The winter months are the perfect time to get out and explore, ensuring that you start the year feeling charged and ready! Whether you are planning family-friendly activities or simply enjoying quieter attractions, electric vehicle drivers are increasingly factoring charging availability into their plans to ensure they can get from A to B without getting caught short.

Fortunately, with destination charging continuing to expand across the UK, enjoying a stress-free day out has never been easier. From beautiful gardens to historic estates and countryside walks, many of the UK’s most popular National Trust and RHS locations are well-suited to EV travel, allowing you to recharge your vehicle while making the most of your visit.

Why EV Charging Matters

January and February are ideal months for relaxed exploration, and the perfect time to combat the January blues. Attractions are quieter, parking is easier, and there is more time to enjoy the experience without the crowds. For EV drivers, having access to reliable charging at or near destinations reduces unnecessary planning and allows greater flexibility – particularly during winter journeys.

Destination charging enables:

• Reduced range anxiety in winter conditions.

• Longer, more enjoyable visits without rushing.

• A smoother overall travel experience.

As EV adoption continues to rise, destinations that support EV drivers are increasingly becoming the first choice for days out. This support is even more vital for attractions in rural areas that require a car to access them, such as National Trust sites.

National Trust & RHS Days Out Across England

Historic houses, gardens, and outdoor spaces come into their own during the wintertime, offering crisp walks, seasonal colour, and plenty of space to unwind. Thankfully, because of The National Trust’s partnership with RAW Charging, you will find plenty of standout EV-friendly destinations across England.

South & South West England

RHS Rosemoor, Devon

Set in the Torridge Valley, RHS Rosemoor offers peaceful winter gardens, woodland walks, and colourful seasonal planting. Ideal for a restorative visit, the site is well placed for EV drivers travelling across the South West, with EV charging bays near the visitor centre forming part of a network across all five RHS gardens.

Stourhead, Wiltshire

A head-clearing winter walk around the iconic lake of Stourhead is hard to beat, while the frosted landscapes and quiet pathways of this masterpiece of landscape design make this a popular winter destination, particularly for EV drivers heading west. Once you are there, you can effortlessly charge your EV at one of 16 on-site charging bays.

Killerton House, Devon

With expansive parkland and family-friendly trails, Killerton offers a revitalising outdoor escape that is easily accessible for EV drivers exploring the region, boasting six EV charging points in the visitor car park.

East & South East England

RHS Hyde Hall, Essex

With sweeping countryside views and winter planting displays, RHS Hyde Hall is perfect for bracing walks and garden inspiration, with plenty of events and workshops for those looking to get a little more hands-on. EV drivers can enjoy a relaxed visit knowing charging facilities are accessible nearby.

RHS Wisley, Surrey

RHS Wisley remains a year-round favourite. From seasonal blooms to glasshouse displays, it is an ideal destination for families looking to enjoy nature. Thanks to RAW Charging's on-site EV charging facilities, you can enjoy longer, unhurried visits.

Ickworth Estate, Suffolk

The grand Ickworth Estate offers ancient woodland walks, expansive open parkland, and the ornate Italianate garden that shines in winter. Its location makes it a convenient stop for EV drivers exploring East Anglia.

The Midlands

Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire

A peaceful moated manor surrounded by countryside, Baddesley Clinton is ideal for a slower-paced winter day out and is well-positioned for EV drivers travelling through the Midlands. With the Forest of Arden to explore alongside peaceful walled gardens, fish pools, and lakeside walks, there is plenty to see and enjoy.

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

Known as the “unstately home,” Calke Abbey is a unique destination that preserves and showcases how grand country homes can decline, offering a fascinating glimpse into the struggles of the aristocracy. Alongside the house, its grounds offer 600-acre historic parkland walks, walled gardens, a 19th-century gothic church, and an extensive stableyard that has been seen on television’s Peaky Blinders!

The North of England

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey is particularly atmospheric in winter, as snow clings to its ancient walls and transforms the landscape. Wide open spaces, the Royal Water Garden, Royal Deer Park, and scenic walks make it a rewarding destination for EV drivers exploring the North, with 12 EV charging points available onsite.

Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester

Nestled just outside the city, Dunham Massey offers medieval deer park walks and one of the UK’s largest winter gardens, making it an easy, idyllic, wonderland escape for urban EV drivers, who will find 12 convenient onsite EV charging stations to top up during their visit.

Wallington Hall, Northumberland

With rolling landscapes and family-friendly trails, Wallington Hall is ideal for exploration and longer stays. Resplendent walled gardens come to life in winter, and the East Wood invites you to explore acres of winding woodland paths, quiet ponds, and plenty of wildlife. All of this is made easier to enjoy thanks to the 12 on-site EV chargers, supplied by the RAW Charging network.

West & North West England

Formby Beach, Merseyside

For those seeking fresh sea air and nature, the dunes and pinewoods of Formby offer invigorating coastal walks that are the perfect head-clearer. This protected coastal haven of rare animals, shipwrecks, and prehistoric footprints offers EV charging facilities nearby, so drivers can enjoy the journey knowing they can top up as they explore the coastline.

Sizergh Castle, Cumbria

Located on the edge of the Lake District, Sizergh Castle combines history with scenic winter walks. Whether exploring the medieval manor house or the sprawling gardens and mirror lake, this 1,600-acre estate, which contains wetlands, limestone pasture, ancient woodland, and orchards, is home to a variety of wildlife and flowers that can offer a revitalising winter day out. Alongside the best that nature has to offer, you will find six EV charging stations, making it an excellent stop for EV drivers exploring the region.

Making the Most of Winter EV Travel

It is worth remembering that, concerning EV charging in cold weather, lower temperatures can slightly reduce EV range, making destination charging especially valuable during the winter months. Planning visits to EV-friendly locations allows drivers to combine charging with leisure activities, eliminating the need for additional stops.

For National Trust and RHS sites, providing EV charging also enhances the visitor experience by:

• Encouraging longer dwell times

• Supporting sustainability commitments

• Attracting eco-conscious visitors

A Better Visitor Experience, Powered by EV Charging

Expectations around charging availability are growing, and attractions that invest in reliable, easy-to-use EV infrastructure now position themselves as modern, accessible, and future-ready.

With expert operators like RAW Charging delivering fully funded, fully managed EV charging solutions, destinations can offer a seamless, stress-free experience for their many visitors, including:

• Contactless payment and transparent pricing

• High uptime and reliable performance

• Ongoing maintenance and customer support

EV days out in winter are about simplicity, enjoyment, and peace of mind, so your charging infrastructure must reflect and support this. Thanks to RAW Charging and its partnership with The National Trust and The RHS, EV drivers can confidently explore England’s most iconic gardens, estates, and landscapes.