We rented a car at Marble Arch on a Sunday morning--first time driving on the left--very harrowing experience. It is true that it isn't far to the major road which passes Heathrow but driving in London is not the ideal place to get the feel of the driving. As navigator, I constantly had to warn DH how precariouly close our car was to those red buses. OTHO, driving out of LGW was a breeze. There was little traffic, roads were well marked, and we made it to Stonehenge fairly quickly.

If we are coming from the Cotswolds to Gatwick, would that necessitate a drive on the M24?

How expensive would a cab be from Heathrow to a hotel outside Gatwick? Or would we just be stuck on the M24, racking up the taxi meter?

We would return the car the day before our flight. I'm assuming, however, that England's motels have free shuttles to the airport like they do in the US. Is this correct?

Also, this might be a different thread, but I'm not so sure we'll have enough time to drive through the Cotswolds. I'd love to see it, but I'm sure quaint cottages won't do much for my boys. Are there Cotswold-type villages near Stongehenge or Salisbury or Wells?

Thanks again.

< How expensive would a cab be from Heathrow to a hotel outside Gatwick? >

Expensive - and it's the M25. Why don't you drop the car off at Gatwick like we've suggested - it won't cost any more.

As for free shuttles - ha ha

Alan, we can do that (rent from Heathrow, return to Gatwick), I just wanted to avoid the dreaded M25.

So, do airport motels have paid shuttles?

YES - a number of people, including me have suggested just that.

and yes, they do have paid shuttles, though they might share them with other hotels so it may not be a quick trip.

Leaving london at 10 am should be fine, the deity [if you have one], the weather, and the fates willing. THe times to avoid at between 8 & 10am especially coming into London, and 4-6pm coming out. On the M25, you should be OK between those times, unless there's been some accident/holdup/whatever!
THe worst times for forgeting to drive on the right [that is to say the left] side of the road are not when starting off in the morning, but when getting back into the car after a short stop eg a loo stop or petrol. Then you need to think about what you are doing.
Incidentally, make sure you have found the petrol cap before you try to refuel, so you know which side of the petrol pump you need. !
Have a wonderful time.