One of the biggest advantages of living in Birmingham or the wider West Midlands is location.

We’re almost in the middle of the country, which means some of Britain’s best countryside, towns, cities and holiday destinations can be reached without spending the entire day in the car.

And autumn can be one of the best times to explore them.

The busiest summer holiday period has passed, the countryside is changing colour and many destinations are noticeably quieter than they were just a few weeks earlier.

Whether you’re planning a weekend away, a walking break or simply a scenic day trip, there are plenty of options within driving distance.

At West Midlands Roof Box Hire, we see customers heading in almost every direction from our Tamworth premises.

So, if you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of our favourite autumn road-trip ideas from Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Why Take a UK Road Trip in Autumn?

Summer naturally gets most of the attention when people start planning holidays.

But autumn has plenty going for it.

Popular destinations are generally quieter outside the main school holidays, accommodation can sometimes be easier to find and cooler temperatures can be ideal for walking and exploring.

Then there’s the scenery.

Woodland, hills and countryside can look spectacular as the leaves begin changing colour.

Of course, there’s one slight disadvantage.

Autumn holidays require considerably more luggage than summer trips.

Coats, waterproofs, walking boots and warmer clothing all take up space.

If you’re travelling as a family, the boot can disappear remarkably quickly.

That’s where having additional roof storage can make a real difference.

1. North Wales

For customers travelling from Birmingham and the West Midlands, North Wales is an obvious road-trip destination.

You don’t need to travel enormous distances before the scenery changes dramatically.

Eryri National Park offers mountains, lakes, waterfalls and countless walking routes.

You could base yourself around Betws-y-Coed, explore the surrounding countryside or continue towards the coast.

If you’ve got more time, Anglesey is another excellent option.

Autumn can be particularly attractive once the peak summer crowds have disappeared.

Pack some decent walking shoes and waterproof clothing and you’ve got the ingredients for a fantastic weekend.

2. The Shropshire Hills

You don’t have to travel far to find beautiful countryside.

The Shropshire Hills are right on our doorstep.

Church Stretton and the Long Mynd offer some fantastic walking opportunities, with routes suitable for a range of abilities.

The surrounding countryside can look particularly impressive during autumn.

For customers from Wolverhampton and the western side of Birmingham, Shropshire can be an especially convenient destination.

You can enjoy a proper countryside break without spending hours travelling.

3. Ironbridge and the Ironbridge Gorge

If you want to combine scenery with history, consider Ironbridge.

The Ironbridge Gorge has plenty to explore and makes an excellent day trip or short break from the West Midlands.

The surrounding woodland can be particularly attractive during autumn.

There are also plenty of pubs, cafes and attractions in the area, making it suitable for families as well as couples.

Because it’s relatively close to Birmingham and Wolverhampton, you can enjoy the destination without needing an overnight stay.

4. The Peak District

Head north-east and you’ll soon reach another of Britain’s best-known areas of countryside.

The Peak District is ideal for an autumn road trip.

Popular destinations include:

• Bakewell
• Castleton
• Buxton
• Matlock
• Eyam

There are countless walking routes and scenic drives throughout the area.

For a relaxed weekend, find somewhere to stay near one of the villages, enjoy a long walk during the day and finish with dinner in a country pub.

Sounds considerably better than spending the weekend doing jobs around the house!

5. The Cotswolds

If walking up mountains isn’t your idea of relaxation, head south towards the Cotswolds.

The area is famous for its picturesque villages, traditional stone buildings and beautiful countryside.

Popular places to visit include:

• Broadway
• Bourton-on-the-Water
• Stow-on-the-Wold
• Moreton-in-Marsh
• Chipping Campden

It’s perfect for a slower-paced road trip.

Rather than choosing one destination, you can spend the day travelling between villages and stopping wherever takes your fancy.

From much of the West Midlands, the Cotswolds are close enough for a day trip but also work brilliantly for a weekend away.

6. The Malvern Hills

Another destination that’s easy to overlook is the Malvern Hills.

They provide fantastic views across the surrounding countryside and plenty of walking opportunities.

The area is relatively easy to reach from Birmingham and the West Midlands, making it a good choice if you don’t want to spend hours in the car.

Combine a walk along the hills with a visit to Great Malvern and you’ve got an excellent autumn day out.

7. The Forest of Dean

Autumn and forests are a fairly obvious combination.

The Forest of Dean offers woodland walks, cycling, family attractions and some beautiful scenery.

As the leaves change colour, the area can look spectacular.

It’s also close enough to the West Midlands to make a weekend trip straightforward.

For families who enjoy outdoor activities, there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied.

8. The Wye Valley

Close to the Forest of Dean, the Wye Valley is another excellent autumn destination.

The River Wye winds through some stunning countryside and there are numerous viewpoints, walks and villages to explore.

It’s the sort of place where the drive itself becomes part of the trip.

Take your time, stop along the way and enjoy the scenery.

9. The Lake District

If you’ve got a full weekend or several days available, the Lake District is well worth the longer drive.

Autumn can be one of the most beautiful times of year to visit.

The combination of lakes, mountains and changing colours creates some spectacular scenery.

Popular bases include Keswick, Ambleside, Windermere and surrounding villages.

There’s something for almost everyone.

Serious walkers can head into the mountains.

Families can enjoy boat trips and attractions.

Or you can simply find a nice pub with a view and take things considerably easier.

10. Yorkshire Dales

For another slightly longer road trip, consider the Yorkshire Dales.

Rolling countryside, waterfalls, traditional villages and excellent walking make the area ideal for a few days away.

The journey from Birmingham or the West Midlands is manageable for a weekend, although we’d recommend allowing enough time to actually enjoy the destination rather than spending most of the break driving.

Autumn can provide some fantastic scenery without the crowds associated with peak summer.

Packing for an Autumn Road Trip

Autumn road trips require a little more planning than summer ones.

British weather can change quickly.

A bright morning can turn into a wet afternoon, particularly in mountainous areas.

We’d recommend considering:

• Waterproof jackets
• Warm layers
• Walking boots
• Spare socks
• Hats and gloves in colder conditions
• Umbrellas
• A change of footwear
• Drinks and snacks
• A basic emergency kit
• Phone chargers or power banks

If you’re travelling with children, add entertainment and several additional items you hadn’t originally planned to take!

Why Autumn Luggage Takes Up So Much Room

Winter and autumn clothing is bulky.

Four family members taking coats and walking boots can consume a substantial amount of boot space before you’ve even loaded the suitcases.

That’s one reason roof boxes aren’t simply a summer-holiday product.

In some ways, they’re even more useful during the colder months.

Moving suitable bulky luggage overhead can free up a significant amount of room inside the vehicle.

How Much Additional Storage Can You Get?

At West Midlands Roof Box Hire, our most popular large roof boxes provide approximately 470 litres of additional luggage capacity.

For many families, that’s enough to completely transform the way the car is packed.

Instead of squeezing bags around passengers, you can divide your belongings between the boot and roof box.

At our Tamworth location, we also offer XXL 580-litre roof boxes for customers who need additional capacity.

These can be particularly useful for larger families, camping trips and longer holidays.

Keep Your Passenger Space for Passengers

It’s very easy to start using passenger space for luggage.

A couple of bags in the rear footwell might not seem like a major issue.

But if you’re driving several hours to the Lake District or Yorkshire, the lack of space soon becomes noticeable.

Children generally cope with longer journeys much better when they aren’t surrounded by luggage.

Adults do too, for that matter.

A well-packed vehicle can make the journey considerably more enjoyable.

Plan Your Route Before You Leave

Even if you’re familiar with the general direction, check your route before setting off.

Autumn weather can create difficult driving conditions, particularly in rural and mountainous areas.

Roadworks and closures can also change journey times considerably.

If you’re heading somewhere remote, don’t assume you’ll always have a strong mobile signal.

Having a rough understanding of your route is still worthwhile, even in the age of sat-nav.

Don’t Forget the Roof Box Is There

If you’re using a roof box for your road trip, remember that your vehicle is taller than usual.

This matters around:

• Multi-storey car parks
• Underground parking
• Hotel car parks
• Height barriers
• Garages
• Drive-through facilities

When you’re exploring unfamiliar towns and villages, it’s easy to follow the sat-nav into a car park without thinking about height restrictions.

Keep the additional vehicle height in mind.

Pack the Roof Box Correctly

A roof box provides additional volume, but it doesn’t provide unlimited weight capacity.

Always observe the applicable limits for your vehicle, roof bars and roof box.

Remember that the weight of the roof bars and roof box themselves also contributes to the load on the vehicle roof.

Bulky, relatively lightweight items are often particularly suitable for roof-box storage.

Luggage should also be properly secured and distributed inside the box.

Why Hire for an Occasional Road Trip?

If you’re only taking one or two driving holidays each year, buying a roof box might not be necessary.

A quality roof box requires storage.

So do the roof bars.

And if you change vehicles, your existing roof-bar system may no longer be compatible.

Hiring allows you to use the equipment when you actually need it.

When the trip is finished, return it and reclaim your garage space.

Professional Fitting Included

At West Midlands Roof Box Hire, we don’t simply hand you the equipment and wish you luck.

We stock a large range of roof bars and fitting components for different vehicles.

Provide us with your registration or exact vehicle details and we can check compatibility.

We then professionally fit the appropriate roof bars and roof box to your vehicle.

When you return from your trip, we’ll remove them again.

Simple.

Roof Box Hire for Birmingham and the West Midlands

Our West Midlands Roof Box Hire premises are located in Tamworth.

We’re ideally placed for customers travelling from Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Staffordshire and surrounding areas.

Our central location also makes us convenient for journeys heading north, south, east or west.

We also operate a sister roof box hire location in the Codsall/Wolverhampton area, helping customers from the western side of the West Midlands.

Where Will Your Next Road Trip Take You?

One of the best things about a road trip is that it doesn’t need months of planning.

Choose somewhere.

Book a hotel, cottage or campsite.

Pack the car.

And go.

Living in the West Midlands means you’re within reach of some fantastic destinations.

North Wales, Shropshire, the Peak District, Cotswolds and Malvern Hills can all provide a complete change of scenery without requiring an enormous journey.

And if you’ve got a little longer, the Lake District and Yorkshire are waiting.

Book Roof Box Hire for Your Next Road Trip

If your next autumn road trip requires more luggage space than your car can provide, West Midlands Roof Box Hire can help.

We offer quality large roof boxes, compatible roof bars and professional fitting from our Tamworth location.

You’ll find us at:

West Midlands Roof Box Hire Ltd
Unit 154, Amington Industrial Estate
Sandy Way
Tamworth
B77 4ED

To check availability and vehicle compatibility:

Telephone: 07903 839112
Email: westmidlandsroofboxhire@gmail.com

Tell us your vehicle details and travel dates and we’ll help you find an appropriate roof box setup. View current hire prices or check availability online.

Then all that’s left to decide is where you’re going.