There's no better way to see England than by car
Once you leave London, the best way to get around is with a hire car. The only difficulty is deciding where to go... Take your pick from the locations listed below.Immerse yourself in the heritage of a historic city, discover stunning coastlines, vast manor houses and the postcard-perfect English countryside. Don't leave without taking Afternoon Tea at a village teashop, or feasting on fish and chips at a seaside eatery.
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Popular car hire locations in England
Explore the great English countryside
The countryside has so much to offer. Rent a cottage, stay in a B&B or pitch a tent. Whatever you choose, Avis car hire is the right option to get you started. If it’s hiking you’re after, head north for the Lake District’s rugged peaks, the Peak District’s rolling hills or Yorkshire’s natural unspoilt National Parks.If you fancy exploring the south, then the chalk hills of the South Downs could be just the ticket. There are also stunning coastlines: from the Jurassic coast, Dover’s white cliffs and Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula in the south, to Northumberland’s rural coastlines in the north. Plus the unique scenery of the Norfolk Broads. Experience the holiday of a lifetime and spend the day touring this expanse of rivers and lakes by boat.
Towns and cities
Car rental is the perfect option for nipping between the different cities, towns and villages. Soak up the contemporary living and diverse entertainment offered by regional greats such as Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol or Nottingham.
Step back in time in the historic cities of Bath, York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Chester, Oxford or Canterbury. Enjoy fish and chips at the seaside resorts of Brighton, Whitby or Blackpool. Or spend a lazy afternoon driving through picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Don’t forget to finish your day with a scone or two and a pot of tea.
Annual festivals and events
England is host to thousands of events and festivals each year. Whenever you decide to come, wherever you decide to go, there’s bound to be something happening near you.Multicultural Britain
If you are visiting over Chinese New Year or Diwali, you’ll find festivals and celebrations in most towns and cities across the country. Over the summer months most major towns and cities now have their own gay pride festivals, with the biggest outside the capital taking place in Manchester and Brighton. Christmas is great for shopping, illuminations and German markets.
Folk traditions
If it’s traditional English you want, you won’t be disappointed either. Choose from cheese rolling in Gloucestershire (May), Burning of the Clocks in Brighton (December), Bonfire night celebrations throughout the country (5 November) or Summer Solstice at Stonehenge.
Music
Summer is the best time for outdoor music festivals. Glastonbury is the biggest and most well-known, but there are many others catering for alternative tastes and families, such as WOMAD – the World of Music, Arts and Dance – in Wiltshire and the Big Green Gathering in Somerset. Many towns and cities also host smaller festivals, such as the Shrewsbury Folk Festival and the Scarborough Jazz Festival.
Driving rules in the United Kingdom
Which side of the road?In the United Kingdom, please drive on the left side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
- Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
- There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
- Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road
Speed Limits
All speed signs will be in mph.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban areas: 30 mph (48 km/h)
- Rural areas: 60 mph (96 km/h)
- Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 or less than 135cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
Please note, it is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.