My husband and I will be in London May 26-June 1. We would like to visit Great Dixter in Northiam one day. I've researched the transportation options and it seems doable by Train, Bus, and Taxi. But when I add up the costs/time/convenience, it seems like it may make more sense to rent a car for the day. Does anyone have any tips for a 1 day car rental, picking up & returning in London? We are staying in Holborn, so hoping to be able to pick up and return to a convenient location near our hotel. Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
I wouldn't hire a car in central London. Take a train to Tunbridge Wells or Gatwick Airport and hire a car from there.
Posted by
Preston UK
1232 posts
I agree with rambling' on. It would be crazy to hire a car in central London. Straightaway you would be liable for a £15 congestion charge fee just to get out of the centre. Then you would have an age slowly getting out of London's southern suburbs (and coming back in later). Against that you could be at Gatwick in around 30 minutes by train - just walk to either Farringdon or City Thameslink stations for a Thameslink train. From there it would be a bit over an hour to Great Dixter. And you could easily add a visit to Sissinghurst to your day.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33994 posts
100 percent agree with the above,
don't mess with the congestion charge, or the new and thrilling 20 mph limits on many roads. Train out then car,
By the way, in Central London, the 20 mph limit doesn't get tested much. The average speed was measured not too long ago at just over 4 mph, the same as in the 1600s.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles
5 posts
Thank you for the replies, I hadn't considered congestion fees, etc. This is very helpful, although I'm now feeling apprehensive about driving in the UK. I'm hoping we can pre-arrange a taxi to take us from the train station nearest to Dixter. If anyone has any suggestions about how to get a list of local drivers I'd be most appreciative.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8135 posts
The nearest (by a fair few miles) station is Robertsbridge on the Hastings line south of Tunbridge Wells. The big local taxi firm for the area is Cleggy's Taxi- https://cleggytaxi.co.uk/book-now/
Otherwise you are looking at the major stations at Ashford (21 miles) and Tunbridge Wells (23 miles) . Both are big towns and have ranks at their stations. I would just turn up at those two, take the first off the rank, then arrange a pick up time with the driver.
Rye is closer, but that makes no sense as you have to go through Ashford or Hastings to get there.
Trains to Robertsbridge go from Charing Cross hourly- so close to Holborn. They take 1:20 to get there.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles
5 posts
isn31c Thank you for those tips and the name of Cleggy's. Much appreciated!!!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33994 posts
I wonder if Cleggy used to sell lino for the Coop in Yorkshire.....??