Mrs jacknyoc and I are spending a week in London next April (late April). We've added four more days to the end of the trip (Fri to Tues) for a diversion trip somewhere. We have to be back to LHR on Tuesday afternoon for a 15:15 flight back to the US. We've been to London but nowhere else in the UK.

We are interested in historic sites, beautiful countryside, interesting towns, interesting places to see and stay, the typical list one sees in all of these questions. We would prefer sticking with trains (rather than flying somewhere...unless it's a really good suggestion)...and easy access back to LHR for the return flight.

We had been thinking the Cotswolds. Possibly a stop-over in Bath; maybe not. We had planned to take the train from London, pick up a rental car either in Oxford or Bath, tour the Cotswolds for a few days, drop the car off and stay the last night in Oxford where we would to see the sights a bit, and then take the OxExpress coach from there to LHR. That has been out initial thought.

However, again, not being that familir with the UK, despite reading various books/articles, and knowing those of you who are active on this site always seem to have really good idea, I thought I would toss this question out there to see what interesting input you had about other options.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.