janisj

Just looked at Guyers House' website an it looks lovely. It isn't in the center of the village but is still walking distance to 3 or 4 pubs plus restaurants and shops. My guess is they have availability is because they do a big wedding business and large weddings are still prohibited in the UK so bookings are probably down. If it fits in your budget, IMO it would be a better location than Alderton.

annhig

<<But what's almost unheard of is for there to be two pubs with the same bit of the code before the last two letters (XX99.9).The whole point of pub names is to distinguish one from another, so no-one in the past 500 years will have chosen the same name for their pub as one on the other side of the road. OTOH, it's not at all rare for there to be two pubs with very similar names in the "XX99" bit, because references to long-standing local landowning families frequently inspire pub names, and the "xx99" bit can (as mine does) easily cover spaces with a 5 or even 10 mile radius. If anyone wants to be precise (and I plan political leaflet distributions as a hobby) they talk about the area before those last two letters: XX99.9>>

Flanner - this set me off thinking about two pubs in our area, both with the same name, just 3 miles apart. As you suggest though the first part of the post code is the same, the second part is different. Still very confusing though, if you don't know enough to know that there are two of them and have the wit to ask which one is being referred to.

<<Excellent, all I have is my limited perspective & I was hoping someone would come along to correct me if needed. Thank you. Maybe the general suggestion still applies, though, a postcode will get her into close proximity more often than a village name alone. I'm pretty sure that much is true! Cheers.>>

Yes, Mme P - the postcode will usually get you to close proximity though in the case of us and our neighbours, not close enough - when we used to let out our barn to holiday makers, despite our unique house name, explicit instructions, and clear directions [often left at home to the great chagrin of my DH who had written them] they would not only arrive chez our neighbours but start to unload their car before checking they were in the right place.

Adelya

Thanks janisj, we ended up booking The Quarrymans Arms in Corsham for the first two nights, and left Manor Farm in Alderton for the other 2 nights; it got good reviews, so hopefully will be happy with our stay

janisj

That'l work -- the two places are less then 10 miles/20 mins apart. The only possible hiccup is that after checking out of The Quarryman's Arms in the morning, you'll have your bags in the car all day while touring around/walking/whatever until checking in at Manor Farm in the afternoon/early evening. Cold be tough finding secure places to park - just something to consider.

bilboburgler

If you really panic about leaving the luggage in the car you could pay a taxi to deliver it for you.

Adelya

Oh, that would've not crossed my mind, the places out there being not safe to leave stuff. I guess it also depends on what we will be doing that day: park in one place and walk around all day or explore by car. Maybe then it makes sense to plan our trip to Bath that day; leaving a car in the city might be safer? Or not logical?

chartley

Thefts from cars can happen anywhere, but as a local I have to say it is not something that we worry about on a day to day basis. Take sensible precautions. Don't leave anything visible which is valuable. Don't leave in the car things like passport, phone, cards or money, where losing them could be costly, in terms of value or inconvenience. The last time my car was broken into was 30 years ago, and the theft was observed by office workers within a few feet.

bilboburgler

Yes it is pretty unlikely, but it would be irritating, still you might bet to meet Inspector Barnaby.

MmePerdu

The obvious solution, since it's been pointed out how close the 2nd accommodation is, drop the bags off there. I've never been told I couldn't leave luggage before a later check-in time. Confirm with them that you can but I'd be surprised if they said no.

janisj

I agree absolutely -- but a small B&B often is not be able to do that. Unlike a hotel it's a 2 or 3 person operation at most and once the morning check out / breakfast clean up is finished, they leave to do the shopping, errands, school run, etc. That's why they usually ask for a heads up when one expects to arrive -- so as to be home in time. Manor Farm has only 3 rooms so while it is a large house, it is a small B&B. They likely can hold your bags but just don't assume so. Contact them well in advance to make sure.

MmePerdu

For B&Bs in the UK, especially in areas like the Cotswolds where people go to walk, leaving bags before check-in & after checkout is routine. I've left my bag at small places for a week or longer while on a long walk & luggage delivery services also deliver & pickup bags for leaving/arriving walking guests. So, again, I'd be very surprised if they can't accommodate yours for several hours. Yes, as I said, do confirm.

Edit to add: It occurs to me that the other solution is to leave your bags at the 1st location until you can pick them up for check-in at the 2nd. It would be bad luck indeed to book 2 B&Bs both of whom would say "no." You'll be in good shape, no luggage in your car, either way.

janisj

" I've left my bag at small places for a week or longer while on a long walk & luggage delivery services also deliver & pickup bags for leaving/arriving walking guests. "

Understood -- I've done the same multiple times in the UK. My point was its not necessarily possible the morning/midday one would be checking in later. Unless the owner/landlady/landlord was definitely going to be at home then. Many B&Bs do not have someone on site all day long and family members are coming and going doing regular 'stuff', and guests are given a key to the front door. Once one's foot is in the door so to speak, then sure they will find a place to hold luggage. Just getting that foot in the door is the issue.

MmePerdu

Why are we going round & round on this? With 2 possibilities, one will surely accommodate their luggage. An email will confirm which (or both) in short order. I prefer to start with a solution when there is one, not overly complex reasons why not.

Check out time at the 1st is (approximately) checkout time at the 2nd. Buzz over with the luggage. Checkin time at the 2nd is (approximately) checkin time at the 1st. Someone will be at both places at both those times. As they say, not rocket science.

Adelya

Thank you guys! I was thinking that too, to leave bags at the first place or drop them off at the second; it makes sense. As you suggested, I'm going to make inquiries beforehand to make sure. Worst case scenario, as chartley suggested, will carry the valuables with us. Somehow, I'm not too worried about it. The part that stresses me out - planning and bookings - are done, so I'm happy 😄 Will create a rough daily itinerary - the places to visit, and then should be all set, yay! And I'm assuming one should be ready for ANY kind of weather, so will pack with that in mind 😁

chartley

This is a late addition to the discussion which I think may be helpful. The Cleveland Bridge in Bath, which is one of the major bridges across the River Avon, is currently closed for repair, and this is reportedly causing major congestion. The road most affected will be the A4, which is the road into Bath from the east, that is the road from Box. There is no simple alternative, and it would be just as bad if you decided to travel by bus rather than car.

If you decide to go into Bath, it would be better to do so when you are staying at Alderton, although this might not fit in with your plans. From Alderton, you would be coming at Bath from the north and it would be best to drive to the Lansdowne Park & Ride, leave your car there, and take the bus into Bath. There are buses every 15 minutes and the car pak itself is free. Parking in Bath is both hard to find and expensive, especially if you are staying all day. The people at the Manor House at Alderton will be able to give you details.

annhig

<<Yes it is pretty unlikely, but it would be irritating, still you might bet to meet Inspector Barnaby.>>

Sadly Bilbo, for a common or garden car theft you'd be more likely to meet PC Plod.

bilboburgler

True, but one can dream.

Adelya

Thank you for this information chartley!