I've been spending the better part of a month trimming down excessive day trip itineraries for this spring. However, I am stuck on the one below . Please advise as where and why you'd cut from this excessively loaded day's schedule. A variety of knowing perspectives would be much appreciated. We have National Trust (NT) and English Heritage( EH) active memberships as well. Please note we cannot fit anything omitted on two alternate days' schedule, as they're in other directions. All theoretical stops are presented in circular drive order of appearance:

Coxley drive base Early start for Stourhead Nat Trust/ Bruton/ Wincanton/ TintinhullHse Nat Trust/ / *MontacuteHseNT / Stokes-sub-Hamden Priory NatTrust / Martock / Ilminster / Muchelney /*Langport/ Somerton return to Coxley base (91.5 mi about 3 hours drive)

Its still not clear where you are getting your drive times. The loop you describe is about a 4 hour loop plus the various stops. I actually don't think it is possible because by the time you've visited Stourhead (2 or 3 hours) Tintinhull Garden (at least an hour), and Montacute House (about a 1.5 hour visit) + the drive time + lunch the other properties near to closing time.

If you just do Stourhead, Tintinhull, and Montacute that would be close to a 3 hour drive so with the stops and lunch . . . there is your day.

What have you not got from the information on this thread?

janis--the consensus estimates are for drive item only--not including stops' time.

janis--thanks for getting the ball rolling on how to trim. I'll consider the ideas carefully once hopefully hearing from a few further locals on their ideas

>>janis--the consensus estimates are for drive item only--not including stops' time.<<

You've used that word in other posts . . . 'consensus' between whom? Some of your drive times on various posts are very optimistic. When I say that drive will take about 4 hours -- that is drive time only - not counting any stops.

I'm curious where are you getting your drive time estimates? If from on-line calculators like googlemap, michelin, or AA - you generally have to add between 25% and 50+% to all of them.

I used to live and work in the area so do I still count? If so you are still rushing things.

I have to agree. Perhaps your travel style is different to mine but in many years of touring round the UK, especially the South of England, I would be hard pressed to fit in more than two "stately homes" in a day, unless they are very small. Even with an early start [what time does Stourhead open? no point getting there early to find it all shut] it's definitely going to take at least 2 hours as it involves quite a lot of walking, and Montacute is also quite extensive. As for Tintinhull I've not been and I suppose if they have a cafe you could combine a visit there with lunch, though the pub at Stourhead is excellent so that would be my choice for an early lunch [assuming you stop to eat].

Langport is a place where we've stopped many times as it has a car park which was very convenient for the public toilets when we were en route from Kent to North Devon when our kids were small, but I don't see that as necessarily a recommendation for the average tourist who happens to be in the area. Nice bakery there as well, and a pub with ok food, but not a lot else, unless I've missed it. [quite possible] As for the other places you list, they are essentially places you drive past rather than stopping at, or decide to visit because you are driving past and don't have anything better to do. [someone will now tell me that all those times we drove past Muchelney Abbey we missed a gem, but c'est la vie].

hope this helps.

ribe--Certainly for me all "familiar" voiced counts; from, from across the pond, locals meant those broadly nearby or somehow knowing, which obviously would include yourself. My thanks go out to all who attempt to help, and I've been working hard to trim here and there as we both concur it's clearly needed.

ann-I've got a bunch of your notes from various threads factored here and there. Your latest response joins the list and your precise ideas for here or there are most appreciated as quite useful.