The Classic Route
Seven days in the UK is enough for a beautiful England-focused trip — three nights in London, then a loop through Oxford, the Cotswolds and Bath. You'll see: two world capitals (London and the former Roman spa), England's most beautiful countryside, Harry Potter filming locations, Jane Austen country and the original Georgian architecture.
This itinerary assumes flights in and out of London. If you'd rather, you can finish in Bristol (20 min from Bath) for a cheap EasyJet flight to anywhere in Europe.
Day-by-Day Plan
Days 1-3: London
Arrive at Heathrow. Take the Elizabeth Line (fast) or Underground (cheap) to central London. Drop bags and start exploring.
- Day 1 (Westminster & Southbank): Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, walk along the Thames to the London Eye, Southbank, Borough Market for lunch, Tower Bridge + Tower of London.
- Day 2 (Museums & West End): British Museum (morning, free), walk to Covent Garden for lunch, St Paul's Cathedral, Leadenhall Market, end with a West End show (£30-70).
- Day 3 (East + North): Borough Market breakfast, walk to Shoreditch (street art, Brick Lane), afternoon in Camden, evening pub crawl in Soho.
Day 4: Oxford
Take the 9am train from London Paddington to Oxford (1 hour, £25 advance). Check into hotel. Spend the day exploring: Christ Church College (Harry Potter dining hall), Bodleian Library tour, punting on the Cherwell, rooftop of the University Church. Pub dinner at The Turf Tavern (hidden since 1381).
Days 5-6: Cotswolds
Hire a car at Oxford (£40-60/day) — the Cotswolds are impossible without one. Drive 40 minutes to Chipping Campden (honey-stone base village). Over 2 days explore: Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Castle Combe, Broadway Tower, Stow-on-the-Wold markets, traditional pubs (The Lygon Arms, Slaughters Country Inn).
Day 7: Bath
Drive 1 hour to Bath. Return the hire car at the station. Morning: Roman Baths (£28, book ahead) + Pump Room café. Afternoon: walk the Royal Crescent + Circus (Georgian masterpieces), Thermae Spa Rooftop Pool (£42, book ahead) if you want to bathe. Evening: train back to London (1h30, £25) for next-day flight, OR fly out of Bristol Airport.
How to Get Around
Option 1: Train + car hire for Cotswolds
- London to Oxford: 1 hr train from Paddington (£25 advance)
- Oxford to Cotswolds: Hire car (£40-60/day) — essential for villages
- Cotswolds to Bath: 1 hr drive
- Bath to London: 1h30 train (£25 advance) or Bath to Bristol Airport (20 min)
Option 2: Organised tour
- Multi-day Cotswolds/Bath coach tours from London: £200-400 per person
- Day trips from London to Stonehenge + Bath: £100-120
- Operators: GetYourGuide, Viator, Rabbie's Tours (small group)
Option 3: Full drive
- Hire car from Heathrow: day 1
- Drive to London Heathrow hotel, use Underground for London
- Cheaper over 7 days but London parking is a nightmare (£30+/day)
Budget & Costs
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | £350-560 | £700-1,400 | £2,000-4,000 |
| Food & drinks | £200-300 | £400-600 | £700-1,500 |
| Transport | £150-220 | £200-350 | £400-800 |
| Attractions | £80-140 | £150-250 | £300-600 |
| Hire car (3 days) | £0 (tours) | £120-200 | £250-400 |
| TOTAL (1 person) | £780-1,220 | £1,470-2,600 | £3,650-7,300 |
Flights not included. Flights from North America: $400-900 return. From Europe: £80-300 return. From Asia: $700-1,500 return.
What to Skip
- Hop-on hop-off bus in London — expensive and slow; Tube + walking is faster
- Madame Tussauds — tourist trap (£40), British Museum is free and way better
- Windsor Castle in 1 day — 30 min from London but adds rushed travel day
- Scotland or Wales in 1 week — impossible to do justice; save for a longer trip
- Salisbury just for Stonehenge — do it as a day trip or add Bath-Stonehenge-London triangle