This self-guided tour of the Bath area, Cotswolds and South of England includes stops at pretty villages, seaside ports, romantic hotels, grand estates, several of civilization's most magnificent cathedrals and history, everywhere. Here are the counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire.

Human imprints from the dawn of mankind can be found on the vast chalk downs of the Salisbury Plain while Stonehenge stands as a monument to early man's ingenuity and intelligence. King Arthur and his noble knights still haunt Glastonbury Tor where once there was a Camelot. The stylish city of Winchester once served as the capitol of ancient England, long before William of Normandy invaded and changed the face of this island nation, forever. Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds are synonymous. Gloucestershire is the Cotswolds, the ancient wool producing land of Britain with storybook villages snuggled in steep valleys and wealthy medieval market towns that prospered on the cloth trade, which reached far beyond the English Channel. The grand city of Bath dates back well over 2,000 years with its Roman baths competing for attention with 18th century writers, artists and aristocracy. Throughout this land, all of it an easy drive from London, is a part of England that any true anglophile would find irresistible, green hedged Roman roads, pretty villages, ancient stones, classical gardens and glorious estates. What better place to start your tour of Britain?

To begin your journey, head south from London to your first night's hotel, Esseborne Manor. The Manor is located on the A343 midway between Newbury and Andover, 1 1/2 to 2 hours drive from London and its airports.

Accommodation

Esseborne Manor Hurstbourne Tarrant Andover, Hampshire www. esseborn-manor.co.uk email: esseborne@aol.com In'tl Tel: +44 1264 736444 U.K. Tel: (0)1264 736444

Esseborne Manor is a delightful, small hotel with just fifteen rooms, several of them in separate cottages behind the hotel. This is a romantic, cozy hotel with fragrant gardens, croquet lawn, tennis court, nearby lanes for walking or jogging, outstanding food and best of all, and peace and quiet. It is unpretentious but the attention to detail is obvious. Rooms are painted in soft colors, chairs sink deep and let you settle in for a good read or a short snooze and the staff is unobtrusively there to help you at a moment's notice.

Directions from London or London Heathrow to Esseborne Manor: Take the M4. Exit the M4 at Junction 13 turning left on the A34 to Newbury. Continue on the A34, past Newbury and turn off onto the A343, sign posted Highclere. Esseborne Manor is 7 miles down the road on the left.

Directions from London Gatwick to Esseborne Manor: Take the M23, M25 west and M3. Exit the M3 at Junction 8 and take the A303, then onto the A3093 to Andover. At Tesco Roundabout just before entering Andover Town take the 3rd exit sign posted Newbury A343. Esseborne Manor is 7 miles down this road (1 mile north of Hurstbourne Tarrant) on the right.

Settle in for a peaceful night's sleep at Esseborne Manor. Our first day's sightseeing takes us to Winchester, a 20-25 minute drive away.