Car Hire UK

A quick guide to the United Kingdom

What the UK lacks in size, it makes up for in personality. Each country has its own stories to tell, regional delicacies to savour and rich history to discover. Every day is an adventure when you’ve got the keys to a hire car and the open road stretches out ahead of you.

Rolling fields to bustling cities

Its diverse landscapes and great road links make the United Kingdom ripe for exploration. You could be navigating London’s prime landmarks one day and winding your way through Norfolk’s idyllic countryside the next.

Add some of London’s iconic landmarks to your photo album, and snap photos of Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey. It would be rude to visit the United Kingdom and not pop along to see if the Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace – if you spot the Union flag flying high then you’ll know Her Majesty is home.

At almost the opposite end of the country, you’ll find the Lake District, an area of stunning natural beauty. Spend time exploring the quaint towns and villages such as Kendal and Windermere, or enjoy exhilarating water sports on the many lakes that grace the area, including Bassenthwaite, Coniston and Grasmere, where poet William Wordsworth's home Dove Cottage is open for guided tours.

Four countries in one visit

The amazing thing about the United Kingdom is that by hiring a car you could visit all four countries in just one trip. Scotland’s proud capital Edinburgh offers magnificent architecture and charming cobbled streets, while the Highlands to the north provide awe-inspiring views and countless lakes, or lochs, including the famous Loch Ness. 

Adrenaline fans should head to Wales to climb impressive peaks like Snowdonia. Known for its beautiful countryside, Wales is also home to the pretty, Italian-influenced town of Portmeirion, created by an eccentric architect in the 1920s.

You can even pop over to Northern Ireland via the car ferry from Liverpool, arriving in the city of Belfast to enjoy the eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Linger in the Emerald Isle a while and visit Giant’s Causeway, a legendary geological wonder formed from ancient volcanic eruptions.

A rich tapestry

Steeped in tradition, the United Kingdom takes you on a journey through history. Embark on a pilgrimage to the mysterious standing stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, or make a beeline for the glorious city of Bath, home to well-preserved Roman baths built on natural hot springs.

Literature plays a hugely important part in the story of the United Kingdom. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare, to tour his home or take in a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Fans of more modern and magical fiction should head to The Elephant Cafe in Edinburgh. J.K. Rowling spent hours crafting her characters within the walls of this unassuming eatery, and fans have scrawled their devotion to the best-selling books on the bathroom walls.

Make time for tea

Is there anything more English than a pot of tea and a slice of cake? Betty’s Tearoom in Harrogate, Yorkshire, is ones of the best – drawing in visitors from all over the world for its delightful afternoon teas and moreish Fat Rascal cakes.

The United Kingdom offers more than just tea though – try a tasty portion of fresh fish and chips while strolling along the seafront in Brighton, pick out one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in London, or sample street food at its finest at the capital’s Camden Market.

The cornerstone of good British grub is the Sunday roast, perfect after a long walk over the rolling countryside. The traditional pubs dotted around the idyllic Yorkshire Moors serve up hearty portions of succulent roast meat, crispy roast potatoes and the regional delicacy – Yorkshire puddings. Served with lashings of gravy, it’s exactly what you need after hiking up peaks, down dales and wandering around the towns.

From the vibrant cities to lush green countryside and wild moors, explore the best of everything England, Scotland, Wales have to offer with car hire in the UK.

Driving in and around the United Kingdom

The UK’s compact size and the fact it’s so well connected means you could travel the length of the country, from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, in just 20 hours.

The major towns and cities are all interconnected by highways, or motorways, with the M6 being the longest. It will take you to the buzzing city of Manchesteror you can head north to discover the picturesque Lake District.

The M1 takes you from London to Leeds, a gateway to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, walled city of York and picture-postcard village of Haworth, where famous literary sisters the Brontes are celebrated. Venture further north along the A1 to reach Scotland where the historic charms of Edinburgh and buzz of Glasgow await.

If you’re starting point is London then the orbital M25 gives you access to other parts of the capital and beyond. Head for the M23 to spend a day in the quirky seaside setting of Brighton, or use the M4 to explore the Roman city of Bath and Wales beyond it.   

Whether you’re travelling down the highway, taking the scenic A roads or tackling the smaller B roads, you’ll find everywhere is well signposted. Speed limits range from 112km/h on motorways to 48km/h and lower in built-up areas.

There aren’t many toll roads in the UK, but if you’re travelling to London you will need to consider congestion charges, a fee payable if you travel in central London at key times. You’ll also need to keep a look out for speed cameras as they’re widely used on UK roads and could land you with a fine if you’re exceeding the stated limit.

When hiring a car in the UK it’s worth bearing in mind that the country has some of the busiest roads in Europe, so take care when travelling and plan as much time as possible for your journey.

You’ll find all the information you need about driving on UK roads here.