Car Hire London Gatwick Airport - North & South Terminals

A quick guide to London and the south-east

From rolling fields and coastal towns to powerful cities and historical sights, the south-east has much to capture your attention with. As in much of the UK, the contrast between cutting-edge urban development and pretty rural areas is striking. London is, of course, one of the world’s major cities, a restless place that encapsulates ancient history even as it’s striding towards the future.

The Big Smoke

Just over an hour’s drive north of Gatwick, London is home to some of the most famous sights in the world. Stop off in the city and visit iconic sights like the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, or browse the phenomenal row of world-class museums in South Kensington.

Famed for its market, a visit to Camden will have you wandering among over 1,000 stalls packed with everything from clothes to trinkets. For a foodie treat, people flock to the Bankside delights of Borough Market from all over the world. It’s a riot of world cuisine, with many free samples and numerous restaurants and bars lining the sides.

Bright and buzzing Brighton

If you want to feel the energy of London with the added bonus of the beach, then head south from London Gatwick Airport to Brighton.

With an electric atmosphere, Brighton is a mix of street food and high-end restaurants, while independent shops and music venues makes the city feel effortlessly bohemian. A stroll down the pier is a must while visiting. Opened in 1899, it will transport you back to the Victorian era.

A historical adventure

Of course, England is also renowned for having some of the most important historical landmarks in the world. Why not steer your hire car in the direction of Stonehenge, a pre-historic monument whose origins are shrouded in mystery and folklore. Comprised of over 100 stones, modern scholars are still unsure of the reason for its construction.

If you want to dig into the history of modern warfare, then make a beeline for Bletchley Park. Once the secret home of World War Two code breakers, Bletchley Park is a stately home with many exhibitions that tell the fascinating story of their vital work in combating the Nazis.

Cram in Cambridge and Cardiff

You don’t have to limit yourself to just the very south of England when setting out from London Gatwick Airport. Just over 150 km from Gatwick is the city of Cambridge, a university city with ancient architecture that feels quintessentially English. Take a punt on the river and walk through the atmospheric college halls.  

You could even leave England and travel to Wales, the home of dragons and incredible valleys. Under 300km away is Cardiff, a city with a mix of classic and modern architecture, as well as an eclectic art scene which can be discovered in numerous galleries.

As you can see, car hire at London Gatwick Airport unlocks many possibilities, both in the south-east of England and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Let it take you out on the road to see the very best of this island nation.

Driving in and around London

There’s so much to do in the south of England that, once you land at Gatwick Airport, the most difficult decision is exactly where to start. You’ve landed in a place where history has been written for thousands of years. Whether you’re looking for a city filled with galleries, seafront cafes or iconic places of interest, you won’t be disappointed.

Gatwick is one of the busiest airports in the UK, however, leaving the airport is fairly straightforward and well signposted. You can jump on the A23 to travel down to Brighton or alternatively travel north on the M23. Traffic moves at a maximum of 112 km/h on the highways and the limit can be variable as you move through towns and cities.

The centre of London is less than 50km from London Gatwick Airport, so can be reached easily by car. If you drive in the city centre, you’ll need to pay the congestion charge – our staff will be able to help with any questions you have about this.

Take the scenic route from London Gatwick Airport on the A21 and in under two hours you’ll arrive in picturesque Hastings. This town is a history fan’s dream, with Battle Abbey, Hastings Castle and East Hill Cliff Railway just three of the unique sights that are waiting to be explored.

For a comprehensive overview of driving rules in the UK, see online.