London Travel Forum

We are travelling to the UK for the first time this summer. I know we are probably trying to do waaaaay too much, but any suggestions to optimize time will be appreciated:

July 5
Arrive LGW and depart for BTH by train
Tour bath

July 6
Guided tour of Stonehenge, Lacock, Castle Combe/Cotswald

July 7
Train from BTH to DAT (where we have a cabin cruiser reserved)
Probably take train back to VIC that afternoon
Walk past Tower Bridge, Big Ben, etc.
Planning on visiting Vinopolis that evening

July 8
Tour of British Museum
Westminster Abbey
Jack the Ripper walking tour that night

July 9
Depart DAT for SAV by train
Tour of SAV/walk around

July 10
Warwick castle
Tickets purchased for Shakespeare play at Globe

July 11
Depart SAV to LHR by car service
LHR to DUB to start next leg of journey.

We are not looking to do any of the real touristy places in London proper (Harrods, Piccadilly Circus, the Eye, etc.). Thanks for any suggestions

I assume DAT is Datchet?

Most of what you have written looks ok, if tiring, although how much you actually see of Bath (i.e. go inside buildings) will depend on what time you arrive at Heathrow.

It looks as if you are staying at Stratford on Avon for a couple of nights? The last train from London (Euston) leaves at 19:33, unless you want an overnight journey with lots of waiting around, so I think (I hope) you have booked tickets for the Swan (or the Courtyard) at Stratford rather than the Globe in London?

Whilst you are in Warwick take some time to wander round the town itself, and especially to go into St Mary's church. It has some wonderful late Medieval tombs/chantries/wall-paintings etc.

http://www.stmaryswarwick.org.uk/index.php?/stmarys/history_architecture/

My Warwick pages also have info.

www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times and fares.

Wow.
Looks like you are going to spend more time on trains and looking at stations than the sights of England!

From Gatwick to Bath is quite a schlep for a start. I presume you'll be getting in early from an overnight flight? You might want to buy a rail pass in advance: http://www.acprailnet.com/britrailbook which will save you queuing up for tickets - the Gatwick train station is always a zoo. The quickest way will be to get a train from Gatwick to Reading and then on to Bath - try not to go via London.

It seems a bit odd that you're going out to Bath, then back to London, then out to Stratford, then back to London. It would make better use of your time if you did Bath, Stratford, Warwick at the same time and then came in to London. It's much easier (and cheaper) to get to LHR from Datchet. Also, trains from Datchet to Waterloo (not Victoria) take about an hour and only run every 30 minutes http://nationalrail.co.uk/: check the time of the last train!

And yes definitely don't go to Harrods!

Sarah

Yes, we are arriving at GAT around 8:00am and plan on catching a 9am train that should get us to bath in about 2 hours. We ended up running the loop the way we did as we are with two other couples and they did not want to go to Bath (*sigh*). Also, we have a free cabin cruiser for the week at Datchet (again, would have preferred to be closer to London) - but since I really only want to see the British Museum and the big sights, didn't really think that was a problem (the other two couples are doing a lot of the big sights with some friends in London). What about Vinopolis? Has anyone been there?

You may not get the 9.03 or 9.05 train if you are not arriving until 8am. You are unlikely to be out of immigration/baggage reclaim/customs before 9 at the very, very earliest. You may be lucky, but best not to book tickets in advance. The next train is at 10:03.

Before you buy a railpass do check train prices on www.nationalrail.co.uk It might be worth it, it might not, but the cost does warrant you checking.

Haven't been to Vinopolis, sorry.

I am curious to know what travel company you are using for your "Guided tour of Stonehenge, Lacock, Castle Combe/Cotswald". I am very interested in going on a tour like that while my husband and I are in London this summer.

Thanks!

The tour group we are using in the Bath area is Mad Max Tours (no fear, Max is their dog's name).

http://visitbath.co.uk/site/tours/mad-max-tours-p50331

They were recommended by Rick Steves and also several of the Bath residents I spoke to. Very reasonable £27.50/person.

Vinopolis is excellent - see my restaurant tips :D
If you're just going for dinner it's reasonably good value, but the wine tasting tours are fun and not too expensive.
An alternative just for dinner, close to Waterloo for your train home, and with wonderful views over the river might be the Brasserie at the Oxo Tower?
http://www.harveynichols.com/output/Page128.asp
NNB if you do go, be sure to book the Brasserie, NOT the Restaurant unless you want to spend a very large amount of money! Brasserie has the same views, a good cocktail bar and the food is cheaper. Not cheap, of course, as this is London ... sigh

Sarah

Vinopolis is OK, but rather overpriced in my opinion. It is built under the arches of a railway line crossing the Thames. So there is no sort of view but the vault gives it atmosphere. You might also consider the Pont de la Tour restaurant overlooking Tower Bridge. A favourite with Prime Ministers and Presidents.

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/81061/Le_Pont_De_La_Tour