In response to all of your excellent advice, our current plan is to finish our 4 days in London, then train from London to Windsor, tour the castle and town, pick up a car and then go on to the Cotswolds. Following 3 days in the Cotswolds, back to London to take the Eurostar to Paris. Which brings me to practical questions - when we arrive in Windsor from London, where can we leave our rollalongs while we tour the castle? Should we go first to Avis to get our car and stow our bags in the car? Is driving/parking a problem in Windsor? Then, at the end of our time in the Cotswolds, what is the most convenient place from Chipping Camden to return our car before we train back into London/St. Pancras? Thanks all !
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
When you get to Windsor I would go to Avis to see if they would let you pay for the car, etc., put your bags in it then leave it there while you tour the castle. You will need to get the train in Moreton-in-Marsh to go back into London. There is an Avis car rental at the White Hart Royal Hotel there in Morteon-in-Marsh, they are not open on Sundays. Their phone number is 0844 544 6114 You will need to advise Avis that you want to drop off the car in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
I may be mistaken because I never actually went to the Avis office. I don't think that the nearest train station is Windsor. I think Slough is closer but another stop may actually be closer still. I almost did what you are planning to do so I know it's possible but I'm not totally sure of the logistics. I would actually like to know where the best spot to pick up a car near there is. If you're going to pick up a car outside London, that area is a short, low cost train ride and outside the worst of London congestion. Please report back after you've confirmed the pick up point. I don't think there is anywhere to store your luggage and that includes the train stations. I agree with picking up the car so you have a secure place to keep your luggage. The parking lots I saw in Windsor all take coins so plan on showing up with a pocket full of 1 and 2 GBP coins.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
@Ken, Susan is so right, she would take the train from Paddington Station to Windsor (with a change in Slough), it's a 35 minute train ride. The Avis office is at Macdonald Windsor Hotel, 23 High St., Windsor
Posted by
OP
Huntington Beach, CA
94 posts
Robin and Ken, thank you very much for this information. However, there is a glitch. When I go to the Avis UK website to book, I'm informed that the Morton in the Marsh location is closed due to a holiday on our drop off day, May 27. Any ideas for a Plan B? How about just picking up/dropping off at Heathrow, or is there a better alternative?
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
Hi Susan, if I were you I would see about dropping the car off back in Windsor. It would make it easier, that way you would only have a few blocks to walk to get to the train station.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32836 posts
That's the Late May Bank Holiday. Figure on heavy traffic and crowds at the airport.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
Hi Susan, you will be able to drop off the car in Moreton-in-Marsh, it is only a pick up/drop off, so no payments are taken there. As I said before you need to let Avis know that you will dropping it off in Moreton-in-Marsh prior to doing so. As it is a holiday, I would think dropping off in Moreton-in-Marsh would be a lot easier and not having to worry about traffic if you had to drive in closer to London.