Question again on getting to the Cotswolds?

Stay in London. There is really nothing to see in Slough. To me, Slough would be a bit of a depressing place to start a trip.

Thank you again.
Wondering if anyones knows places in the cotswolds to rent a car. So far we have found Gloucester. Would this be a good base for 1 week in the cotswolds? (to see North & South cotswolds)

"Would Gloucester be a good base for exploring the Cotswolds?" Gloucester is one possible place to rent a car but is not a good choice for home basing for a week to see the Cotswolds, since it's on the far western edge of the Cotswolds region. IMO 3 better choices for home basing are in the north Cotswold area: either Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, or Moreton-in-Marsh. You probably don't want to pick up the rental car in London, because of traffic hassles escaping from London. If you have decided to spend the first night in London, then you can take the train from London to either Slough, Swindon, Gloucester, or Oxford and rent the car there. Slough is the shortest train ride (15 to 30 mins) and Gloucester is the longest (2 hrs). Sleeping in the Cotswolds: The north Cotswolds are best and any of these 3 towns in the north Cotswolds would make a fine home base for exploring the Cotswolds: Moreton-in-Marsh, or Chipping Campden, or Stow-on-the-Wold. Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold are both within 4 to 8 miles from Moreton.

Thank you. I have been spending alot of time trying to get information. I can't seem to figure it out. We definitely want to spend one night somewhere before the next journey to the cotswolds. However, we can't seem to figure this part out. The only places so far with car rentals is gloucester, swindon, oxford, and london. On the internet there is info showing trains to gloucester and other close by locations. I am surprised there is not more car rental locations in the cotswolds. So, I would love to go to either of the 3 locations you recommended first but still trying to figure logistics. And advice is welcomed.
Thank you. Seva

Hi Seva: If you've decided to stay in London the first night, then you can take the train from London to either Slough, Swindon, Oxford, or Gloucester; and rent the car in one of those locations. And then drive to the Cotswolds and home base in one of the 3 towns mentioned above. On your other thread, I'd first suggested you just rent the car at Heathrow upon your arrival and drive directly to the Cotswolds from Heathroweliminating a night at an intermediate stop. For example, it's usually less than a 2 hour drive from Heathrow to Stow-on-the-Wold, about 75 miles, but note that it can take longer depending on traffic and on how many times you get lost. However, the direct drive from Heathrow is not something you want to consider if you have concerns about whether you'll be too tired to safely drive after the long flight, which is understandable. Your safety is the most important thing.

The Cotswolds really arent that far from London. Unless you are arriving at Heathrow in late afternoon, its a waste to go into London. Go directly towards Cotswolds. You can easily arrive at either of the three suggested (Stow, Moerton or Chipping Camden) in a reasonable time period. Or I am sure someone has pointed out you can get to Moreton on Marsh by train via Oxford. Have you googled these three villages to see if they have rental cars? Oxford surely does- its one of the traditional English auto manufacturing towns. (Slough is on the Western edge of Cotswolds, not in the touristy area). We usually pick up a car in Reading or Guildford (get to both by bus and train). Swindon, a large town is even closer to the Cotswolds and easily reachable from London by train. (I commuted to Swindon from London for a period).

Seva, on two trips to the Cotswolds area, we have stayed in Cheltenham, at the Beaumont House. This past visit, we stayed 6 nights in order to explore Coventry, Stratford, and Oxford in addition to the Cotswolds. We considered switching to Chipping Campden, but decided to stay with Cheltenham. There is an office of Enterprise car rental there. I am certain that there are many others from which to choose. This is one value to staying in a larger town like Cheltenham. Also, many more restaurants from which to choose. Yes, I know it is on the western edge, but the area is quite small and easily traversed from end to end and side to side. I am certain that you can find train or bus transport from Heathrow. Presumably you will be arriving early morning as most US flights seem to arrive in Europe then. Doing something like getting to the cotswolds area will keep you up and going which will help with adaption to time change without jet lag.

Please not Slough. David Brent in the Office was set in Slough. Never has a town more deserved its name. I have never seen anything mildly redeeming about Slough. There is a Lands' End outlet a few miles away, though.... ...getting off high horse ... ouch I hurt my heel.... ok, I'm off

When I saw 'Slough' I also thought of 'The Office'. Definitely better to spend the night in London. You should be able to rent a car in Oxford from some of the major car rental agencies like Avis, Budget, etc. and drive to the Cotswolds. Oxford is an easy train ride from London and of course, you might end up deciding to spend a little more time there! Have you tried contacting the local tourism bureau for the Cotswolds or Cheltenham (I think it's the biggest city in the area)?

We have used the Gray Line Tours for many trips. We bookd the tour here in the U.S. They picked us up at our hotel in Kensington. We had a full day tour of the Cotswolds. It was wonderful. Elaiaine
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We have used the Gray Line Tours for many trips. We bookd the tour here in the U.S. They picked us up at our hotel in the Kensington area of London. We had a full day tour of the Cotswolds. It was wonderful. Elaine
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On a few previous trips I have always booked my first night after a long flight (and possible delays) at an airport hotel. Then we could dump our luggage and take the Express into London for dinner, if not too tired. The next morning (up early) rented the car at the airport and took off for the Cotswolds. Made the return to the airport easy, where I also book an airport hotel for the last night (time to download images, organize suitcase and chill out before another long flight) I always rent an automatic...less to think about while driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Last time I took my gps and it worked great, but it was easy enough to find my way around with just maps and roadsigns on previous trips. It really is the driving through the little villages and discovering the countryside on my own that I love. I am a photographer, so when I see something I want to stop for, I am able to do that. Or finding a pub that is offering a ploughmans lunch or cream tea! Have a wonderful time. I have stayed in Chipping Camden, as well as Walton Hall which is near Stratford. I love the Cotswolds. It is a very special place.

We did a day trip out of London to the Cotswolds. It was wonderful. We used the Gray Line Tours Co. We booked it while here in the U.S on their website. In fact, we are going to do the same trip this coming September when we return to London. Sme of their tours meet you at one of the trian stations. Other times they picked us up right across from our Crowne Plaza Hotel Kensington. We have used Gray Line in New York, Boston, Canada, Bruges, Paris, Italy, Switzerland, etc. Elaine [email protected]

We are in our 60's. We booked a one day trip to the Cotswolds and it was wonderful. We were just there in May, 2010. We used "Gray Line" Tours. They are located in the U.S. We have used Gray Line in London, Paris, Bruges, Canada, Boston, New York, etc. We are going back to London in September and we plan on taking the same tour to the Cotswold's, if we have enough time. One day is enough. It isn't worth the hassle or the money to drive a car there. Elaine
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