My wife and I are traveling to England this spring, arriving at Heathrow. We would like to spend the night somewhere near Heathrow before picking up a rental car and driving to the Cotswolds. We don't want to return to Heathrow to pick up our car, however. Can anyone recommend a safe and comfortable town or part of London (the outskirts)where we could stay at a reasonably priced hotel or B&B and where we can likely find some car rental companies? Thanks!

Windsor.

Windsor, again!

I'm trying to figure out the reasoning for taking a taxi or other public transport to a B&B for the night and then taking another one somewhere the next day to get your rental car. Why not just pick up your rental car at Heathrow when you arrive and drive that short distance to where you stay? It won't cost you anything, as I assume you will be returning it on a day earlier than the time you are picking it up? Windsor is good.

The first time we flew to London we didn't sleep but about an hour on the flight, so we were really tired. As we're expecting to be in the same condition this time, we don't want to risk driving.

Thanks very much for the Windsor suggestion. I did find one car company there: Baldock's. Have any of you ever used that company? Thanks!!

OK, I understand the being tired and not wanting to drive thing. I'm the same way. Maybe I misunderstood, but thought you were arriving in the evening, which would indicate you are flying in the day? When I do that, I arrive in London at about 8:30 at night but it is only 3:30 in the afternoon my "home" time, so I wouldn't be sleepy anyway. Maybe that's not your case.

I have used Baldocks twice and would again if I needed a car out of Windsor. Be sure to ask about their "economy" rentals. They are a small garage and rent both new cars and slightly older ones as economy discounts. One time I rented a 3 year old car and saved almost £70 on a week's rental.

I also think a short drive from a LHR car rental depot to a nearby B&B would be OK even after a sleepless flight. But if you really don't want to drive that day use Baldocks. I'd give them a call and they might come over to LHR to pick you up even tho' you aren't renting the car til the next day. (BTW - don't be put off by the sight of the garage - it is a small agency in the arches under the railroad viaduct and a very short walk from the center/castle - do not expect a Hertz-like modern facility w/ computer screens etc.)

Thanks very much for your help and advice.

Well unless that particular company has great rates why not just take a cab back to the airport in the AM - where you can chose from among all the rental companies and be sure you have the best rate?

The thing is - Baldocks DOES have great rates. Sometimes 30% or more less than some of the big multi-nationals (which I also use when they are more convenient)

Do you happen to know whether one can drop one of Baldock's cars off elsewhere, such as York?

No - they are a local garage - sort of like renting a car from your corner gas station. They do not have branches all over the country - just in Windsor.

So if that doesn't work for you, pay more and rent from a national chain.