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Welcome to Avis
Best places to stop between Birmingham and London
Fun pit stops to explore by car hire from London to Birmingham
Did you know that the two largest cities in the UK, London and Birmingham, are just under a three hour drive from one another? If you’re driving from one to the other, you should be sure to check out one of the many incredible sights that are dotted in-between.
Some of England's finest heritage sites, stately homes and picturesque villages are tucked either side of the M6 and M40 - so be sure to stop off for a pit stop in your car hire and experience all that the surrounding counties have to offer.
The Gloucestershire Cotswolds
There is nothing quite like wandering through the honey-tinted stone in the Cotswolds. A truly English sight to behold, we recommend stopping off in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Enjoy the market towns and villages with their backdrop of gently rolling hills.
For those seeking to stretch their legs during the drive between the UK capital and the West Midlands, be sure to stop off at the village of Chipping Campden. It’s located on the right side of the Cotswolds for road trippers coming to and from Birmingham to stop off for some tea and cake or a delicious Sunday roast.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 18 mins / 53.1 miles
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
Hidden in Buckinghamshire between England’s two largest cities, one wouldn’t think to find the once top secret-location of the iconic Code Breaking Huts, a British intelligence centre used to crack the Enigma Code during the Second World War.
A trip here will take you on an atmospheric trip back to D-Day, in which Bletchley Park played a pivotal role at the end of the war. Relive the award-winning film The Imitation Game about the life of mathematician Alan Turing and the codebreakers that worked at Bletchley.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 46 mins / 83.9 miles
Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
Whether you’re six years old or 60, a trip to Warwick Castle is a great way to titillate the imagination. Boasting over one thousand years of myth and legend, this medieval heritage site is one of Britain’s most incredibly preserved castles.
Dating back to the era of William the Conqueror, relive this castle’s colourful past as you dart in and out of sight along the Towers, scanning the fields for invaders on the approach.
The castle is perfectly situated between the two cities and is located a short distance from Junction 15 on the M40.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 47 mins / 33.6 miles
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Stop off in the Tudor market town where William Shakespeare was born, and discover a historic English heritage site. You need only wander the perfectly preserved streets to get a feeling for the Bard’s life.
We recommend catching a show at one of the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres, in the style of the old round. Literature lovers can visit the house in which William Shakespeare was born, and also Anne Hathaway’s cottage, which is where Will courted Anne - the future Mrs Shakespeare.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 53 mins / 36.7 miles
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Surrounded by the beauty of the Chiltern Hills, Henley-on-Thames is a national gem worth seeing before you head in or out of London. Most famous for hosting the annual Royal Regatta, it attracts all sorts of rowing fans and professionals.
It’s only small - so park up, walk around and grab a cuppa. We recommend strolling along the Thames Path for enviable views across the Thames Valley and possible views of rowers punting up and down the river.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 52 mins / 98.9 miles
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Could this be one of the most lavish stately homes in the whole of England? We reckon so. Feel like a lord or lady as you explore the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace, a baroque home built in the 17th century.
There are usually various sporting events and exhibitions taking place throughout the year, so check their website before visiting. This quintessentially English country house is a must on your road trip itinerary.
The pièce de résistance has got to be the manicured formal gardens. Get off at junction 9 on the M40 - the palace will be signposted all the way.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 29 mins / 78 miles
Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Buckinghamshire
Driving between these two UK cities means that you are certain to pass through Roald Dahl country. Dive deep into the stories that captured the hearts of both children and adults alike, and venture into the author’s original Writing Hut. A trip to this wonderful museum gives you the chance to harness the power of your imagination and the three galleries are an ideal trip for both adults and kids alike.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 1 hour 52 mins / 97.5 miles
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
The luscious meadows in the Chiltern Hills are something of a legend here at the Ashridge Estate, particularly when the bluebells are out in full bloom. The woodland floor is transformed into a bed of cornflower blue every year and the rolling chalk downlands are the perfect antidote to a long drive of endless motorways. Exit at junction 10 on the M1 and you’ll be there in no time.
Driving distance from Birmingham: 2 hours 11 mins / 101.0 miles