Instead of 'If' I should have said 'Since'.

Enterprise does deliver -- but I wouldn't do that in Oxford. That would require driving in the city centre after collecting the car. I'd take a taxi to the rental office since it is on the west side of the city beyond the closure/etc. Then return the car at LHR.

Jean, as you are experienced at driving on the left having the car delivered to Christ Church and then driving south on the A420 then the A4144 to the A34 should be fine. Just leave outside of rush hour and I don’t think you would have any issues. Indeed I would suggest that it would be preferable to getting straight on the A34, a high speed dual carriageway

Coincidentally, we did drive to Osney Meads to the fishmongers this morning. One thought occurred as we passed by the car rental place, is that the bus from Christ Church would take you to the train station. It is a short walk across the bridge and not much further to the car rental. Perhaps one stop on the bus that will start on the other side of the bridge. If, as you say, you are packing light, it should be manageable. You could even leave Mum at the cafe in the nearby Waitrose whilst you go get the car.

Usually in London over the summer but this year may be different, feel free to message me nearer the time and , if we are around and have the big car ( rather than the two seater), I would happily give you a ride!

Botley Road closure is certainly well sign posted outside Oxford

Crellston's directions is the best route if you want to leave from Christ Church. However if you were to take a taxi (round about though the cab journey would be) and pick up the car at Enterprise there is no need to head south nor join the A34. You could take the West Way (B4044) directly from the Enterprise car park and pass under the A34. The B4044 (it becomes Enysham Rd) connects directly with the A40 to the west/Cotswolds.

Once again, thank you all for your help and input. With a desire to spend at least one night on the coast, I'm thinking about going to Weymouth after a day and a half in the Cotswolds. The houses look pretty, and there is nice accommodation right on the main strand. As well, the town seems pretty flat (better for my mother in terms of walking) as opposed to quite a few coastal towns like Lyme Regis which seem very hilly as you move away from the beach. It's closer than towns in Devon, and it seemed more appealing than Poole. I also liked the coastal location more than Lymington. I've never been to any of these places though so am just going by looking into this and that on the Web, so any and all advice or input is much appreciated.

Weymouth is a good choice (I was born in Poole) it is a bit sea-sidey but the esplanade is a good if boring walk and that is all you can say for it. The bit that sticks south from there is called Portland and is a very hilly interesting zone but tough on legs for the able bodied. Chesil Beach the curvey bit to the west is fascinating but again tough walking, though there is a swanery which might be worth an hour's visit.

Poole is enormous and is mainly low depth water butting up against inaccessible land. So either do a boat tour, or you are limited to walking (all flat ) in various places like Wareham, Poole quay or Sandbanks (lots of beach and some of the most expensive residential land on the planet).

Lymington is just so cute and small with lots and lots of yachts

If I had to choose any and think about walking problems I'm going to struggle. Poole quay has a couple of standing gibbets if you like to see what we did to pirates and smugglers. Poole quay is probably the best. You might do better in Salisbury which is at least flat. Avoid Shaftesbury which is anything but flat. A good and close second is Weymouth. Both have some interesting festivals so it is worth checking out the towns' websites to see what is on.


Just a thought, have a look at WImborne Minster, pretty flat, tight houses, nice church, Walford Mill

For what it is worth, we really enjoyed Canterbury, even as a brief stop on our first night. (We spent the night.)

As a day trip it would be doable, the trains are 1 to 1.5 hour in each direction depending on the exact itinerary. However, I liked it better as an overnight as this better accommodates evensong and makes for a nice walk to explore some of the town the next morning. Warning, check the schedule on the Cathedral site, it may not be offered on any particular day.