AudsFrmSA

Hi Everyone,
We are seriously considering a trip to the UK (from South Africa) in Dec/Jan., mainly so hubby can have a 'look-'n-see', because we will be moving to Scotland once our house is sold (wish it would hurry up and sell). We'd be arriving at Heathrow airport, and I am wondering what would be the best way to travel to Lincolnshire, need to get there to visit my Mum, before heading up to Scotland. We are thinking of hiring a car, but I'm worried about driving - is the weather going to be really bad at that time of the year? Is it easy enough to catch a bus, or would a train be better. Is there a train station near the airport or would we have to get a taxi from the airport to the station? Any info., thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. Or is it a better idea to land at Manchester Airport?
Thanks Audrey

squiddley

Hi we live in Lincolnshire.
If you fly to Manchester you can get a train to The Lincolnshire area,goes Sheffield,Doncaster,Scunthorpe,Grimsby,Cleethorpes .
The train Leaves direct from Manchester Airport...
Hope this Helps......

crystal23

I'd fly into Machester if I were you. Much easier, but if you do fly into LHR you can get a National Express Coach from Heathrow Central. It's a bit of a pain to get there from T4 or T5 though and think it will take around 5 hours to Lincoln on the coach.

Taxi into London from LHR will be 50-70 pounds depending on time of day and you can get the train from Paddington (I'm sure it's Paddington - you'd need to double check) to Lincoln. Estimate that would be around 3 hours.

There is an underground station at LHR so you could get to Paddington that way but I think it would be a PITA dragging luggage after a l/h flight onto the underground.

Deffo reckon flying into Manchester is your best bet if you can get flights there.

Elaine B.

You could also get the Heathrow Express to Paddington with isn't quiet as hectic as the underground and takes about 15 minutes.

crystal23

Yep agree forgot that one. Just check beforehand that there are no cancellations due to railworks - used to be alot

Luckyone

My wife and I have flown into Heathrow many times over the last 18 years, to then travel onto Lincolnshire (Spalding). We've always rented a car and have done so at various times of the year, so I've never found the weather to be a problem (but then I'm used to winter driving in Canada!).

It'll depend when you land at Heathrow but we usually get in around 9am, take the shuttle bus to the car rental and on our way driving by around 10.30'ish. The drive for us is a couple of hours and family have lunch ready for us on our arrival.
For what it's worth I would never go the public transport route but many do, just doesn't suit me.

lionheart

I agree...a hired car is best. We have used Thrifty Car Rental for obvious reasons...cheap'n'cheerful with easy access.

AudsFrmSA

Thanks everyone, I'm getting the impression that perhaps hiring a car would be the better idea, especially with kids/luggage.

Next question, if we were to hire a car; we then need to travel from Lincolnshire up to Carnoustie in Scotland - how long would this drive take?

TruBrit

google is your friend or http://route.rac.co.uk/

Dan725

I'd also go with renting a car. I'm from Lincolnshire - it is somewhat off the beaten track, and rail to the county is generally a pain from the major airports.

Wouldn't worry about the time of year. UK weather is different now than what I remember it when growing up 20-25 years ago...I remember the great days and sometimes up week or two off school.....generally that never seems to happen anymore. Kinda sad really.....but good for travel.

Bevm

Driving out of Heathrow and through that part of England can be very stressful, so if you've had an overnight flight you might want to stay a day or two to get adjusted. Last time we went over we spent a couple of nights in London and explored there. The kids would enjoy the museums, depending on age. We went back to Heathrow to pick up a rental car because we were going to drop it there at the end of the holiday and it seemed simpler, but there are probably other options.

We used the tube connection and had no trouble, but we didn't have kids. IIRC it was all on the flat to the tube. We might even have been able to take a cart all the way.

Bev

AudsFrmSA

I think we have decided that a few nights in London (somewhere?) before going up to Sleaford would be a good idea, just to catch our breath and explore London a bit and do the touristy things, then the best bet seems to then be, to get a rental car and drive up to Lincolnshire. I'm not sure I fancy catching public transport with suitcases and two small kids (Age 6 & 9).
We'll stay with my Mum in Sleaford for a few nights then drive up to my Dad in Carnoustie, Scotland, but I'm now looking for somewhere nice 'half-way' to stay overnight and break the journey. Any suggestions?

Elaine B.

Speaking of London and Heathrow, just a couple of hours ago my OH booked flights for me and our 5 year old to go and visit London while he's working there in November. We'll only have 2 full days (leaving on Friday after noon returning on Monday afternoon) so I will be getting the tube with bags and a kid Neither myself or OH can drive so renting a car won't be an option.

TruBrit

might be easier to get a cab to the hotel from LHR and then using the tube around town...one doesn't need a car.

TruBrit

google is your friend...seriously