My husband has a business trip to London in a couple of weeks and my 23 year old daughter and I are going to tag along. We are going to arrive a few days early and thought about going straight from Heathrow to a city nearby to see the sights before we head to London. (and the "free" hotel) We need good transportation since my daughter may be arriving later since she is flying standby from a different city. My husband is reluctant to rent a car after flying all night. (Did it before, not so much fun for him.) After reading many of the posts I am leaning towards Windsor, Salisbury or Cardiff. (My husband and I did Bath last year.)
Does anyone have opinions on which would work best?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
Windsor would be very easy (and restful in my opinion). Its about a 15 min. taxi/car service ride or a 30-45 min. bus ride. Arrange a car service in advance would be my suggestion. We have stayed at the Castle hotel. Nice, comfortable, and right in the center of town- easy to walk to the castle, Eaton, shops, etc. Then you just take the train into London (about a 25 min. trip)! You don't 'lose' too much time getting there from Heathrow. (I love Cardiff, but it's a 2 hour trip from London- not sure how far from Heathrow). Enough to do/see for 2 relaxed days, too.
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
Toni is right. Windsor is no distance at all from Heathrow, and if you only have 2 days then the less travelling you do the better. In addition to the sights she mentioned, you might also look at a trip on the river: http://www.frenchbrothers.co.uk/publictrips/public_trips.php
Posted by
OP
Woodinville, WA, US
12 posts
Thanks for all the suggestions! I thought I had made up my mind and was going to Windsor but now I have been looking at Bristol. I think it would satisfy my husband who had originally wanted to go to Portsmouth but I was reluctant after reading various reviews. I also think my daughter would like the city too. It looks like we could take a bus from Heathrow to Bristol and then a train back into the city. (not too complicated)
Thanks David.
Posted by
Basingstoke, England
98 posts
If you are happy to travel as far as Cardiff I would suggest Bristol as a an alternative a little nearer London and the most vibrant and interesting city in the West of England. It is much bigger than Bath but more interesting and less "precious" than Bath with good museums and varied architecture. Also as a city with two universities it has lots of music, restaurants and other life going on. I think particularly with a 23 year old in attendance it is much more appealing than say Windsor unless you are an ardent royalist.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32737 posts
I'd row in with Toni and Kevin. After a long ride you might have more trouble with JetLag on a further trip to Salisbury or I would suggest that; I love Windsor. The castle is amazin', the walk along the Thames walk is fab, walking the Long Walk is simply beautiful.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6500 posts
Windsor as a base, visit Hampton Court while you're there. Winchester and/or Salisbury also reachable.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3752 posts
My vote is for Windsor.
Posted by
OP
Woodinville, WA, US
12 posts
I think Windsor it will be. After doing some research on Bristol, I concluded that it would be a great city with a car but not so much for coming in on a train. I am waiting to hear back from an owner about staying on a boat on the River Thames in Windsor. (My husband will get his boat after all.)
Thanks again for all the input!