Best UK Road Trips
This is officially the year of the staycation so here are some of the best UK road trips to keep you and your family entertained.
Some of us prefer the green and pleasant land of the UK anyway, but for those who haven’t travelled much of our little island, this could be the blog you need. May staycations become more of a thing going forward? Let’s take a look at some of the wonderful places you can visit in the UK by car, making your staycation a road trip discovery to never forget.
1. The Cotswolds
Not that we are being overly biased or anything (!), but for us, The Cotswolds is the heart of this country. It’s perfectly quintessential, covered in miles of undisturbed green landscape with the most picturesque Cotswold stone villages dotted between them.
There are so many places to visit, Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm is in Chipping Norton for starters. We recommend Broadway for its Tower, views and independent shops. Then head to Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, where you will meet his collection of rare breed animals.
Work your way down to the beautiful village of Painswick for afternoon tea, then closely followed by Stroud, which is a very up and coming town full of independent shops and eateries. The most southerly point of The Cotswolds is Bath, where you can take a dip in their thermal spa. A great place to finish off a road trip.
2. The Norfolk Coast
The eastern coastline of Norfolk is a must for road tripping. Enjoy the buzz of Norwich City before heading east into The Broads, which provides plenty of wildlife to see among the scenic waterways (where you can hire boats to enjoy).
The north roads will lead you to the seaside town of Cromer which boasts a beautiful pier. On a good weather day, Brancaster Beach is perfect for relaxing and taking a break from behind the wheel.
Did you know that North Norfolk has more than 40 miles of sandy shores and six Blue Flag beaches, more than any other region in the UK? They’re also home to the largest seal colony in the UK.
3. Atlantic Highway, South West England
Following on from The Cotswolds, the A39 connects Bath to Falmouth. This is a great road trip for families, as you’ll be able to enjoy many attractions such as Tintagel, Exmoor National Park, Padstow and Port Isaac and so many beautiful beaches, including Barnstaple in Devon and Cornwall’s Newquay.
4.The Lake District
Welcome to Beatrix Potter country! The Lakes really does provide some of the most picturesque roads.
Famous for its mint cake, Kendal is the best place to start. Heading north will take you to Windermere, where you will find England’s largest lake (be warned, it is incredibly touristy here).
Driving further north and you will discover the charming lakeside villages of Ambleside and Grasmere. Grasmere is where the poet William Wordsworth wrote the famous ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.’ Poem at his Dove Cottage.
The lakes are the perfect place to take boat cruises and discover more of the beautiful scenery (and a nice break from driving!)
5. North Wales
Did you know that on a good day, you can see over to Ireland from the top of Mount Snowdon? It’s roughly 5 miles to walk from the bottom to the top of Mount Snowdon, and three miles to the base. There is a shop and café at the summit to enjoy the views.
But if you don’t fancy the walk after driving through Snowdonia’s National Park, there is a train that can take you to the top and back down again.
Beyond the park, you can take the scenic route through historic Caernarfon then head on over the water to explore the delightful Isle of Anglesey.
6. Yorkshire Moors
Be ready for some spectacular views on a road trip across North York Moors National Park. Its thick forests, rambling streams and vast swathes of heather moorland can be enjoyed not just by car, but also by bike. Many hire bikes while on a trip to the moors, so pack accordingly if this appeals to you! It’s a very dog-friendly place to visit also, with many B&Bs and eateries accommodating pets.
The ideal Yorkshire Moors road trip starts from Helmsley and ends at the seaside village of Staithes. While not the longest of road trips, you can always make it longer with an overnight stay in either village (or in between!).
7. The Dragon’s Spine, Wales
There is a huge expanse of coast to coast driving to be done here. The A470 runs all the way from Cardiff in the south to Conwy in the north, taking in two national parks.
Starting in Cardiff, head to the Brecon Beacons where you can visit some charming historical villages and take in some delicious food at Betws-y-Coed.
Moving further North into mid-Wales, you’ll pass Llyn Clywedog reservoir and the market town of Dolgellau, which then leads you through Snowdonia to Conwy. Along the way, you’ll be spoilt for historical choice between the two majestic castles of Carreg Cennen Castle and Dinefwr Castle.
8. Peaks and Passes, Peak District
On this road trip, you will start in Glossop and head into the Pennines along the famous Snake Pass, one of the UK’s great mountain passes.
From there, head further south towards the reservoirs around the popular Derwent Dam that offer great walks. Take a small detour to the west to find the Blue John Cavern, an underground network of caves that offers guided tours.
Then head to Derwent Valley where you can take a cable car over the valley to enjoy the breathtaking views.
9. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
This road trip covers more than 200 miles between Belfast and Derry. Belfast has an attraction named after the Titanic to explore, and a bustling nightlife scene to enjoy. About an hour’s drive north of Belfast is Giant’s Causeway. The 40,000 basalt columns that make up this massive, nature-made monument were formed 50 to 60 million years ago.
About 25 minutes inland, an avenue of beech trees known as the Dark Hedges is worth a detour, it may seem familiar as was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, among many other locations on the trip including Sallagh Braes, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the dramatic Cushendun Caves.
10. North Coast 500 (NC500), Scotland
This route through the vast and imposing Scottish Highlands stretches for 500 miles on a round trip from Inverness. Driving clockwise through the wild landscape, the road first hits Loch Ness, which is well worth a stop to try and spot its monster. Driving west onto Kyle of Lochalsh where you can reach the Isle of Skye via the land bridge (well worth the detour).
Back on the mainland and continuing northbound, the North Coast 500 winds through Ullapool, a port where the whitewashed fishermen’s cottages line the harbour. Take a pit stop in Sutherland before heading another 60 miles northeast to John O’Groats, then freewheel back down the eastern coast to end once again in Inverness.