We are both huge Jane Austen fans, so Bath is definitely a place we would like to see. Mimar I like your idea of starting the trip outside London and then going into the city for the end of it. Long trips didn't used to bother me a bit when I was my daughter's age, but now..I feel them!

I also think I may be better off with an automatic. Just a bit of a crutch, I know, but I would feel more confident I think. How long is the bus ride from Heathrow to Bath?

My next step is to starting putting together some of this hypothetically and get a beginning price point. I have no clue how much this is going to be! If we could squeak out more time and stretch dollars and days, we may be able to add Paris at the end.

If you can get yourselves to Heathrow's Central Bus Station (near Terminals 1 and 3), then the bus goes direct to Bath in about 2.5 hours. From other terminals the route requires a change at Bristol and takes much longer. There's free transport between terminals.

And I have been assuming you will arrive at Heathrow airport.

Also per bilbo's post, Jane Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral.