ok, crazy - so far so good.

Cornwall is amazing, honestly, we're not that hot on castles - and what could compare with Windsor, anyway?

I've reminded myself of the location of Drayton Manor, and from Tamworth [where it is] you could easily drop over into Wales, where there are castles galore, spend a night or so in cardiff [do your kids like Dr. Who?] and then drive round into North Devon, where there are lodas of lovely things to see [beaches, great coastline, Exmoor, pretty villages, the lovely Dunster castle and pretty town] before making for Bath and back to London.

with the time you've got, I would not say that driving all the way down into Cornwall would be worthwhile, but if you want me to make some suggestions I'll gladly do so.

ooohhh this is interesting . . . everyone in Aus keeps telling us to go to Cornwall! But I like the idea of what you are suggesting. Time frame what do you think? any chance you could map some days out for me :) We would love to go to Tinagel and also St Ives but if you don't think this is a wise idea we are open to your suggestions. We thought a night in Windsor then a night in thomas land, a night in Stratford upon Avon then a night in bath down to Torquay over to Tintagel down to st ives then back up to london...but hey nothing is set in stone! So ... we look forward to hearing what's suggested!

ok how does this sound:

Day 1 - Windsor
Day 2- Thomas land
Day 3+4- Cardiff
Day 5+6-Bath
Day 7+8-Devon
Day 9-Sailsbury???
Day10-London?

hi crazy - the reason I'm saying no to Cornwall is demonstrated by your draft itinerary - you just don't have time!

I think I might tweek it by dropping a night in Bath and adding it to Devon [far more things for the kids in Devon then there are in Bath] or alternatively get to London a day later, but otherwise, much better!

So many moving parts but just a few broad suggestions/affirmations from doing travel with kids in many of these areas:
1. Always more Paris (this should always be a guiding principle for all travellers!)
2. Florence/Salzburg/Venice are great with kids because they are compact for walking and have interesting visuals plus day trips.
3. Many big cities are not as interesting to kids (Milan, Munich, Berlin)
4. A day or half day at a playground or local amusement park can be a life saver for the sanity of you and kids. A small playground along the banks of the river in Salzburg and a fun little regional amusement park in Scotland saved us.
5. Train, train, train, train, train, train, train, train.
6. Carry less, wash more. Literally, you need about two pairs of pants, two pair of socks, four underwear, four shirts and a rain jacket.
7. Fewer stops, more daytrips. The more kids can "go home" to the same place, the better.
8. Gelato. Do your research!

Like the way Roam Europe thinks! Although I'd go with a few more socks. ;)

Thanks annhigg...done! Just found out though that Thomas land is booked out on the 11th! So no idea how we are going to manage it! Typical!
I'll take the night off London as hubby wants a full day in bath. For the kids we will do the hop on hop off bus tour :)

Romeeurope - great suggestions - yes we plan on taking little and buying while over there as it is soooo much cheaper then aus prices! We are planning two cases and a hand luggage case and an empty backpackers backpack for the things along the way.

We are going to train but driving will still be our main mode of transport.

So week one and two are planned ... Except for Thomas land .... Thanks everyone!

Ok so Thomas Land looks like a day trip from London and we wont stay a night. They can't get us into the 11th and we will take everyones advice about not going on the 10th when we arrive. So .... would you still agree if we had 7days to travel you would do the above . .so Windsor day1 and 2 then head off to Cardiff for 2 days then 2 days Bath and 2 days Devon and a night at Sailsbury.

AGAIN THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I think this looks reasonable. Will throw in one wrench. I'm not wild about Cardiff and as a personal preference when on a car trip I prefer to stay in the country. As you are not now coming down from Thomas, you might swap Cardiff for the Cotswolds or just above there, in or near Warwick Castle, given castles are high on your list.

Warwick Castle is a full-scale production and for contrast, the ruins of Kenilworth Castle are nearby.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...n_Warwickshire

You could then drive down through the Cotswolds with time to stop in a few of the villages before heading to Bath. They will certainly meet your quaint village desire--not making fun, I love a day or two or more in the Cotswolds.

Near Bath is Longleat, the massive pile of the Marquess of Bath, with what I'm told is a wonderful wild animal park.

So .... would you still agree if we had 7days to travel you would do the above . .so Windsor day1 and 2 then head off to Cardiff for 2 days then 2 days Bath and 2 days Devon and a night at Sailsbury?

no, crazy, i would do Windsor - salisbury - Devon - Cardiff - Bath.

Thanks Annhig, We are going to follow your advice and plan on doing Windsor for a night and Salisbury for a night Devon for 2 nights Cardiff for 2 nights and then Bath for 2 days then London for the rest of the week(5/6nights).

Thanks again for all your help.

Next on the agenda is the drive from Paris to Barcelona. I am thinking 2nights in Sarlet and then 2 nights somewhere more South before we get into Barcelona.

Any suggestions or places to stay for this part of the journey?

hi Cathinjoetown . .just saw your post! That does look great! and yes castles are high on our list . .basically the only resin of driving out of London :)

Just a reminder - have you checked to see if your car will have air conditioning?
We have sweltered in the UK in summer when driving!

yep . . .we will have a BMW X5 . .it has aircon . .but thanks for the heads up!

plan on doing Windsor for a night and Salisbury for a night Devon for 2 nights Cardiff for 2 nights and then Bath for 2 days then London for the rest of the week(5/6nights).>>

crazy - it's a shame that you're going to have two "one night stands" in a row, but otherwise the itinerary looks fine.

hope you have a great time.

Hey Annhig . . .what do you know about Salcombe and Warickshire/Warick castle . . .we are thinking of going there instead of Cardiff??? What do you think???

STARTED A NEW THREAD WITH THE ADDED CHANGES!

crazy - Salcombe is lovely - very different to cardiff though. a gorgeous and yachty sea-side town.

Warwick Castle is a huge castle with lots to do but very commercialised.

If I were going to do it, i think I'd do this:

Windsor [one night] - Salcombe - 2 nights - North Devon - 2 nights - Bath - 2 nights - Warwick - one night.

will look out for your new thread!