maitaitom

Great report and thanks for saving us that Stonehenge money.

tower

Hail to the Prince and Princess of Pasadena:

Now that your thread is piddling out, I'll add a few thoughts and things that won't take anything away from your "final" plan. As Janis said, "final" means "as of today"...

While in CC, take a short few miles drive (can be walked on country roads if you're so inclined)to an unusual unobtrusive, almost hidden garden (we were the only visitors)..<b>Mill Dene Gardens</b> in tiny Blockely Village... it'll be quite different for you inasmuch as it is more natural than any of the manicured sites. We thought of it as one of those "best-kept-secrets" type of discovery. Our "Small Talk" B and B owner in Broadway suggested it after we had been to and enjoyed Hidcote. His word "different" was quite accurate...foot bridges, rambling stream, cricket lawn wickets and all, and lots of trained overgrowth adding to the mystique...even a swimming pool.

By the way, Broadway which is very close to CC and may be worth a quick drive through anyway...or if you decide, a short, easy hike up to the Broadway Tower (1799) is an easy and rewarding one (see pix). Red deer and rare Jacob's sheep and photo-ops everywhere!

There is a friendly pub in the heart of little B'dway...The Broadway Hotel's "Jockey's Pub", delicious creative paninis and cold beer and plenty of horse-and-rider pix. Dessert next door at pastry shop.

Two other pubs in the vicinity which may meet with your approval are The Old New Inn in Bourton-on-water. Just a few miles from Moreton-in-marsh in the little village of Great Walford, The Fox and Hounds Tavern, a gastro-pub with outstanding menu offerings...served in the cozy fireplace room. Highly recommend for dinner. Discovered it in 1980, visited again in 2008 and have sent my family and a few other friends that way. All are still talking to me.

Hopefully, my pics below will illustrate further..Never a chance that your journey will be anything but exciting, meaningful and full of fascinating adventures. Anyone who has read your TR's for these many years will agree. Go, guys, and keep on truckin'...

Stu Tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Cotswolds2008#

bardo1

<i>"Still figuring out the 6/7 nights in London. Trying to find an apartment."</i>

Looking for help? Studio? 1 BR? Neighborhood(s)? Budget? (gulp! - be prepared to see prices 1.5X to 2X compared to those in Tetbury, Salisbury, and Chipping Campden for the most central/happening areas of London)

maitaitom

Thanks tower...we still have to share a beer one of these days. I'll buy (it's the "princely" thing to do).

bardo, yes we are looking at two bedroom apartments as well as hotels. Trying to keep it at about $200, but since we are looking at South Kensington that might be impossible, so am considering a less expensive area. Have thought about trying Hotwire (just got a great deal in Vegas..but that was just for me), but don't know if I have the guts to pull the trigger on a 6-day hotel stay.

Any London hotel/apartment suggestions are also very much appreciated.

I also am pretty sure (as of 1:49 p.m. PST today) that we will have six nights London, one night Salisbury area and two nights Bath before heading off for our six nights in the Cotwolds. That way we only have a one night stay only once. Of course that could change by 1:59 p.m.

maitaitom

Great pics Stu. Are you by any chance related to Broadway Tower?

maitaitom

I meant that to be a smiley face. Enough with the emoticons!

tower

Yup..he's my much taller, handsomer and by far , my older cousin. Eifel and Leaning are my favories. London Tower is a distant uncle.

tower

Tom..you may want to try for something in Bloomsbury...I like that part of London. I last stayed at the George Hotel, which may not come up to your princely standards..but it's a cheapo for London. It's on Cartwright Circle between St. Pancras and Russell tube station and a frequent crosstown bus stop...very handy. Many places to eat and drink, three blocks fro the British Museum. I'll hunt up the web pages and post below.
stu

tower

http://www.georgehotel.com/english/index.html

seems like you can get their largest room for about 100 BPS. Quiet neighborhood, three pubs around the corner. "Dined" at all three while there. Ain't Church and State, but more than just adequate.

maitaitom

Well, we're getting there. We have booked:

Two nights in Bath at the Badminton Villa (I assume all prices are Net).
Three nights in Tetbury at The York House
Three nights in Chipping Campden at the Bramley House

All I need now is six nights in London and one night in Salisbury.

traveller1959

have a nice trip!

bardo1

Tom,

I looked at Tripadvisor - "London Vacation Rentals", "Large Map View", "2 BR" and saw just ONE South Kensington 2BR at $200USD (exactly). There were many more South Kensginton 2BR's in the $250-$300 range, however.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationR...n_England.html

There are also a few (not many) 2BR in the Bayswarter and Paddington areas for under $200.

VirginiaC

We love York and have done it as both a day trip and an overnight. York Minster is one of the most beautiful and welcoming of the great cathedrals of Britain. Walking the wall is a hoot as is meandering through the town. The railway museum is a must-see if you love trains.

As a college town, we prefer Cambridge to Oxford. The principal sights are completely walkable and a hop on/hop off bus trip that takes you out to the American cemetery at Madingley provides a great overview and--when you hop off at the cemetery--a memorable experience. For military aircraft buffs, the Duxford air museum is Mecca.

We have been staying at Oxbridge Apartments in Kensington -- just on the edge of Earls Court -- since 1994. Nothing fancy and some of the rooms can be a little depressing, but an executive one bedroom provides you with a flat screen television, semi-dependable wi-fi, decently equipped kitchen and a comfortable bed at just under $200 a night. Two supermarkets are an easy walk -- we use the Sainsbury's which has great ready to heat meals -- and the Underground is 10 minutes away. We've never found gourmet dining in the neighborhood but there are plenty of casual restaurants in multiple ethnicities.

We've never driven in Britain -- once in Ireland was enough to know we aren't suited to the opposite side of the road -- but have had no difficulty in seeing anything that really interested us by using public transport and the occasional car service.

TDudette

Hastily as I have a mission so this might be duplicate info:

If there was a light on in Big Ben tower, it meant the Parliament was session. JR and I got to see both houses one evening with no line to get in. This was pre-9/11 so i don't know if things have changed.

We loved Oxford and friends of ours loved Cambridge. I believe there's a Chihuly at the amazing Victoria and Albert Museum. Enjoyed tours to Bath and Dover (just to see white cliffs so possibly not a requirement!).

JR and I spent almost a day in Tower of London. British Museum, Museum of Art ending with a quick look at St. Martin's in the Field were great as well. In case you go to Leceister Square, it is pronounced "Lester" if you ask for directions.

I also loved Edinburgh ("edin boro") but that might be with a separate trip. More later!

Judy

We really enjoyed our stay in this London apartment (have used this agency many times in Paris)
http://www.vacationlondonapartments....apartment.html
Great location, charming outdoor deck area for cocktails and close to tube.

Judy

Oooops, sorry. Just looked at the cost which has gone up since our stay.

maitaitom

Actually, the 2-bedroom apartment could be more since the two couples are splitting, so if we got a S. Kensington apt. in the $350-400 a night range, I'd be happy. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Judy, I had looked at that apt. Loved it, but is booked the nights we will be in London.

janisj

"<i>There are also a few (not many) 2BR in the Bayswarter and Paddington areas for under $200.</i>"

Absolutely NO reason to stay in Bayswater or Paddington. And especially not w/ you very generous budget.

$350 = approx £225 and you should be able to find a lovely place for that sort of money. I'd look in these specific neighborhoods: South Kensington, Belgravia, Bloomsbury/Russell Square, Pimlico - they are all well located, are nice, and will have a good selection of reasonably priced flats. Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Covent Garden are terrific but may be harder to find something at that ££/$$

maitaitom

I found something that says it is located on "famous Bloomsbury Garden Square" that fits in our price range near the Holborn station on the Piccadilly line. I have inquired about it. Thanks.

maitaitom

..and one more that says it is in S.Kensington/Chelsea with "a view of Onslow Garden." Does not say how close it is to a Tube station, however.

OK, back to work for me. I don't want to over think the room (literally).