Since the start of the pandemic, summer holidays or any type of holidays have been a dream for many! With the UK now into its third national lockdown, will there be hope of an abroad holiday, or will we all be opting for UK ‘staycations’ this year? If you don’t want to risk going abroad, then there are some amazing roadtrips right here in the UK!
A recent survey from Refused Car Finance, a car finance broker in the North east of England found that from July 4, 2020, people were able to book a holiday or night away at many popular UK ‘staycations’ and hotels. Refused Car Finance’s survey had revealed that only 16.7% of drivers had driven to a UK staycation since the new rules had come into play. With this in mind, will there be a higher uptake in UK staycations and UK roadtrips in the summer of 2021?
The UK is home to some of the most beautiful road trips and some trips make it hard to believe that you are still in the UK! Some of the highest rated include, Scotland’s North Coast 500, The Atlantic highway, the lake district and many more! So, what’s the best cars to get you there? And what do we look for in the top cars for UK roadtrips?
1. Maxda MX5
Travelling solo or in a couple? A small sport car could be perfect for your road trip and the Mazda MX5 could be the right car for you! It is a cheap but rewarding sports car which is surprisingly much more spacious than you would think it is. Its fuel economy is surprisingly good for a small car and it’s a comfortable drive with a small amount of luggage.
2. Volkswagen California
The perfect campervan for your UK roadtrips if you want to save money on accommodation or planning a long trip. It’s not classed as a car per say but if you want to experience the great outdoors in more luxury than the tent you’ve had in the loft for 10 years then the Volkswagen California is perfect for you! It has enough room for a family of four and all your belongings. It has some great inside features to make life that little easier such as the pop-up roof, seat storage, built in fridge and pull-out blinds.
3. BMW 5 series
Not every aspect of your road trip will be exciting and there could be some long stints on UK motorways so make sure you drive in comfort and style. Our top pick is the BMW 5 series. It comes with some really impressive tech and the 520d Efficient Dynamics which claims a colossal range of 982 miles! BMWs are well known for being one of the most comfortable cars to drive and reliability wont often leave you stranded on the road.
4. Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S may be one of our more expensive cars on the list, but it certainly packs a punch. Going for a long drive in an electric vehicle used to be a pipe dream for electric enthusiasts. However, the Model S makes that a reality. The Model S was built for speed and range and also has automatic driving modes and an infotainment touchscreen that resembles the size of an iPad!
5. Renault Megane
The Renault Megan is so perfect for road trips it even comes with its own road trip mode! The Renault Megane is clever, good looking and beats any ordinary family car. The Megane handles really well on both city roads and country roads, making it perfect for long road trips. Its suitable for all the family and enough luggage for a week-long trip.
6. A Few Road Trip Essentials
No matter what kind of car or vehicle you end up getting for your UK road trip, you have to make sure that you can prepare both yourself and your transport with a few essentials before you set off. Start by filling up your tank, as you won’t want to be left in the back of beyond without any petrol and no sign of a station nearby. Next, fill the boot with supplies that can keep you safe and healthy throughout your journey – this includes items such as thick blankets to keep you warm during the night when the temperatures drop dramatically, and lots of dried, preserved or long-shelf life foods that you can eat without needing a fridge or cooking equipment.
You should also consider the health of your vehicle, as having a spare tire and some full coverage insurance will help to provide you with peace of mind that you can get back on the road in record time if something were to happen. No matter what kind of difficulty you get into on the road, be sure to contact a representative such as OH Parsons so that you don’t end up in an even worse situation – never leave the scene if you get into a crash, especially without providing the other vehicle with your details as you take theirs too.
Enjoy your road trip around the beautiful British Isles!
