Driving in England is nothing short of a dream. Dive behind the wheel of a hire car from the Hertz British Collection to cruise in style along wide motorways and snakelike country roads.

Key routes

• A1 – north/south. This partial motorway starts in London, and connects the capital to cities such as Peterborough, Leeds and Durham before greeting the Scottish border.

• M25 Ring Road. The M25 ring road around Greater London was the world’s longest orbital highway when it was completed in 1986. It provides access around the capital.

• Toll roads. There are tolls on the M25’s Dartford Crossing and at 22 other UK locations, including on the M6, the M4 and M48 in England.

• M3 for the south coast. The M25 connects with the M3 near Woking, where it stretches towards the south coast. Use it to reach Southampton or cruise along the southern coast towards the bright lights of Brighton or the rugged coves of Cornwall.

• M4 for English countryside. The M4 connects the capital city to south-western England and the Cotswolds. Experience a mix of traditional charm and cutting edge luxury.

• Stonehenge. The closest car hire location to Stonehenge is at Salisbury, so if you’re arriving by train, it’s easy to cruise along the A303 towards England’s most famous rocks.

• M1 and M62 for Northern soul. The M1 snakes north through the midlands past Nottingham and Sheffield, while the M62 provides the best route between key the northern cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Hull. It boasts breathtaking views of the Pennines, while some of England’s best scenic drives are nearby, including Snake Pass on the A57.

• M6 - England’s longest motorway. The route skirts past Preston and Lancaster all the way to the Lake District. Come off the M6 to join the A69 for England’s far north, which is packed with natural and ancient treasures, including Hadrian’s Wall and the Northumberland National Park.

With rolling hills that have inspired the poets, enchanting castles and heritage coastlines, the England you know is just the beginning. Experience more of this glorious land in a Hertz hire car.

A land of many cities

Urban England is home to world-class cultural attractions. Take a day trip to London to see Big Ben and the iconic Tower of London, where the crown jewels have been housed for more than 600 years.

Delve into history at the British Museum or experience London’s ultra-modern side at the Shard, a 95-storey skyscraper boasting incredible views of the Thames.

Elsewhere, the cities of Bath and York also lay claim to some of England’s most-visited attractions.

The Roman Baths provide an impeccable view of ancient spa culture in Bath, while 15th-century limestone-clad York Minster is one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe.

Not only do England’s cities bustle with charm, but they are also easy to drive in, making car hire the ideal mode of transport.

Incredible history

English history is a whirlwind of kings, queens and conquests. Many groups, including the Romans, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans, have shaped England as we know it.

Some of the best places to learn the history are within England’s castles – there are more than 1,500 scattered throughout the country.

You’ll have a royally good time at Windsor Castle, where regal trinkets include the world’s most elaborate doll’s house. Made for Queen Mary of Teck in the 1920s, the miniature house even features a 1,200-piece wine cellar.

This palace was built by William the Conqueror, but world-famous Stonehenge takes you back much further. Wiltshire’s prehistoric stone circle has a visitor centre complete with life-size models of Neolithic settlements.

If the circle’s insight into the ‘roofless past’ captures your heart, nearby Avebury has a comparable henge with stones you can walk freely between.

Nature in all its glory

England’s contrasting landscapes are filled with surprises. Hire a car in the Lake District to see magnificent waterfalls hurtling towards crystalline pools. Scale Force near Buttermere, Aria Force near Dockray and magical Sourmilk Gill near Grasmere are some of the best.

The Norfolk Broads is home to exceptional flatlands, where a series of shallow lakes are fed by seven English rivers. This is a great place to recharge on fishing and boating holidays.

Meanwhile, England’s ancient woodlands – such as the Forest of Dean near Hereford – sprout a carpet of bluebells between mighty oaks each May.

The quintessentially quaint

Searching for the England of your dreams? The Cotswolds is a true vision of the idyllic English countryside.

The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty set between Oxford and Bristol has green hills that turn golden in the sun and honey-coloured stone buildings. Take a horse riding tour to get the full experience.

Sand, sea and stone

The White Cliffs of Dover may be synonymous with England, but there are breathtaking coastal views across the country.

Take a road trip to see Cornwall’s stunning beaches, including magical Marazion, where a pathway to the castle on St Michael’s Mount clears at low tide.

Durdle Door is a highlight of Dorset’s wild Jurassic Coast. The natural limestone arch is privately owned but open to the public – park at Lulworth Cove and take the South West Coast Path for breathtaking views over St Oswald’s Bay.

In Yorkshire, Robin Hood’s Bay has been named among the world’s 25 best beaches by Passport Magazine. If you enjoy hunting for fossils, this place is second-to-none.

Explore all these treasures and more with car hire in England.