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Holidaying in an EV: A Guide for an EV Road Trip in the UK
Planning a summer get-away in the UK? Here are the ideal destinations to visit on your EV road trip and where to charge on Mer’s public network.
In this blog: Bournemouth | The Lake District | Bath | Southampton and Portsmouth | Isle of Wight | New Forest | Cornwall
Staycations in the UK are a perfect opportunity to get away in your electric vehicle (EV). If you are planning an EV road trip, our guide contains details on the top spots to visit. And, dotted around each location are multiple Mer public EV charge points, so you can enjoy your holiday without the worry of where you can charge your EV.
Bournemouth
A coastal town in Dorset on the southern coast of England, Bournemouth promises beautiful views and sandy beaches, as well as museums and castles for cultural excursions.
Twelve Blue Flag awards, awarded to well-managed beaches, have been secured for Bournemouth beaches including Alum Chine beach, Fisherman’s Walk beach, and Southbourne beach.
If you are searching for some greenery and nature, visit Boscombe Chine Gardens or one of the ten officially designated Nature Reserves. The Bournemouth Aviary on Pines Walk in Bournemouth Gardens is home to around 200 tropical birds, whilst the Bournemouth Oceanarium offers a range of opportunities to connect with its marine animals.
For some cultural immersion, try the Bournemouth Natural Science Society and the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, and be sure to check out the mini golf at Boscombe Chine Gardens too.
Charging your EV in Bournemouth
Mer has numerous public charge points in and around the Bournemouth area:
Bournemouth Seafront
Durley Chine, West Overcliff Drive
Branksome Chine, Pinecliff Road
Bournemouth Beach/Boscome Pier/Boscombe Chine Gardens/Bournemouth Aviary
Fishermans Walk Beach
Warren Edge, Southbourne Coast Road, Wick
Christchurch and Poole
View all charge points in the Bournemouth area on our Drive Portal.
The Lake District
One of Northwest England’s true gems, the Lake District is a place of stunning natural beauty to spend your summer. It is England’s largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a boat trip along Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston or Derwentwater, hike Scarfell Pike, cycle in the Grizedale and Winlatter Forests, and connect with the area’s rich history at Lowther Castle and The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere. You can also explore the Lakes by bus, and you can even meet, walk and trek with llamas.
Charging around the Lake District
You can find Mer charge points at the following locations:
Whitehaven West Cumberland Hospital
Bath
Found in the county of Somerset, Bath is another city to add to your EV road trip list. Must-visits include the American Museum and Gardens, the Royal Cresent, Beazer Maze, Pulteney Bridge, and the Botanical Gardens at the Royal Victoria Park.
Drive out of Bath to see the cliffs and caves of Cheddar Gorge, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Bath is also located near some other lovely towns and cities, such as Bristol, Keynsham, Corsham, and Frome.
Charging your EV in and around Bath
You can find Mer charge points at Snapdragons Nurseries on Weston Road in Bristol, Springfield Community Campus on Beechfield Road in Corsham, and on Trajectus Way in Keynsham.
Southampton and Portsmouth
The port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth are port cities in Hampshire, both with a whole host of things to do in the summer months.
Southampton’s notable monuments include the Titanic Engineers’ Memorial, whilst visitors can learn about the city’s aviation history at the Solent Sky Museum and enjoy a range of artwork at the Southampton City Art Gallery. SIX The Musical is coming from London’s West End for a short run at the Mayflower Theatre in late July, and The Hundred cricket competition is taking place in August. If you are heading to Southhampton towards the end of summer, you can enjoy street food at The Big Eat at Royal Victoria Country Park in early September.
Portsmouth’s attractions include the Spinnaker Tower, Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle, the Southsea Marina, and the Fort Widley Equestrian Centre.
Charging your EV
In Southamption, the following public charge points are available:
In the neighbouring borough of Eastleigh, drivers can find charge points at Romsey Road Car Park on Upper Market Street, and Places leisure on Passfield Avenue.
In Havant, not far from Portsmouth, you can find charge points on Harts Farm Way.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a popular destination for the summer holidays. Visitors can enjoy water sports including kayaking and sailing as well as the island’s zoo, making it an ideal holiday location for families. Half of the island is protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and walkers and cyclists alike can explore the island’s beautiful coast and countryside.
EV charging on the Isle of Wight
Mer is building its network across the Island:
Cowes
Wootton Bridge
Ryde
Newport
Sandown
Ventnor
New Forest
Named a national park in 2005, the New Forest is the place to visit on your EV road trip for immersing yourself in nature.
The New Forest and Hampshire County Show 2023 is taking place later this month, whilst the New Forest Food Festival is happening in early August. Learn something new at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and New Forest Heritage Centre, or get out in nature and enjoy the the countryside views whilst walking the Sea Air Trail, Lyndhurst Parish Walk, or Avon Valley Walk. There are plenty of spots for visitors to connect with nature, such as the New Forest Wildlife Park, Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, and the New Forest Reptile Centre.
Charging around the New Forest
Charge points can be found at:
Brockenhurst
Palace Lane, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst
Brookley Road Car Park, Brockenhurst
Milford on Sea
Paddys Gap, Cliff Road, Milford on Sea
Lymington
Lyndhurst
Village Centre Car Park, Lyndhurst
Totton
Hythe
New Road Car Park, Pylewell Road, Hythe
Jones Lane Car Park, Brinton Lane, Hythe
Other
Cornwall
Located in the Southwest of England, Cornwall is a stunning place to spend your summer. Notable sites include the Delabole Slate Quarry, an Industrial Heritage site and the oldest working slate quarry in England, and Botallack Mine, a filming location from BBC TV series Poldark.
For the surfers, check out the ‘Home of British Surfing’ – Fistral Beach, in Newquay. And fans of Daphne du Maurier should visit Frenchman’s Creek and Jamaica Inn, the inspirations for the novels of the same names.
The Eden Project, located in Bodelva, is a former clay mine, barren with no plants or soil. Now, it is the home of a beautiful garden, the world’s largest indoor rainforest, and contemporary artworks, as well as being a cultural venue and the host of the Eden Sessions, a summer music concert series.
Plugging in your EV in Cornwall
If you are exploring St Agnes, visit the Driftwood Spars Carpark at Trevaunance Cove to top-up your EV, whilst at the Eden Project you can charge on one of ten 22kW charge points available to visitors.
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