Summer is most certainly over but Autumn is just as great a time to go on a road trip in the UK. The weather is not too hot nor too cold and the warm, bright foliage out the side windows adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the already stunning scenery of the UK.
Don’t own a car? No problem! We recommend you rent a car from a company such as SIXT – we recently did this for a roadtrip through France (you can read our piece on that here) and it provided us with complete peace of mind. Many Londoners don’t own a car yet this shouldn’t stop you from exploring the UK and making the most of the season. So, if you want a break this Autumn without having to jump on a plane or cruise ship, it’s an effortless way to do so.Here are some planning tips and a few places you should visit to make yours a success.
Where to visit
For such a small country, there are plenty of road trips routes that snake their way around the UK. One of the most popular is the North Coast 500.
This 516-mile route is perfect for petrol heads and those that love coastal landscapes. Taking around five days to be completed, it goes through stunning highlands countryside, atop stark, windswept cliffs. And while you won’t be close to many (any?) amenities for plenty of the journey, the lack of facilities is more than made up for by the scenery.
Further afield in Northern Ireland, the Sperrin Mountains are a great choice, bringing plenty of natural beauty to the fore thanks to the soaring mountain landscapes. In autumn, the route from Derry to Coleraine comes alive in rich red and orange – a brilliant sight when visiting one of the 90 or so stone circles that reside in the area.
In mainland England, why not try the Thetford Forest Trail. Close to the A134, it’s a great shorter route, and perfect if you want to stop off and enjoy some mountain biking along the way. The New Forest from Southampton to Christchurch also comes with plenty of nature, alongside classic English countryside, and villages aplenty. You could road trip around the Cotswolds staying in an array of hotels, or why not do a tour of the coast down near Brighton? The choice is yours!
How to prepare for your trip
Once you know where you’re heading and have earmarked when you’re off, it’s time to prepare. First, it’s crucial you ensure you have adequate breakdown cover while you’re on the road. This will protect you just in case you get into an accident while you’re on your trip.
If driving your own car it can also be a good idea to perform a light service on your car, checking fluids are topped up, the tyres are pumped up, and the interior has had a good clean. Also, bring along things like a tyre iron and jack to get you out of any flat tyre jams. If you’re hiring a rental, make sure you take out adequate insurance just for any incidentals that might occur.
Then, all you need to do is pack. What you bring will be highly dependent on your journey, but to stay safe, at least bring a tow rope and towbar, jump cables, torch and snacks. They’re always useful in the case of an emergency!
Why rent a car?
Renting a car is a truly simple way to get behind the wheel and have complete peace of mind. Public transport is great, but if you want to head to different destinations on one trip it can be a nightmare. A car rental means you:
- Don’t need to limit your luggage to what you can carry
- Can try out a range of great cars – why not road trip in a convertible?!
- Can crank up the music and have a fun time with friends
- Have complete peace of mind should anything happen thanks to the comprehensive insurance packages
- Means you can be more flexible with where and when you go
Do you enjoy road trips in the UK? Let us know where you go and how you prepare in the comments section.
