Visit to Bath and Windsor Castle
 

Would like to visit the town of Bath and Windsor Castle on the same day trip. Really don't want to visit Stonehenge. Tube, bus, tour or other. Tried to get a tour, but all included Stonehenge. Should we just do one? Bath sounds quite intriguing.

Thanks,

Larry

I do not know your overall time-frame, but Bath has much to offer. IMO one day is not enough. A skim through as part of a day trip that includes other sites is, unfortunately, how many people experience the city - it is how I first saw Bath as part of a Stonehenge/Bath package. That experience only served to have me resolve to return to Bath at a later date and spend several days, which I did a few months ago - and, I still want to return to see more.

Bath is absolutely lovely and there is a lot to see. IMO, there's no way you can do justice to Bath if you're trying to cram in Windsor on the same day.

Not sure why you'd want to sign up for a tour. Both destinations are an easy trip from London and easy to explore on one's own.

Not really doable if you actually want to see much. (BTW - the Tube isn't relevant - that is only for London and neither Windsor or Bath are in London)

Bath is 90 minutes from London by train, and Bath to Windsor is about 1:45. If you left London at 0800 (and paid a premium because the trip is during the morning commute), you get to Bath after 0930 and would have to leave the town by 2 PM to have ANY time in Windsor. 4+ hours just isn't very long in Bath. Don't know when your trip is, but last entry to Windsor Castle is 3Pm in the winter and 4PM in the summer.

One way to actually make it work and not lose much London time is to take an late afternoon train to Bath and walk around seeing the 'non-opening-hours' sites that night. Stay over and visit the Baths (2 hours minimum) and any other things that interest you, catch a 1PM-ish train to Windsor arriving about 2:45. Spend the late afternoon dashing through the Castle (another 2 hours minimum) and then in to London after dinner.

Windsor is about 20 minutes from Heathrow so you could visit it when arriving / departing the UK.

Is there much to do or see in Windsor besides the castle. We have never been.

To Jhstubbs - the castle is the main attraction and there is a lot to see there but there is also the town which is right next door to the castle. There are loads of shops and places to eat and it's mostly pedestrianised so you don't need to worry about cars running you over. There are no eating places in Windsor Castle so they will give you a pass-out if you ask before leaving so you can go across to the town and eat, then show your pass and go back into the castle to finish looking around.

There is also The Long Walk which is what it says and starts just outside the castle walls and has nice views looking back to the castle. Windsor Great Park is a huge park in the area too.

Eton, the famous boys school founded in 1440, is just across the river, about a 10 min walk and worth seeing as well but as it's a school there are strict rules about when you can go in. Details are on their website. If you cross the river from Windsor towards Eton, there is a path which follows the river with views back to the castle.

Kay

If you decide to overnight in Bath, there is the free Mayor's walk every (?) morning that lasts about 2 hours and will give you an excellent orientation tour covering much of the city and some background on its history, etc.

I live about 20 minutes from Windsor and have taken visiting relatives both to Windsor as well as Bath frequently.
As others said, it's not really possible to do both in one day so if that's all the time you have to spend, I would decide one or the other based on your priorities.

Windsor is easily visited in one day and Bath can be visited in one day if you get an early start and decide what is most important to see. Hard to decide but IMPO, I prefer Bath as it is a much prettier town and I just enjoy walking around (it is a very well preserved Georgian/Regency period town) plus I think the Roman Baths are really interesting. With that said, Windsor Castle is quite impressive and my family spends a ton of time in Great Windsor park on weekends just walking around.

Assuming you are coming from London, I would take the train to either as both Windsor and Bath have train stations conveniently located within walking of all attractions.

bookmarking

WOULD BE NICE TO DO WINDSOR ONE DAY AND BATH ANOTHER BUT WHEN YOU DONT HAVE TIME..YOU DO WHAT U CAN

I ALSO WANT TO DO WINDSOR IN THE MORNING TO WATCH THE CHANGE OF GUARD AT 1100 AND THEN BATH (ROMAN BATHS OPEN UNTIL 5PM)

I HAVE STUDIED THE TRAIN SCHEDULES AND THE TRAIN BETWEEN BATH AND WINDSOR TAKES TIME AND 2 CHANGES

ANYONE SUGGESTING ANOTHER MEANS OF DOING THOSE 2 IN ONE DAY???

THE TOURS DO 3 THINGS ADDING STONEHEDGE WHICH I AM NOT INTERESTED INT THE LEAST

QUESTION..
IF I VISIT WARWICK CASTLE THE PREVIOUS DAY...WHICH IS WORTH SEEING?? BATH OR WINDSOR???

AWAIT COMMENTS..THANK YOU!!

ALAN ROW..good idea..I leave to heathrow Monday like 2pm could tghen do Windsor before leaving to Heathrow!!

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

doloresmercado: Welcome to Fodors -- see the 'Post a New Topic' pull down menu? Click that and start a new thread of your own (hopefully without the ALL CAPS ;) )

This thread is six years old and you need folks to see your questions. I fear you are trying to squeeze in too much in too little time - and all day trip to Warwick followed by an all day trip to Bath.

To do Windsor and Bath in one day (but it will still be very rushed since IMHO Bath deserves a whole day) just rent a car - so you're not stuck with trains that don;t go from A to B.

And agree that you can do Windso rin the am - but will not make a 2pm transatlantic flight since they will probably want you at the airport by 11 am - but do check with your airline.

Dolores,
You have topped a 6 year old thread, but to answer your question.

Bath is one of the most worth while places to see that I have been. From the history, to the Georgian architecture to the Abby to the Roman Baths, the whole town is beautiful and beautifully situated on a river. I stayed four nights and would like to go back.

Under no circumstances would I try to combine it with anything else in one day.

HI Sassafrass,,thank you..advice taken...will do Bath Friday May 27 on my own..and Saturday or Sunday depending on the day Cambiaso (polo) plays will do Windsor.. and maybe Monday morning try to walk to nottinghill...
thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!! next time will check forum dates :) :)

To do Windsor and Bath in one day (but it will still be very rushed since IMHO Bath deserves a whole day) just rent a car - so you're not stuck with trains that don;t go from A to B.>

Cars would be slower perhaps - parking in Windsor can be a challenge - at least near the castle area and trains to Bath-Spa are amongst the fastest in England - over 100 mph - faster than you'd want to drive a car and again parking takes time and cars are useless once in Windsor or Bath.

Plus time spent picking up and returning your car - no forget about cars if wanting to do it the same day - trains for Windsor and Bath. For info on trains check www.nationalrail.co.uk - look for discounted tickets if you are sure of your times - also check www.seat61.com for lots of info.

Doloresm - if you get to Bath early enough take the Mayor's walking tour. I believe it begins at 10 AM and lasts two hours. It's free and gives a great overview of the city and its history. Sorry you can only spend a day. Bath is worth more than that with lots to see.

Second Basingstoke2's suggestion about the Mayor's free walking tour in Bath. Often I remember little of a guided tour and think I have wasted time I could have used better on my own, but not this tour. It was very informative and memorable.

Hi guys...thank you !! will do that Mayor's free walking!
I am spending one week in London..next time hope to come
for more days!

will check seat61!.
.I have already been checking the train and one included a free hop on hop off which I might not need as I am used to walk for hours

Thanks again..so wonderful all this info you get in this site!

cheers