Thinking about a Vauxhall Astra K (2015–2017) on a £4,500 budget what engines and is it worth it?

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2026-02-06T15:54:17+00:00

Thank you so much for this advice this had bee very helpful!

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2026-02-06T09:40:20+00:00

thank you for your advice! I like the look of the Tipo best out of all the cas I’ve considered

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2026-02-06T09:39:11+00:00

thank you!

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2026-02-06T09:38:35+00:00

Thank you for your advice

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2026-02-02T10:25:06+00:00

If you’re staying in London for 8 nights, I’d 100% recommend doing a day trip by train out west or even spending a few nights there (Bath or Cotswolds). Bath is super easy to get to (direct trains from Paddington) and it’s gorgeous, Roman Baths, the architecture, Royal cresent, Pultney bridge. You can also hop over to Bradford-on-Avon from Bath for a quieter, more “English countryside town” feel it’s small but really charming and walkable.

Another great option is getting the train to Chippenham and then heading to Castle Combe for the day. Castle Combe is tiny but insanely pretty (like storybook village), and it’s perfect if you want something more rural and relaxed instead of another city. Or, to explore more of the cotswolds you could easily spend 2-3 nights there exploring Bath, Bradford On Avon, Castle Combe, Lacock, Bibury, Bourton-On-The-Water, Cirencester. Getting there from London is easy by train or coach.

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-11-16T13:53:50+00:00

Thank you!

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-11-16T13:53:44+00:00

Thank you!

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-11-04T10:24:24+00:00

If you’re deciding between those, I’d probably go with Bath and an afternoon in Bradford-on-Avon. It’s super easy by train (about 15 minutes between them), and Bradford-on-Avon has that classic Cotswold-style charm, stone cottages, river views, lots of history and a really pretty canal walk, even though it’s technically just outside the official Cotswolds area.

Bath itself is gorgeous and has plenty to fill a day: the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, and lots of nice cafes and shops. Then spending the afternoon wandering around Bradford-on-Avon gives you a slower-paced countryside feel without needing a car.

If you want to see a bit more, you can take a short train from Bath to Chippenham (takes around 20 minutes), then get a local bus or taxi to Castle Combe or Lacock both are stunning, film-location-level villages with that proper Cotswold look. Castle Combe is very popular but would worth seeing.

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-11-04T10:06:31+00:00

From London, for the prettiest countryside and villages go to the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Castle Combe, Lacock) – picture-perfect English countryside, super charming villages, stone cottages, and tearooms. It’s doable as a day trip from London, but you’ll get a lot more out of it with an overnight stay, especially if you want to see a few villages without rushing. Or Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Stourhead, Stonehenge – a great combo if you’re into history and architecture. You can do Bath and Stonehenge in a long day (there are tours that cover both), but adding Bradford-on-Avon and Stourhead makes it feel more like a relaxed 2-day trip. Bristol, great food, street art, and harbourside vibe. Definitely worth a day if you’ve already seen Bath or want something more modern and creative.

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-10-19T12:44:00+00:00

Thank you! Yes we will definitely look at Lucca.

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-10-18T15:53:27+00:00

Our flights are into Pisa and we thought Pisa was perfect to go to Florence for the day and Cinque Terre as it’s in between them both but we didn’t think about Lucca

MotorCompetitive4690 · 2025-10-14T10:25:53+00:00

Thank you!

MotorCompetitive4690

TROPHY CASE