Penny Travels

Travelling the world, near and far, one step at a time.

Destinations

What do you need to drive in Europe from the UK?

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With more and more of us opting not to fly places driving to Europe may be an alternative option, but it does leave the question of what do you need to drive in Europe from the UK? It can seem quite daunting at first, but having just done a road trip from the UK to The Netherlands (via France and Belgium) I can tell you that it’s actually quite straightforward.

A image showing pat of the back of a car featuring a light cluster and an oval white sticker with "UK" on it in black. You can just catch a glimpse of the last letter on a yellow number plate on the edge of the photo.

Don’t just think about your destination, but where you’re driving through too

Each country in Europe has different rules, but you need to remember that you need to follow the rules of all countries that you drive through, not just your final destination. The chances are that if you’re going from the UK you’re likely to arrive in either France, The Netherlands or Spain, so even if that country isn’t your final destination you need to take into account their rules too. In our case The Netherlands was our final destination, but we also had to look at France and Belgium’s requirements too.

When it comes to working out what do you need to drive in Europe from the UK you can break it down into physical things in your car and paperwork.

Physical things in your car

UK sticker

Rule changes post Brexit mean that GB stickers are no longer valid, and what you actually need is either a UK sticker to go on the back of your car, or small add on stickers to your front and back numberplate showing UK. The most economic way is to buy a set of both types of stickers. That way you also have spares should one version come off. Being the cautious types, this is exactly what we did.

Headlight Beam Converters

As I hope you already know, they drive on the right in mainland Europe, but car headlights here in the UK are set up for driving on the left. So that you don’t blind drivers coming towards you, it’s important that you either use headlamp beam converters, or look and see if you can change the settings in your car for right hand side driving and change the light set-up that way.

Hi-viz jackets

You need to have hi-viz jackets for all occupants of your car, and these need to be in the cabin of the car, not tucked away in the boot somewhere. Hopefully you won’t need to wear these at all, so even if you have kids you can just buy adult sized ones for everyone, but it is possible to buy a family pack with two adult and two child sizes in it.

Warning Triangle

Some cars come with one of these tucked away in the boot, especially if you have a German car, but it’s a good idea to have a warning triangle even if you’re here in the UK as it gives you some added protection if you have to stop somewhere that might not be immediately visible to other drivers.

First Aid Kit

A decent first aid kit is another thing that it’s a good idea to have in the car anyway, especially if travelling with children. I find that I add extra plasters to mine, along with bite/sting cream and paracetamol (and Calpol sachets for the kids).

Do make sure that you regularly check your first aid kit and replace things that have been used up or have gone out of date. Any cream in there (like Savlon or similar) can separate a bit if the weather has been hot, so they might need replacing before they are used up.

Spare bulbs and fuses

There’s a funny rule in France that means you have to carry a set of universal spare bulbs and fuses for your car. As anyone who has ever stood in Halfords trying to buy a new car bulb will know, finding the right one for your car can be an absolute pain and the idea of a universal set of bulbs that work in all cars is laughable, but even still, it’s something you have to have.

All in one kit

If you’re feeling at all daunted by the long list of things you need to drive in Europe from the UK, don’t worry. It’s possible to buy a set that contains pretty much everything I’ve listed above. Or at least a combination of the things listed.

Paperwork

It’s really important to check all paperwork properly before you travel. Make sure that you read the small print and check country lists to make sure that everywhere you drive through is mentioned, not just your final destination.

Driving Licence

UK Full Driving licences are valid for driving in Europe. Just make sure that you take your licence with you.

Car Insurance

This is one of those things that you need to read for yourself, very carefully. Many UK fully comprehensive car insurance policies cover driving in Europe, or certain European countries for a period of time each year. It’s not possible to give a sweeping statement about what is valid there and what isn’t, but check your own policy documents and if in doubt give your insurance company a ring, or check their website. Take your policy documents, or a print out of them with you on your trip.

V5

Sometimes known by drivers as the car log book, the V5 form from the DVLA shows who owns the car and what address it is registered to. Some countries require you to carry this with you, so it is wise to do so. I also recommend taking a photo of the form and keeping that on your phone too. That means that if the paper version is mislaid you at least have all the relevant numbers on it to help you report it lost to the DVLA and help you get it replaced.

Breakdown Cover

Whilst not compulsory, would you know who to call if you broke down whilst driving in Europe? I certainly wouldn’t had I not looked into it before we travelled.

It’s possible to buy European Breakdown Cover from all the main providers (AA, RAC and Green Flag) as well as some smaller companies. Policies can be either annual or just cover the duration of your trip. Some comparison sites can help you compare prices. I also highly recommend clicking through from a cash back site like Topcashback before buying. You could easily get over 10% of the cost back as cash back for doing so.

Do your research first – speed limits, road signs and tolls

Different European countries have different speed limits and road signs. It’s worth trying to familiarise yourself first with the key signs and limits from the countries you’re driving through. A quick internet search should help you, and it might even be worth printing off a few so that someone in the car can help look them up if you spot any you don’t know.

Depending on where you are going, you might encounter toll roads or bridges or tunnels that require you to pay a toll. Many European towns and cities also now have Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) in their centres. A good Sat Nav will help you avoid them if you want to, but it also helps to make sure you have a selection of Euro notes and coins to hand in the car. Some tolls require you to pay online within a certain period, but some tolls can be cash only for some lanes.

Final things to check

The above list has hopefully helped answer the question of what do you need to driving in Europe from the UK, but before you set off from home make sure you’ve checked your car over first. Make sure you have a full tank of fuel, topped up washer fluid and the correct air in your tyres too. Experience also tells me that a long car journey is easier with a good selection of car snacks too!

Want some European travel inspiration?

If you’re still not sure where you want to visit in Europe, then why not take a look at some of the places we’ve been to for inspirations or some handy travel hints?

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are Amazon Affiliate links. This means that if you click through to Amazon and make a purchase I will receive a (small) commission. It will cost you no more than if you had arrived there under your own steam. Many thanks for any purchases that are made. Despite it being small, any commission is very much appreciated.

Willen Lake Abandoned Miniature Railway

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Willen Lake in Milton Keynes is a great place for a family day out with loads to do for kids of all ages. Not only are there activities on the lake from pedalos and boats to an inflatable assault course, there are also plenty of places to eat and drink and also dry activities too. The new playground is vast and loved by kids, as is the nearby splash park. There is an accessible path around the whole lake which is perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs, bikes and scooters. People who want to get up in the trees can also take on Treetop Extreme. The newly built onsite Premier Inn is perfectly situated for both the park itself and the nearby Gulliver’s Land theme park. Despite all this, there’s one tucked away part of Willen Lake that is sadly not taking visitors right now. The abandoned miniature railway.

A yellow warning sign showing an picture of a steam train and the words "Caution Model railway"

Originally opened in 1989, and then the track re-routed when Treetop Extreme opened in 2005/6, the railway today is sadly in a state of disrepair.

As you can see from my video below, the old station is still there complete with a turntable for turning locomotives round, and interestingly all the track is all still in place. You can even see some signs still up warning pedestrians where the track crosses a path.

A miniature railway turntable, part of the abandoned miniature railway at Willen Lake. Milton Keynes.

Off in some sidings three carriages are in a bit of a state and just left for nature (or vandals) to take over. I do also wonder if there might be a loco in the closed up shipping container that is there.

It’s such a shame to see an abandoned miniature railway like this in a place that is so popular with families. I’m sure that on a sunny day kids (big and small!) would be clamouring for a ride, but I’m guessing that the council probably isn’t interested in running it and any company or charity taking it on might struggle to make enough profit.

It may be that Covid lockdowns put an end to the railway, but I find abandoned things like this utterly fascinating and would love to know exactly what the story is behind the railway. Who owns it? And why it has been abandoned like this?

As a family we’re on a challenge to find and visit as many railways as we can around the country, I’m just hoping that the number of abandoned miniature railways stays as low as possible!

If you want to read more train related content then take a look here.

5 places to visit near Harry Potter Studios

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First thing’s first – the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter, AKA Harry Potter Studios isn’t in London. Many people think it is, but it’s actually in a place called Leavesden on the outskirts of Watford. A short drive from the M1 and M25 motorways.

A top down photograph showing a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, a pair of Harry's iconic glasses and a Chocolate Frog box.

If you’re staying in London then the easiest way to get there is to get a train from London Euston to Watford Junction station and from there you can hop aboard a shuttle bus that goes from outside the station. If you’re looking to book a hotel nearby then look for one in Watford itself, or maybe slightly further afield in Hemel Hempstead or St Albans.

Just because the studios aren’t in London itself that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do in the surrounding area to make your visit into a weekend or a few days away from home. Here are some ideas of local places that you could visit that kids of all ages will love

Watford Town Centre

Whilst Watford town centre might not sound the perfect tourist destination there’s actually loads going on there to keep children entertained, especially on a rainy day. Centred around the atria shopping centre (which has multiple car parks) as well as a mix of shops (including a fab Lego store) you can also find various restaurants, a large Cineworld cinema, indoor rock climbing, Escape Rooms, bowling and even high tech crazy golf.

Lost Jungle London

If the indoor crazy golf in Watford town centre isn’t enough then just off the A41 is Lost Jungle London, Europe’s largest adventure golf course. The site actually has two 18 hole courses – the Amazon and the Congo. You can simply decide which course you want to do when you arrive and both are pay and play meaning that you don’t need to book.

The lack of bookings is advantageous if you’re looking for something to do on the spur of the moment, but it can lead to some queues, although in our experience these are fast moving. There’s a discount for if you want to do both courses, but with young kids one may well be sufficient. The site also has a 9 hole foot golf course next to the golf courses.

There isn’t much available at the site in way of refreshments – just basics like bottles of drink, crisps and chocolate bars and some ice creams in a freezer – so maybe plan your visit around a meal somewhere in Watford.

Whipsnade Zoo

A bit further north than Watford is Whipsnade Zoo, on the outskirts of Dunstable. This huge award winning zoo is actually part of the Zoological Society of London who also run the famous London Zoo.

The zoo’s site is vast and you can pay to take your car into the zoo’s site itself to help you get around. An alternative is the large car park outside the zoo’s main entrance and there is a free bus inside the zoo to help with some of the distances.

As well as the expected array of animals, there is also a huge children’s outdoor playground, as well as an indoor soft play centre (time slot booking necessary). A daily programme of talks by keepers is run and upon arrival you normally get told the timetable for the day ahead.

St Albans

Neighbouring St Albans can provide a cultural excursion not far from Watford. The city’s Roman history is laid out in the Verulamium Museum which sits on the edge of Verulamium Park. The park includes a lovely cafe, Childrens play area, splash park and a nice lake to walk around.

Up the hill from Verulamium Park sits the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban (known better as St Albans Abbey) and with a modern visitor’s centre and cafe you can find out more about St Alban himself and the impressive Abbey. In the City centre is the modern St Albans Museum and Gallery which covers more of the city’s non-Roman history, along with a variety of art exhibitions. The Museum and Gallery are located on the main market area of the city with numbers cafes and restaurants nearby for refreshments. Nearby is also the Clock Tower which when open gives 360 degree views across the city’s skyline.

London

It may seem obvious, but the other place easy to visit from the Warner Brothers Studio Tour is London itself. If you’re staying in Watford you can easily get the train from Watford Junction down to Euston or even head to Watford tube station and get the Metropolitan Line (but beware, this far out it doesn’t really feel like the tube!)

Once in London there really is so much to do with museums, galleries and other tourist attractions, but the one place many Harry Potter fans want to visit is Platform 9 3/4 at London’s Kings Cross Railway Station. If you’re coming into London on the train it’s really not too far to walk down the Euston Road and past the impressive British Library and St Pancras stations. There’s also a handily placed Harry Potter souvenir shop (just in case you didn’t spend everything at the Studios) and both Kings Cross and St Pancras stations have a range of family friendly places to grab food and drinks too.

More ideas

If you’re still looking or more things to do then why not see where else we have visited in Hertfordshire and the neighbouring counties of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire as well as London.

The Pixel Bunker – Retro Arcade Fun in Milton Keynes

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Imagine a room filled with all your favourite arcade games from your youth and that is pretty much what you have at Milton Keynes’ The Pixel Bunker.

A view into the Pixel Bunker in Milton Keynes. You are looking into the doorway and above it is a large illuminated sign saying The Pixel Bunker. Inside you can see some unidentified people in a dark room filled with arcade games.

Co-located with the National Film and Sci-Fi Museum (which you do need a separate ticket for) The Pixel Bunker is quite simply a room filled with old arcade games from the 1970s onwards. Classics like Pac-man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong alongside an array of driving and shoot ’em up games from our youth. The way it works is that you pay for a time slot there (usually about three hours) and all the games are set on free play and you’re able to simply play to your heart’s content.

A picture of a vintage Pac-Man arcade game. The screen is showing game over.

Retro Arcade Heaven

It’s a genius idea and perfect for either people who remember the games from their own youth, or the youth of today who want to see what we all did for gaming kicks before we had a games console in our bedrooms. It really is perfect for families with tweens or teens as a place that has something for everyone. When we visited there were families with kids of all ages, as well as some people there on their own for some serious gaming. One guy even went round with a sleeping baby strapped to his chest the whole time.

A picture of a three year old girl sat at an arcade machine. On the screen is a driving game and she has her left hand on a steering wheel and her right hand on a gun.

After a trip to the seaside arcades over the summer our three year old thought she was in heaven, despite the small disappointment of there being no two penny slots to go and feed coins into. Under 5s are free at the Pixel Bunker and I think that’s about right as many of the old games are a bit too high for them to reach properly, although she absolutely loved trying and spent quite a bit of time on their Japanese version of Whack a Mole (which none of us could figure out the rules for!) and also the dancing game that was popular with all kids there.

Our visit made me realise just how few arcade games I really played as a kid, but finding Track and Field invoked some very strong memories of trying to master the finger skills required for the long jump in the Games Room of the Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Newcastle as a child.

One word of caution…

Old arcade games feature old screen technology and old screens get hot. Therefore it follows that a room filled with old arcade games gets really hot!

There are a couple of air conditioning units in there and ceiling fans too, but The Pixel Bunker is a hot place. Dress for summer. Even in the middle of winter.

You are allowed to take drinks in with you (and they sell soft drinks at very reasonable prices too) but you are asked not to place drinks on the arcade games to reduce the risk of spilling something on them.

The back of teh head of a nine year old boy whilst he playing an arcade driving game.

Take a walk around The Pixel Bunker

Where to find The Pixel Bunker?

Make sure you book your session at The Pixel Bunker in advance as they are often at capacity.

You can find The Pixel Bunker’s website here and they also regularly update their Facebook page with news of new games and opening times.

The Pixel Bunker is located in central Milton Keynes at 34 Secklow Gate West, MK9 3AT. You can walk from Milton Keynes Central station in less than ten minutes and driving is easy from Junction 14 of the M1. There is plenty of parking nearby. Look at the coloured zones and head to the pink zone (which does look a bit more purple than pink) and it’s only 50p an hour to park. The signs will tell you which parking app to use.

What to find somewhere else to visit locally?

For more things to do in and around Buckinghamshire take a look here. We’ve also travelled to various places in the neighbouring counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire too.

Wendover Woods Play Trail

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Finding an outdoor activity that will suit kids with ages between 3 and 12 can be a bit of a challenge, but a day out at Wendover Woods in the Chilterns really does tick all boxes. We went with the simple aim of getting out of the house and into some fresh air, but a visit to the Play Trail and then subsequent ice creams from the cafe resulted in three happy, slightly grubby and tired children being bundled into the car at the end of the day with smiles on their faces.

What is the Play Trail?

Wendover Woods has so much to offer visitors of any age, but what exactly is the Play Trail? Well, it’s as the name suggests somewhat; a trail through the woods, with numerous stop off points where there are various pieces of play equipment. There are two different trail lengths a short one of just 600m and a longer trail of 1km. You will miss some of the play opportunities if you take the shorter route, but it makes the whole trail more accessible for those with little legs who stubbornly refuse to go in a pushchair for the whole walk. All parents have been there at some point!

In the left foreground of the picture is a sign showing the start of the Play Trail at Wendover Woods, including a plan of the trail showing the long and short routes. In the distance on the right of the picture is a path leading into the woods and you can see another sign - which is part of the Superworm trail.

The trail itself if reasonably flat and accessible with any sturdy pushchair. When wet there is likely to be mud in some parts. Some of the play areas involve slopes, in particular the Wendover Woods Hollow Fort. A single kilometre may not sound like very far round, but I think it’s actually a perfect length for children of all ages. If they stop at all the pieces of play equipment (as most children will insist on doing) then it can actually take a while to go round, even more so if you have a snack break (or several!) on route too.

A three year old girl wearing a yellow t-shirt and navy shorts and a forest superhero face mask. She is in a wooden playground and is hold ing a metal chain that is attached to a rubber bucket. She looks like she is hauling the bucket up using the chain.

Finding Superworm

A smiling three year old with blonde hair stood in front of a sign for the Superworm trail. She is wearing a yellow t-shirt and navy shorts.

When we visited (August 2022) the play trail was also hosting a Superworm trail. Children were invited to find Superworm and his friends at various points on the trail and at six different points the children could also do a rubbing of an animal or plant.

A paper bag sitting on a tree stump. The bag is the Superworm Trail Pack from Foresty England and it has a picture of Superworm on it that children can colour in.

The information centre near the car park sells activity packs for £3.50 each and as well as including a trail activity book, children also get a woodland superhero mask, stickers and some fact filled postcards about some of the animals on the trail. Most importantly the pack also contains a pencil and a wax crayon for doing the rubbings as you go round. It’s not compulsory to buy a pack, but it is nice if you want an extra activity for the kids as you go round.

A close up of a smiling three year old girl with blonde hair and wearing a yellow t-shirt. On her face is a paper forest superhero mask that she got in her Superworm trail activity pack.

What else is there to do at Wendover Woods?

With walking trails for people of all abilities, as well as cycle routes and numerous playgrounds, Wendover Woods provides plenty of free activities for all the family. In the woods around the main visitor facilities and on the play trail you can find loads of dens which are popular with all children. Some have slightly formal foundations, whilst others are just built from what people have found around them. All of them provide a huge amount of fun.

A smiling three year old girl wearing a yellow t-shirt, navy shorts and a forest superhero face mask sitting on a log in a wooden den.

Next to the main car park is a large Go Ape centre and for those of you that prefer to run rather than walk there is a weekly Park Run at 9am on a Saturday morning too.

For Gruffalo fans there is also a large Gruffalo statue, but be warned that at the time of writing this is fenced off as the Gruffalo is due to retire soon and although a replacement is planned staff told me that there’s just one man who makes there and therefore it takes a while to replace it.

There are plenty of picnic tables dotted around the site and normally you can also book a BBQ spot – although these are currently closed due to the dangerously dry conditions this summer.

Near the information kiosk there are also a couple of outdoor table tennis tables that are free to use. We found bats on the tables and balls in little orange ball holders at each underneath the playing surface.

Facilities at Wendover Woods

The main facilities area at Wendover Woods had a makeover a few years back and there is now a much larger car park and a new building hosting a large toilet block and a good sized cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating.

The car park now works on an ANPR system and you need to pay before you leave at one of the machines next to the information point, or via an app on your phone.

A smiling three year old girl wearing a yellow t-shirt and navy shorts. She also has on a paper "forest Superhero" face mask. She is stood on a wobbly bridge with netting on both sides of her.

Looking for something else nearby?

Why not take a look at other places we’ve visited in Buckinghamshire, or neighbouring Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Pitstone Windmill

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Believed to be the oldest surviving windmill in the British Isles, Pitstone Windmill is somewhere that I have driven past for years, yet until last week I’d embarrassingly not got round to visiting. 

Looking at the rear of Pitstone Windmill. You can see teh ends of teh sails on teh front of teh windmill and the stairs leading up into the windmill and the wooden arm with the turning wheel on the end of it. Also in picture is teh National Trust welcome table outside the windmill. Text has been added to the photographs saying "Visiting Pitstone Windmill".

History of Pitstone Windmill

Part of the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate, the windmill is clearly visible from the nearby road and is a beautiful example of an early post mill. A post mill is one which was turned on top of a huge wooden post to face the wind. Once you’re up close to the mill the tail pole and accompanying rotation wheel make it obvious as to how this was done. Today the mill no longer turns, but it has been restored, inside and out, to show visitors how it would have operated at the time.

The stairs leading up into the windmill and a wooden arm with a red wheel, looking a bit like a cart wheel on the end of it.

The earliest date carved into the mill is 1627, although it is believed that the mill is even older than that. At one point it was owned by the nearby Ashridge Estate before being sold to a local farmer, Mr Hawkins of Pitstone Green Farm (now home to a fantastic independent museum). Hawkins happened to be the windmill’s tenant at the time. Whilst Mr Hawkins had had great success running the mill, and oversaw repairs there in 1895, a great storm in 1902 damaged the mill. So much so that it was no longer operational. It confuses me therefore as to why Mr Hawkins decided to buy the mill in 1924, but maybe at the time it was thought to be rescuable. By 1937 it was clear that saving it would be out of their abilities, so the mill was donated to its current owners the National Trust. 

It wasn’t until the 1960s though when a group of local volunteers came together that work started to restore the mill. By this time much of the original machinery inside the mill had been lost or destroyed so a huge amount of work went into rebuilding, restoring and finding replacement parts. 

Pitstone Windmill Today

Pitstone Windmill is now locked into place and the milling machinery inside no longer works, but everything is there that would have been needed to make it operational. Some of it having originally come from other mills across the country.

One of teh milling stones inside the windmill with a wooden surround.

Inside the windmill visitors are able to visit three different levels to understand how the whole milling process worked at the site. It is fascinating to see the early engineering that was used inside and also to realise just how much work would be done on the site by just one person. National Trust volunteers take visitors around the Windmill explaining the mill’s history and workings.

Visiting Pitstone Windmill

Pitstone Windmill stands in the middle of a farmer’s fields and there is a path leading to it from a small parking area on the B488 just outside Ivinghoe. The National Trust opens the windmill on Sunday afternoons in summer months, with exact dates and times published on their website.

A view across fields looking towards Pitstone Windmill. The windmill is in the distance and there is a grass path leading to it. In the foreground is a National Trust sign welcoming visitors to the windmill.

There are no facilities at the windmill itself. National Trust members can visit for free, but there is a charge for non-members. Payments have to be in cash as the welcome desk is literally a table just outside the windmill! For the upper two levels of the windmill there are steep ladder like steps to climb which may be difficult for some, including young children. 

A front on view f Pitstone Windmill showing the sails. There are no sailcloths on the sails.

If you’ve an interest in local history, or in seeing how windmills worked then it’s an excellent place to visit. The nearby National Trust estate at Ashridge has proper visitor facilities and also a large number of walks advertised. It’s also possible to visit the windmill as part of a local walk centred around Ivinghoe or Pitstone. There is also a great local campsite that I can recommend at Town Farm.

More adventures in Hertfordshire

For us Hertfordshire is literally just down the road and all three kids go to school in the county. Just because somewhere is local though doesn’t mean you can’t have an adventure there. You can share more of our Hertfordshire adventures with us here.