5 days Post Cruise recommendations

We are completing our spring transatlantic cruise on May 9 in Southampton and have decided to stay five days in Salisbury and do some traveling in southern England before departing Heathrow on May 13. I think we will rent a car, so would like recommendations on car rentals in Southampton. Do any of the rental agencies pick up at the port or will we need to take a taxi? Also would love some recommendations for day trips from Salisbury--must see attractions, etc. We have been to Stonehenge, but not since the new visitor's center has opened. Is it worth going back? Finally, our flight departs Heathrow is at 2:30 on May 13, but we will have to drive from Salisbury and turn in our rental car. What time should we plan to leave Salisbury to have plenty of time to check in and clear security, etc.

Many thanks as always for advice and recommendations.

Susan

Hi Susan,

Hertz, National and Europcar have depots close to City Cruise Terminal (RCI, Celebrity & others) and just a short taxi hop from the other cruise terminals. I don't think they offer a meet-and-greet service.

The depots of all three are in the same road - a service road off the main West Quay Road, but confusingly with the same "West Quay Road" name. No worries, taxi drivers know where they are. if you arrive at City terminal, you have the choice of a ten minute walk, or send one of your party on that ten-minute walk to return with the car, or take a two minute / £5 taxi ride.

Your choice will be very restricted if its a sunday.

Avis' depot is at Southampton airport - inconvenient, involves a 20 - 25 minute taxi ride (about £20), but I believe they offer - at a price - a delivery service to the cruise terminals. Or, although Southampton isn't a desperately difficult city to drive or navigate, if you took a taxi to pick up a car at the airport you'd then drive onto the motorway, well away from city roads.

Bear in mind the overnite parking in Salisbury, and a slightly mystifying one-way system, when choosing a hotel. A city centre hotel with parking is probably most convenient, a country-house hotel outside the city may be more relaxing.

Salisbury is a good central base for day-trips.

North-west to Bath certainly. Park the car and walk the city, but mebbe on the way include a place or two, like Marlborough or Silbury Hill or the West Kennet long barrow or Avebury Ring or Lacock - or save all of those for a separate day tour.

West past the Fovant badges to Shaftesbury (Gold Hill) and Sherborne, then return either via a southern loop (the Dorset downs & villages) or a northern loop (Glastonbury, Wells, mebbe even Cheddar).

South-west to the Jurassic coast (Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Weymouth, Portland Bill, West Bay, mebbe even as far as Lyme Regis.

South to the New Forest - or incorporate that into your drive from Southampton.

South-east to Portsmouth. Like Bath, this is one to park your car for the day. The historic docks and ships, the Spinnaker Tower, mebbe a boat ride to the navy Explosions museum and Submarine museum on the other side of Portsmouth Harbour or a short drive to the seafront of the conjoined city of Southsea - D-Day museum, little Southsea Castle, hovercraft to the Isle of Wight, views over the Solent. Attack Portsmouth from the back of Portsdown Hill, with its forts and elevated city views, rather than the boring motorway. Or visit Portchester Castle on the way. On reflection, mebbe forget about renting a car and make Portsmouth your base for the full five days. :D

East to Winchester. Set your GPS to "shortest route", a vaguely direct cross-country route, & lose yourselves in Hampshire's hamlets & villages & country lanes. Though Winchester is quite similar to Salisbury.

North-east is comparatively limited, and beyond Newbury or Basingstoke (ugly modern place) becomes more urban approaching London. But consider Windsor Castle before returning the car at Heathrow if you have a late flight, or if you're a Downton Abbey fan you could visit Highclere Castle.

Check those places out with Google - search "visit Bath" or "Bath tourist", etc.and see what grabs your fancy.

Plot these places on a map, you'll see that you can tie them together in different ways to my suggestions.

You did say you have five weeks pre-cruise? :D

JB :)

Thanks JB--I just wish we had 5 weeks!

Deciding among all these wonderful options will be the challenge.

I appreciate your assistance.

Susan