opinion on Leeds/Dover/Canterbury vs. cotswold

[CJcruzer]

We will be 7 nights in London - 2 of the days we want to do Windsor Castle and Hampton Court on our own. Would like to take in Buckingham Palace tour (August) and St. Paul's Cathedral - so I have about 2 other days (this is our second trip to London) and my options are:

Stonehenge & Bath OR
Leeds Castle/Dover, Canterbury OR
Cotswold

I only have 2 days to spare for these three options.

I was leaning towards Leeds Castle/Canterbury/Dover (with a tour) and Bath (with or without Stonehenge included.

Any advice appreciated.

[debsjc]

You could maybe combine Windsor Castle and Hampton Court into 1 day, depending on how much of the interiors you want to see, how you are travelling, and if you like long days.

Of all the options my favourite is the Cotswolds, as I love the pretty villages, but it's personal choice really.

[Lbackwith]

Originally Posted by CJcruzer

We will be 7 nights in London - 2 of the days we want to do Windsor Castle and Hampton Court on our own. Would like to take in Buckingham Palace tour (August) and St. Paul's Cathedral - so I have about 2 other days (this is our second trip to London) and my options are:

Stonehenge & Bath OR
Leeds Castle/Dover, Canterbury OR
Cotswold

I only have 2 days to spare for these three options.

I was leaning towards Leeds Castle/Canterbury/Dover (with a tour) and Bath (with or without Stonehenge included.

Any advice appreciated.

If you love olde-world cities then Canterbury is lovely, lots of history and character, beautiful Tudor period buildings incl the impressive cathedral. http://www.flickr.com/photos/theducks/2232968497/

Bath is a Roman city, equally lovely but no Tudor style buildings, lot of Roman excavations and remnants of Roman times, http://www.flickr.com/photos/shapourbahrami/1429855758/

I hope both the picture links will hellp you decide, which you prefer....

If you are going to see Windsor Castle, then you do not need to see Leeds Castle, there is much more to walk around in terms of Windsor as a destination for a day or 1/2 day trip

IMHO, Stonehenge is fascinating but it is literally in the middle of no-where and when all's said and done, it is a group of stones that you walk around and a few boards that you read before you get to the stones. I took some US friends there just a few weeks ago, and they would probably agree with me... (and the only reason I took them there, is because they asked to go there, we went to Salisbury too on that same day)

The Cotswolds are very pretty, but like Bath, it is a long way to go from London, and you would need to visit a few of the small villages to really get a flavour of them all so you would need to do tours to get there.

Bath and Canterbury, both give you the option of doing them yourselves as you can get the train from central London easily to both these destinations.

If you are from overseas and have seen Roman towns before and been to places like Rome, then my suggestion would be to go to Canterbury as you will not see buildings like that again.

Get the riverboat from Central London to go to Hampton Court - it takes a while but is very pretty along the way. I think you can book then boat and entrance ticket as a package.

Hope that helps in a round-about way! Happy Planning.

p/s I haven't mentioned Dover as I personally would not go out of my way to travel there for the day to sightsee, as there are much nicer places around!

Linda

[TLCOhio]

We have loved the Cotswolds from a couple of previous visits. Several of the posters have made excellent points and offered some key points to consider. Lots there to see and enjoy. Bath is nice, but maybe less charming to certain English historic periods, if that is what you are seeking.

In the summer of 2008, we enjoyed southern England around the charming town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. This town has been attracting visitors for 400 years, centered on the Chalybeate Spring with many interesting boutiques and antique shops, open-air cafés, bars and restaurants around a covered colonnaded walkway known as the Pantiles. Nearby are such places that we visited in our five days there as Hever Castle, the birth home of Anne Boleyn; Bodiam Castle, Churchill's country home of Chartwell, Ightam Mote, The Knowle and Sissinghurst (Garden designed by Vita Sackville West), Ruyard Kipling's country home, the coast town of Rye, etc. Lots to see and enjoy in this area. Below are some pictures from the area that we enjoyed before starting our cruise from Dover.

Tell us more on exactly what you are seeking to see, do and enjoy in England. Then we can offer more specific suggestions and ideas.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[dentonview]

Hi, as a Brit, would DEFINITELY avoid Dover Not a tourist destination by any stretch of the imagination. Leeds Castle worth a visit but think as your time is so short maybe give it a miss. Canterbury do-able in half-day from London. You'd see the fab cathedral and the quaint buildings. We love the Cotswolds - really pretty villages - but you would need a car and guide. Also it's a long way and so would be very pricey. Probably too much to do in a day. We love Bath.... very classy stubbing Georgian architecture and Roman history - fascinating. Also good for shopping. You might be also able to fit in Stonehenge if you hired a car and were prepared for a long day. Stonehenge might be a bit of a surprise - in a fleld, by a main road!!! BUT think how old it is. Happy holiday!!

[lovealaska]

We had a FANTASTIC guide in the Costwolds, Charlie whom we booked through Sincerely Paul Concierge. Charlie is a blue badge guide, which means he has a wealth of knowledge, to say the least. He was fun, warm, and a delightful man to spend a day with. He picked us up at our apartment in London and took us to several darling towns in the Cotswolds as well as Warwick Castle, which we had requested. Beyond what we knew we'd like to see, our favorites of the day were things we didn't know about before Charlie started making recommendations. He took us to a pub called the Eagle and Child for lunch which was terrific. He showed us a wonderful church in Bibury, etc. I'd book a day with him anytime and will do so if we get back to London! By the way, the Blue Badge guides are trained to guide regarding anything IN London as well as a day's drive outside of London. Their training is amazing.

[John Bull]

Hi

I have to agree broadly with the sentiments of previous posters. I'd be inclined to keep Windsor to a full day, perhaps ditto for Hampton Court.

As for Stonehenge - thank God for schoolkids & Americans, I frequently drive both groups there. And occasionally enthusiasts at 7am for private viewings. Few Brits can be bothered, and I can't see what all the fuss is about - though to be fair lots of Americans enjoy it.The visitor amenities recently came top in a poll - for the worst visitor facilities of a major UK attraction.

I'd make it Bath for the full day - much cheaper (just take the train) & more relaxed, quite a bit to see & very compact.

Cotswolds - you need a car, & you really need a driver - ideally a driver/guide. So it'll be a long & expensive day. Include Stratford-on-Avon, mebbe Warwick Castle if you don't do Leeds Castle, Shipston-on-the-Stour, Bourton-on-the-Water, Blenheim Palace, Oxford. And do as much as possible by secondary roads & lanes.

Canterbury/Leeds Castle/Dover. Canterbury is quaint & interesting, Leeds Castle is picture-postcard perfect, but Dover? The castle overlooking the town is interesting, the town itself is exceptionally interesting - if you like 18-wheelers.
I'm guessing you could cover Canterbury by train, or Canterbury/Leeds Castle on a tour coach, which would be way cheaper than a private tour.

Sorry, Terry, but I rate Royal Tunbridge Wells worth no more than a peek & a coffee if you're passing.

So my vote is for Bath plus Cotswolds or Canterbury.

Have a great cruise

John Bull

[handfordr]

I would say the Leeds/Canterbury/Dover option is the short straw of the ones you are considering. When they say 'Dover' they really mean a short stop on top of the White Cliffs of Dover and a glimpse of Dover Castle out of the coach window. Dover is a run down port. Leeds Castle is a bit of a dud too for the standard 90 minute coach tour visit. And unless you're really into Cathedrals, Canterbury on top of St Georges at Windsor, St Paul's and I daresay Westminster Abbey in London ...

As above Cotswolds is a great place, but not doing in a Coach Tour. The big coaches can only go the the tourist traps like Bourton and the inevitable mass market 'Cream Tea' in Disney authentic suroundings. If you like the Cotswolds and don't fancy hiring a car, get a train from London to Oxford and go on a small group minibus tour with Cotswold Roaming from Oxford.
If using public tranport is too adventurous for you Anderson Tours in London do a 'Cotswold Connections tour', but in a 16 seat minibus so you can get to the villages and country lanes the big coaches can't. (Though this like so many from London feels obliged to spend a chunk of your time visiting Oxford)

Personally I would opt for Bath as a day return on the train from London, getting back really late. If you get an early train you can get the 'Mayor's free walking tour' mid morning from outside the Roman Baths at Bath, its 2 hours and in my opinion far superior to any of the commercial alternatives. There are 2 minibus tour operators Mad Max and Scapa Tours at Bath. Both do afternoon trips to Stonehenge, Mad Max also does trips to Castle Coombe, in my opinion a far superior Cotswold village to the more commercial ones further north and Lacock.
Personally I'm a great fan of Stonehenge, but it is divisive. If you just turn up waiting to be entertained, you'll probably shrug your shoulders and wonder what all the fuss is about. If you've a good guide or perhaps read up on Stonehenge/Neolithics it should be a highlight.
Attractions like the Roman Baths @ Bath are open into the evening so you can have dinner at Bath a late train back to London before midnight. If you're into Cathedrals, Bath Abbey is worthwhile and next door to the Roman Baths.

[Moonglow]

I love the Cotswolds and the beautiful towns and villages. Also, not too far away is Warwick Castle which I also loved. It covers all the things you think a castle should have.

Windsor Castle is also well worth seeing especially for all the treasures inside. As an American, we don't have the long history of England nor all the treasures that go with it.

Dover is not really a tourist town and to see the White Cliffs of Dover you really have to be out to sea or in the air.

Bath is a nice city with the Roman Baths and pretty architecture but, Stone Henge is a bust unless you are really into Druids. (Just my opinion)

For me it would be The Cotswolds, Warwick Castle and Windsor Castle.

Carol

[handfordr]

Regards 'Castles' you obviously have quite a choice easly reached from London.
Windsor Castle is more a palace cloaked with Castle walls and a keep and is a nice contrast to Hampton Court, a 'proper' Palace aspiring to something like Versailles.

The Tower of London in the heart of London should not be overlooked as one of the best Normam Castles from all aspects.
Warwick Castle is one of the most complete castles with a great position and grounds but is run as a semi-theme park aimed at kids and is very commercialised (its owned by the same people who run Madame Tussauds). The only 'serious' aspect is the Great Hall.
Dover Castle is a complete Castle and has interesting other aspects including the wartime tunnels, but coach tours from London havn't the time to visit it so its really best done independently by rail, perhaps twinned with Canterbury (on the rail and bus routes to Dover) from London.
Leeds Castle looks picture perfect in the promotional pictures, but it is very small. Some people grumble with the amount of walking, 20 minutes from the entrance to the Castle itself for instance. Its really a day out, low key theme park and the expensive tickets are really aimed at families who stay the whole day and enjoy the parkland, vines, golf course, falcon displays and such like you wouldn't normally associate with it being marketed as a Castle.
If you can get a private driver and want to get off the tourist track and see sime nice countryside my favourite castle day out would be combining Hever and Bodiam Castles, perhaps combining with Winston Churchill's Chartwell, all the 3 in the nicest part of Kent, 'the Garden of England'

[lord of the seas]

Originally Posted by handfordr

If you can get a private driver and want to get off the tourist track and see sime nice countryside my favourite castle day out would be combining Hever and Bodiam Castles, perhaps combining with Winston Churchill's Chartwell, all the 3 in the nicest part of Kent, 'the Garden of England'

Nearly right,Bodiam Castle is in East Sussex.

In Kent there are also Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst Castle,both with wonderful gardens.

[TLCOhio]

Originally Posted by John Bull

HiSorry, Terry, but I rate Royal Tunbridge Wells worth no more than a peek & a coffee if you're passing. John Bull

I mentioned Royal Tunbridge Wells as only a "base" from which to see other places and sites such as Churchill's country home, Hever and Bodiam Castles, Sissinghurst, Ruyard Kipling's home, town of Rye, Seven Oaks, etc. Lots of great, wonderful places to see and visit in England, especially if the weather is nice and you like history. What's best? It depends on personal interests and what fits into your travel plan/flow. Below are a few samplings of what we enjoyed last summer.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


Gardens at Great Dixter House




Sissinghurst Gardens




Bodiam Castle




Seven Oaks