Only in England

Lifetime Experiences

The English Countryside

Driving the English Countryside, with a Modern Twist

London is only about 75 miles from the southern coast of the U.K., where small towns like Portsmouth and Plymouth provide a lovely day at the beach. Sure, bus tours or trains are options for getting there, but there’s nothing quite like hopping in a sedan and hitting the open road, especially where the English countryside is concerned.

As, through the rearview mirror, the city recedes into the distance, the open countryside graces you with a rare and unique experience of Great Britain. Rustic cottages, ages old, bordered by stone fences, and spotted with English gardens line the way. In some areas it seems like the country has hardly been touched in hundreds of years, and it’s easy to forget what century we live in. By bus or train these historic and timeless images fly past, fleetingly, but in a car, it’s possible to stop and literally smell the flowers, whenever and wherever.

And, thanks to modern innovations, if you do decide to make your way around the English countryside in a car, you don’t have to feel nervous about finding your way around. Traveling by car is made so much easier and safer these days with the assistance of satellite navigation systems. A navigator system can help you follow the moment (and your whims) in locating restaurants, hotels, and other places of interest along the way, and can even reroute in order to account for changes in the plans. Many car rental companies offer cars with GPS systems – and a traveler who has their own GPS system can save a few bucks by bringing it along.