcote and Kiftsgate gardens, and Snowshill Manor. Mottisfont Rose Gardens and Hinton Ampner (both National Trust) are worth a visit, en route from Salisbury and close to Winchester. East Sussex is a goldmine of great English gardens, do consider visiting Great Dixter and RHS Wisley if you have time.
The Seven Sisters was an absolute highlight. I stopped at 3 different locations to view these magnificant cliffs to get a variety of perspectives. If you were to break your journey between Salisbury and Sissinghurst you could stay in the small medieval village of Alfriston (a delight in itself). From there it is a short drive to Seven Sisters Country Park where you park the car and then walk to Cuckmere Haven (the best outlook to the East). Then onto Birling Gap for another view, and then to Beachy Head with stunning views to the West. Perhaps add Battle to the drive for some famous history.
Do go to the Chelsea Flower Show, it is mind blowing!
You are going to have a wonderful time!
Mar 27th, 2024, 04:05 PM
#22
Now we've moved on to apres lunch shopping (we hear Nordstrom calling 
) but a follow on to KathNZ's excellent post . . . absolutely 100% try to fit in RHS Wisley. It is right off the M25 and a wonder. If one is only minimally interested in gardens it is a 2.5-3 hour stop but for garden fans plan on most of a day. It is enormous.
) but a follow on to KathNZ's excellent post . . . absolutely 100% try to fit in RHS Wisley. It is right off the M25 and a wonder. If one is only minimally interested in gardens it is a 2.5-3 hour stop but for garden fans plan on most of a day. It is enormous.
Mar 27th, 2024, 05:06 PM
#23
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KathNZ- Oh my , how wonderful to hear you did a similar trip and it worked out great. I am going to look at all the places you mentioned and see how I can set it up. One question, so you moved around within the Cotswolds ? I see you mentioned Burford and Chipping Campden - did you stay in both places?
Janisj, looks like I will now convince my group to go to the Chelsea flower show which puts us in London first- so I can then drive easily to wherever
Janisj, looks like I will now convince my group to go to the Chelsea flower show which puts us in London first- so I can then drive easily to wherever
Mar 27th, 2024, 06:18 PM
#24
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I did visit Burford but based in Chipping Campden to cover the northern part of the Cotswolds and then again nearer to Bath to cover the southern end. Painswick is worth visiting with the Painswick Rococo Garden close by and also the Garden at Miserden. Painswick is more or less off the main tourist track but popular on the Cotswolds Way for walkers. A local lady I met walking her dogs told me I should continue my drive south along the ridge on Slad Road for views and to stop for a refreshment at the very old Woolpack Inn frequented by English poet and author Laurie Lee, which I duly did.
I spent one night in a pub called 'The Fox Goes Free'... love the name... located close to West Dean Gardens near Chichester (and not too far from Portsmouth). The Weald and Downland Living Museum is also located there where they film The Repair Shop.
I spent one night in a pub called 'The Fox Goes Free'... love the name... located close to West Dean Gardens near Chichester (and not too far from Portsmouth). The Weald and Downland Living Museum is also located there where they film The Repair Shop.
Mar 27th, 2024, 07:58 PM
#25
I would not split between Chipping Campden and Burford -- they are only about 20 miles / a 30-35 minute drive apart and packing / moving wouldn't make a lot of sense.
Painswick on the other hand is a lovely village village with some quite steep/narrow roads, and is a slow 30 miles from both Chipping Campden and Burford - it easily takes an hour to drive from either to Painswick (an old time Fodorite lives there and I've visited her home)
Depending on how long in total you plan on staying in the Cotswolds it might or might not make sense to move accommodations. I tend not to anywhere in the area, but have done so once or twice.
Painswick on the other hand is a lovely village village with some quite steep/narrow roads, and is a slow 30 miles from both Chipping Campden and Burford - it easily takes an hour to drive from either to Painswick (an old time Fodorite lives there and I've visited her home)
Depending on how long in total you plan on staying in the Cotswolds it might or might not make sense to move accommodations. I tend not to anywhere in the area, but have done so once or twice.
Mar 28th, 2024, 06:48 AM
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Having just seen a reference to it in another internet post reminded me to suggest Great Dixter to you. It is another absolutely splendid garden not very far from Sissinghurst - some would say it's better.
It's about 30 minutes from Sissinghurst but looking at the map reminded me that Rye would be the outstanding place to stay in the area. a beautiful old town close to the coast and close enough to commute to the two gardens and to Dover for the castle, although not all three in a day.
It's about 30 minutes from Sissinghurst but looking at the map reminded me that Rye would be the outstanding place to stay in the area. a beautiful old town close to the coast and close enough to commute to the two gardens and to Dover for the castle, although not all three in a day.
Mar 28th, 2024, 05:24 PM
#27
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Thank you, thank you, thank you- this input is exactly what I needed! Well, I have changed my trip around so that we visit London first and now I can attend the Chelsea Flower Show- so excited!!!
KathNZ- and Janissj- thanks for your replies, I will only be staying in one village in the Costwolds- Burford. It has a good location for visiting Oxford, Hidcote, Blenheim Palace. We do want to tour Bath however, it is further south ( about 1 hr but longer with traffic maybe ?) I could cut a day short in Burford and move, but not liking overnight stays, I think we just commute for the day and return to Burford- thoughts?
John- love the idea of staying in Rye- what a lovely little town. This will certainly allow me to see Sissinghurst, Dover and of course with everyone's recommendation- Great Dixter. I wish I could add all the wonderful gardens you all have mentioned but with a limited time frame and so not to overwhelm my fellow non-gardening companions, I am limiting my choices
I have narrowed down to the following itinerary- the glitch is that I may need to eliminate something unless we decide to add a night to our trip (I'm waiting to hear from my group if we can add) Thinking if I eliminate anything it could be Salisbury ?
Day 1- Arrive London
Day 2- Tour London
Day 3- Chelsea Flower Show
Day 4- Tour London
Day 5- Rent car and drive to Burford- (overnight). Visit Oxford on the way (use JustPark APP for parking)
Day 6- Burford (overnight)- Visit Blenheim palace and Hidcote ( if time allows)
Day 7- Burford (overnight)- Drive to Bath and tour (or move and overnight in Bath?)
Day 8- Drive to Salisbury (overnight)- on the way to Salisbury visit Stonehenge, tour Salisbury (Cathedral, Magna Carter ) in the afternoon after our arrival
Day 9- Drive to Alfriston (2 hr total time -overnight)- on the way to Alfriston stop and visit Portsmouth Museum ( using Alfriston as a base for seven sisters walk )
Day 10-Drive to Rye (overnight)- on the way to Rye stop and do the Seven Sisters Walk ( is this doable in this allotted time?)
Day 11Rye (overnight)- Visit Sissinghurst and Great Dixter
Day 12- Rye (overnight) - visit Dover
day 13- Return to London and take train to Paris for family reunion
Thoughts...
KathNZ- and Janissj- thanks for your replies, I will only be staying in one village in the Costwolds- Burford. It has a good location for visiting Oxford, Hidcote, Blenheim Palace. We do want to tour Bath however, it is further south ( about 1 hr but longer with traffic maybe ?) I could cut a day short in Burford and move, but not liking overnight stays, I think we just commute for the day and return to Burford- thoughts?
John- love the idea of staying in Rye- what a lovely little town. This will certainly allow me to see Sissinghurst, Dover and of course with everyone's recommendation- Great Dixter. I wish I could add all the wonderful gardens you all have mentioned but with a limited time frame and so not to overwhelm my fellow non-gardening companions, I am limiting my choices
I have narrowed down to the following itinerary- the glitch is that I may need to eliminate something unless we decide to add a night to our trip (I'm waiting to hear from my group if we can add) Thinking if I eliminate anything it could be Salisbury ?
Day 1- Arrive London
Day 2- Tour London
Day 3- Chelsea Flower Show
Day 4- Tour London
Day 5- Rent car and drive to Burford- (overnight). Visit Oxford on the way (use JustPark APP for parking)
Day 6- Burford (overnight)- Visit Blenheim palace and Hidcote ( if time allows)
Day 7- Burford (overnight)- Drive to Bath and tour (or move and overnight in Bath?)
Day 8- Drive to Salisbury (overnight)- on the way to Salisbury visit Stonehenge, tour Salisbury (Cathedral, Magna Carter ) in the afternoon after our arrival
Day 9- Drive to Alfriston (2 hr total time -overnight)- on the way to Alfriston stop and visit Portsmouth Museum ( using Alfriston as a base for seven sisters walk )
Day 10-Drive to Rye (overnight)- on the way to Rye stop and do the Seven Sisters Walk ( is this doable in this allotted time?)
Day 11Rye (overnight)- Visit Sissinghurst and Great Dixter
Day 12- Rye (overnight) - visit Dover
day 13- Return to London and take train to Paris for family reunion
Thoughts...
Mar 28th, 2024, 06:45 PM
#28
What I might do for Days 7, 8, 9. and 10
Day 7- Burford (overnight)
Day 8- Drive to Salisbury (overnight there). Visit Bath and Stonehenge en route. Leave Burford early AM and arrive at Bath by 9:30 or 10 AM. Leave Bath by 2:30 PM, Drive to Stonehenge, arriving about 3:30 PM. Spend 1.5 to 2 hrs at Stonehenge arriving at Salisbury at 5:30-ish. Maybe go to Evensong. Total drive time for the day would be about 3 hours.
Day 9- Visit Salisbury Cathedral in the morning Drive to Alfriston via Portsmouth. Overnight Alfriston . Do Seven Sisters walk that evening. It will be daylight until well after 9 PM so you can easily do the walk before dinner.
Day 10-Drive to Rye (overnight)-
Day 7- Burford (overnight)
Day 8- Drive to Salisbury (overnight there). Visit Bath and Stonehenge en route. Leave Burford early AM and arrive at Bath by 9:30 or 10 AM. Leave Bath by 2:30 PM, Drive to Stonehenge, arriving about 3:30 PM. Spend 1.5 to 2 hrs at Stonehenge arriving at Salisbury at 5:30-ish. Maybe go to Evensong. Total drive time for the day would be about 3 hours.
Day 9- Visit Salisbury Cathedral in the morning Drive to Alfriston via Portsmouth. Overnight Alfriston . Do Seven Sisters walk that evening. It will be daylight until well after 9 PM so you can easily do the walk before dinner.
Day 10-Drive to Rye (overnight)-
Mar 28th, 2024, 07:01 PM
#29
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I think you have a great itinerary, and not too rushed or crammed at all. The trip back to Burford from Bath seems to be back tracking a bit, as the A36 exit from Bath to Salisbury is very quick and straighforward. On the other hand, returning to Burford from Bath in the late afternoon gives you additional opportunity to pass through/explore some more gorgeous cotswold villages.
I do suggest you arrive in Bath as early as possible in the morning. By lunchtime the historic centre where the Roman Baths are located is jammed packed with day tourists, possibly off the tour coaches. I had a timed ticket for the baths for 10.30am, but at 10am they just waved me in as very few people were around. There are several Park and Ride carparks. I entered the Lansdown P&R from the North (to avoid driving through Bath) where a shuttle bus comes and goes every 15 minutes to take you straight into the historic centre. I did leave driving through Bath but let the google map voice do the thinking.
I am so pleased that Rye was suggested for you. It is a wonderful town with a fascinating history. I've visited a few times, and stayed 2 nights on my road trip last year at Jeakes House B&B. It is a truely lovely place right in the most historic part of Rye and 2 steps across the road from the Mermaid Inn
Alfriston is really not too far from Rye and you will have ample time to do any choice of walk at the Seven Sisters. I managed this as well as fitting in a two hour stop over in Eastbourne for lunch, a tour of Battle Abbey on the way, and still ariving in Rye around 4pm.
I do suggest you arrive in Bath as early as possible in the morning. By lunchtime the historic centre where the Roman Baths are located is jammed packed with day tourists, possibly off the tour coaches. I had a timed ticket for the baths for 10.30am, but at 10am they just waved me in as very few people were around. There are several Park and Ride carparks. I entered the Lansdown P&R from the North (to avoid driving through Bath) where a shuttle bus comes and goes every 15 minutes to take you straight into the historic centre. I did leave driving through Bath but let the google map voice do the thinking.
I am so pleased that Rye was suggested for you. It is a wonderful town with a fascinating history. I've visited a few times, and stayed 2 nights on my road trip last year at Jeakes House B&B. It is a truely lovely place right in the most historic part of Rye and 2 steps across the road from the Mermaid Inn
Alfriston is really not too far from Rye and you will have ample time to do any choice of walk at the Seven Sisters. I managed this as well as fitting in a two hour stop over in Eastbourne for lunch, a tour of Battle Abbey on the way, and still ariving in Rye around 4pm.
Mar 28th, 2024, 07:14 PM
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I missed Janisj's post while writing, and fully endorse her suggestion for Day 7 and 8. In fact the Day 8 suggestion is exactly what I did... although instead of Evensong I went to Mottisfont Rose Garden taking advantage of the extended daylight hours. The Day 7 suggestion also gives you an additional day to explore the Cotswolds.
Mar 29th, 2024, 09:06 AM
#32
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Yes JohnEW, your input is very helpful for sure! Where will you be in Chelsea- at a display or just visiting?
I think we are set now and could not have developed such an exciting itinerary without everyone's assistance -we are very thankful for your time and expertise.
Off to book accommodations and I see KathNZ has suggested a place in Rye
Thank you once again!
I think we are set now and could not have developed such an exciting itinerary without everyone's assistance -we are very thankful for your time and expertise.
Off to book accommodations and I see KathNZ has suggested a place in Rye
Thank you once again!
Mar 29th, 2024, 02:12 PM
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Jenny - I will be volunteering at the WaterAid garden, which will be highlighting rainwater harvesting. WaterAid is a charity I have been involved with for 42 years. My wife and I will be there explaining the garden to visitors on shifts on the Tuesday and Wednesday and back late on Thursday for an after show reception.
Mar 30th, 2024, 10:50 AM
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We are doing part of this trip in the end April, but I am so envious you are going to the Chelsea flower show, going in May didn't work for us!
We are staying in Oxford, Burford,( thanks, janisj!) and Bath, visiting Stonehenge and Salisbury and finishing in London.
Chellston, thanks about the warning about Oxford. We were planning on taking a cab to Enterprise car rental upon leaving Oxford but it sounds like we should allow for delays.
Enjoy!
We are staying in Oxford, Burford,( thanks, janisj!) and Bath, visiting Stonehenge and Salisbury and finishing in London.
Chellston, thanks about the warning about Oxford. We were planning on taking a cab to Enterprise car rental upon leaving Oxford but it sounds like we should allow for delays.
Enjoy!
Mar 30th, 2024, 11:59 AM
#36
Mar 31st, 2024, 09:12 PM
#37
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sure its crowded but Id go again in a heart beat -so worth it.
just to add another venue for WW11 Blexley. I dalways wantedt o go to Sissinghurst and it took me 30 years afte rmy first visit to london to get there. .A dream realized
just to add another venue for WW11 Blexley. I dalways wantedt o go to Sissinghurst and it took me 30 years afte rmy first visit to london to get there. .A dream realized
Last edited by northie; Mar 31st, 2024 at 09:15 PM.
Mar 31st, 2024, 10:44 PM
#38
Just noted this
Magna Carter would be a larger man who runs a cart
Magna Carta would be a very large document (which is what it is)
wonderful image
Salisbury cathedral is normally approached from within the town. If you have time, walk in (or out and in) from the water meadows. I think the cathedral is sublime but rising out of the the grass with the town behind it gives an idea of what the builders would have seen.
Look out for the new infinity font and how well it fits into this ancient building.
Magna Carter would be a larger man who runs a cart
Magna Carta would be a very large document (which is what it is)
wonderful image
Salisbury cathedral is normally approached from within the town. If you have time, walk in (or out and in) from the water meadows. I think the cathedral is sublime but rising out of the the grass with the town behind it gives an idea of what the builders would have seen.
Look out for the new infinity font and how well it fits into this ancient building.
Last edited by bilboburgler; Mar 31st, 2024 at 10:48 PM.
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