Car Hire Gatwick Airport

Land at Gatwick Airport and both the UK capital and rolling southern countryside are on a plate for you. Tailor your travels to your itinerary and unravel this pocket of England at your own pace from the comfort of your hire car.

If you’re heading for the bright lights of London, head north along the M23 and A23, which will take you all the way into the heart of the city. A Congestion Charge is applied to all cars entering central London.

Alternatively, you can travel north to the M25, just a ten-minute drive away from Gatwick, which encircles the capital and gives you access to most of the UK’s major motorways, along with a wealth of picture-perfect villages and towns on the outskirts of the Big Smoke.

Discover the charm of the English coastline and drive along the A23 to Brighton, the destination reinventing the seaside break with its combination of sea, sand and urban appeal. Journey further along the A27 to reach Beachy Head. Part of the South Downs National Park, this is the perfect place for clifftop strolls and alfresco feasts. Head east to find more southern seaside towns and cities, including Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth. 

As in Ireland, you’ll drive on the left-hand side while in the UK, overtaking on the right. Roads tend to be well maintained and clearly marked with signage. Speed limits will vary dependent on the road you’re travelling on, from 112 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways down to 48 km/h in built-up areas and even lower in school zones.

A slew of mesmerising attractions can draw you in different directions when you land at Gatwick Airport. Give into the cultural honey trap that is London and explore its treasure trove of sites where British history is writ large, or journey to the coastal towns fringing the isle and enjoy natural wonders.

Bright lights, big city

Tick off London’s iconic sights before you dig into its hidden gems. Take to the skies with a ride aboard the London Eye, enjoying panoramic views as you rotate slowly above the capital. Depart from the wheel and head down the river to the Tower of London. Admire the architecture of the foreboding stronghold, see the famous ravens and take a guided tour with a Beefeater, all of whom live within the tower. You’ll also see the crown jewels, a beautiful chapel housing the tombs of royalty and an incredible collection of weapons and suits of armour.

Take a trip to see the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Watch the Changing of the Guard, before heading inside to tour the lavish rooms with walls lined with world-class artwork and gifts from across the globe.

Drive north to Camden to indulge your taste buds at the borough’s popular street food market. Every cuisine you could ever dream of is plated up here so embrace the opportunity to feast on globe-trotting dishes – expect chicken katsu, buckwheat crepes with miso salted caramel and the incredibly indulgent beef bourguignon burger. Work it off with a stroll around Kew Gardens. Wander between rows of blooming botanical plants and inhale their sweet scent, before exploring the life of bees in The Hive and treading carefully across the treetop walkway.

Canterbury tales

Step back in time at Canterbury. Park up and get lost in the town’s maze of medieval streets, heading in the direction of its showpiece – Canterbury Cathedral. Marvel at its Gothic façade before disappearing inside to see its 14^th century nave. Admire the striking stained glass windows as you wander deeper into the church, catch a glimpse of the Romanesque crypt and spy the spot where Thomas Becket was famously murdered during the 12^th century.

Fall in love with Rye, one of England’s most picturesque towns. Take the A21 from Gatwick Airport and, within an hour and a half, you’ll be in this medieval pocket of the UK. Walk slowly along the cobbled streets to soak up its charming East Sussex heritage, passing by half-timbered houses and quaint passageways. Come for scallop week to enjoy the moreish molluscs, while there are antique and vintage shops to browse.

Beside the seaside

The chalk hills of the South Downs, stretching from the Itchen Valley of Hampshire to Beachy Head, are the essence of England in all its rural glory. Make for the eastern tip which offers breath-taking views of the dramatic coastline. Hike along the trail leading from Beachy Head to Birling Gap to enjoy this national park’s diverse landscapes and stop off for a picnic, pausing to drink in the magnificent vistas.

Swap the tranquil scenery for one of the UK’s most vibrant cities – Brighton. Outlandish and colourful, this seaside resort is unlike any other in the country. Indulge in a stick of candy floss as you stroll down the pier and try your hand at the arcade games. Get lost in the labyrinth-like Lanes, the city’s pretty historic quarter, to take in the atmosphere of Brighton before making your way to the Royal Pavilion. The eye-popping 19th-century chinoiserie architecture of this lavish palace is a true landmark, and there are impressive grounds to roam too.

Once you’ve hopped off the plane and collected your hire car from Gatwick Airport, the peerless food, thousands of years of history and glorious green countryside are all yours for the taking.