First time sailing from Southampton and 5 days post cruise

After a lot of input on this and various threads and the realization that we don't have as much time as I hoped here is my plan.

 

From Heathrow go to Southampton overnight before cruise.

After cruise take train from Southampton to Bath. Spend 3 nights in Bath.

From Bath take train to London staying in Paddington area.

 

Any thought? Hotels? Things that are must sees or does? We will be on cruise Apr 24-May4.

 

Thanks Karen

It really depends on your interests, and for hotels what your budget is.

Bath:full of Georgian architecture, the Roman baths, the hot water spa. Bristol with Brunel's suspension bridge and his ship the SS Great Britain is a short train journey away.

Personally if it was my first trip to Britain I'd spend more time in London.

Do yourself a huge favor and go to Windsor Castle, it is wonderful! It is one of the oldest and beautifully maintained, and has been in constant use for over 700 years. St Georges Chapel there is the burial place of Henry VIII, his great Grandfather Edward IV, his notorious wife Elizabeth Woodville and many others.

Windsor is down is down near Southampton not far from Stonehendge, and Salisbury. By all means rent a car the countryside if beautiful.

Hope that helps, Anne

Do yourself a huge favor and go to Windsor Castle, it is wonderful! It is one of the oldest and beautifully maintained, and has been in constant use for over 700 years. St Georges Chapel there is the burial place of Henry VIII, his great Grandfather Edward IV, his notorious wife Elizabeth Woodville and many others.

Windsor is down is down near Southampton not far from Stonehendge, and Salisbury. By all means rent a car the countryside if beautiful.

 

Hope that helps, Anne

I agree Anne, but your geography is a bit out. Windsor is about 60 miles from Southampton. ;)

But close to Heathrow. :)

So an excellent option pre-cruise, since the OP is flying into Heathrow the day before sailing. Then can either stay the night at a Heathrow hotel or, because of baggage, incorporate into a private transfer to a Southampton hotel though it would be expensive adding to the transfer the little detour & 2 hours or more waiting time in Windsor.

JB :)

After a lot of input on this and various threads and the realization that we don't have as much time as I hoped here is my plan.

 

From Heathrow go to Southampton overnight before cruise.

After cruise take train from Southampton to Bath. Spend 3 nights in Bath.

From Bath take train to London staying in Paddington area.

 

Any thought? Hotels? Things that are must sees or does? We will be on cruise Apr 24-May4.

 

Thanks Karen

Bath is my favourite place in England followed by Cambridge. Both easy to do by train or car from Southampton. The sky walk in bath is recommended and Dyrham park just outside bath. Grantchester and the backs in cambridge.

Both cities have a bit of everything IMO...

History and art - assembly rooms and spa in bath

Fantastic architecture - colleges in cambridge, circle in bath

Beautiful countryside in walking distance

Great foodie scene (cambridge has come on leaps and bounds recently)

Oldie real ale pubs

Relaxation (aqua spa on bath, river and punting in cambridge)

Great shopping !

There is enough to keep you occupied for 5 days

Just throwing in Winchester - very near and easily accessible by train.