(With apologies and acknowledgments to the creators of the Singapore Girl slogan!). Seriously though, I generally loathe coach travel, but with car parking charges being what they are, it is a good way of getting to and from Heathrow if you are going to be away some time.

I can't speak for the rest of the country, but the service from Portsmouth starts nice and early, and is only £16 return. The coaches are air-conditioned, the seats recline (well, a bit!) and there is a washroom on board (especially useful if you rushed out without a shave!).

You can check out the point to point timings and prices, and order tickets, very easily from their website:

www.nationalexpress.co.uk