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  • Last updated: Sep 30, 2025
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Birmingham's Best Drives: Where Local Drivers Love to Take Their Cars

Written by

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Robert Gill Finance writer

31 articles published

Verified by

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Oliver Greaves Compliance expert

There's something special about having the keys to your own car and having the freedom to discover some of the best-kept secrets in Birmingham. It's not just about getting from A to B. At Carmoola, we believe it's about fun, adventure, and those spontaneous drives that make life a bit more exciting.

We asked our Birmingham customers where they love to take their cars, and their answers reminded us why driving is about so much more than just mundane daily commutes.

The Scenic Escapes 

When Birmingham drivers want to swap city streets for something more peaceful, they know where to go. Malvern Hills consistently comes up as a favourite, especially for those who love combining a good drive with walking trails. The winding roads leading up to the hills offer breathtaking views across three counties, and there's something magical about parking up and exploring the ancient landscape on foot.

Bridgnorth itself is another gem. It’s a historic market town perched on cliffs above the River Severn. The drive there takes you through some of Shropshire's most beautiful countryside, and once you arrive, you can explore the medieval streets or take the cliff railway down to the river.

Malvern_Hills_Hillside_Scenery

For dog owners looking for closer-to-home adventures, Lickey Hills is the perfect nearby escape. Just a short drive south of Birmingham, this area of natural beauty offers rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and panoramic views back towards the city. As one customer shares: "As I have a little dog, Lickey Hills is a place to relax."

The Perfect Evening Drive

Ask any driving enthusiast about their ideal route, and you'll hear about those quiet B-roads that snake through the countryside around Birmingham. These smaller roads offer everything a proper drive should: gentle curves, changing scenery, and the freedom to really connect with your car.

Bright knows this feeling well: "[I] always choose B roads preferably late evening, early morning, not breaking any laws, but having a decent drive and letting the car do what it was built to do."

Clent_Hill_Walton_Hill

Walton Hill, near Clent, is another favourite destination that perfectly captures this spirit. The drive up through the Clent Hills offers stunning views, and once you reach the top, you can see for miles across the Worcestershire countryside. Waqar loves it for those weekend escapes: "Few beach trips with the lads, lots of country driving."

Family Adventures & City Favourites

Not every great drive needs to leave the city. Star City remains popular with local drivers for good reason - it's easily accessible, offers plenty of parking, and combines entertainment with dining options. Sometimes the best family drives are the ones that end with everyone happy.

Middlesbrough might seem like an unusual destination, but sometimes the most meaningful drives aren't about the scenery – they're about the people waiting at the other end. Family visits, special celebrations, or simply being able to travel hundreds of miles when the opportunity comes, these journeys matter just as much as the scenic routes.

Brean_Down_beach

For the bigger adventures, Birmingham drivers aren't thinking small. Brean Beach in Somerset is a popular choice for day trips or weekend getaways. The drive takes you through the heart of England, past historic towns and rolling countryside, before you catch your first glimpse of the sea. 

Some of our more adventurous customers have even mentioned planning road trips to France during winter. Proof that when you have reliable transport, the world opens up.

More Than Just Transport

Behind every great drive is a story about freedom and possibility. These Birmingham routes aren't just about beautiful scenery; they represent the freedom that comes with having your own reliable transport.

Karl captures this perfectly: "Personally for me it's the independence a car can give also the freedom it gives, and some opportunities are or have been hundreds of miles away so I get in my car and go."

For Sean, it's both practical and aspirational: "It’s important to have a reliable car at a good APR to be able to get to and from work. Without a car, I’d have no work. I travel 60 miles a day". That daily necessity also unlocks weekend adventures to the Malvern Hills and the freedom to plan road trips to France.

birmingham_customer_road_trip_to_france

And for Amelia, getting the right car finance makes these experiences possible without the stress: “I was extremely nervous about car finance, and I was seeing a dealership for over a month when I applied for Carmoola. To be honest, if I wouldn't have been approved, I don't think I would have made the decision. With dealerships, it feels like you are not in control, they don't tell you everything straight away, numbers keep changing from one person to another, and you feel like you can't ask them about this car or that car. With Carmoola, everything is in your hands. I checked so many cars to see if they are OK before deciding, see different plans, play with the numbers, check the dealership and car history.  You feel reassured that someone else is checking the car for you, and you can see the numbers clearly. And I could go on.”

When the numbers are clear and the payments work for your budget, you can focus on what really matters: those evening drives through the B-roads, weekend trips to Lickey Hills, or that special journey to see family.

Ready for your own Birmingham adventures? Whether you're planning scenic drives to the Malvern Hills or just need reliable transport for the daily commute, Carmoola makes car finance in Birmingham simple and transparent. Check your eligibility in just 60 seconds – no impact on your credit score.

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