Raleigh Ragan

My wife and I are planning a trip to England the first two weeks of June. We want to spend a few days in London, then check out the smaller towns (such as Bath, York, Stratford-at-Avon), especially those with castles. I hear driving in London is a waste of time, but is it a good idea to rent a car to check out the countryside rather than a train? If so, is it expensive?

Mike Miller

Driving on the right hand side of the road is fairly easy to master - the hard part is left and right turns which basically work the opposite of how they do in the states. I had a car for 2 weeks my last trip (95) and it is a waste in London but very useful everywhere else. Gas is expensive so get a small one and you will pay a large premium for an automatic shift. All of the large US car rental firms are over there - I'd go with one of them and you may be able to add it on to your flight cheaper than you can book it seperately. It is definitely less expensive to book from the USA. Also, I would buy a map (in the airport) that has at least 3 miles to the inch. This will aid your navigation in a densely populated country. Enjoy!

Dave Kahne

Having driven on the left in Jamaica on several occasions, England and Wales were easy! Your car WILL be a stick shift! Friends who have reserved automatics in Britain invariably got sticks - the only alternative is not to rent a car.

DO NOT rent a car in London; public transportation is excellent. I recommend one of the unlimited use passes for the Underground (some of which require advance purchase in the U.S.), which also include access to the city buses, the suburban trains (useful to get to Hampton Court Castle and other nearby locations), and the automated rail system which goes to the Isle of Dogs.

For your out-from-London forays, do consider B&Bs. We did that for a week in the west of England and Wales with a rental car (Ford Escort - lots of fun), and had a great time. Enjoy!

Murphy

Yes, rent a car. You'll get used to it. On two trips I tried it; the first was a disaster: we could only afford a standard transmission, and I was the only one who would drive. Remember this: you drive on the right, sit on the right, look to your left for the rearview mirror, look out the window to your right for the outside mirror, and you shift with your left hand! Thankfully, the gas and clutch pedals aren't reversed! The smaller roads are better than the "dual carriageways," but they're very narrow, sometimes have curbs you bounce against, and oncoming drivers are very cavalier. But it's worth it. My bad experience came when we rented the car at Gatwick (after several days in London), planning to drive several days, ferry to Ireland, and rent another car there. But our first driving day meant driving to Brighton. Heavy traffic, poorly posted signs, lots of roundabouts, and high stress. Plus, we hated Brighton (I've since decided that I really don't like English seaside resorts at all.) So we fought our way into the Cotswolds, found a great place to stay, drove in to Salisbury, went to a Thomas Cook agent, told her our troubles, and booked a coach tour for the Ireland portion. We still had to drive up to Holyhead, but we did it. Things got better, and on my next trip we had no problems. And driving in Ireland and Scotland is really quite easy. I'd recommend driving, but with LOTS of maps (big picture ones and detailed ones). The road signs change unexpectedly -- you think you're heading for ... Salisbury and then it falls off the signs. So be sure to know the towns and cities along your route - when the proper turning comes up, you'll be ready. And you'll have a wonderful time. Consider renting OUTSIDE of London, though. Have you thought about the combination rail/drive Britrail Pass? We used the train for long distances and picked up cars for the smaller excursions. Enjoy your trip. The countryside is lovely -- all of it.

Cindy

Ralph: Since I have never driven in England, I don't think I'm qualified to comment on driving. On three trips to Great Britain we've traveled by train and been extremely satisfied. Price in current BritRail brochure is as follows: on the classic pass for 15 days (standard fare) is $379 U.S. Dollars. You choose the number of consecutive days then travel anywhere on BritRail. You can get on and off as often as you like. We have always used First Class (15 days $549) as seating is superior vs. standard. In order to take in sights in London and still allow time on visit other sights you may want to consider the SouthEast Pass which covers an area bordered on the north from King's Lynn (but not all of East Anglia), Northampton, Oxford, Salisbury to Exeter to the Channel. First Class 7 days out of 15 rail travel is $170. Couple that with London TravelCard and you could save quite a bit of money. There are so many beautiful castles in England that you can reach by train - why spend the time trying to figure out how to get there, maintaince on a vehicle (gas, oil, parking fees) etc. When you can hop a train and enjoy the countryside?

jgreeson

although driving yourself isn't a necessity to enjouing England, it does make the trip more personalized. They have a great train system that will take you anywhere you want to go, but a car lets you go there when you feel lke going. My 10 yr old daughter and I spend 10 days driving the countryside of England. We had a basic travel plan, but decided before we went that if we fond something that intersted us and wanted so apend more time in a certain area, or diverge romout outline, it was ok. We had no lodgings prearranged and spent the night weherever we felt like. We stayed at some wonderful B&B's/ It was the most memorable of the trips she and I have taken. One knote ofdeiving caution. YIELD when entering a round a-bout. A car in London is not only a waste of time, but a hastle, and a driving nightmare. I've done it four times and each time swear I NEVER want to do that again. Imagine entertin a 6 lane round-a-bout with new york style traffic, and being unsure how to navigate a round a bout and being onthe opposite side of the drivign road.... Very nerve wracking, especially when you get inbetween two double deckers.. Rye - E of London, by Dover is a beautiful town, and Lavenham is one of my favorites, The poem "there was a crooked man wh0 walked a crooked mile..." comes from the town. Bath is an altime faviorte and I go there each time I visign England. Enjoy your visit, and make arrangements for a B & B before 7pm.