Newbury to London

We stayed in Newbury and traveled to/from London, but it was several years ago so train schedules will surely have changed. I remember that some routes involved changing trains in Reading, which you'd want to avoid since you'll have your luggage. Rome2Rio shows trains every hour from Newbury to London Paddington, where you change to a Heathrow train running every 15 minutes.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Newbury/London-Heathrow-Airport-LHR#r/Train

It's also showing a towncar service called Jayride that's much less expensive than a taxi and faster than the train. This might be preferable for you with your luggage.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Newbury/London-Heathrow-Airport-LHR#r/Towncar/s/0

Congratulations, BTW, on being able to book Highclere! We would have loved to do that, but the opening dates (let alone available slots that weren't already booked up) didn't work for us. Be aware that Highclere is south of the town, not right near the train station. However, the train station is on the high street where there are multiple restaurants and shops.

We stayed at the Hare & Hounds, which is west of the town center. It was very nice and affordable, but I read awhile ago that it has closed, unfortunately.

epltd- Thanks for your suggestions. You have been very helpful. When I originally booked this trip for 2020, I had reservations to stay at the Hare & Hound. Since they are closed, I found a room at Carnarvon Arms (it's a little over a mile from Highclere Castle). I'm not too concerned about changing trains with luggage - I'll be traveling light with a rolling backpack. This is my first time traveling internationally, and I am just concerned about the time frame. I want to make sure that I allow myself enough time since I'm a newbie at this.

Stacie, I'm glad you found a hotel convenient to Highclere. The schedule shown on Rome2Rio seems to indicate you would have adequate time to take a Monday morning train and arrive at Heathrow the recommended interval (is it 3 hours?) before your 5 PM flight would board. (I always go by the boarding start time rather than the takeoff time because I don't like the stress of cutting it close.)

Naturally check the actual National Rail site for scheduling and be aware you save a lot by buying your ticket in advance.

You could always keep the phone number of the towncar service handy in case of some snafu with the railway.

You might like to know that there is a dedicated and direct RailAir bus between Reading railway station and Heathrow Central bus station/terminal 5, the route has run for many years and well established, journey time approx 45 minutes.

Reading railway station has been completely updated and extended, easy to navigate and a major transport hub.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/railair

Dennis.Loline- Thanks so much for the bus information. That's exactly what I'm looking for. It seems to cut out a bit of unnecessary travel by taking me directly to Heathrow from Reading.

I knew I could count on helpful advice from the travel forum.