Complete peace of mind wherever your journey takes you
Welcome to GRIDSERVE’s EV Travel Guide… the one-stop shop for planning your EV road trip this summer. And while airports will be packed to the rafters, around a third of Brits will choose to staycation this year and head to the nation’s seaside resorts, historic towns and tourist attractions.
To help families make the most of the summer of charging freedom – and keep kids entertained – our guide will walk you through EV route planning, how to find ultra rapid charging near popular tourist hotspots, the best beaches for EV charging, charging near music festivals and the most EV-friendly tourist attractions.
Find electric vehicle charging stations along your route
The best way to explore the UK’s ultra rapid charging station network is using the GRIDSERVE app. Our map will show live availability, type of connectors and charging speed at over 190 locations across the UK, many at motorway service areas.
You can then use your chosen mapping app to navigate directly to your chosen location direct from the app. If you’re on the hunt for slower or on-street charging stations, we recommend using Zapmap. On popular weekends, we recommend checking the live status on the way so you can navigate to an alternative EV charging station on your route if one is particularly busy.
When you are plugged, make sure you charge considerately – that means taking any picnic rubbish with you, heading off once you hit 80% if people are waiting and communicating with other EV drivers to avoid queue jumping.
Find a charger
Electric car charging near UK popular holiday hotspots
Most EV drivers will be heading to one of the many popular UK holiday destinations this summer, whether that’s the beauty and serenity of the Lake District, the sun-soaked bays of Cornwall or the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Wherever your journey takes you, there are plenty of high power chargers to choose from. Let’s explore some of the best options near holiday hotspots.
Explore the map
EV charging stations near the Lake District
Known for its stunning lakes like Windermere, rugged mountains and picturesque villages, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lake District is a perfect summer holiday destination. You’ll be ditching the car when you get there in favour of hikes and nature trails but on the way there are plenty of charging options along the M6, including Moto Todhills, Roadchef Killington Lake and Moto Burton-in-Kendal.
Electric car charging near the Cotswolds
Rolling hills, beautiful stone cottages, and historic market towns make the Cotswolds an idyllic home away from home. It’s perfect for those wanting to explore leisurely walks and pub beer gardens in scenic British villages. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll find charging on key routes into the Cotswolds, including Mollie’s Oxford (where you can also stop for lunch in the diner), Moto Cherwell Valley on the M40 or Dobbies Swindon and Gloucester Garden Centre (formerly Dobbies).
EV charging points near the Peak District
The Peak District is England’s first national park and provides visitors with dramatic landscapes to explore, whether you’re hiking, cycling or rock climbing. It’s surrounded by great EV charging options, from Woolley Edge in the north, Kingsway Retail Park near Derby and Stanley Green Retail Park in Cheadle.
EV charging stations in Cornwall
Cornwall needs no introduction as a holiday destination, with millions of British families heading to its sandy beaches, famous castles and rugged cliffs for their summer holidays. On the way down you’ll find a huge EV charging station at Moto Exeter, while Cornwall Services offers a great resource for those exploring the peninsula.
Charging options near the Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast stretches along the southern English coastline including parts of Devon and Dorset. Famous for its striking geology and unusual rock formations, visitors can go fossil hunting while taking in the stunning landscape. Long journeys down to the Jurassic Coast are well served by EV hubs, including Moto Exeter on the M5, Roadchef Taunton Deane North, Priory Fields Retail Park and Solstice Park on the A303.
Electric car charging near UK beaches
Few things can beat a day at a glorious British seaside town, with an ice cream melting down your wrist, a rickety deck chair and seagulls circling over your fish and chips.
And with over 7,000 miles of coastline, the UK has plenty of beaches to pick from, no matter where you are. But which are best for EV drivers planning a seaside trip?
To make your trip full of sun, sea and sand even more relaxing, we’ve compiled a list of the UK’s most popular beaches and nearby EV charging stations.
EV charging stations near the UK’s biggest summer music festivals
From Leeds to Cornwall and Somerset to Suffolk, music lovers will be travelling hundreds of miles this summer to see their favourite bands on stage.
And with many festivals taking place in rural parks, farms and estates, getting to and from the event needs careful planning.
So, we’ve crunched the numbers to find out which UK summer music festivals are the most EV-friendly.
Most EV-friendly tourist attractions
As well as holiday getaways, British drivers will be heading off on day trips, covering long distances to visit popular tourist attractions.
From museums to art galleries and country parks to zoos, around 200 million people visit the UK’s landmarks each year.
But which is the most EV-friendly? Data shows that around 1 in 10 tourist attractions offer charging points on-site meaning being able to plug on your long journey is important.
We’ve run the numbers to find out which attraction is ‘best’. We’ve ranked them based on the proximity to High Power charging on the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway and local AC/DC charging and whether the festival offers on-site charging.
All of our top 10 have a GRIDSERVE location within 10 miles plus multiple other GRIDSERVE charging stations within 30 miles. We’ve also listed if they offer on-site charging although these often a handful of low power AC chargers offered on a first-come, first-served basis so there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to plug in.
Whipsnade Zoo near Bedford is one of the UK’s largest wildlife parks with over 10,000 animals across vast, open enclosures with visitors able to explore on foot or vehicle to see the exotic species in their natural habitats. Located just off the M1, there are plenty of charging options within a handful of miles, plus on-site charging.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Moto Toddington North/South
- On site charging: Yes
With a mansion house, formal gardens and dramatic views of the River Thames, Cliveden is a historic National Trust estate in Buckinghamshire. Walk through the elegant grounds and discover the site’s political and royal history. With a handful of on-site chargers, Cliveden is also covered by a range of charging options along the M4 and M40.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Slough Retail Park
- On site charging: Yes
The Midlands Art Centre is a central Birmingham hub for contemporary arts and creative learning. It hosts exhibitions, theatre productions, workshops, and cinema. Birmingham is surrounded by EV charging stations on its many motorways, plus the city is packed with on-street chargers.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: The Fort
- On site charging: No
Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire is now a peaceful country park featuring lakes, woodlands and the longest avenue of lime trees in Europe. Located between the M1 and A1 means there there plenty of ultra rapid chargers nearby.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Moto Blyth
- On site charging: Yes
The circular standing stones of Stonehenge continue to attract thousands of visitors a year – especially during the summer solstics. The mysterious prehistoric landmark with links to pagan religion and astrology dates back over 4,000 years. Good news for EV drivers, though, is that the charging infrastructure is anything but ancient. You’ll find a GRIDSERVE Electric Super Hub at the aptly-named Solstice Park.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Solstice Park
- On site charging: No
Step back into the 19th century at Beamish – an open-air museum in County Durham that brings the history of North East England to life. With reconstructed towns, transport and costumed actors, it’s an immersive trip into life from the 1820s through to the 1950s. If you’re travelling up the A1(M), there a plenty of places to stop to charge your electric car.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Moto Washington North
- On site charging: Yes
This striking Elizabethan mansion is set in a deer park near Nottingham. It’s perfect for history lovers but also movie buffs as it’s played a role in plenty of films over the years, including The Dark Knight Rises. You’ll find plenty of on-street charging in nearby Nottingham plus charging on the M1.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Phoenix Park Spar
- On site charging: No
The home of royalty, Windsor Great Park offers picturesque walks and ancient woodlands in the shadow of the famous Windsor Castle. Just a short trip from London, there’s plenty of charging available on the nearby M4.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Slough Retail Park
- On site charging: No
No EV-friendly list would be without the UK’s number one sustainability attraction. The Eden Project (which of course has on-site electric vehicle charging) houses rainforest and Mediterranean environments in its huge immersive and educational biomes. If you’re heading down to that way on holiday, then stop in at Cornwall Services to recharge, explore the Eden Project and then relax on the beach. Perfect.
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Cornwall Services
- On site charging: Yes
The Trentham Estate is set over 700 acres of historic park with landscaped terraces and gardens, boat rides on the lake plus a walk-through Monkey Forest that’s home to 140 Barbary macaques. Located just off the M6 near Stoke-on-Trent means no matter what your electric car’s range is, you’ll be covered (including with on-site charging).
- Closest GRIDSERVE charging point: Wolstanton Retail Park
- On site charging: Yes
Essential tips when planning your EV road trip
With so many electric car chargers available across the UK, planning an EV road trip is easier than ever (and very similar to planning a road trip with a petrol or diesel car). Here are a few top tips to make sure life on the road is as smooth and easy as it can be, so you can focus on enjoying your holiday.
Find charging stations with amenities
At GRIDSERVE we focus on putting chargers where drivers need them, often conveniently located near toilets, food outlets and shops. Planning a stop that has facilities nearby is a great way to plug in while you’re recharging too.
Plan a route with multiple charging options
If you’re travelling at peak times or during school holidays, some of the most popular EV charging stations can become very busy. We recommend having a few options on your route so you can navigate elsewhere if you don’t want to queue.
Book accommodation with charging
Some hotels or holiday homes will offer EV charging as part of your stay. This is a great way to keep charged up while you’re in the spa or walking in the countryside.
Maximise your electric car’s range
While turning off the air conditioning might save you a few miles on your EV’s range, it’s actually the way you drive that will have the biggest impact. Avoid harsh acceleration as this uses more energy and drive at slower speeds on the motorway – around 60mph is the optimum. That’s still fast (and safe) enough to keep up with traffic and won’t add hardly any time to your journey but will increase your efficiency. Also make use of regenerative braking to add miles to your range while you’re driving.
