Charge with a view: Five of the UK’s most picturesque EV charging spots

The Highway Code recommends drivers take a break every two hours.

For electric vehicle drivers, this is an opportune time to stop to charge your car, as well as stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

In January 2024, there are 55,301 electric vehicle charging points at 31,335 charging locations. And some of them are in stunning locations.

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

These are our top picks for the UK’s most scenic charging spots.

1. Isle of Skye, Scotland

Scotland is so stunning that it often feels like a different planet.

A driver’s paradise that includes the North Coast 500 and narrowing down Scotland’s most picturesque charging point is almost impossible.

But, overshadowed by mountains of chameleon-like colors, the coastal town of Portree, on the Isle of Skye, represents a rainbow and catches our eyes.

There are two public car parks with 50kW CCS, CHAdeMo chargers and Type 2 chargers in each.

Portree has a lot to offer visitors while they get paid. You can explore the natural harbour, eat the catch of the day, walk in the hills or shop for local produce.

Walk into a pub and for £10 you’ll get the dreamy fresh oysters and chips – a personal recommendation for hungry drivers.

Once your electric vehicle is charged, the rest of the island is waiting to be explored. From Munros to Dunvegan Castle: Skye brings together the best of Scotland in a small but phenomenal geographical area.

2. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales

Wales is a relatively untapped gem for many drivers. From the Drovers roads to Snowdonia, there are miles of motoring magic.

For some of the wildest loads in Wales, head to Pembrokeshire. The National Park along the west coast consists of four parts of turquoise coastline, golden sands, incredible wildlife and ancient monuments.

The Coastal National Park is packed with 22 kW chargers that allow a typical electric vehicle to be fully charged in about three to four hours, or a top-up in one to one and a half hours.

The park lacks fast charging, but makes up for it with the wonderful outdoor activities it offers while you wait a little longer.

And it’s worth scheduling this time to properly immerse yourself in the area.

Nowhere in the National Park is more than 10 miles from the coast, and you have 240 square miles of some of the most varied coastal landscape in Britain.

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

3. Wye Valley, Herefordshire, England

A slight bias here as the Wye Valley is in Herefordshire, my home county. But, as it is a protected National Landscape and an Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s safe to say it’s one of the best landscapes in England to explore.

There are several 50kW CHAdeMO Instavolt fast chargers and 120kW ultra-fast CCS chargers at the Old Court Hotel, which is 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 walk to the river and back, or have a Herefordshire steak lunch at the hotel.

But on a summer day you should stay.

On the banks of the River Wye, Symonds Yat is a fantastic place to spend the day with the family. Canoe, stand-up paddleboard or take a dip in Wye’s best wild swimming spots.

If you’ve set aside a couple of hours for charging, strolling and a picnic, walk up Coppett Hill, near the market town of Ross-on-Wye, and you’ll be able to see six counties on a clear day.

4. Glenarm Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

It’s hard to do a panoramic summary of anything in the UK without mentioning a castle.

Perched above the sea, Glenarm Castle in Country Antrim is the brownstone turreted ancestral home of the Earl of Antrim.

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

As well as walking through the award-winning gardens, you can hire an electric bike, recharge in the tea room, shop for clothes, gifts and produce at the Byre Shop and (depending on the time of year) attend Glenarm’s many events. puts on.

E-cyclists may want to ride along the coast to see the legendary Fool’s Window. This window created by Mother Nature is a gap between two huge rocks through which the Irish Sea greets you.

Legend has it that a man from the village visited the window every day and looked out over the waters of Glenarm Bay, where he lost his love to the frustrating power of the waves.

Whether EV drivers want to spend endless hours staring out to sea is a personal decision, but New Road Car Park chargers give them the option.

5. Bakewell, Peak District, England

Easily the loading 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 quintessential in every way.

The famous Bakewell pudding was apparently created by mistake by a local cook in the mid-19th century: her intention was to make a simple jam tart.

Luckily it all worked out and Bakewell is now firmly on the map thanks to the bug. This picturesque Derbyshire town is a destination for a day out with the whole family.

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

With many 7kW chargers on offer, there are hours to spare while you recharge your car battery, and it would be rude not to eat the local baked goods.