Road trips are an adventure like no other: they’re real and raw and full of the unexpected. Simply stick a pin into an old road map, throw your weekend bag on the backseats and then hit the road. That’s it. That’s what makes road trips so epic and the reason we’ve teamed up with THE OUT - a car hire service that does things a bit differently.
No matter the destination, simply pick the car you want, the dates you want to drive it and THE OUT will deliver your car to your door. And the best part: these are not your normal airport hire cars; they’re powered by Jaguar Land Rover.
So whether you want to explore the wilds of Norfolk in the new Defender or jump into a convertible F-Type and race down to Dorset, here are their top destinations to get the most out of your next road trip.
From the oysters that have been harvested since Roman times to the postcard-perfect shingle beaches, the old-fashioned main street to the majestic Canterbury just a shells throw away, it’s easy to see why Whitstable has become one of the dreamiest weekend spots for city-dwellers aching to escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. So grab your wash bag, rush down the stairs two-at-a-time, smile at the journey essentials included in your care hire and set your SatNav to this slice of the Kentish coastline.
Recommended car and bag combination: Jaguar F-Type and the Weekender
Forget what the name suggests, this pinch-yourself destination is neither new nor a forest. It’s a staggering heathland that was first declared as a royal hunting ground in 1079. But that’s not the only reason you need to escape your desk and call this place home for a long bank holiday weekend. Hiding in plain sight on England’s dramatic south coast, the New Forest is one of the most incredible places to explore; a place known for its endless woodland trails, wild and free ponies, skyscraping trees, cycle adventures and welly-boot walks across the rolling landscape. And when you’ve had enough of wandering around the giant redwoods and majestic oaks, there is Hengistbury Head beach, Highcliffe Castle and so much more.
Recommended car and bag combination: Range Rover Evoque and a couple of Backpacks
No visit to Dorset is complete without exploring the Jurassic Coast’s heavyweight of historical relics: Lyme Regis. The nearby beach was made famous for being home to the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton, but that was no one off. Ancient artifacts from a time forgotten are repeatedly found in and around the surrounding cliffs, each made visible by tides and landslides. But whether you’re into fossil foraging, out for a bit of fever pitch fun or you simply want to leave the city life behind in favour of some sandy beaches, charming features, micro-adventures and some truly memorable foodie places, you won’t find many destinations better than Lyme Regis.
Recommended car and bag combination: Land Rover Defender and the Adventure Bag
If we could write in a whisper, we would because Rye has long been one of England’s best kept secrets. One of the most quintessential, quaint and charming towns you could ever envisage, this little bullion of medieval magic feels like you’ve rolled into a town stopped in time. A cocktail of cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, crooked half-timbered Tudor houses and a muddle of steep, twisting passageways that wind this way and that, there is nowhere we’d rather get lost for a long-weekend. And if you want our advice, ask the locals of their favourite folklore tales because everyone here has their own story about bold smugglers, resident ghosts, famous writers and incredible artists, all of which deserve to live on for centuries to come.
Recommended car and bag combination: Jaguar i-Pace and a couple of Roll Top bags
Norfolk is always a good idea. Whether you need to escape to the coast for 48-hours or you want a week away, Norfolk never disappoints -- and at the heart of it all is the breath-stealing and easy-going city of Norwich. Made affluent by the medieval wool-boom, this destination boasts more charm than a Roger Moore Bond film and an eclectic mix of all things old and new, exciting and relaxed. Standing tall above the buildings are the magnificent cathedral and ancient castle, but it’s the topsy-turvy cobblestone-streets -- lined with half-timbered buildings and independent everythings -- that will make you want to extend your stay. And it’s under an hour’s drive from the most stunning beaches this side of the continent: Holkham, Brancaster and Scolt Head Island. Like we said, Norfolk is always a good idea.
Recommended car and bag combination: Land Rover Defender and the Adventure Bag
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