atam

We are party of three including me, my husband and our three year old son. My husband and I have been to London couple times, but our son really wants to see the Tower Bridge and London Eye for the first time. Since we have two luggage, a car seat and a stroller, we would like to spend at least 2 nights at each hotel in order to minimize hotel hopping. We are able to get a weekly car rental from Hertz with the on-sale rate of 120 GBP.

Here is my tentative itinerary for end of March:
Sunday: Arriving LHR @ 2:00 PM, pick up a car and drive to Bath, overnight at Bath

Monday: Bath city, overnight at Bath

Tuesday: Stonehenge and Salisbury, may be Avebury, overnight at Bath

Wednesday: Driving to Cotswolds in the morning, explore Cotswolds, overnight at Cotswolds

Thursday, Warwick Castle, overnight at Cotswolds

Friday, Drayton Manor Theme Park (my son likes Thomas and Friends ), overnight at Cotswolds

Saturday: Explore more Cotswolds until 4:00 pm, driving to London, overnight London

Sunday: Return the car, Tower Bridge, London Eye, may be a museum suitable for kids, overnight London

Monday: No plan yet, may be some shopping or more museum, overnight London

Tuesday: 10:30 am flight back home

Questions:
1. Are three nights at Bath too much? We want to take advantage of the 3 for 2 hotel deal but worry about not having enough things to do in Bath and surroundings. Can you suggest some town that are good for kid?
2. Are three nights at Cotswolds enough, considering our itinerary includes Warwick and Drayton Manor?
3. Where will be a good base in Cotswolds if we want to go to Warwick and Drayton Manor? We prefer a town that is closer to highway, yet still have the countryside feel.
4. What to do in rainy days in Bath and Cotswolds?
5. Is end of March a good time to visit Cotswolds?
6. We are staying in Hammersmith area in London, is taking a taxi/ Uber the best way to LHR during rush hour with luggage?

I would love to have your feedback. Many thanks!

janisj

stupid site won't let me post so I'll try it in segments:

>>Sunday: Arriving LHR 2:00 PM, pick up a car and drive to Bath, overnight at Bath<<

BAD idea. That is a long drive and you will be jet lagged. I would seriously consider (even w/ the car seat) that you take the Express coach to Bath and don't get a car until you leave Bath. I would think 2 nights in Bath and 3 in the Cotswolds would be good - the rest in London.

janisj

>>We prefer a town that is closer to highway, yet still have the countryside feel.<<

There are no 'highways' in the Cotswolds. It is ALL countryside. Look at places like Burford or Bourton on the Water.

janisj

>>Is taking a taxi/ Uber the best way to LHR during rush hour with luggage?<<

No - use a car service like justairports.com - much cheaper than a taxi or uber (and I would not use uber in London)

Drayton Manor? WHY? it is a loooong way from anyplace in the Cotswolds. Like a 2 hour drive each way. Go to the Cotswold Wildlife Park or the zoo in London if you want animals. And I would definitely consider visiting LegoLand in Windsor on your way back to LHR to drop the car.

atam

Hi janisj, thank you for your reply. We just went to San Diego Zoo and Legoland not long ago, so will skip this time. Drayton for the Thomas Land.

Can you let me know why no Uber in London?

janisj

>>Can you let me know why no Uber in London?<<

There is absolutely NO reason to use uber in London. Cabs are everywhere - thousands of them. Cab drivers in London are amazing - I would not rely on some bloke w/ a gps -- which is all you'd get w/ uber.

And a pre booked car service like just airports will be cheaper in from the airport than either uber or a taxi.

If you have to go to Drayton Manor -- then don't go to Bath. I would spend the first night in Windsor, pick up a car the next morning (or you could get the car at LHR and drive the 7 miles to Windsor). Next morning drive up to Tamworth (for Drayton Manor) and stay 2 nights which would only give you the one full day there. Then drive south into the northern Cotswolds -- somewhere like Chipping Campden -- as a base for Warwick, Stratford and all of the Cotswolds.

Drive back to LHR, drop the car and use a car service to get to Hammersmith.

ESW

The two grandsons were Thomas mad and LOVED Drayton Manor. They described the rides as 'awesome. It really is a great day out for a three year old. DON'T MISS IT!!