Lucknam Park near Bath

If you like boats and Naval history, the Maritime Museum in Portsmouth is wonderful. An easy train ride from London.

Oxford, Cambridge, somewhere in the Cotswolds (countryside around Oxford) or Bath. These sound obvious, but there's a reason why everyone goes the. Cambridge is smaller, quieter, fewer choices of restaurants and places to stay - but more charming. Definitely go by train - getting out of London in a car can take hours.

How old are kids? Hampton Court Palace, maybe.

Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa- about 2hrs outside London in the countryside. It won't disappoint you. I got married there in May 2010 and have been back since. The hotel only has approx. 13 rooms, beautiful gardens, two fantastic restaurants (both with 2 Michelin stars) and a spa that is free for hotel guest.

http://www.whatleymanor.com/

Anonymous wrote:Any advice on exceptional cathedrals to visit outside London?

Salisbury, Canterbury, York.

Any advice on exceptional cathedrals to visit outside London?

I second the Landmark Trust recommendation. The only downside with it is that the places get booked up really quickly.

The Lake District is nice if you like walking. Or you could visit the Cotswolds. Warwick castle is fun for a visit, if a little commercial.

I'd say that Cornwall is too far for one or two nights. It's quicker to get to Edinburgh on the train than it is to get to Cornwall.

Stonehenge is a must if you are intrigued by history. There is not much to see there but a very nice trip through the country,

Oxford!