5-Day England Road Trip from London traveling south to Southampton

Your road trip adventure in England begins as soon as you reach London and pick up your car. You’ll stay in London for 2 nights and explore the best things to see and do, sample the local cuisine, and choose from a curated selection of the best hotels and places to stay in the city.

London is a beautiful city with plenty to discover. Soak in the lovely atmosphere and sit down for a bit to eat or drink.

Find your way to your hotel in London. We recommend choosing a hotel in a central location for easy exploring. Check-in typically starts between 2 and 4 PM at hotels in England. Settle in and make plans for the evening.

As dinnertime approaches, it's time to head out for a bite to eat in London. If you are looking to dine at a popular restaurant in the city, it's often a good idea to reserve a table in advance.

Make sure to reserve a table at The Wolseley, an iconic dining spot in London. This culinary treasure and its outstanding menu have enchanted food enthusiasts from around the world. Its dedication to culinary innovation is evident in its 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 5,980 satisfied guests.

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy culinary excellence at Burger & Lobster Leicester Square while in London. This renowned dining destination showcases an exquisite menu, distinguished with an exceptional rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, treasured by 4,454 previous guests.

Delight in the culinary creations of Hawksmoor Air Street, a favorite in London. Its innovative menu offers a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. With a reputation for excellence, it has earned a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 3,216 discerning guests.

After dinner, visit The Connaught Bar and experience the nightlife in the city of London. This bar is one of the best places to cap off the night and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 654 customers.

You can also hang out at Hawksmoor Seven Dials. This bar serves a variety of snacks and drinks and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,084 customers.

Locals recommend The Red Lion, Parliament Street, so definitely check it out too. The Red Lion, Parliament Street is a place to enjoy friendly chats with locals and fellow travelers and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,534 bar-goers.

Raise a toast to the start of your 5-day road trip in England!

On day 2 of your road trip in England, you’ll start and end your day in London, but spend the day exploring what’s beyond the city. Since you will return to London for 1 night more, there’s no need to rush. Experience London, Camden Town, London, London, and London to the fullest today with this curated day itinerary!

Once you're ready to continue your road trip, it's time to buckle up and drive, eagerly anticipating your arrival in Camden Town. This drive usually takes around 11 min, without any stops or traffic disruptions.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll return to London and your accommodation.

After a day of adventure, treat yourself to an exquisite dinner at one of London's best restaurants.

Reserve a table at Bill's Soho Restaurant, a renowned restaurant in London. This culinary gem and its flavorful dishes have captured the hearts of food enthusiasts. Its reputation is reflected in its 4.3 out of 5-star rating from 4,178 guests.

Ensure you experience culinary excellence at Cahoots London while in London. This dining establishment presents an exquisite menu that has received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, acclaimed by 2,678 discerning diners.

Experience a taste of London at The Ivy, a popular local restaurant. With a menu designed to impress, it promises a journey of flavors that will leave you captivated. Its reputation is reflected in its 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 2,597 customers.

When you’ve finished dinner and you’re in the mood for a drink, we recommend visiting one of the best bars in London. The Old Bank of England offers plenty of drink options for every taste and budget. Around 2,562 customers have given this bar an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Alternatively, go to a bar that locals recommend, like Rules. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,824 customers.

If you're looking for something else, check out The Ship & Shovell. This bar is one of the best places to enjoy a drink and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,465 customers.

As the sun sets on another day of adventure, rest up and recharge for the next leg of your road trip in England.

Experience an unparalleled adventure on day 3 of your road trip in England. This exciting part of your journey invites you to discover the renowned landmarks in 5 vibrant destinations - London, Westminster, London, Kensington, and Southampton. After a day filled with exploration and new experiences, you will retreat to the hotel of your choice in Southampton. You will spend 1 night here for some well-deserved relaxation.

Start your sightseeing with a visit to Hyde Park. This park is a popular stop on travelers’ itineraries in Westminster, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 126,766 visitors.

As you’ve unraveled the marvels of Westminster, it’s time to gear up for the next part of your road trip adventure. Under favorable conditions, your drive to Kensington may take around 7 min. Upon your arrival in Kensington, you’ll be greeted with the opportunity to do some sightseeing and exploring.

While on the road, immerse yourself in your favorite road trip tunes or sample the sounds from a local radio station. The best things to do, see, and eat are waiting for you.

After soaking up all the sights of today's itinerary, you'll be ready to hit the road in the direction of Southampton. Southampton offers plenty of top-rated hotels and other places to stay on any travel budget. Check in at the hotel of your choice and take some time to relax before you head out to explore.

After a day of adventure, treat yourself to an exquisite dinner at one of Southampton's best restaurants.

Book a table at Cafe Thrive Southampton, a famous dining establishment in Southampton. This culinary hotspot and its appetizing cuisine have captured the hearts of food enthusiasts. Its reputation for food excellence is reflected in its 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 975 satisfied diners.

Another dining place you should visit in Southampton is Piccolo Mondo, which boasts a variety of tasteful dishes that cater to different palates. It has earned a commendable 4.7 out of 5 stars, demonstrating the positive feedback from 618 satisfied customers.

Locals and visitors alike recommend Southampton’s Bacaro for the delightful dining experience it gives. The establishment has garnered positive reviews for its tasty dishes, holding an admirable score of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 580 satisfied diners.

We recommend The Rockstone for many reasons. But most importantly, this bar serves a variety of food and beverages and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,200 reviews.

You can also visit a popular bar like Belgium And Blues to have refreshing drinks and interact with locals and other travelers. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 858 bar-goers.

When you would rather go somewhere else, try The Red Lion. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 812 customers, this bar is one of Southampton’s best places to relax after a long day.

Savor another day of unforgettable experiences in England!

On day 4 of your road trip in England, you will get a true taste of the freedom a self-drive vacation in Europe entails. Today’s travel plans include stops at the most scenic, wondrous, and interesting places in Portsmouth, Hever, and London. In the evening, you’ll end up in London, where you will stay for 1 night.

When you’ve had your share of Southampton, prepare for your next destination. Admire the views and listen to some good music as you drive in the direction of Portsmouth. Your travel time is around 31 min.

As you’ve unraveled the marvels of Portsmouth, it’s time to gear up for the next part of your road trip adventure. Under favorable conditions, your drive to Hever may take around 1 hour 43 min. Upon your arrival in Hever, you’ll be greeted with the opportunity to do some sightseeing and exploring.

At the end of the day, you will drive to London, where you'll have a room waiting for you at the perfect place to stay. Check in and enjoy some downtime.

After a long day of exploring, sit down for a delicious dinner at a top-rated restaurant in London.

Don't miss out on experiencing Berners Tavern, a renowned dining spot in London. This restaurant's rich flavors have left a lasting impression on diners. Its dedication to culinary perfection is evident in its 4.5 out of 5-star rating from 1,817 satisfied guests.

Make a reservation at The Palomar while immersing yourself in London. This distinguished restaurant offers imaginative dishes, with a remarkable rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,537 guests.

Discover the culinary treasures of Smith & Wollensky, a beloved dining establishment within London. Its exquisite menu promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to culinary bliss. Renowned for its exceptional service, it has earned a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from 1,343 satisfied customers.

Social Eating House is one of the best bars you can visit in London tonight. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,280 customers.

You can also enjoy a glass or two at a popular place like Old Shades. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,047 customers.

Alternatively, try American Bar. American Bar is the perfect place to get to know some locals in the city. This top-recommended bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 667 customers.

Say good night to London and look forward to another great day of your road trip in England!

Day 5 of your road trip in England is your departure day. This is your chance to catch a last glimpse of London before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. If you've still got time left, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing.

Optimize your last day in England and go on a shopping spree in London’s shopping center. This bustling commercial district is conveniently located near your lodging, granting you leisure time to roam and explore its assortment of establishments.

If you love the adrenaline rush of hunting for the best offers and deals in England, you’re in for a treat. A variety of goods and gifts await your discovery.

Before you conclude your road trip in England, drop by another restaurant for a last chance at a memorable dining experience in London.

You’ll then say farewell to London. Drive to the airport, return your car, and take the opportunity to get some last-minute souvenirs before you board your flight home. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope you leave with many wonderful memories of your road trip in England!