Charging with a view: five of the most picturesque EV charging spots in Britain

The highway code recommends that drivers take a break every two hours.

For electric vehicle drivers, this is a good time to stop to charge their car, but also to stretch their legs and get some fresh air.

As of January 2024, there are 55,301 EV charging points spread across 31,335 charging locations. And some of these are in beautiful locations.

Whether by fortune or planning, you can find an EV charger surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty – and the time to appreciate it.

Here are our top picks for the best charging spots in Britain.

1. Isle of Skye, Scotland

Although not a large island, Skye packs much of the best of Scotland into a small geographical area

Scotland is so breathtaking that it often seems like another planet.

A haven for drivers that also includes the North Coast 500, it’s almost impossible to find the nicest charging spot in Scotland.

But shadowed by chameleon-coloured mountains, the rainbow coastal town of Portree on the Isle of Skye simply lingers in our eyes.

There are two public parking garages each with 50 kW CCS, CHAdeMo chargers and Type 2 chargers.

Portree has a lot to offer visitors while they recharge. You can explore the natural harbour, eat the catch of the day, walk the hills or buy local products.

Step into a pub and for £10 you get the most delicious fresh oysters and chips – a personal recommendation for hungry drivers.

Once your EV is charged, the rest of the island awaits exploration. From Munros to Dunvegan Castle – Skye packs the best of Scotland into a small but phenomenal geographical area.

2. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is dotted with 22kW chargers, offering drivers a wonderful opportunity to spend a few hours walking along the coastline

Pembrokeshire is relatively quiet compared to Snowdonia and offers some of the best driving conditions in Britain

Wales is a relatively untouched gem for many drivers. From the roads of the Drovers to Snowdonia, there’s car magic for miles.

For one of the wildest attacks in Wales, head to Pembrokeshire. The National Park along the west coast consists of four parts with a turquoise coastline, golden sand, amazing wildlife and ancient monuments.

The Coastal National Park is littered with 22 kW chargers that will fully charge a typical EV in about three or four hours, or after an hour or hour and a half of charging.

The Park does lack fast charging, but that is made up for by the wonderful outdoor activities it offers while you wait a little longer.

And it is definitely worth planning this time to fully immerse yourself in the environment.

Nowhere in the National Park is more than 10 miles from the coast – and you have 250 square miles of some of Britain’s most varied coastal landscapes.

For overnight stays, the Druidstone Hotel has 7 kW chargers available for guests, and it is one of my favorite hotels in the UK.

3. Wye Valley, Herefordshire, England

The Wye Valley is an Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Old Court Hotel near Symonds Yat is well equipped with multiple ultra-fast chargers

Ross-on-Wye is a small market town on the River Wye and nearby Coppett Hill offers views over six counties on a clear day

A slight bias here as the Wye Valley is in Herefordshire, my home county. But because it is a protected national landscape and an area of ​​outstanding natural beauty, we can say with certainty that it is one of the most beautiful landscapes to dive into in England.

There are several Instavolt fast 50kW CHAdeMO and ultra-fast 120kW CCS chargers at the Old Court Hotel, just a 15-minute walk from Symonds Yat near Ross-on-Wye in the Wye Valley.

These chargers can deliver a full charge in 30 minutes or less, so you may want to just walk to the river and back, or have a Herefordshire steak lunch at the hotel.

But on a summer day you really have to linger.

On the banks of the River Wye, Symonds Yat is a wonderful place for families to spend the day. Canoe or Stand-Up Paddleboarding or take a dip in Wye’s best wild swimming spots.

Once you’ve taken a few hours to recharge, walk and picnic, walk up Coppett Hill, near the market town of Ross-on-Wye, and you can look out over six counties on a clear day.

4. Glenarm Castle, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

Glenarm Castle in Northern Ireland is a fantastic destination for a family day out, with EB charging points nearby

The award-winning walled garden has plenty to do and explore while your EV is plugged into the nearby 22kW charger

It’s hard to do a nice summary of anything in Britain without mentioning a castle.

Located by the sea, Glenarm Castle in Country Antrim is the brownstone-turreted ancestral home of the Earl of Antrim.

This recently crowned ‘Historic Houses 2023 Garden of the Year’ is just a 10-minute walk from the two 22 kW chargers at New Road Car Park.

As well as walking through the award-winning gardens, you can also hire an e-bike, refuel in the tea room, buy clothes, gifts and products in the Byre Shop and (depending on the time of year) attend the many events in Glenarm. pull on.

E-bikers may want to cycle along the coast to see the legendary Madman’s Window. This window created by Mother Nature is an opening in two enormous boulders through which the Irish Sea greets you.

Folklore has it that a local man from the village would visit the window every day and stare out at the waters of Glenarm Bay – where he lost his loved one to the opposing force of the waves.

Whether EV drivers want to spend endless hours staring blankly at the sea is a personal decision, but New Road Car Park chargers give you the choice.

5. Bakewell, Peak District, England

Bakewell in Derbyshire’s Peak District has plenty of 7kW chargers to choose from and is a picture postcard town to explore while you charge

The Bakewell cake is the star attraction, but there are also local markets, shops and traditional experiences to enjoy – something for all the family

Without a doubt the charging spot on our list that triggers the most sugar cravings, Bakewell is home to the eponymous Bakewell Tart.

It is the largest town in the Peak District National Park and is essential in every way.

The famous Bakewell pudding was apparently created accidentally by a local cook in the mid-19th century – she intended to make a simple jam tart.

Fortunately it turned out well and now Bakewell is firmly on the map thanks to the mistake. This picturesque town in Derbyshire is a destination for a day out for all the family.

Local produce at the farmers’ markets, specialty shops selling everything from whiskey to country clothing – it’s a real step back in time.

With many 7 kW chargers on offer, you’ll have hours to spare while you need to charge your car battery – and it would be rude not to eat the local pastries.