Car rental in London or Oxford?

I think that is a great plan. As for insurance, I always purchase the full amount. My experience is that when you rent a car in the UK they really know where every ding on the car is located prior to your rental. And as someone who is not used to driving on the left, I find that at the very least I bump the tires on the curb or rub against the hedges all in an effort to stay, left, left, left. Others may act differently.

Pam

I have always rented at the airport and it is not necessary to drive in the city... just have a plan to get on the freeway immediately. I always rent an automatic, even though I drive a manual here at home... it is just one thing I do not want to worry about over there. I think you have a better chance of securing an automatic at the airport. Just pay attention and stay in the slow lane for a while.... it will come naturally before you know it. Your own GPS from home will be a great help loaded with the maps for GB

We recently returned a rental car to Heathrow having driven from Naunton in the Cotswolds. Picked up the M4 which brings you to car rental area which is on outskirts of Heathrow. It was surprisingly easy and quite painless until we had to try to find a petrol station to fill up before returning our vehicle.. After two laps of the rental complex we gave up in absolute frustration. How hard can it be?. We had navigated our way for 3,000 miles through the UK!!!!

I would hire a car from Robinson Goss in Bourton-on-the-Water, their website is robgos.com, phone number 011-44-1608 66 33 22. You can take the train from Paddington Station to Moreton-in-Marsh, then taxi to Bourton-on-the-Water.

These are really helpful suggestions - thank you, everyone!

Please read the relevant sections of the Highway Code before you drive in the UK, you may think it's like driving in the U.S. (if that's where you're from) but just on the other side of the road......It's not:

http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the-official-highway-code-with-annexes-uk-en-12-04.pdf

All of the major car hire companies in Oxford have offices along the Botley Road on the western approach to the city and the same side as the railway station. Avis is marginally the nearest. As per their slogan Enterprise will meet you. These locations are fortunate as negotiating Oxford by car is not the easiest place.

as negotiating Oxford by car is not the easiest place

above statement registered as candidate for understatement of the year

If you are flying into LHR you can easily pick up your car there. We have done this multiple times to drive to Cotswolds. We usually prefer Europcar but last time (a month ago) used Hertz which is well situated for exiting LHR area and heading to Cotswolds. Last trip we were headed to Burford for our first night and as we skirted around Oxford we felt fortunate we were not driving within the city--looked a bit busy.

So it sounds as though the consensus is to NOT drive in Oxford. Perhaps we can pick up the car after exploring there? Thank you also for the link to driving rules in the UK!

Two years ago we did what you are doing. Took train from London to Oxford and picked up a car there for our time in the Cotswolds. Entrance too highway just down the road from care rental place, did not have to drive in Oxford proper. Rented an automatic with GPS. It was a breeze.

An potential alternative now for picking up cars in South Oxfordshire is Didcot where Enterprise has recently opened an office just about within sight of the station. Bit further south but maybe an even gentler few miles to get you going.

If you're stopping off at Didcot to collect your car, note that there is also one of Britain's best railway museums adjoining the station.

We have used Enterprise in Oxford numerous times - it's nice because they will bring the car to you. You do have to drive them back to their office but it's a nice way to pick their brain about driving rules and etiquette! Highly recommend!

Thanks, everyone! These are great tips - sounds like using Enterprise, and getting an automatic with GPS is the way we'll try to go! :)