We are a couple traveling with our two children. We want to do a one day trip to the Cotswolds (we are staying overnight in Chipping Campden). Would it be too much to rent a car from Heathrow (some of the outlying offices are closed on Sunday)see some villages, return the car to Heathrow the next morning and then Paddinton, to Waterloo to Paris by Eurostar. Has anyone bused in the Cotswolds or used a taxi? Please help, I need to figure this part out.

I think you will need a car. <BR>It should be possible with several companies to rent the car at Heathrow, and drop off at Waterloo International. at no extra charge, which will save you the Heathrow - Paddington - Waterloo obstacle course.

Tony <BR>Thank you, thank you. That possiblity did not occur to me. I appreciate your help and will check into it today.

I live near the Cotswolds and there is definitely no way you'd get around by bus particularly on a Sunday. I'd recommend you hire a car and, through any of the larger companies, you can pick up and drop off wherever suits you. <BR>May I suggest some villages which I think are nicer than many of the more frequented ones- Blockley (about 4 miles from Chipping Campden); Stanton and Stanway; Toddington nearby has old steam trains (don't know how old your children are!)then over to Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water (model village)If you have time Burford Church is very interesting. Chipping Campden has a lovely tea shop with excellent scones and cream (Ford's right on the main street near the Cotswold House Hotel) <BR>Enjoy your trip <BR>M

We (60ish)spent a week in western UK 5 years ago, considering revisit. Meg's suggestions are good. Mine is: take 2 days; I'd guess Cotswolds to be 3-4 hours from London on as good or better x-way than US interstates (no freeze bumps). But driving in the Cotswolds can be nerve wracking, as some of the roads are about 7" wider than the car---and there are either no shoulders, or the 1 foot wide shoulder has a vertical stone edge. After a while one gets used to driving it like the locals, but the first 2 hours can be harried. Take 2 days to smell the roses; if you try to do it in one day, in ten years you'll remember being in "some town" between 2 and 2:15, and not much else. It's a delightful part of Britain