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Holidaying In an EV – Our Guide for A UK Summer EV Road Trip

Planning a summer get-away in the UK? Here are some ideal destinations to visit on your EV road trip and where to charge on Mer’s public charging network.
Cars driving on countryside road

Stay-cations in the UK are a perfect opportunity to get away in your electric vehicle (EV). If you are planning an EV road trip, this blog includes: 

  • Details on the top spots to visit this summer  
  • Where you can charge on Mer public EV charge points

Enjoy your holiday without the worrying about where you can charge your EV!

Where To Charge with Mer This Summer Holiday

Bournemouth coastline

South

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. 

(image: bournemouth.co.uk)

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: 

Leslie Road 

Fern Barrow 

Richmond Hill 

Richmond Garden Multi-Storey Car Park 

Glen Fern 

Christchurch Road 

West Hill 

Beacon Road 

Kings Park, Throop 

Hawkwood Road Car Park 

Pound Lane Car Park 

View all charge points in the Bournemouth area on our Drive Portal. 

View of lake in the Lake District, England

Northwest

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: 

Scenic view of Bath, Somerset

Southwest

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 (one of the many filming locations for the hit Netflix drama Bridgerton), Beazer Maze, Pulteney Bridge, Royal Victoria Park, 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.  

(image: visitbath.co.uk)

Charging your EV in and around Bath 

You can find Mer charge points in the neighbouring areas to Bath.

View of Portsmouth, England

Southeast

Southampton and Portsmouth 

The port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth are 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 for a short run at the Mayflower Theatre in late July, and The Hundred cricket competition is taking place in August. There is also the New Forest and Hampshire County Show from 30 July to 1 August, and four-day festival Boomtown Fair is on during the second weekend of August. 

Portsmouth’s attractions include the Spinnaker Tower, Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle, the Southsea Marina, and the Fort Widley Equestrian Centre. Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival, a family-friendly music festival, is taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

Charging your EV in Southampton and Portsmouth 

Romsey Road Car Park, Upper Market Street

Lakeside Car Park

Places leisure, Passfield Avenue.

Cliff edge, Isle of Wight

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: 

Adelaide Grove, East Cowes 

Somerton Roundabout 

Seaview Road 

Somerton Park and Ride 

Cross Street 

Quay Street 

Chapel Street 

Wykeham Road 

Seaclose Park 

Seaview

Seafield Road 

Shanklin 

Orchardleigh Road 

Yarmouth 

River Road Car Park 

Lake 

New Road Car Park 

Freshwater 

Moa Place Car Park 

Pony standing by river beck

Southeast

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. 

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 to connect with nature, such as the New Forest Wildlife Park, Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, and the New Forest Reptile Centre.

Lands End, Cornwall scenic view

Southwest

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. 

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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