korof

Me and my husband will have 10 days in UK in Nov 2016 and I need help in deciding which city to go first, prioritizing in most convenient and efficient transfers and hassle with big luggages. Our 1st and 10th day are only for coming/going back to the airport, so effectively we will only have 8 full day and we want to focus on London (at least 4-5 nights) and visit Oxford and Cotswold. I haven't booked accommodations yet so my Itinerary is quite flexible at the moment.

I'm considering 2 options, which are:
A. Go to Oxford & Cotswold straight from LHR by express bus, spend 3-4 nights there, and then go to London until the end of our journey.
My biggest concern is that we will be very tired because we'll be coming from a very long flight from Asia (20+ hours) and having to take our big luggages (at least 2) everywhere. We're planning to rent a car in Oxford to go to Cotswold (and I'm not sure whether the rent office is easy to go from Oxford or not). Will I be able to save time with this itinerary?

OR

B. Stay in London for 4 nights, go to Oxford & Cotswold for 3 nights, and go back to London for the remainder of the trip.

It happens that on 5th Nov (Sat) there's Guy Fawkes Festival. I'm not sure whether this fireworks display is worth to spend the Saturday at London. I'm sort of 60% feeI that want to see it, but I don't know whether this festival is open for public and you can see the fireworks from anywhere in London? I think I can catch the festival with Itinerary A, but will miss it with Itinerary B.

With this option B, we'll be able to put our big luggages at hotel/locker and travel more lightly to Oxford and Cotswold.

Mode of transportation:
London - Oxford by bus or train (depends on itinerary)
Oxford- Cotswold by Rental Car
Oxford - London by bus or train

My goal is to have stress free travel and efficient timing, please help! I've been weighing this options for quite some time and I still cannot decide. Your suggestions will be much appreciated.

bilboburgler

5th of November. Basically the whole country will disappear under a fog of firework smoke. Lots of public parties going on, some private, some pre-booked, some pay at the park gate.

1) suggest you start by reducing how much you bring 10 days does not require that much clothing
2) November weather; British weather is variable, so it could be raining or sunny. The Cotswolds are really about hiking but you can drive from village to village.
3) you need this tool to plan your public transport http://www.traveline.info/ probably best to catch a coach to oxford first thing.
4) given your jet lag I'd stay in Oxford the first night (UK roads are dangerous enough without brain-dead travellers )

janisj

the lots of luggage will be a problem on public transport. If you must have a lot of luggage because of some other part of your trip -- then you can just travel around the UK w/ carry-on sized bags and leave your big suitcases at Heathrow -- but it will be expensive.

If it was me in this situation, I'd take the Express coach from LHR to Oxford and stay 2 nights without a car. That will give you 1.5 full days in Oxford. Then collect a rental car and spend 2 nights in the Cotswolds -- maybe based in Burford or Chipping Campden.

Then drive to Heathrow and drop the car, go into London for the rest of your visit. On you departure day take the tube or a car service out to LHR and fly out.

tower

Korof..these pics may help you with some ideas for Cotswolds.
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...twE&feat=email

tower

a few of the captions are a mix up of some Japanese shots..pay no mind

tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...KHcytuxmJrntwE Korof these are better, captions fixed.

korof

Hi again, I've checked the rate for keeping luggages at LHR and I think it's too expensive for us, so I guess we'll have to take our luggages to oxford, cotswold and back to London.

I have another question: From Oxford we are planning to rent a car to Cotswold, now on our way back to London, should we take train from the Cotswold area (train from Morton in Marsh if I'm not mistaken) or drive back to Oxford to return the car and then take bus/train to central London?

historytraveler

Have done the trip from LHR to/ from Oxford dozens of time and agree with janisj. Take the Express coach from Heathrow to Oxford. You can drop car at either LHR or Oxford ( taking the coach back to Heathrow ) depending on itinerary, timing and which you think will be easiest.

thursdaysd

Why do you have so much luggage? I am traveling for three and a half months with one carry-on size wheeled bag and a day pack. If you use public transport a big bag will be a major pain for you AND a major pain for your fellow travelers.

janisj

>>Why do you have so much luggage?>should we take train from the Cotswold area (train from Morton in Marsh if I'm not mistaken) or drive back to Oxford to return the car and then take bus/train to central London?The Cotswolds is a very large area

Kathie

I agree, not the best time of the year for the Cotswolds. I'd spend all of your nights in London with one day trip to Oxford. There is so much to do and see in London you won't be bored.

thursdaysd

Or you could do another day trip to Cambridge and see which university town you prefer.