UK Destination Charging 2025: Hotels, Shopping & Leisure Complete Guide

Why pay 65-79p/kWh at motorway chargers when you can charge for free while shopping at Lidl?

Destination charging is one of the UK's best-kept EV secrets. By planning your charging around shopping trips, hotel stays, and leisure activities, you can save £500-£800 per year on public charging costs.

This guide covers every major UK destination charging opportunity—from free supermarket chargers to hotel chains with guest charging perks.

What Is Destination Charging?

Destination charging means charging your EV while you're doing something else—shopping, eating, staying at a hotel, or visiting an attraction. Unlike motorway rapid chargers (where you wait specifically for charging), destination chargers work around your existing activities.

Key Benefits:

• Often free or heavily discounted
• No waiting—you're doing something anyway
• Typically 7-22kW AC chargers (perfect for 1-3 hour stays)
• Less busy than dedicated charging stations

UK Supermarket EV Charging Guide

Supermarkets offer some of the best destination charging in the UK. Here's the complete breakdown:

Free Supermarket Charging

Paid Supermarket Charging (Still Good Value)

Supermarket Charging Tips

Lidl is the clear winner for free charging:

• Most stores have 7-22kW chargers
• Some have 50kW DC rapid chargers (still free!)
• 1-hour maximum—perfect for a weekly shop
• No app required for older chargers; newer ones use Pod Point

💡 Pro Tip: The Lidl store finder on their website doesn't always show chargers. Use Zap-Map filtered by "Lidl" for accurate locations.

Tesco Pod Point chargers:

• Originally all free, now mixed (some locations charge)
• 7kW standard, some 22kW and 50kW
• Requires Pod Point app for newer chargers
• Best for longer shopping trips (1-2 hours adds 20-40 miles)

Aldi is expanding rapidly:

• Now 150+ stores with chargers
• Mix of 7kW AC and 50kW DC
• Completely free while shopping
• Use Zap-Map to find equipped stores

Hotel EV Charging UK

Staying overnight? Many UK hotel chains now offer EV charging—some free for guests.

Hotel Chains with EV Charging

Premier Inn EV Charging

Premier Inn is the UK's best budget hotel chain for EV charging:

• Coverage: 500+ hotels with chargers planned by end of 2025
• Network: Pod Point (newer installs), BP Pulse (some locations)
• Cost: Free at many locations, up to £10/stay at others
• Speed: Mostly 7kW, increasing 22kW installations

Booking Tip: When booking online, filter for "Electric vehicle charging" or call the hotel directly to confirm availability and cost.

Holiday Inn / IHG Hotels

• Growing EV charging network
• Many locations offer free charging for guests
• Shell Recharge and Pod Point partnerships
• Premium hotels (Crowne Plaza, InterContinental) often have free charging

Luxury Hotels

Premium hotels increasingly offer free EV charging as a guest amenity:

• The Savoy, London - Complimentary valet charging
• Soho Farmhouse - Free destination chargers
• Chewton Glen - Tesla Destination Chargers (free for guests)
• Lucknam Park - Complimentary EV charging

💡 Pro Tip: When booking luxury hotels, mention you have an EV. Many will arrange charging even if not advertised.

Shopping Centre EV Charging

UK shopping centres are installing chargers rapidly. Expect 1-3 hours of parking while you shop—perfect for destination charging.

Shopping Centres with Free/Cheap Charging

Intu/Hammerson Centres:

• Lakeside (Thurrock) - 50+ chargers
• Meadowhall (Sheffield) - 40+ chargers
• Trafford Centre - Growing network
• Merry Hill - Multiple chargers

Westfield:

• London Stratford - 80+ chargers (paid)
• London Shepherd's Bush - 50+ chargers (paid)
• Cost: 30-50p/kWh typically

IKEA:

• All UK stores have free EV charging
• 7kW chargers (some 22kW)
• 4-hour maximum while shopping
• No app required at most locations

Retail Parks:

• Most larger retail parks now have chargers
• Typically Pod Point, BP Pulse, or GeniePoint
• Costs vary significantly by location

Leisure and Entertainment Charging

Cinemas

Perfect for: A 2-3 hour film session adds 14-21 miles at 7kW.

Gyms and Leisure Centres

David Lloyd Clubs:

• Many clubs have Tesla Destination Chargers
• Free for members during visits
• 7-22kW speeds

Virgin Active:

• Selected locations have EV chargers
• Usually Pod Point network
• Free-30p/kWh depending on location

Local Authority Leisure Centres:

• Increasing installation of chargers
• Often free or very cheap (council subsidised)
• Check your local council website

Visitor Attractions

National Trust:

• 250+ properties with EV chargers
• Free for members (some locations)
• 7kW mostly, some 22kW
• Reservation recommended for popular sites

English Heritage:

• Growing charging network
• Often free during visits
• Use Zap-Map to check before visiting

Theme Parks:

• Alton Towers - EV charging available
• Thorpe Park - Limited chargers
• LEGOLAND Windsor - Chargers in car park

Restaurant and Pub Charging

Pub Chains

Greene King:

• Installing chargers across estate
• Pod Point network
• Perfect for lunch/dinner stop

Harvester/Toby Carvery (Mitchells & Butlers):

• Selected locations with chargers
• 7kW AC typical
• Varies by location

Marston's Pubs:

• Growing EV charging network
• Check individual locations

Restaurant Charging

McDonald's:

• Partnering with InstaVolt
• 50-150kW rapid chargers
• Many drive-thru locations equipped
• Cost: 65-79p/kWh (rapid charging, not destination)

Costa Drive-Thru:

• Selected locations with chargers
• InstaVolt and BP Pulse partnerships
• Rapid charging for quick stops

Planning Your Destination Charging Strategy

Weekly Shopping Routine

Optimise your weekly shop for free charging:

Best Strategy:

1. Monday - Lidl shop (free charging during 45-60 min shop)
2. Wednesday - Aldi top-up (free charging)
3. Weekend - Tesco/Sainsbury's larger shop (mixed free/paid)

Weekly Charging Estimate:

• Lidl: ~20 miles added (free)
• Aldi: ~15 miles added (free)
• Tesco: ~25 miles added (free or £5-10)
• Total: 60 miles/week from shopping alone

Hotel Stays Strategy

When booking accommodation:

1. Check EV charging availability first - Use hotel website or call directly
2. Factor charging into hotel choice - Free charging can offset slightly higher room rates
3. Book Premier Inn with EV charging - Usually best value proposition
4. Arrive with lower battery - Overnight charging adds significant range

Overnight Hotel Charging (7kW for 10 hours):

• Range added: 70+ miles
• Cost: £0-10 (vs £25-40 at motorway chargers)

Day Trip Planning

Example: London Day Trip from Birmingham

1. Drive to London (100 miles, arrive with ~30% battery)
2. Park at Westfield Stratford (3 hours shopping/lunch)
3. Charge during visit: 22kW × 3 hours = 66kWh = 200+ miles
4. Cost: ~£30 (vs £45+ at motorway rapid)
5. Drive home fully charged

Savings: £15+ plus no waiting specifically for charging

Apps for Finding Destination Chargers

Essential Apps

Zap-Map (Free)

• Best UK charging map
• Filter by network, speed, cost
• Real-time availability at many locations
• User reviews and photos

PlugShare (Free)

• Global coverage
• Strong user community
• Good for finding hidden chargers

Pod Point (Free)

• Essential for Tesco, Lidl, IKEA chargers
• Payment processing
• Charger availability status

A Better Route Planner (Free/£4.99)

• Route planning with charging stops
• Filters for destination chargers
• Integrates with car's real-time data (Tesla, Polestar, etc.)

Network-Specific Apps

Cost Comparison: Destination vs. Rapid Charging

Annual Charging Costs (10,000 miles)

Break-Even Analysis

Destination charging makes sense when:

• Charge time available: 1+ hour
• Destination charger cost: Under 40p/kWh (or free)
• Alternative: Motorway rapid at 65-79p/kWh

Example:

• Need 30kWh of charge
• Motorway rapid (70p/kWh): £21
• Lidl free charger (45 min): £0
• Savings per stop: £21

Etiquette and Best Practices

Do:

✅ Move your car promptly when finished charging ✅ Only use chargers if you're using the destination (shopping, staying, etc.) ✅ Report broken chargers on Zap-Map ✅ Share space—don't monopolise multiple bays ✅ Say thank you to staff (builds EV goodwill)

Don't:

❌ Park at EV chargers without plugging in (ICEing) ❌ Charge fully if others are waiting and you have enough ❌ Use destination chargers purely as "free fuel" without patronising business ❌ Leave car overnight at supermarket chargers (use hotels instead) ❌ Block chargers while having long meals if car is full

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really free to charge at Lidl and Aldi?

Yes, genuinely free. No catches. Both Lidl and Aldi installed chargers to attract EV-driving customers. The electricity cost is offset by your shopping spend. Just observe the time limits (typically 1 hour at Lidl).

How do I find hotels with EV charging?

Use Zap-Map filtered for "destination" chargers, or check hotel booking sites for EV charging filters. Premier Inn and IHG (Holiday Inn) have the most consistent UK coverage. Always call ahead to confirm availability—hotel charger bays can be limited.

Can I use supermarket chargers without shopping?

Technically possible at most locations, but ethically questionable. These chargers are provided as a customer benefit. Using them without shopping takes spaces from actual customers and could lead to businesses removing chargers.

What if destination chargers are busy?

Arrive early (weekday mornings are quietest), have a backup plan (another store nearby), and consider whether you actually need to charge. Sometimes it's better to skip a busy charger and charge elsewhere.

Are destination chargers reliable?

Generally yes, though older units (especially early Pod Point installations) can be temperamental. Check Zap-Map reviews before relying on a specific charger, and always have a backup plan.

Do I need multiple apps for destination charging?

Unfortunately, yes. Pod Point, BP Pulse, and Shell Recharge cover most destinations, but you'll occasionally need others. Download them in advance—nothing worse than finding a charger and being unable to activate it.

Destination Charging by UK Region

London

• Westfield centres (Stratford, Shepherd's Bush)
• IKEA Wembley, Tottenham, Croydon
• Premier Inn locations across London
• Shopping centres: Brent Cross, Bluewater (Kent)

South East

• Bluewater Shopping Centre
• Brighton: Churchill Square, various hotels
• Southampton: West Quay, hotels

Midlands

• Meadowhall Sheffield
• Merry Hill, Dudley
• NEC Birmingham (event charging)
• Multiple Premier Inn locations

North West

• Trafford Centre, Manchester
• Liverpool ONE
• Chester: Cheshire Oaks (McArthurGlen)

Scotland

• Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh
• Silverburn, Glasgow
• Expanded ChargePlace Scotland network

Wales

• St David's Centre, Cardiff
• Various ChargePlace Cymru locations

Related Guides

• UK Public Charging Networks Complete Guide 2025
• Best EV Charging Apps UK: Complete Comparison 2025
• EV Road Trip Planning UK 2025
• Home vs Public Charging: Cost Comparison UK 2025