Car Rental Stansted Airport

Located around an hour’s drive north of central London, travelling in a rental car from Stansted Airport is generally straightforward.

Hop straight on the M11 and travel south towards Woodford where you can join the A406 and head straight into the city via Ilford and Barking.

The beauty of having your own vehicle to explore means that as well as admiring the famous skyline of the capital, you have the freedom to travel to the surrounding areas too.

Southern England is your oyster due to the M25 – which is invaluable when it comes to heading further afield.

Picking up this capital-orbiting road means you have the option to branch off in any direction you desire. Head west to explore the prestigious university city of Oxford, or even a little further to the Cotswolds and soak up natural beauty on a picturesque hike.

A popular coastal destination day trip  from London is to Brighton, which is located south following the M25, M23 and then the A23 to this gorgeous East Sussex seaside resort. Get yourself a delicious portion of fish and chips and soak up the atmosphere on the town's famous pebble beach.

Driving in the UK is on the left side of the road, and speed limits – in miles per hour – typically vary from 20mph (32km/h) or 30mph (48km/h) in towns and cities up to 70mph (112km/h) on many motorways, though the M25 has a variable limit.

Be vigilant when it comes to driving in central London as many cyclists are sharing the road. Also, be aware of the congestion charge zones and toll roads, which will be clearly signed.

The airport is located in Stansted Mountfitchet, a village in Uttlesford, Essex which is in the southeast of England.

With a rental car from Stansted Airport it’s pretty much your gateway to this entire corner of the country, including the south coast, Cambridge and London. Discover all that the area has to offer while soaking up quintessential British scenery.

Take in the bright lights of the capital

The best way to explore central London is by parking your vehicle in a lot for the day and taking to the streets via foot.

You’ll find a myriad of attractions heading to the South Bank of the River Thames. Start at Tower Bridge and pass City Hall – glance across the river here and you'll be able to spot the Tower of London too. You'll also pass HMS Belfast before reaching London Bridge and Southwark Cathedral; you can even go off-piste and make a pit stop for some delicious cuisine at Borough Market.

Once you pass Southwark Bridge you'll come across Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern, then the Millennium Bridge. After Blackfriars Bridge you'll come across the Oxo Tower and then the National Theatre before the Southbank Centre, Waterloo Bridge, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall.

From here you'll see the London Eye, then pass the London Dungeons, London Aquarium and then Westminster Bridge. You can also cross the bridge to take in Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. If you venture far enough, you'll even come across St James' Park and Buckingham Palace.

The choice of which of these remarkable places to visit is al yours.

Hike the Cotswolds

If you feel like you need rolling hills and fresh air, the Cotswolds is a perfect option for you. Using the M40 and A40 west out of central London, you will reach the Cotswolds in around two hours.

This has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you'll easily be able to see why. Park up in one of the many free car parks and then choose from anumber of walking options to really take in what the area has to offer.

From calming strolls and more challenging hill hikes to a variety of circular walks, you'll be able to find something that suits you in this breath-taking location.

Country heights – and Cambridge sights

Stansted Airport is surrounded by interesting places to visit, so before you embark on your drive into London or further afield, why not explore?

Quaint historic market town Bishop's Stortford is just 10 minutes west of the airport, Duxford is a short 25-minute drive north and attracts visitors to its Imperial War Museum, and if you venture a little further still you'll reach Cambridge.

Go punting on the River Cam, have a spot of lunch overlooking the river and wander through this iconic city centre at your leisure.

With car rental at Stansted Airport, all this and more awaits.