There is so much to see in the Bath area. Following are two suggested itineraries:

1. You are in King Arthur's country; at least according to the English (the Scots claim Arthur as their own hero). Head southwest from Hunstrete House Hotel this morning to the ruins of ghostly Glastonbury Abbey. Visited on a misty day, with fog clinging to the trees, one feels as if the year is 500 AD. But history here precedes King Arthur. Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea came to Glastonbury in 60 AD to convert the heathen Brits to Christianity. He carried with him the cup in which he had blood from Christ's open wounds on the Cross. This cup became known in Arthurian legend as the Holy Grail. The famous Glastonbury Thorn tree is supposed to have sprung from Joseph's staff. Though King Arthur and Queen, Guinevere's tombs were removed by monks in the 12th century but their souls still haunt this hallowed ground. Glastonbury Abbey is opened daily and the museums within the abbey grounds are closed on Mondays and Sundays in the winter months.

Nearby is Cadbury Hill and Cadbury "Castle", an ancient hill fort that was excavated in the 1960's and, lo and behold, the archaeologists discovered massive remains of a post-Roman fortification. The dating, 5th-6th century, fits perfectly into Arthurian legend. Was this Camelot? Quite possibly.

Directions from Hunstrete House Hotel to Glastonbury Abbey. Turn right out of the drive and proceed 100 yards to the A368. Turn right onto the A368 for l.6 miles to the Chelwood roundabout. Take the first left off the roundabout onto the A37. After about 4 miles, pickup the A39 south through Wells to Glastonbury. Driving time from Hunstrete House; 20-30 minutes.

Directions to Cadbury Castle. 12 miles from Glastonbury, Cadbury Castle sits beside South Cadbury, down a small road which leaves the A303 at Chapel Cross, l.5 miles east of Sparkford. The road passes through the South Cadbury village and, a short distance beyond the church, comes to the foot of the only path up the hill. This is marked by a notice-board. There is a small parking space, and a much larger one farther on. The path climbs gently to a gate in a wall, and then more steeply through the woods, till it emerges in the enclosure on top. After rain it is apt to be muddy and slippery.

By now you are ready for lunch. You can return on the A39 to the lovely town of Wells with its magnificent cathedral as centerpiece or pass Wells and take a drive up the A371 to Cheddar (yes, the cheese derives its name from this town), about 8 miles from Wells. Sample yummy cheeses at the Chewton Cheese Dairy, (7 miles east on the B3135 and opened Monday-Wednesday and Saturday) or stop in town.

Continue to the B3135 and follow this road to the right through the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge. Cheddar Gorge is Britain's answer to the Grand Canyon. Though totally different and not quite as awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon, this drive winds through the bottom of a prehistoric, canyon with giant, limestone cliffs towering overhead. There are great walking/hiking trails and two caves, Gough and Cox caves that offer fantastic trips deep within the bowels of the Mendip Hills. You may even want to reverse your day and take a picnic lunch, which Hunstrete House Hotel can provide for you, and enjoy a brilliant, morning hike in Cheddar Gorge, instead. In Wells, the Town Hall in Market Place has information about the Gorge as does the information center in Cheddar.

Directions from the Gorge to Hunstrete House: Either stay on the B3135 back to the A37 and north to Hunstrete, or wander some of the roads through the hills eventually following signs to the A37. From the A37, exit at the Chelwood roundabout onto the A368. After approximately l.6 miles take a left where signposted "Hunstrete".

2. If you need to get back to the sea, an alternate plan today would be to visit the port city of Bristol. Bristol has something for almost everyone. It has been a seaport town since the dawn of seafaring life in Britain. Unfortunately, it was also a modern port and was heavily bombed during World War II. The port was moved closer to the open sea after the bombings so Bristol no longer services commercial shipping but it has become a delightful town full of activity and bursting with maritime history.

*The Floating Harbour has a carnival-like atmosphere with pleasure craft docked at the wharf and water sports at the western end of the harbour. There are shops and restaurants along the wharf that offer a welcome cup of coffee on a brisk morning.

* The S.S. Great Britain, was the world's first large, iron passenger ship and was launched in 1843 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is being restored and is a must-see for maritime aficionados.

* Be sure to stop in the Maritime Heritage Centre nearby for more details on the birth of modern shipbuilding.

* The old city centers around King Street with its lovely, historic buildings, the Corn Exchange and covered market. Consider a walking tour of this part of town. You can sign up at the Tourist Information Centers.

* The National Lifeboat Museum and the Industrial Museum are both worthwhile stops.

* The steep lane called the Christmas Steps is lined with shops, crowned at the top by the Chapel of the Three Kings, established in 1504.

* There is a zoo, gardens, and Cabot Tower on the top of Brandon Hill for awesome views over the city.

* Just west of town is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel for which Mr. Brunel receives the credit. Take the Avon Gorge road if possible to the suburb of Clifton and you have the best views of the bridge

Directions from Hunstrete to Bristol: Turn right out of the drive and proceed 100 yards to the A368. Turn right onto the A368 for l.6 miles to the Chelwood roundabout. At the roundabout, take the A37 heading towards Bristol, then the A4 to Bristol to the historic port. It is an 11 mile drive. If you have time after your visit to Bristol, head north to one of the most interesting, privately owned castles in Britain. Berkeley Castle has been home to the Berkeley family for over 800 years. Yes, this is the same family who's name graces the University of California, Berkeley, and also Berkeley Plantation in Tidewater Virginia. This castle has everything one would hope for: King Edward II was murdered here, there is a gruesome dungeon, the kitchens look as they did hundreds of years ago and the state rooms are magnificent. There are fabulous paintings, glorious antique furniture, and best of all, the castle even looks like a castle. The grounds are superb and worth a visit, also.

Directions from Bristol to Berkeley. Go north from Bristol on the A38. Exit on the B4066 west to Berkeley.

Directions from Berkeley to Hunstrete. Return to the A38, then to the M4 heading east to Bristol. Then exit to the A32 and down to the A37, exiting at the Chelwood roundabout onto the A368. After l.6 miles, turn left where signposted "Hunstrete."