
Interview – Statkraft and the Future of Renewable Energy
Richard Mardon, Head of UK Development at Statkraft, Mer’s parent...
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 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 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.
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:
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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