On the way from Bath to Heathrow...
 

We are spending our last night in the UK in Bath and have a 4:45 PM flight home the next day from Heathrow. I figure we should be at Heathrow by about 1:30 PM (is this right?). If we set out from Bath by about 9:30, would we have time to see Windsor Castle on our way? If so, is parking difficult in the Windsor area?

If the Windsor idea is too ambitious, I figure we will just stop and check out Avebury and make a leisurely drive of it. Thanks!

Why not leave at 0800 or 0830 and have enough time for both :)

Avebury doesn't have to take too long, but Windsor definitely does. You could be at Windsor by 10:00 or 10:30, have 3 hours for a whirlwind tour and get to LHR in time to drop the car. Be sure to get the exact directions to the drop off point - some are quite confusing.

There isn't any parking right at the castle but there are well signposted parking lots in town.

If you're flying home to the US, you should be ready to check in by 1:30 p.m. That means getting to Heathrow enough ahead of that time to drop off your car and get to your check-in counter.

Hmm...sounds like I'd better revise our LHR arrival time to about 12:30. Can it really be that bad? This will be on a weekday (Monday).

I might be able to get DH moving by 0800 or 0830 if I poke him with a sharp stick!
How bad is the traffic likely to be heading toward London in mid-morning?

Hi Azzure - I beg to differ with Janis - I don't think you have time for both.

I live near Bath. The drive up to Windsor will normally take you about 2 hrs on the M4. Leaving Bath about 08.30 should get you on the M4 about 09.00 - and in Windsor by mid-morning.

Traffic on the M4 is nomally manageable after 09.00.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thanks for the responses. Think I will just stop by Avebury on the way to Heathrow and save Windsor for another visit. Is there anything else between Bath and LHR that we ought to think about seeing?