The summer holidays may be over, but September can actually be one of the best months of the year to pack the car and head off on a UK road trip.
The busiest weeks of July and August have passed, many popular destinations become noticeably quieter, and the weather can still be surprisingly good. For couples, families with younger children and anyone who isn’t tied to the school holidays, September offers a great opportunity for a short break.
Even a weekend away, however, can generate a surprising amount of luggage.
At West Midlands Roof Box Hire, we help customers from Birmingham, Tamworth and across the wider West Midlands create valuable extra luggage space with professionally fitted roof boxes and roof bars.
If you’re considering a September getaway, here are some of the reasons why now could be the perfect time to hit the road.
Why Travel in September?
July and August are understandably the most popular months for UK holidays, particularly for families with school-age children.
But that popularity has its disadvantages.
Popular destinations can become extremely busy, accommodation prices are often at their highest and the roads can be congested on peak changeover days.
September can feel completely different.
The main school holidays have ended, but the days are still relatively long and many attractions, restaurants and visitor destinations remain fully open.
For anyone with the flexibility to travel outside the school holidays, it can be an excellent time to explore the UK.
Enjoy Quieter UK Destinations
One of the biggest advantages of travelling in September is simply having a little more room to breathe.
Think about some of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations during August.
Cornwall, North Wales, the Lake District, the Peak District and the Cotswolds can all become extremely busy during the height of summer.
Travel a few weeks later and the experience can be very different.
Car parks may be easier to find, walking routes can be quieter and getting a table at the local pub might not require military-level planning!
For a relaxing road trip, that can make a significant difference.
September Weather Can Be Ideal for Exploring
Of course, nobody can guarantee British weather.
You could experience glorious sunshine or spend half the weekend wondering whether the rain is ever going to stop.
That’s part of the fun of holidaying in Britain!
September, however, can produce some excellent conditions for walking, sightseeing and exploring.
Temperatures are often more comfortable than during a summer heatwave, making outdoor activities much more enjoyable.
The only downside is that autumn clothing takes up considerably more space than summer clothing.
Waterproof jackets, walking boots, fleeces and warmer clothes can quickly fill the boot.
And that’s where a roof box becomes particularly useful.
Give Yourself More Luggage Space
A common mistake when planning a short break is assuming you won’t need much luggage.
Then packing day arrives.
Suddenly you’ve got several bags, coats, walking boots, children’s belongings and all the other bits and pieces that somehow become essential.
If you’re travelling with a family, the boot can disappear very quickly.
A roof box allows you to move a significant amount of luggage out of the vehicle and onto the roof.
Our popular large roof boxes offer approximately 470 litres of additional storage space, providing plenty of capacity for most family holidays.
For customers needing even more room, we also have XXL 580-litre roof boxes available from our Tamworth location.
That extra space can completely change the journey.
Instead of filling the rear seats and footwells with bags, passengers can actually use the space they’re supposed to have.
Where Should You Go This September?
One of the advantages of living in the West Midlands is our central location.
You don’t have to drive for eight hours to find somewhere beautiful.
Here are a few destinations worth considering.
North Wales
North Wales remains one of the best road-trip destinations from the West Midlands.
From Birmingham and Tamworth, you can be heading into spectacular Welsh countryside within a relatively short drive.
Eryri National Park offers incredible scenery, walking routes for different abilities and some fantastic towns and villages to explore.
If mountains aren’t your thing, continue towards the coast or Anglesey.
North Wales works equally well for a weekend break or a full week away.
September can be particularly enjoyable once the peak summer crowds begin to disappear.
The Peak District
If you don’t want to travel too far, the Peak District is another excellent option.
Popular locations such as Bakewell, Castleton, Matlock and Buxton provide plenty to see and do.
There are countless walking routes, traditional pubs, picturesque villages and scenic drives.
It’s also close enough to the West Midlands that you don’t have to spend half of your holiday travelling.
Pack some walking boots, waterproof clothing and a change of clothes and you’re ready to go.
Although, as usual, those walking boots will somehow take up half the boot!
Shropshire
Sometimes we overlook what’s almost on our doorstep.
Shropshire has some beautiful countryside and makes an excellent destination for a spontaneous weekend away.
Church Stretton and the Long Mynd offer fantastic walking, while towns such as Ludlow and Shrewsbury provide plenty of places to eat, drink and explore.
For customers travelling from Birmingham or Tamworth, Shropshire can offer a proper change of scenery without requiring a particularly long drive.
The Lake District
If you have a little more time, September is a fantastic month for visiting the Lake District.
The scenery speaks for itself.
Walking, cycling, boat trips or simply finding a nice country pub and admiring the view — there’s something for almost everyone.
The Lake District can become extremely busy during the school summer holidays, so travelling in September can make the experience much more relaxing.
A roof box is particularly useful for this type of trip because outdoor holidays tend to involve bulky luggage.
Walking boots, waterproofs, backpacks and outdoor clothing all take up valuable space.
The Cotswolds
For something slightly more relaxed, consider a road trip through the Cotswolds.
Picturesque villages, traditional pubs and beautiful countryside make it ideal for couples and families looking for a short break.
Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold and surrounding villages can all form part of a fantastic weekend itinerary.
And because it’s relatively close to the West Midlands, you can spend more time enjoying your destination and less time staring at the motorway.
Why Hire a Roof Box Instead of Buying One?
If you’re planning several trips every year, buying a roof box may make sense.
For many people, however, it doesn’t.
A quality roof box plus the correct roof bars can be expensive, particularly if you’re only going to use them occasionally.
You then need somewhere to store everything afterwards.
Roof boxes are not small.
They’re one of those things that seem perfectly manageable until you try to find somewhere in the garage to keep one for eleven months of the year.
Hiring avoids that problem.
You get the additional storage when you need it and return everything when the holiday is over.
Professional Fitting Makes Things Easier
Buying or borrowing a roof box is only part of the equation.
You also need the correct roof bars for your vehicle and everything needs to be installed properly.
Different vehicles require different fitting systems.
At West Midlands Roof Box Hire, we stock a large selection of roof bars and fitting equipment covering the vast majority of vehicles.
Provide us with your vehicle registration or exact make, model and year and we can check compatibility before your booking.
We then professionally fit the equipment for you.
There’s no spending the evening before your holiday surrounded by roof bars, instructions and several mysterious pieces of plastic wondering where everything goes.
We take care of the fitting.
Large Dual-Opening Roof Boxes
Many of the large roof boxes in our fleet are dual-opening.
This means they can be opened from either side, making loading and unloading easier depending on where your vehicle is parked.
It’s a simple feature, but one that can be extremely useful when you’re travelling.
Our popular gloss-black roof boxes also look smart on a wide variety of vehicles while providing the substantial luggage capacity needed for family trips.
Roof Box Hire for Birmingham and the West Midlands
West Midlands Roof Box Hire is based in Tamworth and serves customers travelling from across Birmingham, the West Midlands, East Midlands, Staffordshire and surrounding areas.
Our Tamworth premises provide convenient access to the major road network, making collection and fitting straightforward before many journeys.
We also operate a sister location in the Codsall/Wolverhampton area, allowing us to help customers from across a wide section of the West Midlands.
Between our two locations, we carry a large fleet of roof boxes and an extensive range of compatible roof bars.
Start Thinking About October Half-Term Too
If September isn’t possible, the next major getaway opportunity isn’t far away.
October half-term will soon be here.
It’s a popular time for UK breaks, trips to Center Parcs, European road trips and family holidays.
If you’ve already booked your October holiday, it’s worth thinking about luggage space before the week of departure.
Roof box demand naturally increases around school holidays, so booking in advance gives you the best chance of securing the equipment you need.
Make Your September Road Trip More Comfortable
A road trip should be something to look forward to.
Spending several hours squeezed between luggage isn’t anyone’s idea of a relaxing start to a holiday.
A roof box provides a simple way to create additional storage while keeping the passenger compartment comfortable.
Whether you’re heading to Wales, the Peak District, the Lake District, Shropshire or somewhere completely different, having more room can make the journey much easier.
Book Roof Box Hire in the West Midlands
If you’re planning a September road trip and need additional luggage space, West Midlands Roof Box Hire can help.
We offer quality roof boxes, a large selection of compatible roof bars and professional fitting.
Our Tamworth location is:
West Midlands Roof Box Hire Ltd
Unit 154, Amington Industrial Estate
Sandy Way
Tamworth
B77 4ED
To check availability or vehicle compatibility:
Telephone: 07903 839112
Email: westmidlandsroofboxhire@gmail.com
Whether it’s a spontaneous September weekend away or the beginning of a longer adventure, give yourself some extra room and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
