6 people (3 adults,3 kids around 10 years). Plan to fly into LHR spend 3 nights in London and want to travel to Bath for 3 nights then return to a hotel near LHR for last night before flight home.
I would prefer train to Bath and rent a car there to self guide for those days then return car and, train back to London. I can’t find a vehicle large enough to accommodate 6 in Bath area. Should I rent car at LHR and drive to Bath use it 4 days in bath area and return? Train to Oxford, rent car return to Oxford and train back to London? While in Bath we plan to tour Cotswolds, Oxford, Blenheim palace, Stonehenge and enjoy rural England. Does this sound reasonable ? I feel very flummoxed by the transportation in UK.
Posted by
1698 posts
Have you looked on AutoEurope for a sizeable car/van and have you looked into Reading to pick it up?
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36420 posts
or Bristol.
Cars in Oxford don't work well - Oxford parking is awful and very expensive if you find any, and you need a paid permit from the city to drive there. There is a complete closure of the Botley Road next to Oxford station, where the rental companies are, making getting into or out of that part of Oxford very difficult.
Posted by
Preston UK
1799 posts
Or Swindon. Not exactly a tourist destination but it does have quick trains from London, car hire offices close to the station and it's not far to Bath.
If you do hire a car before or in Bath make sure that you get accommodation that has parking available.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11291 posts
With regards to the size of car I am looking at the Enterprise website, to rent in Bath, today.
What you want, in UK terminology, is a Full sized People Carrier, or even arguably a large People Carrier. For a Bath to Bath 24 hour hire I'm being quoted £164 for the day.
The large and full sized are in essence the same price.
One way rental to somewhere else will add on a little bit more, but longer period should be less per day.
That is merely an indicative idea of what you want, you may find better value.
Posted by
278 posts
When last we tried something like this, we picked up our car at Bristol Airport. I would find it hard to believe that you couldn’t find an appropriate vehicle there. I’m not advocating that you drive such a large vehicle, however. The roads are narrow and driving on the left is very stressful if you are familiar. Travel safely.