England’s South Coast: Road Trip Ideas for the Whole Family
This is a collaborative post
Who needs to go abroad for a road trip when the whole of bonny England is at your doorstep? Indeed, England has to be one of the best countries for this kind of adventure.
With so many historical monuments, miles upon miles of endless coastline and plenty of picturesque towns and villages along the way, it’s hard not to fall in love with Blighty’s rustic charm.
One of the highlights of any British road trip is, of course, the south coast. Framed with towering cliffs, scattered with fishing towns and boasting one of the best climates in the whole of England, so if you’ve just purchased your dream used Audi and cannot wait to get behind the wheel, where better to start?
Preparing for a road trip
It might seem simple enough throwing in a suitcase full of clothes, your travel documents and your surfboard, but road trips require a lot more preparation than meets the eye.
As well as packing your stuff, you should leave plenty of time to plan the route so you can make all your destinations efficiently.
It’s also worth considering whether you have the right type of car to enjoy a road trip with the whole family.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in it, so it’s important that you’re all comfortable and have enough room for all your packing.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to book your accommodation in advance, especially if there are several of you. It will be cheaper and save you the hassle of finding somewhere to sleep on the fly.
Decide where you want to go
The south coast is awash with great, family-friendly destinations.
Margate
A popular day trip with Londoners, Margate is a convenient drive away and offers all the respite from the city that you may be looking for.
Dreamland, their local theme park, can provide a whole day’s entertainment, whereas the beach is perfect for anyone looking for some peace and quiet.
Round off your day with a takeaway from Peter’s Fish Factory and had to the Margate Harbour Arms for a last pint before bed.
Dover
If there’s any landscape most synonymous with England, it’s the White Cliffs of Dover. They’re truly more mesmerising than you could ever imagine, rising above the sea in chalky majesty.
The area is also packed with beautiful coastal walks that begin in Dover and snake along the tops of the cliffs. It’s wholesome, it’s stunning and it’s free!
Hastings
A relatively short drive from Dover is the historic seaside town of Hastings.
As well as a beautiful beach and pier, there are crazy golf courses, funfair rides and mini rollercoasters to keep the little ones happy.
