Holidaying In An EV – Our Guide For A UK Winter Road Trip

With the new year only a few weeks away, you may be in the process of planning your next holiday. Rather than spending the next few months sheltering from the icy weather and dark nights, why not take a UK winter road trip in your electric vehicle (EV) in the UK?

Whether you are planning a weekend away or an extended holiday, take inspiration from our city break guide for EV drivers. At each destination, you will find plenty of Mer public EV chargers, so you can top-up your EV during your stay.

York

York is a cathedral city located in North Yorkshire. Visitors can explore the city’s medieval architecture, as well as prominent sites including Castle Howard, York Minster, and the National Railway Museum, the world’s largest railway museum.

Christmas in York

The York Christmas Market is returning this year until 23 December 2022, whilst York’s Chocolate Story is hosting tours and chocolate-making workshops throughout December. Take a tour around Treasurer’s House in the city’s centre and explore the gardens, before heading to York Minster to see the Christmas Tree Festival (until 5 January 2023). Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are also to be held at the Minster this year. And on the outskirts of York, you can find Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at the Mcarthur Glen Designer Outlet, Fulford, until 8 January.

Driving to York

A short twenty minute journey from the M1/M62 motorway network, York is great winter road trip destination and easily accessible in your EV.

Northbound:

• From the A1: Take the exit onto the A63, the B1222, Finkle Hill, the A162, the A64, the A19, and the A1036.
• From the M1: Take the M18 at junction 32. At junction 2, take the A1(M) and continue onto the A1. At junction 44, take the A64, the A19, and the A1036.

Southbound:

• From the A19: Take Shipton Road, Gillygate, Lord Mayor’s Walk, and Foss Bank.
• From the A1: At Junction 47, take the A59 exit, follow the A59, the A1237, Shipton Road, Gillygate, Lord Mayor’s Walk, and Foss Bank.

Charging Your EV In York

You can find Mer charge points in and around York, so you can top-up your EV whilst you enjoy the festive events. There are chargers at Haxby Road and Jockey Lane to the North, Bacchus House to the East, and Oak Rise to the West of the city centre.

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Located in the Northeast of England, Newcastle-upon-Tyne another great spot to visit on your winter road trip. It is the home of famous historical landmarks, such as the Angel of the North, the Tyne Bridge, and Newcastle Castle. Recently, it won the title of the UK’s top EV hotspot; according to Volkswagen Financial Services UK, more electric cars have been financed there in 2022 than anywhere else in the UK.

Christmas and New Year in Newcastle

Visitors can admire Fenwick Newcastle’s Christmas Window on Northumberland Street until 31 December 2022, and families can visit Santa’s Grotto until Christmas Eve.

Watch the firework display on New Year’s Eve on Newcastle Quayside, and enjoy a festive afternoon tea at The Pavilion Café until New Year’s Day. Catch Beauty and the Beast at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House before 8 January 2023.

Driving to Newcastle

The A1 links Newcastle to major routes across the country, so you can travel into the centre on your winter road trip with no hassle.

Northbound:

• From the A1: Take the exit at junction 69 and follow the A184 and A189 until you reach the centre.
• From the A19: Take the slip road to and follow the A184, Gateshead Hwy and the A167.
• From the A692: Take the A184 before taking the A189.

Eastbound:

• From the A69: Take the A186, A191, A167, B1318 and Queen Victoria Road.

Southbound:

• From the A696: Take the A167, B1318 and Queen Victoria Road.
• From the A1: Take the A167, B1318 and Queen Victoria Road.

Charging your EV in Newcastle

There are many Mer chargers in and around Newcastle for a top-up or overnight charge.

There are chargers at Eldon Garden on Morden Street and Eldon Square on Percy Street, a short distance from Grainger Town. You can find another at the Lifestyle Academy, located down the road from the Tyne Theatre and Opera House. There are also chargers at the Newcastle Shopping Park if you need to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, and at NTW Solutions on Benfield Road.

In Gateshead, you can find 12 charge points at Hoults Yard business village on Walker Road, and more at the Gateshead Civic Centre on Regent Street and Heworth Metro Car Park on Low Heworth Lane.

London

The UK’s capital city welcomes visitors from around the globe to witness its vibrant attractions and historical landmarks, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London. London also has a green ethos; with the aim of helping to combat air toxicity, London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) operates almost all year round. Recently, it was announced that the ULEZ will be expanded across the whole of London from 29 August next year.

Christmas in London

London is alive with seasonal events, not least at Christmas time. Visit ‘Winter Wonderland’ in Hyde Park until 2 January 2023, skate on the ice rink at Somerset House, and walk under the Christmas lights on Carnaby Street, Regent Street, or Oxford Street.

Theatres across London are showing magical musicals and shows this winter. Elf The Musical is showing at the Dominion Theatre until 7 January 2023, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is hosting The Nutcracker until mid-January, and you can book to see Frozen The Musical until late March.

Driving to London

London is well connected by motorway, so it makes for an excellent winter road trip destination. The A1, M1, M3, M4, M11, M20, M25 and M40 provide good motorway links into London.

Charging in London

Top-up your EV at one of Mer’s public charge points whilst you explore the city. The following section lists the chargers that drivers can find in and around central London.

North London:

• In the Edmonton area, we have chargers at Edmonton Count School.
• In Bushwood, you can find a charge point at Waltham House.

Central London:

• If you are near Lambeth, charge your EV at Archbishops Park Depot.

South London:

• The Kennington Park Depot is home to several Mer chargers, which is near Oval tube station.
• You can find chargers at Clapham Common, Brixton Water Lane, Brockwell Park and Norwood Cemetery.

West London:

• There are several chargers at the Hillingdon Hospital in Hillingdon.
• The Richmond Golf Club in X also has charge points.

To view the additional Mer chargers in the Greater London area, visit our Driver Portal.

Bristol

Bordered by Gloucestershire and Somerset, Bristol is the south West’s largest city and the home of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. It is also known for being a green city. Bristol was named the most sustainable city in the UK in 2021, it is the UK’s first Cycling City, and it is a former European Green Capital.

Winter in Bristol

Take the family to Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park to enjoy the Christmas-themed entertainment and activities including a light trail around the park (until 31 December) and ice skating (until 1 January 2023). You can top-up your vehicle at the Mer public charger on Trajectus Way in Keynsham during your visit, a short journey from the Park.

Mer also operates chargers in Nailsea, a town that lies on the outskirts of Bristol. Whilst your vehicle is charging at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre, you can enjoy a winter walk along the Ty Sculpture Trail in Towerhouse Wood, wander around Backwell Lake, or explore the Moorend Spout nature reserve, all of which are a twenty minute walk from the leisure centre.

Driving to Bristol

Situated at the intersection of the M4 and M5, Bristol is easy to access by road.

Northbound:

• From the M5: At junction 19, take the A369. Merge onto the A370, and at Bedminster Bridge Roundabout take the exit onto the A38. Follow Redcliffe Street, Victoria Street, Counterslip, Passage Street, and Queen Street,
• From the A303: Take the exit onto A37 at the Podimore Roundabout. Continue onto Wells Road, Bath Road, Temple Gate, Victoria Street, Counterslip, Passage Street, and Queen Street.

Southbound:

• From the M5: At junction 15, take the exit M4(E) to the M32. Merge onto the M4, then ono the M32 at junction 19. Follow the M4032, the A4044, St George, Castle Street, Tower Hill, Passage Street, and Queen Street.

Westbound:

• From the M4: Take the M32 at junction 19, then follow the A4032, the A4044, Kingswood/St George, Castle Street, Tower Hill, Passage Street, and Queen Street.

Journey beyond Bristol

Why not drop into Bath, which is located approx. twelve miles from Bristol? Bath is Somerset’s largest city and has UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Mer operates charge points at Snapdragons Nurseries on Weston Road, where you can top-up your EV whilst you explore the city. Take the family to the Enchanted Garden of Light at The American Museum and Gardens before 31 December 2022 and enjoy a trail of magical illuminations. Prior Park Landscape Garden are offering an Advent Trail until 2 January 2023, and Theatre Royal Bath is hosting the pantomime of Aladdin until 8 January 2023.

For a Christmas in the historic market town of Corsham in Wiltshire, just eight miles from Bath, leave your EV at Mer’s charge points at Dalehead Foods on Edinburgh Way and take a short 30 minute walk (approx.) before reaching Guyers House Hotel and Restaurant for a festive dining experience.