UK Car rental at age 70?

For a trip this coming September , I'm also scouting this out ( I'll be 77 then ) Checking Avis and Hertz , I see no upper age issue . This may help provide some guidance - https://www.autoeurope.ca/travel-tips/car-rental-age-requirements%2F/#UK Lets keep watching this thread for any further responses .

We were very pleased with our rental from Arnold Clark, June 2022. They are fine with people in their 70s and will also rent to those 80 and older if they have a note from their doctor saying they are fit to drive. Our car had an included GPS and included no deductible CDW. Most of their locations are in Scotland but they also have locations in England. We have driven in the UK and Ireland many times with no problems.

There is a list of gardens in the Cotswolds here. My favourite ones were Hidcote Gardens with nearby Kiftsgate Manor Gardens. The two gardens are very diffferent and can be combined in a single visit.

We also loved Miserden Garcden near Cirencester, although it isn't the easiest garden to find and you may need a map.

Welcome to the Forum.

Been traveling to the UK for decades. Last drove in the UK at age 65. Now your age and intend to rent a car on my next trip later this year. Have found using the street view option of Google Maps helps me plan routes. Helps me visualize.

Driven the entire country of Ireland/N Ireland twice. Driven from Heathrow to Winchcombe. Driven from Winchombe to the trail to Bella’s Knap. Driven to Lyme Regis. Lyme Regis to West Bay and back to Heathrow.

Couple of thoughts about car rental and driving at 70.

Get a smaller car. Two door. Reserve with a reputable car rental company. I’ve used Hertz and Avis. Get ALL the insurance coverage. Unless you’ve driven and are comfortable with a clutch reserve an automatic. Get GPS but also take and use a paper map.

Roadways vary. 4 lanes on major routes to small one lane rural roads. On the rural roads you might find sheep, cattle, dog walkers, large hedges, lorries, bicyclists, hikers, and joggers. Obey the speed limits. Check YouTube about roundabouts. Once you get the hang of them they are a breeze.

1.) Define inexpensive in terms of a cottage rental.
2.) Weather is unpredictable. Bring clothing layers.
3.) Map out where petrol ( gas ) stations are located
4.) Take tap credit and debit cards.
5.) About 9 hours of daylight during late August/early September
6.) This link is about National Trust properties which may have gardens to visit.
7.) London is not cheap. However, with research
( Days out 2 for 1 deals) you can save a few shekels.

https://explorethecotswolds.com/national-trust-sites-in-the-cotswolds/

When in London check the gardens at Syon House, the Queens Mary Rose Garden Regents Park, and the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park is lovely.

EDIT: yep….error….England distances are in Miles. Deleted
EDIT Deux: 14 hours of daylight in August/September? Who knew? I’m usually there in November where its dark by 4pm

Claudia - mileage in the U.K. is in miles, not kilometres. You’re thinking of Ireland.
At the beginning of September there are about 14 hours of daylight, not 9.

WOW-thanks to everyone for posting helpful suggestions already. This is great. Regarding Cotswold cottages or nearby places to rent I’m thinking around $100US per person per night. There are 2 of us, so $200 ish total per night-separate bedrooms would be ideal. I’ve seen some listings that are in that ballpark and don’t know if this is reasonable. We are basically using it as a day trip hub for sleeping, morning coffee, washer if needed. We may have a few late evening meals there if we find markets nearby. My friend is vegetarian and meals there might be easier than buying at restaurants….we want to be flexible though.

We did a four week drive tour of S. Wales and England in 2017. I rented the car (my age then was 69).

It was a wonderful trip and we love the British countryside.

For the Cotswolds, you need a car. We stayed at Chipping Campden for six days and used it as a base to visit the Cotswolds, Oxford, Blenheim Palace and Stratford Upon Avon.

Consider the Volunteer Inn in Chipping Campden, it has the best pub in town and a great Indian restaurant. It has spacious rooms that were on the new side. The fare was good.

On renting a car in the UK driving on the left, recommend one with an automatic transmission and a navigation system. Don't speed and be careful when turning at intersections (that is when a right side of the road driver will tend to make mistakes).

Don't rent from Europcar. Previously, in England, I rented from Budget and it was better.

Having rented cars in England many times, I'll add a few tips to the good ones already noted in this thread:
-Driving distances can be deceiving. Don't be overly ambitious in your daily itinerary. What is quite doable for a day trip in the US may be overly ambitious in England.
-Do not speed, not even a little over the speed limit. There are many traffic cameras to detect speeding.
-Even now after 20+ years of driving in England, the hardest part for me is parking in narrow spaces. I strongly recommend that, where possible, you park where there are two or more adjacent empty spaces in the parking lot.
-When renting in the US, I never buy the rental car company's insurance. In England and elsewhere in Europe, I always buy it. I realize that others may disagree with me. Important point: even small dents or scratches will be noted when you return the car.

-I find as a very helpful planning tool before I leave home the Route Planner feature of https://www.theaa.com/ You'll find the link in the upper right hand corner. The AA is the British equivalent of our AAA. The reason I like this website better than Googlemaps is that it's specifically a British website, so I think traveling times are likely to be more accurate.

Re gardens in the Cotswold: my top choice is Hidcote!!!

It is not worth driving to Scotland for only 2 to 4 days - especially as it takes a whole day to drive from the Cotswolds to just the Glasgow/Edinburgh area. (The best highland scenery is further north).

You would be better off driving from The Cotswolds into Wales. I suggest you head for the Brecon Beacons National Park which is around 1 hour 15 minutes driving time west of the Cotswolds.
https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/country-park/brecon-beacons-national-park-1444213

Alternatively, you could drive further to Snowdonia in north west Wales - but that will still take 3 to 4 hours from the Cotswolds.https://www.visitsnowdonia.info