Best Scenic Driving Routes Near London

We’re going to be looking at some of the most scenic driving routes you can embark upon for your road trip from London. If you pick up your hire campervan from our London Depot this blog will be particularly helpful for getting you on the open road!

1. London to Brighton

Seeking a seaside escape from the city to the South Coast? Well, if so, there’s not many better places than Brighton. If you wish to get there ASAP, the quickest routes would be via the M25 or M23. However, if you have some time to spare, we recommend taking a slight detour throughout Surrey to help break up the rather monotonous 60 miles of motorway driving.

Once you arrive in Brighton you won’t be short of activities to do or things to see. From the Royal Pavilion, the spectacular seaside palace, to the new British Airways i360 spacious glass viewing pod with 360° views across Brighton and beyond. You can also get active by giving kayaking, paddle boarding or walking tours a go. Or take a bike ride and explore the city limits on 2 wheels instead of 4?

And of course, no Brighton trip would be complete without a visit to the iconic Brighton Palace Pier. Enjoy the rides, activities, food and drink options and take in the sea view on one of the free deckchairs. Finally, no trip would be complete without proper British fish and chips by the seaside!

2. London to the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is an area of simply outstanding natural beauty, littered with small, quaint English towns and villages with ample places to lose yourself for a day or two. You have plenty of routes to choose from London, including driving through Warwickshire, Gloucester or Oxfordshire, it’s difficult to go wrong. A popular choice is the M41 from London to Burford, a town that is referred to as the “Gateway to the Cotswold’s”. Not a bad place to start…

The Cotswold’s is an outdoor lover’s paradise. With 800 square miles of land filled with activities and destinations, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Walk the Cotswold Way, a famous walk stretching over 100 miles of panoramic views and scenic strolls over the beautiful English countryside. There are many shorter walks along this trail to choose from, including Cleeve Common and Snowshill.

If Ancient architecture is your thing, discover historic gems like Warwick Castle or Sudeley Castle for a great day out with the family. Or if you fancy something a bit out of the ordinary, the Cotswold Falconry Centre to see flying displays and learn about birds of prey. Alternatively, a great day out for the family is Birdland, a wildlife park and gardens for bird spotting including penguins (Which you can feed!) as well as reptiles, amphibians, Jurassic themed landscape, and duck hatchery.

3. The Surrey Hills

The Surrey Hills is much closer to London if you don’t fancy a longer drive after picking up your campervan from our London depot. Similarly, to the Cotswold’s, Surrey Hills is also an area of outstanding natural beauty. One of our favourite scenic drives you can take begins in London and travels to Shere, through Newlands Corner, a stunning nature reserve with exceptional views from the trails.

Shere itself has made a name as one of the most stunning villages in England, earning it backdrops in films, including Bridget Jones and The Holiday. Additionally, there are plenty of quaint English pubs to choose from for a pit stop to get fed and watered along the way.

You can continue to drive on from Shere to Peaslake and continue to Leith Hill Tower. Don’t say we didn’t warn you about the 78 step climb to the top, but if you climb them the views are worth it, you can even use the telescopes to see Big Ben before heading back to London!

4. London to the White Cliffs of Dover

Leave London via the A2 and simply follow the M2 until you reach the stunning White Cliffs of Dover. Often recognized as a symbol of hope and freedom, the faces of these white chalk cliff faces can exceed 350 feet. The best way to see the cliffs is to walk along the coastal path towards South Foreland Lighthouse to get a superb view of the cliffs, surrounding grassland which is filled with wildflowers.

Whilst you’re in Kent, why not visit Leeds Castle (In Kent, a bit confusing we know!), located in the middle of a picturesque lake, surrounded by beautiful forests and parklands for you to explore. Take a stroll through the Lady Baillie Gardens before setting off on the next part of your journey.

5. London to Mersea Island

Head north out of London along the M11 towards Mersea Island. This seaside paradise is the perfect getaway if you love being near the water. Filled with picturesque beach huts, ice cream, windsurfers, and plenty of boats.

Once you arrive you can take a boat trip around the harbour from the Causeway Jetty to see the local sights from the sea. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, watersports are hugely popular in this outdoor lover’s heaven. A famous local restaurant is The Company Shed, a seafood restaurant renowned for its seafood platters of local prawns, oysters and dressed crab.

Why Bunk Campers?

With our range of 2 – 6 berth motorhomes, embark on your own holiday with Bunk Campers and discover scenic road trips that England has to offer.

We have UK motorhome hire depots are situated across the UK and Ireland, so we can help you get on the open road this year. To book with Bunk Campers use the quote and book button on our website, email [email protected] or call our team.