York to Conwy to Bath to London

Posted by Anne (Augusta, GA) on 07/21/16 11:07 PM

My husband and i will be traveling in Great Britain in September. We'll be using the train to get from Edinburgh to York. We need to get from York to Conwy where we'll need a car to see the sites. Should we pick up the car when we leave York and drive to Conwy? This looks to be around 5 hours, is this correct? Should we take a train from York to Liverpool or another closer city and then rent the car (we won't be stopping in Liverpool unless we need to pick up a car)? Not sure what will be the quickest and easiest.

After spending a week or so in Conwy, the Cotswalds and the Bath area we will be heading to London, stopping at Windsor Castle on the way. Where is the best place to drop off the rental car and then take public transport or taxi in to the city to go to our hotel? Windsor? Heathrow? Somewhere else?

Thanks
Anne

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

07/22/16 04:50 AM

7175 posts

The only reason I'd pick up the car in York would be to visit places like Castle Howard and Fountains Abbey. If these don't figure in your plans then take the train to Manchester with a connection to Chester. Pick up your hire car here.
On two occasions I've dropped a car and passengers at Heathrow but headed into central London myself. It's an easy thing to do.

Posted by ramblin' on

Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus

07/22/16 06:08 AM

2600 posts

take a train from York to Manchester Airport, collect your car, then return it at Heathrow

Posted by Jennifer

Tunbridge Wells

07/22/16 02:40 PM

6113 posts

Avoid driving in Liverpool at all costs - the traffic is always horrendous.

Another vote for the direct train from York to Manchester airport. Drop it back at Heathrow.

Posted by James

07/23/16 08:00 AM

2599 posts

Starting in London:> London (Kings Cross) to York by train (1 night); York > to Edinburgh by train; Edinburgh > Chester by train (with 1 change) 1 night in Chester or 2 if you wish to take a local train for a day out in Liverpool; Chester > Conwy by train or hire car.

A hire car would be most useful for doing Snowdonia (NWWales) but you could also use it to drive through scenic Wales either direct to Bath (not advised to go via the motorways through the Midlands - stick to Wales or border country) or also throw in a visit to Cardiff for 2 or 3 nights en route to Bath. Train from Bath back to London - or do the whole thing in reverse.

Pre book about 11 weeks ahead all longer distance rail travel. www.nationalrail.co.uk
Please note that for 6 weeks in Sept & October 2016 that the Severn Rail tunnel (between south Wales and London/Bath) is closed for electrification.

PS. You may also like to consider having the hire car for the Edinburgh > Chester leg as that will enable you to make an easy detour into the Lake District and perhaps stay 2 nights.

Posted by Dick

Olympia, WA, USA

07/24/16 02:39 AM

6713 posts

We drove from Conwy to York a few years ago and it wasn't bad. I think it took more than three hours but I'm a nervous left-side driver. Not especially scenic on the motorways but perfectly doable. The alternative of training to Manchester and driving from there might be tempting, depending on comparative costs and whether you'll be more tired driving the whole way or making the change in Manchester. Driving the whole way, you might be able to include some sightseeing.

I agree that Liverpool would be a mistake just for car pickup, unless there's something else you want to see or do there.