To Highclere and Stonehenge (from London) by car

Posted by stephaniecobb01 on 03/02/17 01:35 AM

Along with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I will be visiting Highclere Castle and Stonehenge this upcoming August. I'd like to take the train to some town outside of London, pick up a car, and get a room/apartment for two nights in the area of Highclere and/or Stonehenge. My question is this: How far do I need to get outside of London to find a decent town in which to get a car AND be outside of city traffic. It would be really convenient to find a train station with a car rental place in it.

Thanks!
~Stephanie

Posted by Anita

Long Beach, California, USA

03/02/17 04:46 AM

3398 posts

Heathrow might be a good option? You can take the tube directly there, rent a car and then drive to Stonehenge. It's about 1.5 hours from there.
We did this exact thing a couple of years ago except we drove from east London. You're smart to get out west of town first and then pick up a car!
We left SUPER early in the morning and were at Stonehenge right when it opened...few tour buses were there yet and we had the place to ourself for a while before they started rolling in.
Then we drove to Highclere for the afternoon.
Spent the night in Oxford after that...was a really nice couple of days!

Posted by Robin Z

Troy, Oh, USA

03/02/17 05:08 AM

2805 posts

Take the train from London Paddinton to Slough, (30 minute ride) I think it would be easier then Heathrow. Also, I'd you haven't purchased your tickets to Highclere yet, I would suggest you do asap, they sell out fast. They are not open on Friday and Saturdays. It's a hour drive from Slough. Whitchurch would be nice to stay in it's 7 miles from Highclere, 27 miles to Stonehenge.

Posted by Marco

Oxford, United Kingdom

03/02/17 08:49 AM

5467 posts

Slough is not as convenient as it may appear since the car rental places aren't close to the station and you have to negotiate the town itself one way or another to get to the M4.

It depends how far out you are prepared to go by train; Newbury and Salisbury might fit the bill and act as a base.

Posted by Lane

USA

03/02/17 12:11 PM

125 posts

We always pick up a car at Heathrow. In my husband's words, the driving is there is "easy." And if you're flying out of Heathrow, it is convenient for returning your car.

Have a wonderful time at Highclere! Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the grounds/gardens. We love it there.

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

03/02/17 02:43 PM

9265 posts

I agree about returning to Heathrow and getting your rental from there. I did just that last November when I wanted to drive to the Cotswolds. You take a shuttle bus from Heathrow to the perimeter road to get your rental. Signage is very good and you'll be on the M4 in no time.

Take the hour and 1/2 train ride from Waterloo Station to Salisbury. Stay there for your two nights. Arrange pick up from the train station when you book and see if your BnB hosts can take you to whichever car rental you choose. Or see if the car rental agency can deliver the car to you.

Salisbury to Stonehenge is about a 30 minute drive. From Salisbury to Highclere, a hour or so. You'll also have the chance to visit the wonderful Salisbury cathedral as well.

Posted by epltd

03/04/17 12:29 AM

3124 posts

If you stay in Salisbury, don't miss Old Sarum, which is served by the same bus that will take you to Stonehenge. And, if you rent a car and have time, drive north & west to Avebury. If you don't have the time, at least go see Woodhenge and Durrington Walls -- they are about 1 mile east of the henge at Stonehenge.

Posted by smallblueplanet

03/09/17 09:06 PM

3 posts

In case you don't know it's advisable to book Stonehenge entrance in advance:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/prices-and-opening-times#

Edit: I see you posted about going into Stonehenge circle. You could easily drive a bit further to Avebury and wander among all their stones - the biggest stone circle in the world! :)