There’s no need to fly to another country or search far and wide for an epic road trip – here in the UK there are some amazing road trips! It doesn’t matter which corner of the UK you are based wither, as there are some fabulous trips you can head off on in and around Scotland, the South Coast, through the rolling Welsh hills and beyond.
Salty beach drives, mountain views or alongside national parks – the views are endless. In fact, you don’t even have to have a car of your own to take up these UK opportunities, you can always hire one if you haven’t! Road trips mean you can find hotels, b&b’s, cottages or even camping tents to stop off at, and make it a holiday of its own. Look at hiring cars in your local area if you don’t have a car already, like Warrington car hire for example.
If you need some location inspiration, take a look at 5 beautiful road trips in the UK below:
The Peak District
A lot of people are familiar with the Peaks for long walks, especially those that have visit for Kinder Scout. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t got long roads which offer some of the countries most incredible views.
The roads boast a meandering driving experience, the most famous course being the Snake Pass, named for the route it takes right through the Pennines. One of the points of the snake pass is at a vertigo-inducing 1679 feet above sea level!
You may also want to take in views of the river Ashop which runs alongside, where the greenery spans for miles due to the fields of wildflowers. Another hotspot to look out for is the tourist favourite hotspot Chatsworth House, a place used for films over the years. A great place to stop on your road trip! If you’re looking for a relaxing and cosy place to stay overnight during your trip, check out Edale, which is filled with the cutest little cottages.
North Coast 500, Scotland
The North Coast 500 in Scotland makes a fabulous winter road trip! This is when the countryside is at its most dramatic and you can warm up next to some of the cosiest and most romantic roaring log fires, in so many pubs and inns. You can tie in a trip to the Hebrides too, although it would be super chilly in the Winter!
This route goes through the Scottish Highlands and stretches for 500 miles when on a round trip from Inverness. You drive clockwise through the landscapes, and then the road first hits the legendary Loch Ness. It’s a place worth visiting, even if just to tell the story that you have been and had a good look for the Loch Ness Monster among the inky waters. The next part is driving west to Kyle of Lochalsh, which takes another two hours. From here, you can reach the Isle of Skye via the land bridge.
Norfolk
Norfolk is beautiful to visit in summer, as this is when a road trip to it’s beaches can be best appreciated. Perfect for a long weekend, a road trip through Norfolk will have you experiencing flat, luscious green fields and farmlands, fine beaches and views of the water. when the beach towns are at their finest.
There’s so much history to Norfolk that not everyone knows of. The towns themselves boast antique shops, old buildings and beautiful monuments. The city lends itself to the perfect mix of busy towns and quite beaches, with countryside and scenery thrown in. All perfect for a long weekend trip on the roads!
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds can get very booked up during the Summer months, so aim for Spring if you want to avoid the crazy crowds and booked up accommodation. The Cotswolds is full of little villages oozing with character and stories, therefore a road trip around this neck of the woods will not disappoint. Of course, if you have an interest in Shakespeare, then this will already be top of your list!
It’s known as one of the the favourite weekend escapes of Londoners, who wish to whizz out of the bustling city and take a break to the buttery stone towns of The Cotswolds. They want river boat trips and scenic parks, little ice cream stores and cobbled streets. Castles, thatched roof pubs, an all-year round Christmas shop and local food – it’s a quintessential British hamlet. You can start a road trip around here from any point, but look out for places like Kingham, where you will find the Daylesford farm shop which sells just-picked fruit and vegetables that will remedy any hangover! From here, you can drive on through the closely connected towns of Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower and Upper Slaughter and Stow on the Wold. You can finish up in Broadway, the north Cotswolds’ biggest attraction point due to history seeped antique shops and some of the loveliest pub lunch spots!
Yorkshire
If you’re thinking of going on a Yorkshire road trip, autumn could be your best bet when the moorland is covered in rustic leaves, looking all tawn. Walks along the Yorkshire coast may be brisk and wind-whipped, but fresh and glorious.
Yorkshire is a windswept place at the best of times, as the North York Moors contains one of the largest heather moorlands in England. Across the moors, you get a stark landscape, full of beauty and wonderful views.
It sure makes a great place for walks, but you can also drive around many spots in Yorkshire and park up for smaller walks. There are many famous walking routes plotted throughout, which are sprinkled with vibrant wildflowers and endless views. Some highlights of hotspots to visit include Whitby Harbour, Scarborough and Malton, which combines the beauty of fishing towns, castles and cliffs, and a typical Yorkshire market town.
