dotheboyshall

< I used google maps and it gives the following driving times: >

Don't, use something like the AA or RAC routeplanner. Google Maps is notoriously optimistic.

< Chesterfield North >

No such place, there's Chesterfield, for which I would assume 4 hours to Cardiff. But why on earth are you staying there which is on the wrong side of the Pennines for Cardiff when you could have driven an hour towards Cardiff instead.

janisj

>>for which I would assume 4 hours to Cardiff. <<

We were posting at exactly the same time . . . and w/ exactly the same info

I tend to use the AA website -- but still need to add about 25% to 30-ish%

ribeirasacra

I have lived in Reading, about 30 mins drive awy from Heathrow. I worked in Bath. That trip took me 2.75 to 3 hours. Yes in peak time but you are doing the same. Then there is a possibility of an independent like an accident, bad weather etc off of which is going to add time to that journey.
I had a parking place in Bath so parking was reserved. I knew which back roads to take when Bath ground to a virtual halt. I expect that things have changed over the many years since I done this commute. I do not think things have got any better.
I would also advise you to revise your plans.
Also I would like to add; please do not "do" Bath for a few hours. It is not a box to be ticked.

worldtraveler26

If I change my hotel where is somewhere I could stay halfway between Lyme Park (Disley, Stockport) and Cardiff? I got frustrated previously because most hotels require a two night minimum stay where I was looking. I think at this point I may have to visit back another trip or maybe take a day trip from London. And just to clarify we are not catching a flight out of the airport we are simply returning the rental car and staying in London.

janisj

>> I think at this point I may have to visit back another trip or maybe take a day trip from London. <<

Please clarify -- Possibly visit <i>where/what</i> on another trip or as a day trip from London?? Lyme Park, or Cardiff, or Bath or Stonehenge or what?

Why not lay out your itinerary for us and we can give more useful advice (I suspect you may be overly optimistic how much territory you can cover)

ribeirasacra

for accommodation look on Booking.com You can always find something to suit your price and location.

worldtraveler26

Just Bath and Stonehenge. Cardiff is in the itinerary no matter what and we are still seeing Lyme Park the day before.

janisj

Do you mean you may leave Bath and Stonehenge for another time?

If so, drive from Chesterfield to Cardiff/Dr Who. Then drop the car and take the train from Cardiff to London either that evening or the next morning.

If that's not what you mean, trying to fit in Lyme Park, Dr Who, Bath and Stonehenge in two days just isn't feasible . . .

annhig

I used google maps and it gives the following driving times:
Manchester to Lyme Park Cheshire is 30 minutes
Our hotel is 1 hr from Lyme Park in Chesterfield North
The next morning we drive from Chesterfield North to Cardiff which is 3 1/2 hours (we are leaving at 7 am to arrive at Dr. Who Museum between 10:30-11)
Dr. Who Museum website says it takes about 2 hours to tour
At this point we may not have time for both Bath and Stonehenge but we will see how things go. Bath is under an hour from the museum. We are also traveling on a weekend so we shouldn't hit rush hour traffic like we would during the week. The end of September is not exactly peak travel time for tourists. Who knows when we'll make it back to England so while the itinerary may be crazy we'll see how much we can do >>

lol. just lol.

now back to the real world.

drop Bath and Stonehenge, stay closer to Cardiff, [of course you can get a hotel for just one night at end September] drop the car in Cardiff and get the train to London.

or - shorten your stay in London by one day and drive from Cardiff to Bath, stay the night, drop the car off at Bath station, and get the train to London.