Can you think of a better way to celebrate the start of summer than to hop behind the wheel and plot a winding route to see some of the most beautiful scenery the UK has to offer? Take some time to go off the beaten track for some glorious English car journeys. Whether it’s mountain passes or coastal roads, England is home to some truly spectacular driving routes well worth taking your leased car out to! Even better, thanks to high mileage car leases, you no longer have to restrict your travel.
If you’re looking to do a staycation in the UK this year then take a look at the 3 best road trips in the UK and which leasing options are great for your next road trip! Let’s explore the British Isles…
Hardknott Pass, the Lake District
Hardknott Pass, a beautiful yet challenging road that is the contender for the title of “steepest road in England”. This picturesque drive in the Lake District is perfect for Confident drivers with a head for heights. In competition with Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire, both of these beautiful drives manage to achieve a gradient of 1 in 3 (about 30%).
The route will take you from Little Langdale and your motoring muscles will be warmed up on twisting Wrynose Pass. From there you will begin to climb in earnest, via a network of hairpin bends. Eventually, after a tricky but beautiful drive, you will reach the final, daunting descent – a test of driver, machine and brakes.
There are some incredible views but we do advise that eyes are kept on the road. If you would like to take in the breathtaking scenery then pull over and take a moment. Hardknott pass is more than achievable using a family car such as a Kia Sportage, Skoda Kodiaq or Land Rover.
So, why do it? To test your driving skills with hills and hairpin bends (and the breathtaking views).
Jurassic Coast – Dorset
The infamous Jurassic Coast has to be on your travel list in summer 2021. The 95 mile stretch between Old Harry Rocks at Studland Bay in Dorset to Exmouth in East Devon is an amazing place to explore.
In 2001 it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site for the outstanding universal value of its rocks, fossils and landforms. We think that this trip is perfect for open-top motoring fans. If you drive a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, MINI Convertible or BMW Z4 then this is the trip for you!
If you want to see some amazing landmarks and far-reaching coastal views of this then this is the part of Dorset that you want to take a road trip out to! The South West Coast Path runs along the length of the Jurassic Coast and is filled with unforgettable views of Lulworth Cove and the famed Osmington White Horse.
The route will have you start in Swanage, then head north on the A351 past the pretty quay at Wareham. Follow the A352, then take in the beauty of Lulworth Cove along the B3071 before rejoining the swooping A352 and dropping down through Osmington on the A353.
Snake Pass
Located in the Peak District, Snake Pass provides a route across the Pennines between the northern cities of Manchester and Sheffield. If you haven’t already guessed from the name, Snake Pass is full of curves and bends and with every turn, you will be met with a glorious view.
This stretch of road runs for around 11 miles through the Peak District and forms one section of the much larger A57. Snake Pass experiences regular snowfall in the winter months and is often closed during these periods so it is recommended to visit through the summer.
On its way eastwards, it passes through Knowsley before entering Greater Manchester. For part of its stretch in Manchester, the road becomes a motorway. After travelling through Tameside and Glossop, we reach the Snake Pass itself. Further along, the A57 meets the major city of Sheffield and the north Nottinghamshire town of Worksop. To the east, it shares part of its route with the A1, before resuming the A57 title as it reaches its endpoint in Lincoln.
This is perfect for anyone who drives a lightweight convertible or “summer car”. If you drive a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible, Audi TT Roadster or a Jaguar F-Type then the Snake Pass is calling to you!
Road Trips in a leased car
How many miles are allowed on a car lease?
According to the latest government figures, the average UK motorist now drives just 7,900 miles every year. If, like most drivers this summer, you want to get out and see what the UK has to offer then high mileage car leasing may allow you to do just that.
Typically, leases cover 24, 36, 48 or 60 month contracts. There are, however, flexible terms that some dealerships offer that help achieve your desired budget and circumstances. There are some high mileage lease contracts available to cover up to 50,000 miles per year. Depending on the contract length you opt for, you could drive a total of 150,000 miles across three years.
Electric car high mileage lease
This may be something that, if you’re wanting to reduce your carbon footprint, that may be worth investing in. More and more people are signing up for high annual mileage leases in electric cars. In fact, according to a Reliability Survey, electric and hybrid cars came out as the most dependable, with the BMW i3 gaining a creditable 95.2% rating.
Remember, although restrictions are easing across England, please continue to follow government guidance and remember to plan ahead and check attraction websites before travelling. If you have any questions about car leasing, high mileage leases or popular personal lease deals then contact us today.