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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 taking an extended holiday, look no further for inspiration than 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 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.
The York Christmas Market is returning this year until 22 December 2023. You can also enjoy a range of events across the city, including the Gourmet Xmas Food Hunt, chocolate truffle making at York Cocao Works, York Christmas walking tour, and a Christmas Carol Concerts at York Minster. York Theatre Royal is putting on a performance of Jack And The Beanstalk until 7 January 2024.
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:
Southbound:
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.
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.
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.
Until Saturday 23rd December, enjoy Newcastle’s Christmas Market across Grainger Street, Grey Street and Old Eldon Square. You can also take the family on a magical festive light trail at The Alnwick Garden, visit Fenwick’s Christmas Window, or check out the outdoor ice rink at the Life Science Centre.
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:
Eastbound:
Southbound:
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.
Found in the Northeast of England, Durham has natural landscapes, historic architecture and cathedrals, and a vibrant city centre.
Across December at Bowburn Hall Hotel, there will be face painting, balloon modelling, and Santa will be paying a visit. The Bowes Museum is opening a Winter Market from 15-17 December, Ramside Hall Hotel will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration.
In central Durham, you can charge your EV on the Mer network at:
Our network also expands outside the centre, check out our Driver Portal for more details.
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: to achieve the ‘Accelerated Green pathway’, London will need to see:
London is alive with seasonal events, not least at Christmas time. Visit ‘Winter Wonderland’ in Hyde Park until 1 January 2024, 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 6 January 2024, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is hosting The Nutcracker until 13 January, and you can also book to see Frozen The Musical which is showing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
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.
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:
Central London:
South London:
West London:
To view the additional Mer chargers in the Greater London area, visit our Driver Portal.
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.
The Bristol Christmas Market is running until 23 December in the Bristol Shopping Quarter; there you will find wooden chalets selling gifts, festive food and drink. Bristol Old Vic is putting on Arabian Nights until 6 January 2024, and Berwick Lodge in North Bristol is hosting Wreath Making and Afternoon Tea until 8 December.
Take the family to Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park to enjoy the Christmas-themed entertainment and activities including Santa’s cabin and toy factory, Mrs Claus’ gingerbread parlour, and ice skating. 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.
Situated at the intersection of the M4 and M5, Bristol is easy to access by road.
Northbound:
Southbound:
Westbound:
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 American Museum and Gardens for their ‘Winter Wonderland’. Prior Park Landscape Garden are offering an Advent Trail until 1 January 2024, and Theatre Royal Bath is hosting the pantomime of Sleeping Beauty until 7 January 2023.
When you have finished visiting Bristol and Bath, stop by in Exeter, which lies in the not-so-distant Devon. There is plenty of countryside, plus Exeter lies not far from the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, but there is also plenty of eateries, bars, independent shops and boutiques in the city.
Listen to the Exeter Chamber Choir on 16 December, visit the Cathedral Christmas Market on the Cathedral Green until 17 December, and create a decoration to hang on your tree with Festive Wildlife Decorations on 20 December. The Northcott Theatre is hosting Dick Whittington until 7 January 2024.
You will find Exeter at the end of the M5 motorway.
At Basepoint Exeter, at the Marsh Barton Trading Estate, you can top up on Mer’s 25kW charge point. It is not far from Riverside Valley Park, and from here just a short walk to the Quayside.
Watch the Mousehole Christmas light switch on on 16 December, visit Heligan’s Night Garden to see their lantern display until 2 January, and see the 60-foot garland made from estate-grown flowers at Cotehele Great Hall. The ‘BIG Christmas Market’ is coming to Truro until Christmas Eve, spotlighting artisan traders and producers, and the National Trust Trelissick are hosting a Christmas Craft Fair until 5 December. Budock Vean’s Arts and Craft Club, Trebah Garden and the Esplanade Hotel are also hosting Christmas craft activities. The Eden Project in Bodelva is hosting a music and lights experience throughout December, and you can ice skate there too.
From London: Take the M4 motorway, then the M5 to Exeter and either the A30 or the A38 into Southeast Cornwall.
From Manchester: Take the M6, then the M5 to Exeter and either the A30 or the A38 into Southeast Cornwall.
From North Devon: Take the A39 Atlantic Highway from Junction 27 on the M5.
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