Best place for car rental & one overnight after Heathrow arrival?
 

We arrive at Heathrow at 9 a.m. on Tues Sept 27. Want to rent a car for driving tour of Cotswalds first, and then down and around Southwest peninsula, needing to return the car and be back at Heathrow for departure at 5:15 p.m. on Tues Oct 8. Where would be the easiest place to stay for that first and last night that would also be convenient for pick up and return of rental car, to avoid driving in and out of Heathrow?

Guidebooks seem to mostly recommend Bath and the National Express coach bus, but I see on their website that they advise prebooking -- is that possible from the US? Any ideas, options other than Bath and bus, like trains perhaps?

Oxford - there's a direct coach service from Heathrow and it's on the doorstep of the Cotswolds.

Oxford. :)

Actually, driving in and out of Heathrow ( car rental pick up/return) isn't that difficult, but Oxford is your best bet if you're looking for another option.

If you're driving, consider staying at the lovely Tylney Hall:

http://www.tylneyhall.co.uk/

I'd collect the car right AT Heathrow and spend the first night in Windsor. Windsor is 7 miles from LHR and a very easy drive.

Driving out of LHR is easier than driving <i>anywhere</i> in Bath.

The best place to collect a car and drive out of Oxford is a fairly long taxi ride from the train or bus stations. There are a couple of rental agencies nearer the train station or that will bring a car to you. But there is no direct train from LHR to Oxford.

So for ease/convenience - I'd just get the car at LHR.