On our next trip to England we would like to get out of the city and see some countryside. We were thinking of heading straight to Windsor after arriving at Heathrow, seeing the sights in Windsor and then renting a car for a drive through the Cotswolds, dropping the car off somewhere, and then taking a train in to London. My questions are: I think Windsor is very close to Heathrow, so should we take a cab? Or should we go ahead and rent our car at Heathrow. We usually take the red eye out of NY or DC so we'll arive at Heathrow around 10 or 11 am. ~~ How much is there to see in Windsor? The castle is the most important to me. ~~ We would like to stay 2 nights in the Cotswolds - I've read week days are best. Any recommendations on B&Bs? The ultimate for me would be to wake up in the morning to the baa-baaing of sheep outside my window! Thanks!
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
if you want to drive around then rental is fine, but just to see Windsor no need to rent car or take cab. there is a bus terminal from the airport to windsor. the castle is pretty cool and they have changing guards much easier to watch than in london. its across river from eaton, so you can check out eaton college if you want. i think 1 day is good enough, and spending the night can be fun - the castle looks really cool under a full moon, bars, trendy restaurants, and harry poter looking kids walking the streets around eaton.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2779 posts
You can take a taxi to Windsor, it's a fifteen minute ride. There isn't any place in Windsor to pick up a car, I would suggest renting on in Slough (8 miles from Windsor)you can take a taxi there. You could drop it back off there and get the train there to go into London. While in Windsor you can walk to Eton, less then 10 minute walk, this is where Eton College (actually it's a middle and high school) is and where the Royal and rich send there sons. You can also walk to Windsor Great Park. Savill Gardens are beautiful and worth a visit. Bourton-on-the-Water is a great place for a base to tour the Cotswolds~~Manor Close B&B and The Dial House Hotel are both great places to stay. And in Broadway there is the Crown & Trumpet.
Posted by
OP
Guthrie, OK
251 posts
Thank you both! Has anyone stayed on a working farm in the Cotswolds?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32924 posts
My brother did, several years ago.. Don't know the rules now but for various infections such as foot and mouth and BSE he had to declare that he had been on a working farm to the Agriculture guys at the airport and they did special disinfecting of him and his stuff.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
After arriving on the red eye; and going through customs and immigration, how tired are you going to be? Windsor shouldnt take a whole day. The castle, chapel and guard changing are worth it. Town and (possibly) into Eton is worth a stroll. No need to spend the night, should be able to drive to Cotswolds and wake up to the sheep. Actually, most known villages dont have sheep under your windows, but definitely within walking distance or a short drive
Posted by
West Coast
138 posts
I recently took a cab to Windsor from Heathrow during a 7 hour layover. I didn't tour the castle but enjoyed walking around the town for a few hours. I've also been to the Cotswolds (rental car from Heathrow) and personally would sacrifice Windsor to spend more time in the Cotswolds. (Unless you really want to tour Windsor Castle.) My advice would be to pick up and return a rental car at Heathrow. It's so convenient, you'll have many agencies to choose from, and they are open the most days and hours. If you end up deciding to take a cab to Windsor, bring along a phone number for a Windsor cab company to call from Heathrow ~ it's 50 pounds to take one of the cabs at the airport, but our Windsor cab was 30. If you like sheep, you'll love the Cotswolds ~ it really is wonderful.