Posted by alan truelove on April 09, 2004 at 18:43:13 from 66.239.159.18 user atruelove.
In Reply to: London posted by John Nichols on April 08, 2004 at 16:26:12:
(a) Always better to drive, unless yr v rich. Much more flexibility; the new toll Motorway around Birmingham must be a life saver (have only seen it in construction).
(b) Also you can stop off at Pottery Factories in Stoke.
(c) Alamo does a good job. To save the GBP 5 congestion charge. arrange to pick up, drop off outside the London boundary. (Unless on a Sat/Sun). Decline all Insurance (your Credit card or personal car insurance is sufficient), and insist on filling tank yo'self. Remove wheel covers and store in trunk (they will put them back for you). UK road designers are incompetent, so curbs are often ludicrously close to the roadway.
(d) If arriving by air, UK Car agencies are unable to stay open after 5 pm. They have a loony barrier-meeting arrangement. It is better to stay the night at an hotel, using their shuttle, and pick up in the morning (at the airport).
(e) The Lakes are totally devoid of Motor traffic in (e.g.) June prob because of the price of petrol/School holidays etc., general UK economic decline, and Tourist fears. Make the most of it, I say.