There is a bus from Heathrow to Oxford and also Bath.
We have used both Holiday Inns near Heathrow - good safe options and include B/F (can use Qantas points too if you have them) and ditto for the 2 Hiltons. The one at T2 is SO convenient!
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Good to know @Globetrotter but I want to get away from LHR. To help my jet lag recovery I like to get out in the fresh air straight away and walk around sightseeing for the day, then collapse in bed at night.
Bristol sounds like a good option too. Thanks for the suggestion @BonnyinBrighton
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@UKSITTER1 can I book National Express buses when I arrive at LHR. I’m loath to book in advance in case my inbound flight is delayed again. Last year I had to cancel & rebook the the train LHR to Bath while delayed at Singapore.
I can answer that. You can but you risk not getting a seat…..although I reckon they could squeeze you in. It will also be more expensive than if you booked in advance.
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Another vote for Bristol here @Crookie
It’s not far from us and a great place for a wander.
The Harbourside area is great to explore, and you can get around using the Bristol Harbour Ferry.
Clifton is lovely with the Suspension Bridge and the Downs.
Bristol also has some of the UKs most famous street art. There are some great parks and green spaces too. Also plenty of museums as wet weather options!
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Thanks for the Bristol tips @Debbie I love street art and am a Banksy fan!
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Totally off topic but I highly recommend the Timeshifter app to help dealing with jet lag. I travel long haul pretty frequently and don’t get jet lag going east but suffer quite a bit on a westward trip.
Timeshifter lets you put in your flight details and gives you a sleep/wake/light/caffeine schedule in the days leading up to your flight that will have you arriving in LHR fully shifted to GMT.
First journey logged in the app is free. I’m not affiliated with them in any way but just wanted to share something that really helps me.
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All the very best people have lived in Bradford on Avon @Crookie 
Frome is nice too if you haven’t been there? #wanderingnomad
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Hi @Cuttlefish, I have been to Frome (& actually know how to pronounce it correctly too ). Admittedly it was a brief visit, my husband’s first time driving in falling snow, when we had to take a very sick cat to the vet for a scan. Thankfully we all survived the expedition!
As lovely as Oxford’s history sounds, I’m leaning towards Bristol for my recovery stay. Although if I stumble upon a beautiful spa hotel…
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I’d recommend Bath over Bristol — much better, especially after a long flight. It’s also closer to Heathrow (about 20–30 minutes shorter), so it makes for an easier journey when you’re jet-lagged.
We stayed at the Royal Hotel Bath, which was reasonably priced and right next to the train station — super convenient. There’s a lovely pub in the lobby and the staff were incredibly friendly.
Bath is a perfect place to recover:
- Home to the world-famous Roman Baths and stunning Georgian architecture
- Quieter and more scenic than Bristol — ideal for a relaxing start
- Very walkable, with plenty of cafés, spas, and charming streets to explore
Highly recommend it for your first stop in the UK!
Hi @BunnyCat we did all that at Bath in March last year for our flight recovery. We also stayed at the Royal Hotel. We had a great time. I’m looking for some place new for this trip.
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I love your humour!
Bristol does make sense.
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You’re a smart one @Crookie, Frome gets everyone!! Also agree that Bristol is fab, was a student there & then lived in Clifton Village by the suspension bridge which is gorgeous. Like @Debbie I’d go for that area to stay in and mooch/drink coffee/gaze at views 
If you fancy a good spa hotel then Cheltenham has lots of good ones including Ellenborough Park & Dormy House. #spaspecial
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Oh I definitely got Frome’s pronounciation wrong the first time @Cuttlefish and quickly learned it doesn’t rhyme with home. Obviously…not!
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I’ve decided to stay in Bristol and found a lovely central spa hotel, the Harbour Hotel.
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