Christmas Drives from London

Recharge by the Sea

If you want to help escape London to find some space, then why not go and recharge by the sea. One of the great things about the UK is that you are near the coast driving in any direction. Head north east of London into deepest, darkest East Anglia and you can find some spectacular coastline.

On the Essex coast you can drive to Mersea Island, a unique blend of untouched beauty, coastal charm, and culinary seafood delights. Mersea Island is known for its great beaches and rich fishing heritage and is renowned for its superb fresh seafood, particularly the world famous Colchester oysters, which can be enjoyed in ramshackled shacks along the shore.

To add a bit of jeopardy, the island is only accessible via a tidal causeway, so make sure you check the tide time before heading back. Ferraris are not known for their aquatic or off road abilities!

Many of the London great and good have coast retreats in Aldeburgh or Southwold. They chose these Suffolk coastal towns for a reason, they’re full of character and timeless calming beauty. The drive up the coast from London will take just over two hours, but is worth it.

Aldeburgh is renowned for its vibrant artistic heritage and boasts many galleries and independent shops. It has a huge scenic shingle beach stretching for miles and has the striking Scallop sculpture by Maggi Hambling, a tribute to the town’s famous composer, Benjamin Britten. With so many of the London creative community calling the place their home, you can also expect some great cafes and restaurants. Aldeburgh is also famous for some of the best fish and chips in the UK, perfect for enjoying while taking a stroll along the coast. Be prepared to wait though, the chip shops are very popular so there will often be queues, so check out their webcam showing how busy they are!

A little further up the coast is Southwold, famous for its colourful beach huts and the fabulous Adnams Brewery, where you can enjoy a tour and taste local ales. It also has a pier where you can get up close to the wild North Sea and discover the utterly eccentric world of Tim Hunkin in the Under the Pier arcade. More art than arcade, it is worth checking out.

Discover the Past

The south of England is jam packed with historical treasures. In two hours you can drive west through the wonderful North Wessex Downs and make your way to Avebury. Here you will find the Avebury stone circles. one of the largest prehistoric stone circles in the world, dating back over 4,000 years. What is great about this space is you can park up and freely wander among the massive stones. If this is your thing, then the site is part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, which includes Silbury Hill and the West Kennet Long Barrow, both of which are a short drive away through glorious countryside.

Also, just up the road you will find the Uffington White Horse, an iconic chalk figure carved into the hills over 3,000 years ago. This is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the drive provides sweeping hills and turns, perfect for a supercar Christmas drive.

Experience Something Different

If you are after a different take and alternative lifestyles, Brighton is only a two hour drive through the South Downs. A mix of a typical Victorian seaside destination and a modern, dynamic atmosphere, Brighton is full of fun and full of energy. It has a vibrant city life including a superb food scene, buzzing nightlife and unique boutique shops and great cafes. It also has regular diverse cultural events and offers something for everyone with a unique Brighton twist.

Embrace your Inner Mod

Londoners have traditionally escaped to coastal towns within driving distance. A popular destination over the years has been Margate, just an hour and half down the Kent coast. It was very important to the 60’s ultra cool Mod culture and was seen as a significant part of that iconic period of British culture. However, until about 10 years ago, it was seen to be in decline, but recent years have seen Margate begin to thrive again. The quintessential English amusement park Dreamland has been renovated providing seaside fun, but with a modern flavour. It also has the Turner Contemporary, a fantastic gallery inspired by the painter J.M.W. Turner’s connection to the town. Interesting and creative communities have begun to relocate to Margate and with them comes independent shops, art galleries, and many cafés, all adding to the quirky charm of the place.

Go Forest Bathing

If you need a bit of peace and tranquillity and want a fun drive, then why not head out to the New Forest. It will take about 1 hour 45 minutes if you go there directly, but we suggest you head south first and drive across the South Downs and get to it that way. The New Forest is a national park with ancient woodlands, open heath, and simple villages dotted around with great pubs and tea rooms. While driving, you will see wild ponies, red deer, and other wildlife roaming freely and with fewer cars about, you will have space to breathe.

Find Inspiration and Learning

Cambridge and Oxford are also within striking distance of the capital. The architecture of the buildings such as King’s College Chapel and the dreaming spires of Oxford are often top on the list of places to visit while in the UK, and getting there in a great supercar will add so much to the experience.

Find a Country Pub

London is blessed with some great pubs, but there is nothing like that traditional British country pub at Christmas.

Head out into Hertfordshire and in a little over an hour's drive you will find The Coach and Horses at Rickmansworth. A typical 16th Century pub full of atmosphere and fun. If the sun should be shining, there is a big beer garden, and if it’s not the interior is cosy. From here you can explore Hertfordshire, including a trip to Nuffield House, the home of the founder of Morris cars and then explore the St Botolph's Church at Swyncombe and the surrounding lanes and ridgeways.

The Royal Standard of England at Beaconsfield is also just an hour away. It claims to be the oldest free-house in England and is over 900 years old. You will be transported back in time and is perfect for Christmas with its atmospheric candlelight and roaring wood fires. From here you can visit the National Trust country home of Hughenden, the perfect backdrop for an Insta shot of the supercar.

If food is your thing, then consider The Hind’s Head in the picturesque village of Bray. This is a fabulous Michelin-starred pub well worth a visit. Make sure you book at the same time you book your supercar hire as it is very popular. It is a traditional coaching inn, so has the charm of a traditional English pub, but adds out of this world food into the mix. Just down the road is Windsor should you want to pop by and see some royals.

If you want a trip to the coast and back, then we recommend heading over to The Old Neptune in Whitstable. This pub is right on the sea front and often has live music and a great menu. It is the perfect place to unwind before heading back to the hustle and bustle of city life.