With summer in full swing and the kids officially off school, a trip to the seaside may be on the cards. With the distinct lack of good weather in the UK, it’s important to embrace the few days we do get and get out and about! Here’s our guide on how you can make your trip to the seaside go as smoothly as possible.
What to pack
Preparation is key! Here’s our list of things you shouldn’t set off to the seaside without:
- Sun-cream
- Chairs/blankets
- Camera/phone
- A full tank of petrol
- Sand/water toys
- First aid kit
- Plenty of towels
- Extra clothing (in case yours get drenched in the sea, or worse yet, covered in sand!)
- A picnic/snacks
The journey there
Make sure you plan your journey there and double check online traffic cameras to avoid getting stuck in the rush to the beach. The AA route planner is a useful tool for planning journeys and AA members also get 20% off selected brands at our sites!
It’s important to factor in regular breaks when driving to avoid driver fatigue and passengers getting restless. What’s worse than being stuck in a car when you need the toilet?! That’s what we’re here for… you can find a list of all our locations here. You can also download our handy printable locations map to keep in your car should you ever need it.
Get out, stretch your legs and grab something to eat and drink with us before starting the next leg of your journey. Don’t forget to download our free Moto Deals App to receive loads of great money saving deals at all of our sites!
If travelling with children, it could be an idea to have some road-trip games up your sleeve for when the inevitable ‘are we there yet?!’ comments start being thrown around. Tip; you can’t go wrong with ‘eye spy’.
You can also check out our blog on keeping kids entertained in the car, just incase the novelty of eye spy begins to wear off!
Once you’ve arrived
If you arrive at the seaside and the sun is shining, don’t forget to regularly apply sun-cream and keep hydrated. Sunburn and sunstroke are not alongside ice-cream and selfies on our list of things to get on your trip to the seaside!
Don’t forget to keep your spare towels and clothes in a separate bag to everything else so they’re nice and clean when you come to use them.
The journey home
To avoid getting sand EVERYWHERE in your car, make sure you wash off any excess sand! Bottled water can come in handy for rinsing sand off hands and feet. Use your spare towels to dry off, pull on clean clothes and you’re good to go!
Again, make sure you’ve planned your journey home using our route planner and checked for traffic alerts before setting off.
If you return to your car to find it stuck in sand, don’t panic… here’s what to do:
- Remain calm. This is our first and most important tip. Getting your car stuck in sand is understandably a frustrating experience, but it can be worsened by panicking and accelerating like crazy in an attempt to free your car.
- Reduce the weight inside the car. Make sure all passengers are situated outside the car to prevent the vehicle from sinking further.
- Avoid wheel spin. Make room for your tyres to move by moving your steering wheel back and forth. If you’re driving an automatic, drop it into its lowest gear. If it’s a manual you’re struggling with, the highest gear possible is needed (2nd or 3rd). Press your accelerator gently and aim for slow movements.
- Create traction. To create more traction and increase your chances of getting free, try placing a flat surface in front of the tyres, such as car mats, sleeping mats, cardboard or wood.
- Ask for help. If none of the above works, you’ll probably need towing out. Make sure you have somebody there who knows how to do this, or else you may end up with a torn off bumper! If needs be, you may need to phone for breakdown recovery.
- Check your car. Once your vehicle is free, drive slowly to shed the remaining sand from your tyres. You’ll need to stop in a safe place to thoroughly inspect your car for any damage that may have occurred among the chaos!
Most importantly… have fun! Don’t forget to check out our blog on how to stay safe on the motorway this summer to ensure your trip is hassle free as possible. Enjoy!
