car rental pickup from London area?

Where do you want to start your exploring / which direction out from London?

I don't want to drive in the thick of the city either. Arriving at the airport, once Gatwick, another time Heathrow, we picked up the rental car there and headed away from the city. We returned it to the airport rental agency because there was public transportation into the city. In another instance (Paris in this case--different city, same problem) we were already in the city and wanted to pick up a rental car. We found a car rental agency in the south of the city, 'cause we were headed south. Got to the agency by public transportation, got the car, and pointed it to the autoroute.

It appears that we'll be heading either towards southern Wales or the Bath area....so perhaps Heathrow is a good pce to pick up?

We have picked up rental cars at Heathrow (Hertz) several times and found it an easy exit, heading towards Winchester one time and the Cotswolds another time. You can get there from central London using the Picadilly line, assuming it isn't rush hour and you don't have tons of luggage. However, we usually use a cab to save aggravation.

Heathrow because the driving away from the airport is easier than beginning in a neighborhood. You'll be getting used to driving on the other side of the road and you'll do better with divided roads and the motorway. You may have to pay an extra fee for an airport pick-up though.

thanks so much for your help. I will book at Heathrow, sounds by far the easiest. Easy is always good when it comes to travelling! Merci all--