Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

 from the south coast to the North of England in an electric car to visit what has been found to be the most EV-friendly tourist destination - Beamish, the Living Museum of the North. 

The entire trip was more than 600 miles over three days with a lot of charging along the way. We weren’t new to long-distance electric vehicle driving, but it’s fair to say that a lot had changed since the last time. 

Here’s how you can prepare for an EV road trip from what we learnt along the way… 

Planning ahead is essential for any road trip but it can make a huge difference when you’re driving an EV. Start by getting an idea of the mileage simply by putting your route into Google Maps. 

If you know the range of your vehicle - that’s how many miles it’ll do on a full charge - then you can calculate how many times you’ll need to stop and where the best places are. 

There’s so much information online now, even when it comes to charging stations. Many motorway services are now also equipped with charging points, and in a lot of cases, these are high enough power to get you on your way fast. 

Not all electric cars can use the same type of charging connector though, so check what your car can do. You can then use Google Maps or Zap-Map to find chargers that are right for you. Zap-Map is a smartphone app and users can add important information about the charging points, so check on there to see if they were working recently. 

If you’re going to be charging when it’s dark then you might also want to check where the charger is located. Because owners have had to put them where there is space, they’re not always the easiest to find and can feel a bit scary if they’re around the back of a building. 

The good news is that most chargers are marked exactly where they are on Google Maps, so you can navigate straight to them but also see what the services are like around them. 

If you’re driving a Tesla, you’ll know you can easily see how many chargers are in use at the nearest Supercharger (or the one the car has calculated you should use). However, on many other cars, this isn’t always the case. 

Going back to our friend Google Maps, that can now tell you how many chargers are available at each station but that’s not very easy to check while you’re driving. 

That’s why we’d recommend having more stops planned than you’ll need to use. If you get stuck in traffic or can’t charge as fast as you planned, it’s better to have other options. 

This also helps if you drive into a charging station to find all of the other chargers are taken. You can make a judgement call as to whether to wait it out or drive on to the next one. 

You can now charge with a contactless car at a lot of charging points but that’s not always the case. Before you leave it’s worth checking if you need an account or card to use any of the networks you plan to stop at. 

In some cases, you may need to preload your account with money too. Equally, it can become expensive when you’re using your contactless car and the charging points will pre-authorise £40 to even £99 depending on the network. 

5. Aim to recharge with more than a quarter

Again, this is something that we’d recommend whatever you’re driving! But if you turn up at a charging station and can’t charge because they’re either occupied or broken, you’ll have enough left to not stress about driving to the next charger. 

6. You don’t need to stop charging at 80%

This is advice that EV drivers used to be given because the resistance in the battery when you have less than 20% or more than 80% means your charging power will reduce drastically. 

However, with some cars now able to charge at 150 to 350kW, you’ll find that even the reduced rate of charging is still pretty fast! That said, if there are lots of people waiting it’s usually more polite to get on your way. 

If you’re doing a long drive that’s mainly on motorways or A-roads, you’ll find that the car learns your driving style and gives you a more realistic range over time. 

For those who normally drive around town, you might find that your battery lasts longer or the miles start slipping away faster depending on how aggressively or smoothly you drive. 

Either way, don’t expect to get your normal range and give the car a chance to adapt its prediction. 

One of the problems we ran into on our long drive was finding that the physical charging cable wasn’t connecting to the car properly. 

This wasn’t obvious at first so it’s something to watch out for. We plugged in as normal but when we hit start the charger kept telling us there was an issue with the car. The pin that needs to lock the cable in place wasn’t lining up correctly, but this was rectified by holding the cable in as we started the charge. 

As I mentioned, there are some super fast chargers these days claiming that they can do 350kW. Firstly, you’ll only be able to charge at this rate if your car is capable of it but you’ll also need a lot of other things to fall into place. 

Our car and the chargers we used were both able to charge at 350kW but the best we were getting was 150kW on most charges. At one station every charger was taken and we were only getting 40kW. 

Unlike fueling your car with petrol or diesel, car chargers are set at a rate based on the network you’re charging with so they won’t vary depending on where you are in the country. That said, it’s also not obvious what the price is as you arrive. 

We used some chargers at around 69p per kW, which is a lot more expensive than charging at home! 

Rebecca Chaplin is a motoring journalist and owner of Road Trip Club. She’s written about cars and the best places to drive them for nearly 10 years.

Exploring EV-Friendly Attractions in Britain

Top tips for an EV road trip that we learnt on a 600-mile journey around England

Whilst it may seem fairly innocuous, the fuel cap on your car serves a few very important roles. Even though they are a simple device they can still become worn or work less effectively over time, and in some cases stop functioning altogether. We’ll explain their main uses and what to do if your fuel cap is loose and what problems it can cause. 

The main purpose of a fuel filler cap is to prevent the fuel from spilling as well as evaporating from the tank. 

Petrol, if left open to the air, will evaporate all its volatile chemicals within hours, causing the fuel to become stale and much less energy dense. The fuel filler cap prevents the liquid from evaporating and therefore retains the fuel's energy. 

If your fuel cap is broken or worn out, and the rubber seal is not making good contact with the filler neck, 

your fuel will evaporate from the tank much faster than normal.

The more obvious consequence is that the 

You may notice that if you don’t drive many miles, and your fuel cap is loose, the engine runs rough after a month or so, or fails to start at all. 

This would be due to the volatile compounds evaporating and the petrol becoming stale. 

If you notice your fuel cap is loose, the only real way to fix it is to buy another one. The mechanism that locks the fuel cap in place, and that seals the fuel from spilling, is all built into the cap itself, so there should be no issue with the filler neck or tank. 

The best place to source a filler cap would be the main dealer parts department, they will be able to supply an exact replacement of the original, ensuring there are no issues with sealing for years to come. 

It’s strongly recommended that you don't drive if your car is missing its fuel filler cap, 

not only would your fuel evaporate, but spills onto the road can be dangerous for multiple reasons. 

Other than the obvious flammable dangers of petrol spilling from your car, fuel on the road can be very dangerous for road users such as motorcyclists or cyclists, as it can make the surface slick as ice. 

If you're in a position where you’ve lost your fuel filler cap, and cannot get home without driving your car, you could try a couple of short-term solutions. 

Buy a universal filler cap in a garage or supermarket - lots of petrol station shops sell ‘universal’ fuel filler caps. Borrow one from another car - ask your friends and family if they have a similar car or make. 

Don’t use a rag or item of clothing (socks are quite common!) as a makeshift cap. 

The porous material can allow the vapour to still pass through, and petrol can still seep out when the fuel sloshes around.

Most of us will have some supermarket bags stowed away in the boot, in a pinch these can be used as a cap, but make sure they don't fall into the tank, fall out or allow dirt into the system. 

Most fuel filler caps are inexpensive, between £15 - £30.

 If however, your fuel cap has a lock built into it, you may find it can cost upwards of £100 to get one that will work with your car key. 

In the event you lose your locking fuel filler cap, an alternative is to buy a universal locking cap, or one from a different car with the key supplied. 

This may mean you need to keep the fuel cap key in your car separately (don't lose it!) but will be cheaper than getting one made to suit your key.

Most manufacturers have their own variation of filler caps, the main differences being the way the devices lock into the filler neck, with some using a half turn, some by the key and so on. 

However as many manufacturers are sharing parts nowadays, you may find some brands fit others, common ones include Volkswagen, Seat and Audi - BMW and Mini - Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rovers - and more! 

You can buy universal fuel caps, usually, each one will be advertised at a specific set of car makes so make sure you’re getting the right one! 

Modern rubber seals and tough plastics mean most drivers will never need to replace a fuel cap in their car’s lifetime. 

Exceptions may be if the cap is damaged by yourself or a previous owner or if you notice fuel leaking from the cap after filing. 

If you’ve noticed petrol around the filler cap of your car after filling, it might be leaking from the fuel cap or from the tank itself: 

Noticing petrol on the floor underneath your car can be indicative of a serious issue, as a leaking tank can be extremely dangerous. 

Firstly, check the location of the leak, if it’s to the rear, on the same side as the petrol cap, there’s a good chance it's from the petrol tank itself. 

Modern cars often use plastic fuel tanks, and there are a few failure points, one being the connection between the filler neck, the tube that runs from the filler cap to the tank, and another being the tank itself. Sometimes the metal straps that hold it in place can wear through the plastic. 

Issues with the fuel filler neck can sometimes be rectified by removing and refitting the connection with new fasteners. However, issues with the main fuel tank will most likely require a new tank assembly. 

If you notice fuel running down the side of your car, particularly shortly after filling up, it may be a sign your fuel cap is not sealing properly. 

Open the fuel filler door and inspect the area for signs of fuel leaking. 

It may be hard to detect leaking fuel in anything but very cold weather, as petrol evaporates readily above freezing temperatures. The best solution may be to buy a new fuel cap and so if that resolves the problem. 

As car issues can quickly get expensive, try Bumper for zero-interest car repair financing, and choose from hundreds of approved partners across the country. Find your nearest approved partner. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

What Happens if your Fuel Cap is Loose?

Was passiert, wenn Ihr Tankdeckel locker ist?

Ever fancied taking a totally plastic, totally fantastic shopping-spree in your very own Barbie Dream Car? Well, now you finally can. Thanks to the power of AI, we’ve given your favourite cars the hottest, pinkest make over possible. 

An Audi that’s always dressed to impress. 

The Ford Fiesta, where fashion meets the fast lane. 

Steering towards fashion with Barbie’s MINI Hatch. 

Accelerate your style with the Kia Picanto. 

Definitely not new from Mattel, the Toyota IQ. 

Strutting up the runway with an all-plastic VW Up. 

Using AI To Turn Popular Cars into Barbie Dream Cars

We’re pleased to name Hawkins Motors Blackwater as the Dealership of the Month for June 2023.

The win follows a recent Bumper refresher training session that saw the number of customers using Bumper’s payment options to spread the cost of their service or repair bill increase tenfold. 

Making use of all the options available on their Bumper account, the team at Hawkins, have implemented PayLater into their everyday aftersales process. Completing applications on their own desktops, using the send-to-customer link or via the eDynamix integration, the team have started to see a boost in revenue and customer satisfaction.

Customers have already begun to express how easy using Bumper at Hawkins is, with one reviewer saying of the experience, “Thanks to Zak at Hawkins Motors for arranging a quick solution for an unexpected but vital repair to my vehicle.” Others described the process as “straightforward” and “quick and easy.”

Bumper’s Islay Horton, pictured above, said, “I’m so pleased to have presented another Dealership of the Month award to a site in my area. The team at Hawkins have clearly demonstrated everything it takes to be a top-performing Bumper partner.

“From the initial offering and discussion with the customer to processing the applications on their Bumper accounts, Zak, Nick, Lucy and the rest of the team have displayed a real understanding of the benefits of Bumper to the customer and what an incredible tool it can be for any aftersales team”.

Congratulations to the whole team at Hawkins on your win!

Hawkins Motors Blackwater named Dealership of the Month

As many of us plan to head off on our staycations this summer, we’ll all be planning journeys, writing lists of essentials to pack and perhaps also feeling a little daunted about how to pass the time in the car. 

The excitement has been building in the office as a lot of the team head off for our own holidays this summer. So, we took the opportunity to ask the Bumper team to tell us their top tips for how to get through long car journeys and

 needless to say, they’ve had some great suggestions! 

As the saying goes, fail to prepare then you must prepare to fail. A bit extreme, but as many of our team members have said, preparation ahead of the journey is key! Get yourself a satnav, maps on a smartphone or a good old-fashioned map book and plan your route. 

Planning your stops is also important. Matt from our Growth team has suggested

 “Plan interesting places to stop off on the route; lunches at service stations are functional but don't really add to the fun of the trip and it's sometimes hard to find healthy food there. A 20-minute detour might allow you to explore somewhere new instead and will really break up the journey.” 

Claudia our Spanish Operations Manager has sighted that as long as you are well rested, you could travel at night. “As obvious as it may seem, travelling during the night you will avoid most of the traffic jams! Driving on an empty road will be easy to go through! In sunny areas such as Spain, you would appreciate avoiding the heat during the day. Start your trip at night and plan a break during the peak hours of sun. Not to forget, this would be the perfect chance to quickly visit a new place before reaching your destination!” 

Whether you are travelling with a car full of small children, or maybe just yourself and your partner, entertainment is required for passing the time on long car journeys. Ines from the Operations team isn't the driver but usually the passenger and often swaps seats with her 8-year-old son to mix up the view! 

She also agrees that “Travelling with children can be quite challenging, especially, when going on long car trips. As such, I like to make sure that there will be enough snacks packed up and a good and fun playlist set up where we can all sing along to try and make it fun for everyone. Something else that we do is play games, such as "I spy with my little eye", or "Who knows who better!” 

The top tip from most of the team members has to be games, games and more games! Kayleigh and Islay from Business Development both agree on this. Kayleigh plays ‘red car’ with her son where they have to see who spots a red car the quickest, while Islay plays alphabet games such as 'I packed my bag for London and in it I put...' and 'My Granny doesn't like tea but she likes...' 

Everyone agrees that audiobooks and playlists are essential. If you’re not travelling with children, a good crime or comedy podcast is a good listen for the car, or perhaps you could try Lawrence’s suggestion: “Choose a random car buddy who is doing a similar speed and race along with them. They won't know but gives you something to focus on.” But make sure you keep it legal! 

Niki from the People team is a dab hand at conquering long car journeys with children and says

 “We do lots of long (5+ hour) journeys for staycations in the UK, and with 2 kids in the back we had to find a way to keep them occupied. We bought an old in-car DVD player with two screens on eBay and have collected tonnes of old DVDs from charity shops. Couldn't recommend it more for keeping them entertained - and quiet!” 

Another suggestion from the Growth team’s Lawrence is, “If you're a passenger, buy an iPad and play football manager - you'll be there in less than a season and it'll be loads of fun getting Leeds promoted to the prem again!” 

And then, it’s all about the snacks. Beef jerky was also suggested by someone but that’s an acquired taste! 

Hannah from the Growth team is in charge of the snacks during family trips and has a lunch bag in the front full of snacks to throw into the back for the children when they start grumbling! She also makes a good point that “don’t forget with all of those snacks comes rubbish. So have a carrier bag handy to put all those banana skins, crisps packets and apple cores in before they get squished into the seats! Oh, and wet wipes. Whether you’re a child or not, wet wipes are incredibly handy for clearing up when you spill your tea or when the chocolate melts!” 

Bumper's top tips for getting through long journeys 

As my family and I geared up for the Great British staycation, I decided to embark on an epic 

in an electric vehicle (EV) to see just how convenient it really is. 

As we entered the summer holidays, families all over the country were hitting the road, and this year, more than ever, they were doing it with battery power. According to a survey of 1,000 Brits by charging network 

, a whopping 57 percent were planning a staycation, covering distances of 100 to 200 miles. 

To make life easier for fellow EV drivers, Gridserve, the electric charging network, commissioned a study and created the EV Holiday Hotspot Index. This nifty guide reveals just how convenient it is to charge your EV near popular tourist attractions. With their analysis of top attractions based on proximity to charging stations, availability of charging points at accommodations, and more, I was armed with all the information I needed. 

So, which attractions made it to the top of the EV-friendly list? 

The top 10 EV-friendly tourist attractions in Britain 

This was the perfect opportunity for me to put the EV travel experience and Gridserve’s new Super Hubs to the test. I’d be driving from my home on the south coast in Gosport to the top attraction on the list — Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, in County Durham. 

Now, the real adventure began as I set off on this nearly 700-mile trip in a new all-electric Genesis GV60 and to make things even more interesting, I brought along my partner and 10-month-old son. Talk about going the extra mile. 

With high hopes and a full charge, we hit the road. I knew we'd have to make more frequent stops than the claimed range of the GV60, which could cover around 321 miles according to the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) estimate. 

Our journey was spread over three days and on day one we headed for Ripon in Yorkshire. Our strategy was to make regular stops and always ensure we had a comfortable charge. 

Our first top-up came at Cherwell Valley Services, just 100 miles into the trip. This Gridserve Super Hub boasted multiple chargers, rated up to a whopping 350kW. Charging technology has certainly come a long way since my last long-distance EV drive. By the time we took a lunch break, we were back up to 80 per cent charge and ready to hit the road again. 

We still had another 200 miles to go until our hotel for the night, which meant we'd need to make another stop regardless of whether we charged or not. We made a quick stop for a nappy change and a five-minute charge, but we decided to push on so we could unwind and relax for the evening. 

By the time we arrived at our hotel, we had just 30 miles left in the Genesis GV60’s batteries but I was feeling reasonably confident, we knew the next charger was just 10 miles away. 

It meant a bit of an earlier start the next morning as we prepared to drive to Beamish. We stopped in at Gridserve’s Beadale Super Hub with just a few miles left and had the moment any EV driver dreads when the chargers kept saying ‘no’. We tried multiple points before realising this was an issue with how the charger was connecting to the car. We tried one more time and breathed a sigh of relief as the car began charging at 150kW. 

From there, our journey continued northward, bringing us to the bustling Beamish in Stanley — a living museum that transported us back in time. The icing on the cake was the nearby Gridserve charging station in Washington, equipped with Super Hubs on both sides of the A1, just 10 minutes away from Beamish.

Despite the station being busy, we managed to find a spot easily and charged up at a speedy 150kW. With our batteries replenished, we finished our lunch break in no time. 

Once we were all charged up, this would be our turning point as we began the long journey south, aiming for our cosy B&B in the Peak District. A stop at Woolley Edge services allowed us to charge up to 100 per cent in a flash and we were soon winding our way through the Dales. 

With almost 500 miles already covered in the GV60, we felt far more confident in its accuracy. Even when we reached Warwick services on the M40, where all charging spots were occupied, we decided to press on, fueled by our confidence. This meant from our last charge at Woolley Edge services, we drove a total of five hours home without another charge - and we still had 39 miles left! 

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of charging throughout our trip. Despite the negative press surrounding the state of the UK's charging network, we never found ourselves stranded. I think it’s fair to say that we felt lucky though. While we might have charged easily at every Super Hub, by the time we left there were no free spaces each time we stopped. 

We exclusively charged at Gridserve stations too, which worked for us but I always had the backup in my head that there were a number of other charging stations available nearby. In fact, we could have even charged overnight at our first hotel for free, eliminating the need for an additional charge before reaching Beamish. 

As these charging networks continue to grow, I can't help but imagine how different the future of electric car road trips will look in just a few short years. With more charging options and faster charging speeds, the outlook for EV road trips is incredibly promising - as long as the number of chargers keeps growing with electric car adoption! 

Rebecca Chaplin is a motoring journalist and owner of 

. She’s written about cars and the best places to drive them for nearly 10 years.

Exploring EV-Friendly Attractions in Britain 

Owning a car gives you freedom, but when something breaks, that freedom can quickly turn into a financial headache.

Suddenly, you’re facing a hefty repair bill and the tricky question: 

is it worth fixing, or is it time to move on?

This ‘repair or sell car’ dilemma is even more common with older cars or those with high mileage. In this blog, we’ll walk you through when it makes sense to repair — and when cutting your losses might be the smarter choice.

How to know if repair bills are too expensive

Depending on what the issue is, there may be quite a bit of information online that can give you an idea of how much your car would cost to fix. This is the first step to establishing if your car is worth keeping or not. 

Here’s how to know if you should repair or sell your car:

There are plenty of online resources that can give you a ballpark figure for common repair jobs. Just remember to factor in local differences. For example, labour costs in London are usually higher than in other parts of the UK. 

You can also check car owner forums for real-world experiences and advice. Sites like Honest John are especially useful for impartial, first-hand insights.

The most reliable way to estimate your car repair costs is to contact local garages directly. Most will want to see the car in person and may even take it for a short test drive before giving advice. 

It’s also important to get more than one quote to make sure you’re getting a competitive price. Remember to check whether VAT is included and factor in the cost of being without your vehicle while it’s being repaired.

Car repairs can add up quickly. Consider 

 to split the costs into interest-free repayments.

If the cost to repair your car is likely to exceed its value, it’s usually not worth fixing. This can change depending on how easy it is to find a comparable replacement.

Deciding whether to repair or sell is tricky because it’s not just about repair costs versus your car’s worth. You also need to consider what you could realistically buy as a replacement. These days, the second-hand market is booming, and you may not be able to get as much for your money as before.

To make an informed decision, take the following factors into account:

Unless priced very competitively, a damaged or broken car is difficult to sell because the market for non-driving vehicles is significantly smaller than that for ones on the road. 

Some buyers may ‘break’ the car for parts, which works best for rare or speciality vehicles like sports or luxury cars. 

Likewise, garages or mechanics may buy a broken car to repair it, but they will offer less if the fault is unknown or hard to diagnose.

Should I repair my car before selling it? 

If you’re struggling to sell a broken or damaged car, it may be worth repairing it first. A working car attracts more buyers and can fetch a higher price. 

Once repaired, it’s a good idea to get a new MOT to reassure the buyer that the car has no outstanding faults.

While selling a car is simple these days, it involves more than just putting it online. 

There are a few key steps beforehand that can help you get the best price and avoid problems down the line, such as:

If your car requires significant repairs and is not worth trying to sell while broken, there could be another option available to you.

Car repair finance can help spread the cost of the work, making it easier to get your vehicle back on the road without paying the full amount upfront. That’s where Bumper comes in! Learn about our 

If a car can’t be fixed, you have a few options. Owners may sell it for parts, scrap it at a licensed facility, or use car recycling services to recover value and dispose of it responsibly. As always, research these three options before choosing one.

Knowing your car’s value is essential before selling or repairing it. If you don’t, you might undersell and not get a reasonable price!

To determine how much it’s worth, check online price guides, compare listings for similar models, consider mileage, condition, and service history, and get quotes from dealers or car buying services.

No matter your vehicle, deciding whether to repair or sell a broken car isn’t always straightforward, but weighing the costs and potential resale value can help you make the right choice.

With careful planning, you can minimise losses and get the best outcome for your situation — so, make sure you think carefully before you make the all-important decision!

Repairing your car can be expensive. However, you don’t have to pay the fee in one go. 

you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost. 

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers.

Should You Fix Your Broken Car or Buy a New One?

So, you’ve decided to ditch the sun cream, airport check-ins and warm sandy beaches for a relaxing holiday in South Wales. 

Perhaps you’ve planned a visit to Cardiff Castle, a stroll through the gentle hills and wild moorland of the Brecon Beacons National Park, or you’ve booked a Gavin & Stacey themed tour of Barry Island (Yes, this really does exist – 

Whatever your plans in South Wales this summer, we’ve got every stop you’ll need to make the journey one to remember. 

If you’re heading to South Wales from London, one stop you’ll want to make is a visit to Guildford Castle. Thought to have been constructed by William the Conqueror after the 1066 invasion of England, this formidable structure is a must-see on your journey. The grounds of the castle were opened to the public in 1888 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. 

This unexplained, prehistoric ring of vertical sandstones each weighing around 25 tons has only been seen by less than half of Britons. If you’ve never explored this Neolithic wonder, why not make it a stop on your journey to South Wales? 

You can visit on foot for free or tickets to the visitor centre and exhibition can be booked on the English Heritage 

. Tickets for adults can be purchased from £23.60 and £14.50 for children aged 5-17. 

The Thermae Bath Spa is Britain’s only natural thermal spa. The warm, mineral-rich watered found in this modern bath, uses the same hot natural springs once enjoyed by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. 

 with prices starting at £40 Monday to Friday and £45 Saturday to Sunday. 

If you’re driving the 115-mile journey from Birmingham to Cardiff there are lots of must-see attractions along the M5. 

This late-medieval merchant's house found in Worcester city centre was rescued from demolition and restored in the mid-20

 century. A truly historic building, the structure has had many extensions and interior changes to accommodate the families who have lived there in its long history. 

Entry to the house is by guided tour from Tuesday to Saturday. Adults can enter from £9.50 and children from £3.75. Tickets are purchased on arrival and entry to the garden is free between 10:00 and 16:00. 

Located near the Cotswolds rural area, this former industrial city is well-known for its impressive 11

 century cathedral. The Romanesque and Gothic structure houses the tomb of King Edward II. 

The nearby Gloucester Docks are the perfact place for a family day out, exploring restored Victorian dock buildings, fascinating museums, independent cafes and even some designer outlet shops. 

More information on what to do in Gloucester can be found 

Gloucester Services (M5) are amongst the top-rated motorway stop-offs in the country. With a customer score of 86%, these incredible services boast 5-star scores across five categories - Range of Shops and Food Outlets, Prices, Cleanliness, Convenience and Accessibility. One reviewer described the services as ‘the future of how all services should be built’. 

This impressive services has a grass-carpeted roof and floor-to-ceiling windows constructed around a relaxing duck pond. Homecooked meals such as fish and chips and steak and ale pie are served to order and local produce including home-baked bread and regional cheeses can be bought from the on-site farm shop. Dogs are allowed in the foyer areas of the the main buildings and parking is free for three hours.

If you’re taking the 3-hour long route from London to Cardiff, you may want a more extended stop-off for a bite to eat. Below are some of the top-rated eateries you might want to sample along the way. 

The friendly market town of Warminster has a variety of independent shops and cafes to enjoy. The 

 located on Warmister High Street has a range of home-made soups, fresh salads and indulgent slices of cake. 

Situated in the hills of South West England, Bristol is known for its fiercely independent identity and is home to lots of 5-star street food vendors. 

Serving Middle Eastern grilled meats, vegetables & naan breads served at a marketplace walk-up spot, Matina is the top rated placed to visit for lunch on 

. But be prepared to wait as, according to some reviews, the queues can get very long! 

 offers dine-in or takeaway gyozas and rice boxes that are said to be ‘drenched in Japanese curry sauce’. 

Top tips for an EV road trip that we learnt on a 600-mile journey around England

What Happens if your Fuel Cap is Loose?

Using AI To Turn Popular Cars into Barbie Dream Cars

Hawkins Motors Blackwater named Dealership of the Month

Bumper's top tips for getting through long journeys

Exploring EV-Friendly Attractions in Britain

Should You Fix Your Broken Car or Buy a New One?

2023 Summer Travel Series – Your journey to... South Wales