U.K. and Ireland - Travelling to London - want to stay in a castle

Planning a trip for the family next year - 7 to 9 nights in London. We are going to be mostly in the city, spending around 1 day doing stone henge. Mrs. Falco would like to "stay in a castle" for 1 or 2 nights. Any ideas on where we could find something like this?

Really, Stonehenge is rubbish, really NOT worth doing on its own as a day trip from London because of the distance. It IS worth a visit if you also go to Bath.

Have a look at this for a few 'living in a castle' type ideas:
http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/holidaysinhistoricbuildings?gclid=CN60zoHbn7ACFVMe tAod7SpHYg

Cliveden, which is just outside London, is also worth a look and possibly exactly what your wife is after.

Planning a trip for the family next year - 7 to 9 nights in London. We are going to be mostly in the city, spending around 1 day doing stone henge. Mrs. Falco would like to "stay in a castle" for 1 or 2 nights. Any ideas on where we could find something like this?

Not on the "castle" problem, but do drive through Avebury on your way to Stonehenge, its bigger and you can get up and touch the stones, have lunch at the pub and wander around the village.
Try Bath Lodge castle,Thornbury Castle for accommodation

Really, Stonehenge is rubbish, .

perhaps there is a less sweeping way to manage expectations?

I think Stonehenge is worth seeing because of what it is. HOWEVER, it's certainly not a lengthy visit and I think many are disappointed by not being able to see the stones up close.

I'd also recommend a visit to Salisbury Cathedral - and, of course, a chance to see the Magna Carta!

:)

perhaps there is a less sweeping way to manage expectations?

No. It would be a 10 hour drive round trip from London, and when you get there are not even allowed very close. And it is surrounded by major roads. It is about 1 per cent of the fun of going to Bath or York for a day trip, although if you do 1 night in Bath you can easily drive up to Stonehenge as well.

No. It would be a 10 hour drive round trip from London, and when you get there are not even allowed very close. And it is surrounded by major roads. It is about 1 per cent of the fun of going to Bath or York for a day trip, although if you do 1 night in Bath you can easily drive up to Stonehenge as well.

10?! It's an just over an hour from Heathrow, 2.5 hours from Central London. An hour at the stones and you have 6 hours maximum.

I do think Stonehenge is worth seeing as part of a bigger day trip taking in Salisbury and/or Avebury, Bath, Winchester.

Is it really that close to Heathrow? I only ever went when living in Bath so don't really have an image of the route from London.

Still wouldn't do it without doing Bath as well though!

Is it really that close to Heathrow? I only ever went when living in Bath so don't really have an image of the route from London.

Still wouldn't do it without doing Bath as well though!

Depending on traffic, it's not too bad of a drive...Google maps lists it as 72.9 miles from Hounslow (LHR) to Stonehenge...

I think Stonehenge is worth seeing because of what it is. HOWEVER, it's certainly not a lengthy visit and I think many are disappointed by not being able to see the stones up close.


+1 I went to Stonehenge a couple years back, expecting a better tour and museum site. It was rather very disappointing, just a small walking tour to have better view of the stones (closer but not that close). There is no museum either. But, I think it's worth visiting because it's famous.

I did a London-Stonehedge-Bath trip during a 5 day London trip. I highly recommend Bath, it has some nice Roman ruins and one can go to the top of the Abbey as well.

Is it really that close to Heathrow? I only ever went when living in Bath so don't really have an image of the route from London.

Still wouldn't do it without doing Bath as well though!

from T5 straight onto M4, down to Newbury, A34 to A303 voila

I suppose it depends what the OP wants to see, if its stone buildings, the bath and shops then Bath is probably where its at, if its the Archaeological perspective then Salisbury, Stonehenge, Avebury would be suitable

Would a palace do? The Landmark Trust has two apartments that it rents at Hampton Court Palace. They are in high demand, however, and the typical minimum rental is 3 weekend or 4 midweek nights, although exceptions are occasionally made.

http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/

It's really neat to wander the grounds that Henry VIII wandered late at night, when there are no tourists around. My guess is this is the closest you can come to staying at a royal residence without being an official state visitor.

I stayed at Leeds castle for 3 nights which is an awesome castle to hang out in.

I went with a small group from The Sun* and don't know if it is possible to stay as an individual, you could maybe call and ask, tell them you and your wife wish to have a board level meeting with each other.

Pavarotti stayed there before me so it definitely wasn't a fluke.

*For those that don't know, The Sun is a highly respected British daily newspaper with insightful comment and thorough journalism of the highest integrity. It is the font of knowledge for plumbers, scaffolders and hairdressers the length and breadth of the Kingdom.

You could look at Amberley Castle (http://www.amberleycastle.co.uk/). Haven't stayed there personally, but I'm a big fan of the area.

It does come with a hefty price tag, though...

We are going to Stonehenge as it is on the bucket list. I know that you cannot touch the stones and it may be a disappointment for some. we are looking to find other activities in the area... another henge we can touch, other historic sites to see, etc...

I was trying to give a sense of our geography for the trip - mostly in London and a little west of London.

Thanks for the Landmark Trust site, it is very useful - any recommendations within 2 hours of london / stonehenge?

We are going to Stonehenge as it is on the bucket list. I know that you cannot touch the stones and it may be a disappointment for some. we are looking to find other activities in the area... another henge we can touch, other historic sites to see, etc...

I was trying to give a sense of our geography for the trip - mostly in London and a little west of London.

Thanks for the Landmark Trust site, it is very useful - any recommendations within 2 hours of london / stonehenge?

Avebury for the stones to walk right up to and touch, its kind of symbolic of the way we do historical sites, one pub, one souvenir shop, an antique shop and a church!
Salisbury Cathederal
Imber village on salisbury plain (look up to see if its open when you want to go)
Bath, as others have suggested
Devizes, Lock staircase, canal, old streets, Museum for local stuff
Marlborough, old high street, shops, polly tea rooms (expensive)
Sherbourne
Blanford forum
Windsor castle
Longleat house and safari park type of thing
Winchester
Call in visit me!

Check the dates for the Summer Solstice Closure hours if travelling to the Henges 19-22 June

Depending on traffic, it's not too bad of a drive...Google maps lists it as 72.9 miles from Hounslow (LHR) to Stonehenge...

I can do Avis LHR to Andover in 50mins if the traffic is OK. Stonehenge is 10miles on, so another 15 minutes. M25, M3, A303 is very easy.

We are going to Stonehenge as it is on the bucket list. I know that you cannot touch the stones and it may be a disappointment for some. we are looking to find other activities in the area... another henge we can touch, other historic sites to see, etc...

I was trying to give a sense of our geography for the trip - mostly in London and a little west of London.

Thanks for the Landmark Trust site, it is very useful - any recommendations within 2 hours of london / stonehenge?

Your options are only limited by your own desire to see English countryside, beautiful villages, cathedrals etc

There are some awesome full day trips from London. London Winchester Stonehenge London- London New Forest (Beaulieu Motor Museum/Lyndhurst/Brockenhurst) Salisbury Stonehenge London.

Personally I'd try not to miss Salisbury. Not castles but there are also some amazing hotels down in that part of the world set in manor houses. Such as this one http://www.careysmanor.com/ and this one http://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/rhinefieldhouse

Really it is spectacular if you plan it out right. I took a Chilean friend on that sort of route when she wanted to see stonehenge and it she was so bowled over by it that she wouldn't stop crying for 2 days

Devizes, Lock staircase, canal, old streets, Museum for local stuffAnd don't miss the monument right in the middle of town, dedicated to the little old lady who denied stealing stuff with a "May God strike me dead if I'm lying" - type of bluster ... and then promptly keeled over dead. :)

....Thanks for the Landmark Trust site, it is very useful - any recommendations within 2 hours of london / stonehenge?

Hampton Court is the only Landmark Trust property I've personally stayed in around London, but each property has something unique to offer.

I've stayed or visited Landmark Trust properties in England, Lundy Island (which is "sort of" England), the USA, and Italy, and enjoyed all of them -- remember they are mid-range self-catering facilities, not luxury hotels.

We are going to Stonehenge as it is on the bucket list. I know that you cannot touch the stones and it may be a disappointment for some. we are looking to find other activities in the area... another henge we can touch, other historic sites to see, etc...

I was trying to give a sense of our geography for the trip - mostly in London and a little west of London.

Thanks for the Landmark Trust site, it is very useful - any recommendations within 2 hours of london / stonehenge?Stonehenge is clearly not "rubbish" as suggested, but as a tourist site it does have drawbacks most notably not being able to get close. If you manage expectations to avoid disappointment it's definitely worth seeing.

Same thing with the "castle". Don't expect a magnificent edifice like you see in photos (Conwy, Warwick etc.) as most of these offering accommodation are way up North. Check out Thornbury (http://www.historic-uk.com/PropertySearch/Thornbury-Castle-Thornbury/) as it is in the same general area (stretching it a bit!).

Thornberry Castle

Stonehenge is clearly not "rubbish" as suggested, ).

now "Foam henge" in KY that was funny

Stonehenge is clearly not "rubbish" as suggested, but as a tourist site it does have drawbacks most notably not being able to get close.
Actually you can (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/stone-circle-access/)

A misty autumn morning is best for atmosphere but an evening visit means you can catch a train back to London afterwards so you don't have an overnight stay. Some of the tour companies also offer it.

Actually you can (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/stone-circle-access/)Maybe.We currently have limited availability in May, and, we are fully booked throughout June and July. We also have limited availability throughout August and September.:eek:

I enjoyed a visit to Stonehenge. You may not be able to touch the stones, and it may be like a tourist production line, but you are still in the presence of something very special. There are so many other wonderful things to see in the area, so the journey from London is well worth it.

I have stayed at Langrish House near Petersfield, an interesting manor house built on vaults dug during the civil war. Not a castle, but the kind of accommodation that you do not find very often.

Winchester Great Hall and Cathedral are worth a look. Lacock Village and Abbey near Bath are also interesting. The Cotswolds, to the north of Bath, is a very scenic area with numerous picturesque villages.

Your difficulty will be culling your list to the things that best fit your own particular interests. Have a wonderful trip.