So far, so good. The only problem is, every other person’s had the same idea, so fun road trips become frustrating road queues. Who wants to spend hours of their long weekend off sitting in stand still traffic?
But all hope is not lost for making the most of your time off! Here at ChooseMyCar.com, we’re letting you in on some top tips for more unusual places to go that might see you beating the traffic – and where to go when you get there.
Enjoy and have a very happy Bank Holiday weekend :-)!
Cleethorpes, North Lincolnshire
Once the butt of a few unkind jokes, Cleethorpes has recently upped its game and is now home to plenty of cool, independent shops, bars and restaurants. And to top it all off, it has a hidden gem of a beach that is clean, uncrowded – and welcomes dogs. Avoid the queues by peeling off the M1 early and taking the A46 – or if you’re feeling really adventurous take the coastal A roads and enjoy the view. Here’s the lowdown on where to go.
Humberston Fitties – the “fitties” is a quirky little place that cannot fail to enchant you. Drive through a tiny village of cute, vintage, chalets to reach a golden stretch of beach that welcomes humans, horses and dogs alike, all year round. Facilities are limited, but it’s worth it for clean waters, uncrowded beaches and unrivalled views of Haile Sand Fort and Bull Sand Fort .
If you fancy shopping for some new threads during your break, check out The Lost Boys. Cool, quirky, independently owned, and with impeccable service, you’ll find all your must have designer clothing from brands such as Grenson, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.
For present buying, you can’t get it wrong with Daniella Draper Jewellery. Local girl Daniella uses recycled gold and silver to make high quality pieces to stand the test of time, as well as looking beautiful. They’re so good, even our future queen – the Duchess of Cambridge – has been seen sporting a piece!
Devon and Cornwall
Ok so it’s not off the beaten track, but you can’t plan an Easter getaway without considering a trip down to Devon and Cornwall. While it might be a big drive for some, it’s always worth it. To cheat some drive time and to avoid the worst of the traffic down the A30, aim for north Cornwall in the region of Bude. This avoids popular areas like Fistral Beach, St Ives and Padstow and can cut your drive time by at least 90 minutes. There is plenty on offer in Bude, and here’s our guide on the best places.
Widemouth Bay. just south of the main town, offers a family-friendly, fun stretch of pretty beach. There are often rock pools to explore at low tide, as well as opportunities to have a crack at surfing or bodyboarding.
The Bay View Inn offers a perfect spot for food and drink, plus enjoy a surf lesson and spectacular beach views. It’s family friendly and casual, perfect for refreshing yourself after a day on the beach.
If you’re after something even more secluded, head to Crackington Haven with its stunning cliffs and rock formations. Trust us, the slow drive from Bude to Boscastle offers you beautiful Atlantic coastal views that are worth the trip.
If you’re after something fun to do with the kids, then we’d also highly recommend The Milky Way Adventure Park. It’s a fantastic day out with the kids, as is the amazing Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre with its retro fairground rides.
Dorset
This one is a little risky for an Easter drive, as the A35 is notoriously busy in peak times. To make the most of this trip, make an early start to beat the rush and head down to Bridport. Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are both accessible from Bridport, however can get very busy so keep it local to enjoy the views of the Jurassic Coast.
Head to the famous West Bay cliffs. The harbour offers plenty of choice for food and drink, plus a little bit of crab fishing. It’s a great location for families and groups of friends, with loads of sporting activities for those who are feeling adventurous.
If you can get a booking, head to Rise cafe bar which is a fantastic riverside restaurant. If you don’t get lucky with a reservation there, the nearby Parkdean resort offers options for accommodation and day entertainment, plus the evening kids’ disco.
If you have young children, you must go to Charmouth Beach and go fossil hunting. Book on to a tour and you’ll get a tour guide which helps you understand the importance of our World Heritage Site. If you’re driving south to Dorset, you can also combine a quick tour to Stonehenge if World Heritage Sites are your thing!
Wendover, Buckinghamshire
The Home Counties might not seem like the dream destination for your Easter break, but hear us out! Wendover is a picture perfect little market town, just 35 miles out of London. It’s a perfect base to explore what the county has to offer, and many locals will have headed off themselves, so it’s a good time to visit! Here’s what we’d recommend.
If you’ve got kids, a dog, or just enjoy getting some fresh air then you can’t beat Wendover Woods. Set in the beautiful Chilterns, it’s easy to imagine that you’re actually in the forests of Canada or somewhere equally far flung. Enjoy miles of stunning walks, including the Gruffalo Trail or the newly opened Superworm Trail. If you’d rather avoid kids, try the challenging Go Ape extreme course or grab your mountain bike and head off on a circuit. And once you’re tired yourselves out, grab a refreshment at the Wendover Woods Cafe.
It’s not just the woods that need to be checked out. Head into Wendover itself to find a whole host of cute shops, including antiques and fashion stores. Or treat yourself to something delicious at the famous Rumsey’s, the most chocolatey place you’ll find outside of Willy Wonka’s factory.
Talking of Willy Wonka, Wendover’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from the fascinating Roald Dahl Museum. Well worth a visit for any Roald Dahl fan, and just a five minute drive away.
And if Roald Dahl’s talent for a tall tale isn’t enough, you could always visit the home of another famous man who’s been known to spin a story or two. Chequers House has been the official home of British Prime Ministers since 1921. Visit the pub named after it, the Chequer’s Inn, for delicious, fine dining.
West Sussex
If you’re looking for a day trip instead of a weekender, then we advise a drive to West Wittering beach. This spectacular sandy beach is miles long with space for a game of beach cricket or wind and kitesurfing for the more adventurous. It’s also dog friendly until May – so there’s time to sneak a visit with your four legged friend.
If you are planning to drive to the beach for a day, make sure you book pre-paid parking as they use this to manage cars on the estate. It also means your car is a couple of minutes walk from the beach which is easier if your boot is packed with essentials or picnic items.
There are cafes on the beach so a great location to drive to for one big day out! For a nice meal, head to Billy’s on the Beach. Or for a great dog friendly dining option, we recommend The Lamb. Delicious good in a lovely atmosphere that will welcome your pooch with open arms.
