I have just made reservations for the Hilton Mews for 6 nights, leaving me and my wife 7 days outside of London - presumably in and around Kent. Could I get some suggestions on lodging (for under $150 USD/night)?

Thanks.

The Rose and Crown hotel in Tonbridge is very nice and well placed for visiting Knole House and other historic spots, including Hever Castle. You could easily spend several days in that area and not run out of spots to visit.

For 7 days I'd rent a cottage instead of staying in B&Bs. A lovely Kentish farm cottage would give a lot more space, a garden, a full kitchen and a washer dryer - and probably for less money than B&B or hotels.

Check out this site http://www.gardenofenglandcottages.co.uk/

It is a wonderful holiday rental agency with cottages in all prices/sizes.

Unfortunately, the Rose and Crown seems to be unavailable. As for cottages, those listed begin on Saturday, while I need lodging for 7 nights, Sunday thru Saturday.

Another question, while I'm at it: would it make more sense to spend the first 2-3 nights in Bath, perhaps visiting Lacock and Stourhead with Bath as a base, and then moving to Kent (hitting Stonehenge enroute)?

A few cottages will allow a Sunday start and some allow any day to any day. But you are right - the vast majority run Sat-Sat. But when I am in that situation I often "eat" one night. You would still probably come out ahead. Rent Saturday to Saturday and arrive on the Sunday instead. It does mean for the first Sat night you will be paying for a B&B somewhere and the first night at the cottage. But this is not much of a penalty to have a lovely garden cottage for 6 nights . . . . .

Meant to add - that would give you time to see Bath and Stourhead on the Sat/Sunday AM and then stop at Stonehenge on Sunday afternoon before driving on to your cottage in Kent.

How nice to hear Stourhead mentioned! Not many people seem to know about that magnificent house and garden. Once down in Kent you'll of course have Sissinghurst Gardens to visit--and so many other wonderful places.

In the event that you decide not to go with the cottage have a look at www.smoothhound.co.uk for suggestions for other B&B's and hotels. Also www.theaa.com is very useful, click on travel & leisure, many B&B's and hotels here and you can get a route planner.

Sandy

Does anyone have experience with Langley Oast in Maidstone?

I've always wanted to recommend this B&B in Seven Oaks. It?s called the Old Police House (which apparently it once was) and I enjoyed myself immensely. The owners are extremely nice with great accommodations including use of their patio by the pool. We drove here from Canterbury, sightseeing in the area, and then on to Heathrow. I would stay here again in a second and just cruise around the various towns. If you have any questions, please e-mail me a [email protected]

You're planning on two of my favorite areas. May I suggest that, if you do decide to add Stourhead and Lacock, you consider staying in Bradford on Avon or even Wells instead of Bath? They are both lovely small cities, and you can visit Bath easily as part of one of your daytrips. If you're a fan of B&B's, then I heartily recommend Fern Cottage in Monkton Farleigh. Also, do try to include Corsham Court(Park? fuzzy memory) for house and gardens near Lacock. In Kent, I hope you'll be able to fit in a visit to Igtham Mote (probably misspelled)-- one of my favorites in that vicinity. J.

Thank you for the Corsham Court recommendation, jmw. I had never heard of it. I have, however, heard of Igtham Mote, and I look forward to seeing it.