With more of us staying at home for holidays, finding fun days out for the whole family has never been more important – and with Avis Rent a Car, it’s never been easier. Rent a spacious estate and fit in everything you need for a seaside summer day, or rent a people carrier and take the kids and their friends too.

By renting an estate or people carrier from Avis you avoid all the worry of wear and tear on your own car, and avoid all those endless fights that come from squashing all the kids together in the back. Our extensive fleet of vehicles makes a great family day out full of fun, and it’s so much simpler than struggling with public transport as you can drive right to the door of your destination. And when you add up the cost of the train or coach for everyone, you’ll find hiring a car from Avis is well worth it.

Here are five top days out that all the family will enjoy:

1. Isle of Thanet, Kent
Head east from the capital on the A28 or A299 and enjoy a traditional day out at the seaside on the Isle of Thanet in Kent. Not strictly an island, this superb stretch of coast boasts no less than nine clean, safe Blue Flag beaches full of fascinating rockpools to keep the kids amused all day. Plus there are promenades, cliff top walks and all the family fun you’d expect from great British seaside towns, including Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

2. Alton Towers, Staffordshire
With world famous rides and attractions, Alton Towers theme park needs no introduction. Simply follow the signs from the M1 (J23a or J24) or M6 (J15 or J16) for an adrenaline filled day with something for everyone. Speed from 0-60 in 2.2 seconds on the Rita ride, or experience the world’s first vertical freefall drop rollercoaster TH13TEEN. One admission price pays for all the rides you want, and if you book online in advance you’ll save even more.

3. The GreenWood Forest Park, Snowdonia
Situated in the foothills of Snowdonia, just off the A55 between Bangor and Caernarfon, you’ll find rides of an altogether different kind at GreenWood Forest Park – because at this award-winning eco-friendly attraction, all the rides are people powered! And that’s just the start of the fun in the forest. You can try your skills as Robin Hood on the archery range, go Indiana Jones on the Jungle Boat Trail, or create your own souvenirs in the wonderful woodcraft centre, in a delightfully different day out with something for everyone.

4. Chester Zoo, Cheshire
Just a few minutes drive following the signs from the M53 (J10) and M56 (J14), Chester Zoo is a must for any family’s summer schedule. Chester is the UK’s number one zoo, with over 7000 animals and 400 different species, including some of the most endangered on the planet, all surrounded by stunning gardens. Don’t miss the boat ride around the zoo or see it all from above on the monorail.

5. Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
25 miles east of Edinburgh on the A198, the Scottish Seabird Centre is like Springwatch all year round, with everything from seal pups to sea birds, puffins to dolphins all on view, up close and personal, on giant screens at the centre and out and about around the grounds. Book a boat trip to Bass Rock, one of Sir David Attenborough’s ‘wildlife wonders of the world’, and enjoy the rest of the day on the white sand beaches of the Firth of Forth.

Everyone can come along with Avis
You can bring the whole family along when you hire a car from Avis, because you can organise baby and child seat hire on request and add an extra driver so you can take turns at driving and looking after the kids. And with home delivery available in most parts of the UK, your big day out starts right from your doorstep.

Summertime is all about getting out and enjoying the countryside, and there’s no better way to do it than on a classic family picnic. And with Avis Rent a Car, you can make sure that no one gets left behind, with estates and people carriers that can fit in everyone and everything you need, from hampers and ice boxes to chairs and cricket sets.

Renting an estate or people carrier from Avis means that the whole family can share in the scenery, history and beauty of Britain. With an extensive fleet of vehicles and so many great picnic spots across the country, from stately homes to spectacular coasts, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are our top five suggestions for the perfect picnic, from Edinburgh to Brighton.

1. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
For a breathtaking view, without getting too out of breath, head up to Arthur’s Seat, one of the famous seven hills that surround Edinburgh. This is a popular picnic spot, with plenty of sheltered nooks and crannies in which to make camp along the way, and the view from the peak across the city and out along the Firth of Forth is well worth the half hour climb. Find Arthur’s Seat in the heart of Edinburgh.

2. Padley Gorge, Derbyshire
Pretty much anywhere in the spectacular Peak District National Park, to the South East of Manchester, is worth a visit, but Padley Gorge is a particular favourite for picnics. There’s something for everyone in this fairyland location, as the stream winds its way between grassy banks and off into the woods, creating fascinating rock pools and attracting a wealth of wildlife. Find Padley Gorge on the B6251 Grindleford road, just off the A625.

3. Hardcourt Arboretum, Oxford
Hardcourt Arboretum is the perfect place to get back to nature with a private picnic in one of the many clearings dotted among the ten acres of woodland. Let the kids go off safely squirrel spotting, running through the wildflower meadow and playing hide and seek amongst the trees, while you relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Hardcourt Arboretum lies six miles south of Oxford on the A4074.

4. Avebury Stone Circle
Unlike its better known partner at Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle enjoys open access, allowing you to pitch your picnic right in the heart of history. Despite being the largest stone circle in Europe, Avebury also has far fewer visitors, so you can picnic in peace and experience first hand the strange ethereal energy of this fascinating location. Find Avebury Stone Circle around ten miles south of Swindon and the M4 on the A4361.

5. Devil’s Dyke, East Sussex
Our final picnic destination takes us right to the south coast, with stunning views across the South Downs and out over the English Channel. Devil’s Dyke has lots of open space to enjoy, with everything from Iron Age forts to rare and exotic wildlife, and its higher ground is especially good for flying kites. Devil’s Dyke is on the A23 just outside Brighton, within easy reach of London for a day trip.

Avis makes it easy
Whether you’re hiring a car in England or hiring a car in Scotland, with Avis it couldn’t be easier, because we take care of everyone. You can hire baby and child seats to make sure the little ones stay safe, and even add an extra driver to share the miles on longer trips. We’ll even arrange delivery to your door, to take the hassle out of your big day out.

So get out and enjoy the great outdoors of Great Britain this summer. From Scotland to the South Coast, there are hundreds of different picnic places to explore. Why not let us know your favourites – we may even feature them on the Avis blog.

At Avis we are excited to announce that we are adding the NEW Jaguar XJ to our Avis Prestige fleet.

The original Jaguar XJ was a car that epitomised luxury and comfort and those credentials remain unchanged with the new 2010 model. This is Jaguar’s flagship saloon, and the first launch under new owners Tata Motors.

The previous model couldn’t help but start to look dated and the new XJ has undergone a radical change from the original body style, which was little changed for 40 years.

Whilst the new XJ resembles the XF, it’s fabulous to look at and at the forefront of technology with many functions controlled by a touch-screen allowing easy programming of the sat-nav system.

The interior exudes quality with the leather and wood finish and the impressive Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system which pipes your desired tunes through an array of speakers, including three in each door, two on the dashboard, four surround speakers on the parcel shelf, and two subwoofers!

This car is part of the Avis Prestige executive saloon range available for delivery from London, Heathrow and Manchester.

If you have rented this car or plan to we would love to get your feedback.