We are flying into Heathrow but need to fly out at 6AM from Luton, so are staying in Luton. But we will have all day once we drop off our bags to poke about. On the return we have another day in downtown London, so I am looking for things to do north of London that are feasible since we are jet lagged. Thinking of renting a car so have options. Ideas?
How long will you have? Are you landing at Heathrow, travelling straight to Luton and then flying out again the next day?
we have 1 day, and yes, traveling to Luton from Heathrow, flying out the next morning
Verulamium Roman ruins and museum outside St Albans, a town just south of Luton?
Go to St Albans - see the abbey
While the airport should be fine Luton town has had a history of less than pleasant issues if you are not very careful where you go. I have friends there and wouldn't want to offend them, but local knowledge would be helpful.
I agree that time in St Albans is well spent. Everything from the Romans to the magnificent Abbey church, to a pleasant high street to a small railway museum on St Albans City station (not St Albans Abbey station).
You mention jet lag but it seems that it will only affect you on the return? That confuses me. Is the Luton flight a long haul and Heathrow is a short trip because you live somewhere in Europe?
Most folks here fly transatlantic or from Australia or Dubai into Heathrow and are jetlagged from those flights. If I misunderstood and that's you too, I would be very very reluctant to suggest driving from Heathrow to Luton jetlagged. It isn't an easy drive for wide awake and bushy tailed folks. There are other ways to connect the two airports.