We are planning to see a Sunday motorcycle race at Donington Park near Derby this July, and are thinking about heading to Windsor to spend the night, drop our rental car, and head to London Monday morning on the train, after touring Windsor castle. Will Sunday afternoon traffic between Derby and Windsor, or traffic leaving the raceway, be a nightmare? We are Yanks, not good at British driving. Any suggestions for lodging in Windsor?

While one can never be definite about traffic condition, I don't think your journey presents any real problems. True, there's bound to be some local congestion near the racetrack as thousands try to leave at the same time, but usually marshalls and police try to keep the traffic moving. You may like to choose a parking spot for ease of a quick getaway. From Donington Park I'd use M42 towards Birmingham and join M40 and leave at Junction 4, then A404, M4 and Junction 6 for Windsor. This avoids M1 and M25 round London. Normally on a Sunday afternoon the traffic should be free flowing on M40 in particular, and you can stay in the slow lane as there's little goods traffic. Windsor town centre isn't the easiest place to navigate as there're a lot of one-way streets and roundabouts. Check that your hotel has a car park. Castle Hotel is a fine hotel directly opposite the castle, and has a car park.

I agree w/ Alec - the M40 is probably your best bet. You say you are dropping off the rental car in Windsor - I take that to mean you are turning it in. Right? If so, parking will not be a problem and driving in Windsor on a Sunday won't be bad at all.

It may not be quite so simple, Janis. I'd be much surprised if any car rental agencies in Windsor would be open late Sunday afternoon or early evening. And if gigib is renting from one of the multinational rental companies, he may have to go Slough or Heathrow to return the car, after visiting the castle on Monday.

there are two marriott courtyards nearby...we like the one which is further away, maybe 5 miles in slough, there is an excellent italien restaurant about 3/4 mile away too...<BR><BR>can't help with traffic...always quite heavy

ron: When gigib picks up the car they will tell him the normal opening hours for that location. As you said - If the Windsor location is closed he can return it to Slough and take a cab back to Windsor (or better yet, the B&B might pick him up there). If they return the car on Monday morning they will end up paying for an extra day's car rental they don't need.