Hi there,
We will be visiting with friends who will drive us from portsmouth to stonehenge, bath and perhaps cotswolds (thinking of castle combe and lacock) and would like to know is it possible to do this as a day trip? maybe just visit castle combe and lacock also because it's nearby to Bath. If this is too rush, is there a budget place to stay if we can't make it back to portsmouth?
thanks in advance for your help.
It's possible, but a lot to do in one day. The 'main road' from Southampton to Bath is slow and winding - so the travelling alone will take a while. Then a bit depends what you want to do in Bath. Traffic/parking etc can eat into precious time - so either decide in advance what you want to see (Pump Rooms? Abbey? Hogarth Museum? Lovely old streets?) as you can spend ages wandering.
Castle Comb and Lacock are both quaint and worth visiting.
As for budget places to stay - I'd take a list of Travelodges etc with you, as you could be anywhere along this route. Or look for a B and B - there's plenty around (though I'd avoid the middle of Castle Combe and Lacock as they will be pricey). I'd stay over if you can, make it a 2-day trip, and take your time. It's a lovely part of the country.
Hi jomcarroll, thanks so much for your valuable feedback. I am not sure either what to do in Bath. Perhaps the roman bath, royal circus, abbey and lovely streets as you said? Not so much into museum. Is Chippenham a not so pricey place to stay? I guess Bath would be pricey too.
Many thanks!
I love the back streets in Bath - if you're going for the first time, I'd take an oped-topped, hop-on, hop off bus, to get a feel for the place - you can get off at the Royal Circus and sit about pretending you're in posh frocks for an hour and then pick up the next one, and it gives a good overview of the city. The abbey is fascinating, and the Roman baths. The pump rooms - expensive, just for a cup of tea.
Accommodation very pricey in Bath - much cheaper in Chippenham - but there's not much to do once you've eaten in the evening beyond sitting in a bar. If you can run to a night in Bath, there is often something good on at the theatre.
Enjoy the trip - it's a great part of the country,
Is it possible to extend this trip to two days? Because you already have too much for one day, but it would be such a shame to miss out on seeing Avebury which many people prefer to Stonehenge.
It was built around the same time as Stonehenge and features not only a stone circle (depleted, but still there) but a mile-long(?) avenue of stones leading up to up, an entirely man-made hill (Silbury Hill) and an excavted long-barrow.
Not sure if it's on your direct route, but it would be very close.
yeah thanks..i am trying to search for budget bnb or hostel around the area, most accommodation near bath, lacock and castle combe is quite pricey, wish me luck..:)
Try this [http://www.bugeurope.com/destinations/avebury.html] for accommodation near Avebury - and other places onyour route.
YHA - Hostels at Salisbury and Bath. Cholderton near Stonehenge as starters yha.org.uk
http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/ may only be limited use in this instance but always a good planning tool for Britain.
R
