Driving Tours - Southern England

It's the quintessential British experience – soaking up the unique ambience of Britain’s countryside as you glide along in your British built luxury car.

Experience this for real with Europcar's 'Best of British' range and the first of three touring itineraries specifically designed to take in the cream of Britain’s landscapes.

Choose from an extensive selection of Europcar’s British built cars – from the sleek Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet to the elegant Aston Martin DB7, or for something more sporty go for the fun-loving Lotus Elise.

Whatever your fancy – you are bound to find something to suit! So hop in, and enjoy the drive across some of Britain’s most glorious countryside..

Breezing Along the River

Just a short drive from London Heathrow the majestic River Thames flows westwards passing the historic town of Windsor. Enjoy panoramic views of the Thames Valley from the terraces of Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation.

Across the river is Eton, with its famous public school established by Henry VI in 1440. Wander along the High Street with its delightful jumble of antique shops and traditional public houses.

The Thames winds its way past the stately gardens of Cliveden, now a luxury hotel, before reaching the pretty village of Cookham, and the riverside towns of Marlow and Henley.

The Homes of Literature and Learning

Oxford is renowned as a seat of learning – visit traditional pubs that were frequented by authors J R R Tolkein, C S Lewis and the infamous fictional character Inspector Morse. Wander around the busy markets, leafy parks or visit hidden away antique shops – for the more adventurous a punt or cruise down the Rivers of Isis and Cherwell must not be missed!

Nearby Woodstock is home to one of the largest private houses in England. With its fabulously baroque exteriors and sumptuous interiors, Blenheim Palace is a wonder to behold. Visit the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born, or marvel at the glittering state-rooms and the superb collection of fine art and sculpture.

Visit the home of another famous Briton at Stratford-upon-Avon. You cannot escape William Shakespeare in Stratford - visit one of five properties with links to the great writer including the cottage of his wife, Anne Hathaway or enjoy his plays at one of the theatres of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Further north is Warwick, a castle that rivals Windsor as one of the finest in Britain. If you dare, enter the spooky Ghost Tower where the ghost of the murdered Sir Fulke Greville is said to still walk. Or marvel at the grandeur of the Great Hall and the recently restored Victorian Mill that once generated enough electricity to power all the lighbulbs in the castle!

A Feast for the Eyes

As you drive through the Cotswolds, revel in the vast array of honey-coloured cottages, gardens covered with rose blooms and hidden-away tea shops. Stop off in Stow-on-the-Wold, known for a thousand years as the cross-road town of the Cotswolds. Take time to explore the lovely square with pubs, tea rooms, shops and hotels.

Head south, towards the delightful Malmesbury where six bridges leading from the market square bear testament to its Saxon past. The town is rich with history – most of the houses are weaver’s dwellings from the 17th and 18th century, the Market Cross is Tudor and the abbey remains date from Norman times.

In the Footsteps of the Romans

Bath is a wonderfully elegant town and is designated a World Heritage Site. Imagine yourself back in Roman Britain at the well preserved Baths where the hot springs still run!

Visit No. 1 Royal Crescent and see how these fine Georgian houses were furnished, or learn about the story of fashion at the internationally acclaimed Museum of Costume. Take time out to pamper yourself at the new Bath Spa that uses the same mineral springs as its Roman predecessor.

Leave the relaxing Roman baths behind and take one of two alternative routes.

Route 1
The A4 is the modern equivalent of the ancient Roman road. Take time to visit the magnificent Bowood House & Gardens, home to the Marquis of Landsdowne and his family. The house is filled with wonderful treasures including Georgian costumes, collections of jewellery and watercolours; the gardens are also a wonder to behold – over 2,000 acres liberally decorated with temples and water features.

Ancient Secrets

Head towards Wiltshire, a county of ancient secrets. There are mysterious white horses carved into the chalk hillside at Cherhill, Pewsey and Marlborough and mystical stone circles at Avebury and Stonehenge.

Follow the mysterious past onto Highclere Castle in Newbury. This stunning Victorian building was home to the tragic 5th Earl of Carnarvon who, alongside Howard Carter discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun. The 5th Earl died in strange circumstances in Egypt and his death has long been attributed to the curse of Tutankhamun. Visit the Egyptian rooms that chart the archeological work undertaken by the Earl.

Closer to Guildford are Clandon Park and Hatchlands Park, both built in the 18th century. Clandon Park houses a wonderful collection of porcelain, textiles and furniture whilst Hatchlands Park is home to a large number of historic keyboard instruments, many of which have been played by Chopin, Mahler and Elgar.

Route 2
This second route from Bath takes you into beautiful Dorset, through the cities of Salisbury and Winchester and onto motor heaven at Beauliea.

The Oldest Town

Walk up the famous Gold Hill in Shaftesbury as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Dorset countryside. One of England’s oldest towns, Shaftesbury is renowned as the ‘Shaston’ of Thomas Hardy’s novels and is filled with rural charm and fine old buildings.

Meet up with the ancient Roman road at Salisbury and follow its route towards Winchester. This ancient city is teeming with history, it was once the capital of Wessex, an old English kingdom.

Built by Henry III, nothing except the Great Hall remains of Winchester Castle which is home to an Arthurian Round table. The impressive Norman cathedral is worth a visit and you can still see the remains of the three monasteries that have stood in Winchester since Saxon times.

Glorious Motors

Immerse yourself in the history of motoring at the Beauliea Vintage Motor Museum. This fascinating Museum traces the story of motoring from 1894 to the present day – see the world record breakers Bluebird and Golden Arrow.

Experience the thrill of watching historic motor cars and bikes racing at Goodwood. Goodwood House holds a number of motoring festivals each year – top drivers are invited to race up the historic hill-climb racetrack and visitors have the chance to get close to these marvelous vehicles as they are tuned ready for racing.

The Loveliest Castle

Horsham is another wonderfully preserved Saxon town. First mentioned in the Saxon Charter of King Eadred in 947AD Horsham has over 40 historical buildings including the homes of medieval merchants, Tudor shops and Georgian and Victorian houses.

Finish your journey at ‘the loveliest castle in the world’ – Leeds Castle. Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland and next to a natural lake, Leeds Castle is an exceptionally picturesque property that has been home to Kings and Queens. Explore the wonderful gardens and enter the Maze with its secret underground grotto!

From ancient stone circles to stunning medieval castles, Saxon towns and Roman roads this journey has taken you across picture perfect British countryside. And with the added enjoyment of driving your choice of Europcar’s fantastic 'Best of British' range you will relish the memories of this trip for many years to come...