longest road trip in uk

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A Guide To The UK’s Longest Road Trip: Land’s End To John o’ Groats & 11 Unmissable Stops Along The Way

One of the most epic journeys in all of the United Kingdom, the road trip from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Scotland covers an incredible 874 miles. 

But we’re here to explore the UK from front to back, to truly immerse ourselves in its diverse landscapes and cultures, so we’re taking a few detours in order to do so. With that in mind, here’s our guide to the UK’s longest road trip, and 11 stops along the way that we think are truly unmissable.

Land’s End, Cornwall – 0 miles

The adventure begins at the dramatic cliffs of Land’s End. Starting from the southernmost tip of mainland UK, Land’s End offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Take some time to explore its rugged cliffs and nature trails. From here, journey up the Cornish coast, renowned for its beautiful, often hidden beaches and charming fishing villages.

After exploring these coastal paths, start the first leg of your journey, a 174-mile, approximately 4.5-hour drive to Bath.

Bath, Somerset – 174 miles

As you traverse the countryside, the city of Bath is an essential pit stop. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its ancient Roman Baths and stunning Georgian architecture. Visit the historic Bath Abbey and indulge in a therapeutic spa treatment in its natural hot springs.

After the delightful Georgian city of Bath, continue north on a 37-mile, approximately 1-hour journey to the next stop.

Read: Where to eat in Bath city centre

Stonehenge, Wiltshire – 211 miles

Explore the prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge , a world-renowned symbol of mystery and ancient might. After a glimpse into the mysterious past, a 41-mile, roughly 1-hour drive east takes you to the New Forest.

New Forest, Hampshire – 252 miles

Experience the unspoilt wilderness of the New Forest . Famous for its free-roaming ponies, this national park offers hiking and cycling trails. Next, head 143 miles, a roughly 3-hour drive north, to the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds – 395 miles

Immerse yourself in the quintessential English charm of the Cotswolds . Idyllic villages, rolling hills, and honey-coloured stone cottages – it’s like stepping into a postcard. Make sure you visit Bourton-on-the-Water, often described as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds.

After this, it’s time to embark on the longest leg of your journey, a 240-mile, approximately 5-hour drive, to the Lake District.

Lake District – 635 miles

Further north, you’ll encounter the Lake District , England’s largest National Park. This area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning lakes, mountains, and hiking trails. A boat ride on Lake Windermere and a visit to Dove Cottage, the home of poet William Wordsworth, should definitely be on your itinerary.

After exploring England’s largest National Park, continue north on a 150-mile, approximately 3-hour journey to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh, Scotland – 785 miles

Cross the border into Scotland; the historic city of Edinburgh awaits. Explore Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. The city is also home to the world’s largest arts festival – Edinburgh Festival Fringe – as well as some incredible seafood restaurants .

After delighting in Scotland’s capital, a 171-mile, roughly 3.5-hour drive north brings you to the next stop.

Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven – 956 miles

Located on a rocky headland, the ruins of Dunnottar Castle offer dramatic views of the North Sea. Continue your trip with a 115-mile, approximately 2.5-hour drive to Inverness.

Inverness, Highlands – 1,071 miles

The charming city of Inverness marks the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, and its cultural capital. Take a 16-mile, roughly 30-minute detour to Loch Ness. Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle and take a boat ride on the loch – maybe you will spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster – before heading 123 miles, approximately 2.5-hour drive to Durness.

Durness, Highlands – 1,210 miles

Explore the remote village of Durness , known for its stunning beaches and limestone caves. Finally, begin the last leg of your journey, a 90-mile, roughly 2-hour drive to the final destination.

John o’ Groats, Scotland – 1,300 miles

Arrive at John o’ Groats , Britain’s northeastern tip, marking the end of your incredible journey. Here, you can explore the rugged coastline, dotted with wildlife and stunning views, either by foot or by taking a scenic boat tour to view seals and other sea life. You can also visit historic sites like the iconic signpost and the John O’Groats Mill, or take a ferry to the Orkney Islands for a day trip.

Preparing Your Car For This Epic Road Trip

Before embarking on the epic road trip from the tip of Land’s End to the top of John O’Groats, it’s essential that your vehicle is meticulously checked and prepared for the journey ahead . As your trusty companion, your car requires a thorough inspection to ensure its optimum performance on this demanding transnational journey, navigating approximately 800 miles of diverse British landscape.

Start with checking the condition of the tyres . These are the only contact between your vehicle and the road, so ensure they’re in top condition. Look for any signs of wear or damage, ensure the tyre pressures are correct, and check if the tread depth is within the legal limit of 1.6mm. 

A well-maintained oil filter can be the difference between a seamless journey through the British Isles and an unfortunate roadside breakdown. No surprise then, and as mentioned on sparepartstore24.co.uk, the car oil filter is an essential component. In fact, it is akin to the liver of your vehicle, detoxifying the engine oil of dirt and debris. Thus, ensuring its cleanliness and efficiency is tantamount to preserving the health of your engine.

Moreover, checking and replenishing essential fluids such as brake fluid, engine oil, and coolant will help in keeping your car working smoothly. Remember to top up your windscreen washer fluid too, as you may encounter plenty of bugs and elements whilst driving through the rural environments between Land’s End and John O’ Groats. And don’t forget to test your lights; having fully working headlights, taillights, and indicators is not just a legal requirement but a safety one too.

Once you’ve made sure your vehicle is mechanically sound, remember to pack essentials like a first aid kit, a warning triangle, a high-visibility jacket, and a spare tyre. It’s also wise to have some road snacks and drinks to stay energised during the journey.

Lastly, bring a good road map or ensure your satnav or smartphone has the latest updates installed – even in this interconnected era, signal loss can still occur in some remote areas, and we can’t always rely on car gadgets to see us through.

Investing the time to prepare your car for this journey will not only provide peace of mind, but it will also enhance your enjoyment of the trip. After all, this adventure offers a chance to fully appreciate the picturesque beauty of the British Isles – a seamless journey will allow you to do just that.

The Bottom Line

An epic adventure from Land’s End to John o’ Groats is a fantastic way to explore the cultural diversity and scenic beauty of the UK, and wow, what a rewarding exploration it’s been. Remember the journey is indeed more rewarding than the destination , and every mile is filled with potential for discovery. 

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19 Best Road Trips in the UK for Scenic Drives

March 19, 2024

The UK is home to some of the world’s best road trips , with lots of (both official and unofficial) routes zig-zagging across the entirety of the region.

So in this four-wheeled guide, we’ve brought you the 19 best road trips in the UK . I’ve covered routes in all parts of the region, and I’ve included short rides, long rides, coastal journeys, mountainous meanders, and everything in between.

Rev up that engine and come join the fun!

1. The North Coast 500

2. the northumberland coastal route, 3. the north pennines, 4. the arran ring road, 5. the a4069 black mountain pass, 6. the heart 200, 7. the trotternish loop, 8. the snow roads scenic route, 9. the causeway coastal route, 10. the central sperrins route, 11. the cambrian way, 12. the welsh coastal way, 13. the borders historic route, 14. the lake district loop, 15. the atlantic highway, 16. the south west coastal 300, 17. the high mournes scenic loop, 18. the norfolk and suffolk coasts, 19. belleek to teemore, before you go.

I’m starting with my favorite road trip in the whole of the UK.

A 500-mile (800km) loop around the most northern parts of mainland Scotland, the North Coast 500 is iconic and unmissable—and if you’re only going to attempt one ride on this list, you should definitely make it this one. I’ve done this loop twice, and I’ll definitely be doing it again.

People genuinely have no idea how beautiful or remote this part of Scotland is. Along the route, you get fishing villages, charming towns, massive mountains, some of the best beaches you’ve ever seen, and lots of the planet’s best landscapes. Some stretches are unbelievably otherworldly, and totally unlike any other part of the UK.

If you like hiking, you’ll love this ride—it takes you to some of the best, most rugged and most underrated walking spots in the UK, and you could spend years exploring new treks and trails in this area. For walks, I recommend Stac Pollaidh, Torridon, and the shoreside strolls on the west coast (but there are also way more).

For sheer variety and beauty, road trips really don’t get much better than this… and this is one of the best road trips in the UK.

• Location: Scotland
• Distance: 500 miles/800km
• Itinerary: Signposted loop beginning and ending in Inverness (or Applecross), and following the coast for the majority of the way
• Recommended Time: 5-21 days
• Highlights: Ullapool, Torridon, the Bealach na Bà, the tiny villages, the meandering roads, and the beautiful beaches

For me, the Northumberland Coastal Route is the very best road trip in England.

That might be because I’m from the area and I’m very very biased and I absolutely love the place I’m from… but it just might also be because it’s actually true.

If you like remote beaches, isolated shorelines, friendly fishing villages, massive castles, or gigantic portions of heavily-salted fish and chips, you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with this ride.

You start in Tynemouth, just east of the city of Newcastle . From here, you follow the coast all the way to Berwick-upon-Tweed, the last significant settlement before England becomes Scotland.

Along the way, you’ll pass some of my favorite places in the world, including Cresswell, Alnmouth, Amble, Seahouses, Bamburgh, Craster, Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle, and plenty more. If you want history and beaches without countless crowds, it doesn’t get better than this.

Though this is an incredible road trip, it’s actually most famous as the route for the ultra-beautiful Coast and Castles bike ride .

• Location: England
• Distance: Around 75 miles/120km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Tynemouth to Berwick-upon-Tweed, following the coast the entire way
• Recommended Time : 3-5 days
• Highlights: Tynemouth, Cresswell, Alnmouth, Craster, Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle, lots of friendly faces, lots of fish and chips, and a whole load of quiet towns and beaches

If you’re looking for underrated and under-the-radar, this is the best English road trip on our list.

I love the North Pennines. A bleak, barren and boggy range of peaks in northern England, this is the best mountainous area if you’re looking for remote, rural hikes without lots of other people.

It’s a very unique area. While most hilly regions are green and verdant, this place is sort of apocalyptic and empty, but in a strangely attractive way.

It’s also a great choice if you want a short trip—the route I’m recommending measures only 40 miles (65km).

Start in Lambley, a village famous for its massive viaduct. From here, head south to lovely Alston, my favorite town in the area. Keep heading south and you’ll hit Garrigill, Ashgill Force waterfall, and the ever-popular town of pretty Barnard Castle.

If you want to add a detour, I recommend hiking up Cross Fell , the tallest peak in the North Pennines. The highest point in England outside the Lake District, it sits at a lofty 893 meters (2,930 feet).

• Distance: Around 40 miles/65km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Lambley to Barnard Castle
• Recommended Time : 1-3 days
• Highlights: Lambley Viaduct, Alston, Ashgill Force, Barnard Castle, the optional detour to Cross Fell, and exploring a barren-but-beautiful area

Another circular Scottish route, this is one of the best road trips in the UK for completionists who like feeling as if they’ve seen the entirety of one particular place.

Off the west coast of mainland Scotland, you have the Isle of Arran… which is famously known as ‘Scotland in miniature.’

It comes with that reputation because it offers most of the same things as mainland Scotland. You get great beaches , excellent hikes , multi-day walking and cycling trails, fantastic food, friendly faces, varied wildlife , and some of the cutest coastal settlements you’ve probably ever seen.

If you want to see pretty much the entirety of the island, you can drive around its whole perimeter by riding the Arran ring road. It measures in at only 56 miles (90km), but it brings you close to everything you could want to see .

Make sure you hike up Goatfell, walk some stretches of the Arran Coastal Way , and spend some time exploring towns and villages.

• Distance: 56 miles/90km
• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in Brodick, following Arran’s entire coast in a big circle
• Recommended Time : 2-7 days
• Highlights: Seeing all of Arran’s highlights, some of the best beaches you’ve ever seen, the Arran Coastal Way, an ascent up Goatfell, and the settlements of Brodick, Lochranza and Blackwaterfoot

The A4069 Black Mountain Pass is only a short journey, but it’s the most famous road trip in Wales by a long way, and it’s absolutely incredible.

Sitting in the western side of the Brecon Beacons (a massive range of mountains in the south of Wales) , rides this short don’t normally have views this good. Famous for appearing on British TV show Top Gear, the route offers jagged peaks, massive passes, and some of the best panoramas that Wales has to offer.

Notorious for its tight bends, hairpin turns, suddenly-there sheep, and stomach-churning scenery, this is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. That said, it’s not as dangerous as some people like to pretend… so as long as you’re a competent driver, you’ll definitely be comfortable.

If you like mountains, or if you’re looking for a short but brilliant ride, this is one of the best road trips in the UK. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to stop for photographs (there are lots of laybys where you can pull in to get your camera out) .

• Location: Wales
• Distance: 20 miles/32km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Llandovery to Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, across the A4069 road in the Brecon Beacons
• Recommended Time : 1 hour
• Highlights: A short ride, an exhilarating adventure, hitting the most famous road in Wales, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery that the UK has to offer

The Heart 200 is one of the newest official road trips in Scotland. And unlike the North Coast 500, it takes you in a loop through the center of the nation, instead of on a tour around the outskirts.

The idea behind this ride is that it journeys through the heart of the nation, hitting lots of the most popular tourist spots. It runs between two excellent national parks: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and the Cairngorms National Park (which is the biggest national park in the UK).

In between those parks, you also hit Perth, Stirling, Pitlochry, Callander, Bridge of Allan, Loch Tay, Loch Earn, Loch Leven, and loads more great stuff. The whole route is signposted… which is useful, because the ride meanders a maze-like route through this part of the nation.

For lots of people, the highlights here are all the cute towns and villages, and there are dozens of tiny places dotted around the route. If you like exploring small settlements, this is one of the best road trips in the UK.

• Distance: 158 miles/320km
• Itinerary: Loop starting and ending in Perth or Stirling, following the official signposts all the way
• Recommended Time : 3-7 days
• Highlights: Perth, Stirling, Pitlochry, Bridge of Allan, Loch Tay, Loch Leven, and exploring the outskirts of two of the UK’s best national parks

Sort of similar to the Arran route I’ve outlined above, the Trotternish Loop takes you around an island. But this time, it’s the much-more-famous Isle of Skye —and you don’t see the entirety of the place.

Instead, you see the whole of the Trotternish Peninsula, where you’ll find lots of Skye’s most famous attractions. The most northern part of the Isle of Skye, the Trotternish Peninsula is a finger-shaped area full of attractions and adventures. The most famous parts of this place include the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, Mealt Falls, and the island’s capital of Portree.

But you’ll also see Staffin, Uig, Rubha Hunish, the Fairy Glen, the dinosaur footprints of An Corran Beach, and plenty more.

Even if you don’t make any en-route stops, the drive itself is still phenomenal, offering some of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Scotland. If you’re visiting Skye, you should absolutely drive along the Trotternish Loop.

• Distance: 50 miles/80km
• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in Portree, following the coast for pretty much the entire ride
• Recommended Time : 2-4 days
• Highlights: The Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, Mealt Falls, Rubha Hunish, the Fairy Glen, Portree, the dramatic drive itself, and seeing lots of Skye’s highlights in one big trip

If you want a real adventure, this is one of the best road trips in the UK. It takes you through some of the highest parts of the Cairngorms, the biggest (and arguably most impressive) national park in the UK.

Riding through some of the most mountainous parts of Scotland, the Snow Roads Scenic Route climbs through the highest public road in Britain (and, consequently, typically the first road to be hit by seasonal snowfall, which gives the route its name).

Because it’s so high, this is the best ride on our list for panoramic views—along the way, you’ll see lots of peaks and passes. The highest point is Cairnwell Pass, which sits at a loftily-impressive height of 670 meters (2,200 feet).

Full of tight turns and hair-raising switchbacks, you need to be fairly confident to drive this one. But the roads are well-surfaced, and the infrastructure is great (with lots of designated photo-grabbing opportunities along the way, which are purposely placed in the most scenic spots).

By road, there’s no better way to explore the Cairngorms… and this ride is a mountain-lover’s dream.

• Distance: 90 miles/144km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Blairgowrie to Grantown-On-Spey, following the signposts all the way
• Highlights: Cairnwell Pass, Tomintoul, Corgarff Castle , the photo opportunities, the winding roads, and seeing many Cairngorms highlights without ever needing to leave your car

The most famous road trip in Northern Ireland by a long way, The Causeway Coastal Route runs from Derry to Belfast along the northern and eastern coasts of the nation.

It’s most well-known for passing the Devil’s Causeway (the only UNESCO site in Northern Ireland, and the location that gives the route its name). Make sure you stop to see it—it’s one of the strangest geological oddities in this part of the planet.

But the highlights run way beyond that… you get beaches, coastal walks, some surprisingly good inland hikes, Dunluce Castle , Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge , and super-friendly towns and villages.

If you’re only going to tackle one road trip in Northern Ireland, you should probably make it this one. It’s a particularly good choice if you’re a big fan of detours — there are nine official side-trip loops along the route, and they all make your journey bigger, better, much more scenic, and a lot more adventurous.

You should also give yourself enough time to explore both Derry and Belfast, two excellent cities. Tiny Derry in particular is super charming, and it’s one of my favorite settlements in the UK.

• Location: Northern Ireland
• Distance: 130 miles/212km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Derry to Belfast, running all the way along the coast
• Highlights: The Devil’s Causeway, Derry and Belfast themselves, lots of excellent detours, endless coastal walks, Dunluce Castle, Carrickfergus Castle, seeing a massive chunk of Northern Ireland, and riding around the nation’s most famous road trip

In the northwest of Northern Ireland, you have the Sperrins, a mountainous area that takes up almost a quarter of the nation. They’re not the tallest or most well-known mountains in the area, but they’re brimming with hikes, drives, cycling routes, lakes, valleys, historical sites, and some of Northern Ireland’s most overlooked adventures.

In and around the entirety of the Sperrins, there are four official driving routes , taking you to various parts of the area. Of them all, the Central Sperrins Route is the longest, the most comprehensive, and (arguably) the best.

This particular route takes you very close to the summit of Sawel, the highest peak in the area. It’s not massive (measuring in at only 678 meters/2,224 feet), but it’s a great hike.

Other highlights along the way include Baronscourt Forest, Gortinglen Forest, Glenelly Valley, the climb up Mullaghcarn, the villages of Donemana and Sion Mills, and the medieval Aghascrebagh Ogham Stone.

And of course, if you want to add even more action and adventure to your ride, you can add an extra Sperrin road trip or two to your route (all four are joined to one another).

• Distance: 90 miles/145km
• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in various possible places, but the best choice is Strabane
• Highlights: Strabane, Baronscourt Forest, Gortinglen Forest, Glenelly Valley, the ascents up Sawel and Mullaghcarn, exploring an underrated part of Northern Ireland, and the exciting option of adding extra road trips

If you want to see lots of Wales and lots of mountains, The Cambrian Way is one of the best road trips in the UK.

The longest Welsh ride we’ve featured on our list, it’s an official route, and it’s probably the most popular road trip in the nation. It runs from the Welsh capital of Cardiff (right in the south of the nation) through to Conwy, a castled resort town on the nation’s northern coast.

But though it begins and ends in coastal territory, the route mainly passes over mountains. It runs through the Brecon Beacons, Elan Valley, the Cambrian Mountains, and parts of Snowdonia National Park.

If you want to take some hilly hiking detours, you have endless options. Snowdon is of course the most popular choice, but there are also lots of wanders in and around nearby Beddgelert. But don’t overlook the southern mountain ranges, which are quieter and arguably more interesting.

Non-hiking highlights include the narrow-gauge Brecon Mountain Railway , Gwydir Castle , and Adventure Parc Snowdonia , but there’s plenty more fun.

• Distance: 240 miles/386km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Cardiff to Conwy via the Brecon Beacons, Elan Valley, the Cambrian Mountains, and parts of Snowdonia National Park
• Recommended Time : 2-10 days
• Highlights: Endless hiking side-trips, Snowdonia National Park, Elan Valley, Conwy, Cardiff, and tackling the longest Welsh road trip on our list

Another official Welsh road trip, the Coastal Way is another south-to-north odyssey through Wales.

But instead of cutting inland through peaks and passes, it instead runs along the coast, taking riders along some of the nation’s best beaches and coastal settlements. The route meanders from St Davids to Aberdaron, following the coast pretty much all the way.

If you like seas, sands and shores, this is one of the best road trips in the UK. Some of the best beaches along the route include Whitesands Bay, Tywyn Beach, and Llangrannog Beach, but there are many more. Make sure you also stop off at the lovely seaside settlements of Abersoch, Cardigan, Aberaeron, and Llangrannog.

All of that said, this ride isn’t all beaches and bays—you also get some good inland hiking opportunities. The northern part of the ride runs west of Snowdonia National Park, while the southern Preseli Hills are great for low-level wanders.

Last of all, make sure you also spend some time in both St Davids and Aberdaron. While St Davids is the pilgrimage-famed smallest city in Britain, Aberdaron is a quaint former fishing village.

• Distance: 180 miles/290km
• Itinerary: Linear route from St Davids to Aberdaron, following the coast all the way
• Recommended Time : 3-10 days
• Highlights: Whitesands Bay, Tywyn Beach, Llangrannog Beach, Abersoch, Cardigan, Aberaeron, St Davids, the Preseli Hills, and seeing countless hidden highlights of the beautiful Welsh coast

The Borders Historic Route is the most underrated Scottish road trip we’ve featured on this list.

Starting from just inside England, the ride then runs all the way to Edinburgh, passing through some of the most history-stuffed parts of southern Scotland.

If you’re interested in history and heritage, make sure you check out Gilnockie Tower , Abbotsford House , and the National Mining Museum of Scotland . And of course, when you reach Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh , there’s plenty of historic stuff to explore there too.

Along the route, you’ll also pass some serene towns and villages, including Langholm, Hawick, Selkirk and Galashiels.

Broadly speaking, this route is very rural and quiet, with lots of rarely-visited settlements and attractions. If you’re interested in Scottish history, lowland Scotland, or being surrounded by few other tourists, you’ll definitely love this ride. It’s not the most dramatic or scenic route in Scotland, but it’s endlessly charming.

• Location: Scotland (and a tiny bit of England)
• Distance: 89 miles/143 km
• Itinerary: Linear waymarked route from Scots Dyke to Edinburgh
• Recommended Time : 3-4 days
• Highlights: Exploring an underrated part of Scotland, the settlements of Hawick, Selkirk and Galashiels, the borderland lowlands, the history and heritage, and an excellent finale in Edinburgh

For seeing very-famous places, this is definitely one of the best road trips in the UK.

The Lake District National Park is the most well-known hiking hub in the entirety of England, and masses of locals travel here for hiking, cycling, swimming, and various other outdoor adventures.

There are endless beautiful drives in and around the region, but for seeing lots of the highlights, here’s what I recommend…

Start in Ambleside, right in the middle of the park. Head east (via the shores of Ullswater) to Pooley Bridge, then cut west to Keswick and Cockermouth. From Cockermouth, head south to Broughton-in-Furness, then back to Ambleside to complete your route.

If you take no detours (though you probably will!), this ride clocks in at 110 miles (177km).

It’s impossible to squeeze all of the Lake District highlights into one drive, but this route does a pretty good job of doing exactly that. It offers Helvellyn, Coniston Water, Keswick, Windermere, Ullswater, all the places we’ve already mentioned, and some of the best panoramas of the park’s various areas.

If you have time, I recommend hiking up Helvellyn, and walking along the entire southern shore of Ullswater.

• Distance: 110 miles/177km
• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in Ambleside, via Ullswater, Pooley Bridge, Keswick, Cockermouth, and Broughton-in-Furness
• Highlights: Ambleside, Coniston Water, Keswick, Windermere, seeing the most famous national park in the UK, hiking up Helvellyn, and walking along the shores of Ullswater

Probably the most well-known driving route in England, The Atlantic Highway runs across some of the most famous beaches in the UK.

The ‘Atlantic Highway’, in truth, is just a better-sounding name for the A39 road, a beautiful drive that runs through a western part of southern England.

Though most people only drive from Bridgwater to Bude (which is around 100 miles/160km), I think it’s best to take the route a little further, traveling all the way from Bath to Newquay. If you take the longer route, it measures in at around 210 miles (338km).

Along the way, you’ll pass some of the best parts of the Devon and Cornwall coasts, which many people think are the best shorelines in the whole of the UK. And as another big perk, this is one of the warmest parts of the region, perfect if you’re trying to dodge shoddy weather.

One of the best road trips in the UK for seas and sands, it’s phenomenal. But be warned: it gets outrageously busy in summer… so you should expect lots of crowds and traffic, and you should try to tackle it outside of peak season.

• Distance: Around 210 miles/338km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Bath to Newquay, following the coastline all the way
• Recommended Time : 5-10 days
• Highlights: Bath, Bude, Porlock, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, lots of beaches, cliffs and sands, and enjoying the warm climes of the hottest part of the UK

The South West Coastal 300 takes you to some of the most overlooked parts of Scotland’s brilliant coastline.

Most people have heard about the northern and northwestern coastlines of Scotland… but way fewer know about all the treats and treasures on Scotland’s southwestern coast.

Some of the highlights include Ayr, Stranraer, Newton Stewart, the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, Girvan, Portpatrick, Moffat and Whithorn. Portpatrick in particular is a big local hotspot, and it’s one of my favorite seaside villages in Scotland.

You also get great seafood, rolling hills, mini lochs, and some underrated hiking opportunities. The entire route circles around Galloway Forest Park , which I think is the best walking region in southern Scotland. Best of all, because this area isn’t yet overrun by tourists, locals are super friendly and welcoming, and love chatting with visitors.

If you want beaches, hikes and villages without crowds, this is one of the best road trips in the UK.

• Distance: 300 miles/482km
• Itinerary: Signposted loop starting and ending in many potential places (but Dumfries is best)
• Recommended Time : 7-14 days
• Highlights: Newton Stewart, Girvan, Portpatrick, the stretch of coast between Ayr and Stranraer, Galloway Forest Park, great seafood, and enjoying coasts without crowds

The High Mournes Scenic Loop takes you through the most impressive part of the Mournes mountains, in the southern part of Northern Ireland.

If you’re looking for short but impressive, this is one of the best road trips in the UK, and it’s crammed with peaks, panoramas and passes at every twist, turn, and hairpin bend.

In and around the area, there are mountains, lakes, seaside views, and forests—so although the route only clocks in at 32 miles (51km), there’s a huge amount of variety. Best of all, the route skirts around Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland (with a highest point of 850 meters/2790 feet).

Start in the beautiful seaside town of Newcastle, then follow the B180 and the B27 roads, which will lead you to the village of Attica. From Attica, head east, and you’ll hit Annalong, a tiny marina-fronted village where most people end their trip. But I recommend not stopping here—instead, you should turn this trip into a loop by riding along the coast back to Newcastle.

It’s almost unbelievable how much beauty, variety and awe you can cram into a trip this small. If you’re short on time, I 100% recommend it.

• Distance: 32 miles/51km
• Itinerary: Loop beginning and ending in Newcastle
• Recommended Time : 1-3 hours
• Highlights: Newcastle, Annalong, climbing up Slieve Donard, pretty coastal views, the tucked-away lakes, and seeing what might just be the most dramatic mountains in Northern Ireland

Though they’re famous, the Norfolk and Suffolk Coasts (in the southeast of England) are often overlooked in favor of the coastlines in the southwest of England (where you find the Atlantic Highway, which we’ve already outlined).

But this region is absolutely beautiful, and it’s definitely worth exploring.

Because it’s such a big area, there are of course lots of routes you can attempt in the region. But I’m going to recommend driving from Felixstowe to Huntstanton, which is a pretty lengthy drive of around 180 miles (290km).

If you ride the whole route, you’ll hit the three best parts of the region: the Norfolk Coast Area of Natural Beauty, The Norfolk Broads, and The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Natural Beauty.

The coastlines are the most famous part of this ride, but this part of the nation also has some pretty good low-level hills and hiking… if you want a compromise between shorelines and mountains, you won’t find any better than this.

If you’re interested in birds, this is one of the best road trips in the UK—there are many RSPB reserves in this part of the region.

• Distance: Around 180 miles/290km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Felixstowe to Huntstanton, following the coast all the way
• Recommended Time : 5-8 days
• Highlights: Hunstanton, Blakeney Point (where you’ll find the largest seal colony in England), Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and the three officially-designated areas of natural beauty

Another great option for a short ride, the route from Belleek to Teemore is in an underrated part of Northern Ireland, and it’s brimming with endless lakeside views.

It’s not an official drive, but it’s one of my favorites… and it’s absolutely beautiful. But here’s the important part: when you tackle it, don’t take the direct route. Instead, follow the A46 out of Belleek, which will bring you along the southwestern shores of Lower Lough Erne.

One of the prettiest lakes in Northern Ireland, it’s full of great views, excellent picnic spots, and lots of tiny islands. Other highlights along this part of the route include the Cliffs of Magho , Blackslee Waterfall , and Tully Castle .

Eventually, you’ll hit the town of Enniskillen, which is great for an overnight stay. From here, pass both Lisnaskea and Teemore on a pretty ride which takes you over the shores of Upper Lough Erne.

During this part of the ride, make sure you check out the oddly-situated Hare Krishna Temple, which sits on a small island inside the lake.

When you get to Teemore, you’re super close to the Republic of Ireland border. I recommend crossing the border for even more adventures!

• Distance: 38 miles/61km
• Itinerary: Linear route from Belleek to Teemore, via Enniskillen
• Recommended Time : 1-2 days
• Highlights: The Cliffs of Magho, Blackslee Waterfall, Teemore, Enniskillen, the strange Hare Kirishna temple, lots of tiny islands, and endless lakeside views

And that brings us to the end of our guide to the 19 best road trips in the UK . Thanks for reading!

We compiled this list from our collections of the best road trips in England , the best road trips in Scotland , the best road trips in Wales and the best road trips in Northern Ireland . So for even more detail, rev on over to those.

And if you’re curious, here’s the answer to the popular question: How Long Does it Take To Travel Across Great Britain?

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Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. He's hiked, hitchhiked and laughed his way through more than fifty countries, and he's always looking for a new place to call home. Originally from Newcastle, he's lived all over the UK, spent more than three years in Asia, and most recently lived in Vietnam and then in Georgia.

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UK Road Trip Itinerary Planner | The 7 Best Routes

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: January 29, 2024

If you love to take to the wheel and you’ll be visiting the UK at some point in the future, then you need to find the perfect UK road trip itinerary! This UK road trip planner aims to help you pin down the ideal 1 week, 10 day or 2 week UK road trip itinerary to follow during your visit. 

Featured in this guide are 7 of the best road trip routes in the UK. Whether you want a 10 days in England itinerary, would rather spend a week in Wales or have 10 days to discover Scotland, this post showcases the very best that the UK has to offer. 

Don’t plan a road trip in the UK without reading this first! From the Scottish Highlands to the sunny south coast of England and wild, unspoiled Wales, here are seven of the best UK road trip itineraries. But first, a few pointers on how to use this guide.

Cherry-picking

Pace yourself, the great british weather, driving in the uk, 1. the cotswolds and the south of england, 2. wonderful wales, 3. the english countryside, 4. the south to north circular, 5. capital to capital (london to edinburgh), 6. devon and cornwall, 7. bonnie scotland, which uk road trip itinerary will you follow, how to use this uk road trip itinerary planner.

You could follow these itineraries over whatever period of time you have at your disposal, but we’d say you need at least a week.

A fortnight means you can spend more time in each place, while ten days means having to rush around a little less than when you have only 7 nights to spare. 

The key thing to remember here is that it’s your UK road trip, not ours! So you can of course cherry pick where you want to go and leave out anywhere that doesn’t really interest you. 

If you think about it, doing that means you could fit in two of these itineraries, back-to-back, over a fortnight. Rather than just one. Having said that…

A holiday is all about having fun. Or at least it should be. For that reason, we urge you not to try to pack too much in. Pace yourself and you might just enjoy yourself a whole lot more. 

When you’re not sure about where you really want to go, ask yourself this. Would you be really disappointed if you missed out on visiting this place? Or are you not really all that bothered? If you’re not feeling the love and aren’t too fussed about it, then is it really worth spending the time and money on going there? 

Wherever you go, be prepared for the weather to take over. British people often seem to talk about little else. Whether you’re in northern Scotland, west Wales or central England, the maritime climate of the British Isles means that the weather can be very changeable. 

Dress in layers, take along a packable rain jacket and an umbrella, pick the right footwear and you’ll be prepared for anything. 

Before you draw up that UK road trip map, you’ll need to think about driving around the country. Booking car hire before you go is always advisable, especially if you want a particular kind of vehicle. Such as an automatic – cars with manual transmission are still the norm in the UK. 

In the UK they drive on the left. Cars are thus right hand drive. Meaning that the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. If you’re from North America, Europe or any other area that drives on the left, then this may feel very different from what you’re used to!

Roads in the UK are generally well-maintained. Signs measure distances in miles rather than kilometres. In the interests of safety, it’s a good idea to look at the Highway Code before you set off, as this will familiarise you with the rules of the road in the UK.

We recommend preparing to drive in the UK with Tripiamo which is the most comprehensive guide for Americans driving abroad.

Their guides include instructional videos and interactive 360-degree driving tours and will teach you everything you need to know about driving abroad, from reading road signs to avoiding fines. Drive safely and confidently in the UK with the help of Tripiamo.

7 best UK road trip itineraries

This suggested road trip itinerary for the UK commences in Oxford. If you make all the stops, you’ll visit the Cotswolds, Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge , Portsmouth, Winchester, Brighton, Dover and Canterbury. 

• Heathrow/Oxford -> The Cotswolds -> Bath -> Salisbury & Stonehenge -> optional Portsmouth and/or Winchester -> Brighton -> Dover -> Canterbury 

Depending on whether you want to embark on your road trip right away or spend some time in London first, you can collect a hire car for this Cotswolds and southern England road trip either at Heathrow Airport or in Oxford.

Don’t bother trying to drive in central London – it’s congested, expensive and almost completely devoid of any parking whatsoever!

Here’s where to stop when you want to explore the Cotswolds and the south of England. As well as five of the best things to do in each of these locations.

If you choose to begin in Oxford , this historic and academic city has lots to offer. It’s packed with very old buildings, including the many colleges making up the prestigious University of Oxford. Some of these were featured in the Harry Potter movies . 

Oxford also offers the Ashmolean Museum, which focuses on art and archaeology. You can also take a river cruise on the Thames, which is a lovely way to see the city. The Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum are also well worth a look. 

• Oxford University and city walking tour
• Ashmolean Museum of art and archaeology
• Sightseeing river cruise on a small electric boat
• Harry Potter tour of Oxford filming locations
• Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

If you’re spending time in southern England, then you must visit the Cotswolds . This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all greenery and honey-toned local stone, and dotted with appealing towns and villages. 

Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are the two most popular spots, but there are so many villages you can visit. Check out the 10 best Cotswolds villages in this post, or use the suggestions below.

Find things to do and places to stay in the Cotswolds in our complete guides.

• Stow-on-the-Wold Market town with traditional pubs and antique shops
• Bourton-on-the-Water On the River Windrush with honey-toned stone buildings
• Lacock Home to Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful, ancient buildings 
• Bibury Timeless village where you can find photogenic and historic Arlington Row
• Painswick The Queen of the Cotswolds with Rococo gardens and a grand churchyard

Bath is a spa city in the west of England. It’s world famous for its original Roman Baths, handsome Georgian architecture and the Bath bun. Other top places to visit in Bath include Pulteney Bridge and the luxurious Thermae Bath Spa. 

Discover a Bath itinerary , where to stay and what to do in our Bath guides.

• City walking tour with Roman Baths entry
• Pulteney Bridge
• Thermae Bath Spa
• The Royal Crescent 
• Bath Bun at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House and Museum

Salisbury & Stonehenge

So many visitors to the UK want to see Stonehenge. The mysterious stone circle can be found close to Salisbury , making it easy to visit both. 

Salisbury is a small city with a magnificent cathedral, a good museum and a bi-weekly market. You can also enjoy views of the city from Old Sarum, two miles away. 

• Stonehenge World Heritage Site
• Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta
• Salisbury Charter Market | Tuesdays and Saturdays
• The Salisbury Museum | Stonehenge and local archaeology
• Old Sarum | Deserted hilltop ruins with panoramic city views

Portsmouth – optional

An optional trip to Portsmouth will particularly appeal to anyone interested in maritime history. The city is home to the historic dockyard, the Mary Rose and HMS Victory. Other sights to see include the Spinnaker Tower, and you can shop at the Gunwharf Quays outlet centre too. 

• Spinnaker Tower
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
• The Mary Rose
• HMS Victory
• Gunwharf Quays | Outlet shopping

Winchester – optional

Like Salisbury, Winchester is a small cathedral city. There’s an interesting military museum here. Other places to visit include the Winchester Science Centre, the Great Hall and Winchester College.

• Winchester Cathedral
• The Royal Green Jackets Museum
• Winchester College
• The Great Hall
• Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Brighton makes a great day trip from London – or you can stay over as part of a road trip around the UK. With a grand pier and a pebble beach, Brighton is Britain’s most popular city by the sea. 

Things to do here include shopping at The Lanes, seeing the Royal Pavilion and going on the i360. The Seal Life Centre is also popular with families. 

• British Airways i360
• The Lanes | Cafes, shops, pubs, boutiques and restaurants
• Brighton Palace Pier
• The Royal Pavilion
• Sea Life Brighton

Dover 

Dover is best known for the iconic white cliffs, but there are other attractions here too. These include St Margarets Bay beach, Dover Castle, the Fan Bay Deep Shelter and the Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery.

• White Cliffs of Dover
• Dover Castle
• St Margarets Bay beach
• Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery
• Fan Bay Deep Shelter

Canterbury is the capital of Kent, the county known as the Garden of England. The cathedral here is a draw, and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England. 

You can also explore Westgate Gardens here, and visit Howletts Wild Animal Park or The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge with the kids.

• Canterbury Cathedral
• Westgate Gardens
• Official guided walking tour
• Howletts Wild Animal Park
• The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge 

Our wonderful Welsh itinerary begins in Oxford, in England, before heading via the Cotswolds to Bath. You can find out what to do in those locations under the Cotswolds and South of England itinerary above. Or read on to discover all that Wales has to offer. 

• Heathrow or Oxford -> The Cotswolds -> Bath -> Cardiff (optional) -> Brecon Beacons -> Barmouth -> Porthmadog -> Snowdonia -> Caernarfon -> Anglesey -> Llandudno -> Chester -> Liverpool (optional) -> Peak District -> Stratford -> Oxford/Heathrow

Cardiff is the cool capital of Wales. Top things to see here include Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, the Principality Stadium and home of Welsh rugby, and the National Museum. You can also take a Doctor Who walking tour of the city!

• Cardiff Castle
• Principality Stadium
• National Museum
• Doctor Who walking tour

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Bannau Brycheiniog, formally known as the Brecon Beacons, is the ideal place for outdoor sorts to stretch their legs. As well as hiking, you can cycle, try watersports, stargaze or do some rock climbing here.

• Mountain biking
• Watersports
• Rock climbing

The seaside town of Barmouth in northwest Wales is a pretty place to explore. Here you can spend time at Barmouth Beach, walk over Barmouth Bridge, see the harbour, discover Old Barmouth or hike the Taith Ardudwy Way. 

• Barmouth Beach
• Barmouth Harbour
• Taith Ardudwy Way hiking trail
• Old Barmouth
• Barmouth Bridge

Porthmadog is also a coastal town in Gwynedd. Things to do in this Welsh destination include visiting Black Rock Sands, two miles from town. You can also see the harbour village of Borth-y-Gest, Criccieth Castle, take a ride on the famous Blaenau Ffestiniog railway and spend time in the I talianate village of Portmeirion.  

• Blaenau Ffestiniog railway
• Black Rock Sands beach
• Borth-y-Gest village
• Criccieth Castle
• Portmeirion village

Snowdonia ( Eryri )

This mountainous part of northwest Wales is home to Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), Wales’s highest mountain.

The area is popular among hikers, and also known for the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway. Apart from exploring Eryri (Snowdonia National Park), taking a train ride and conquering the peak, you can also visit the National Slate Museum or go to Harlech beach and castle.   

• Scale Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon)
• National Slate Museum
• Snowdon Mountain Railway
• Harlech Castle and beach
• Eryri (Snowdonia National Park)

Caernarfon is known for its majestic castle, but there are other absorbing places to visit in this royal Gwynedd town. These include Gypsy Wood Park, the Beacon Climbing Centre and the picturesque village of Beddgelert. You can also find the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum at the castle. 

• Caernarfon Castle
• Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum
• Gypsy Wood Park
• Beacon Climbing Centre
• Beddgelert village

Anglesey is an island off the northwest coast of Wales. It offers the mediaeval capital of Beaumaris, historic sites and beautiful beaches.

You can also see the Menai Suspension Bridge built by Thomas Telford, trek the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path, head to Llanddwyn Island and beach, or explore Plas Newydd House and Gardens.

• Mediaeval Beaumaris
• Menai Suspension Bridge
• Llanddwyn Island
• Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path
• Plas Newydd House and Gardens

Llandudno is a popular Welsh resort town . It has everything you’d expect from a British seaside spot, including a pier, gaming arcades, beaches and more. Here you can also add the Great Orme Tramway, North Shore Beach, Great Orme Mines and Rhiwledyn nature reserve to your to-do list. 

• North Shore Beach
• Great Orme Tramway
• Llandudno Pier
• Great Orme Mines
• Rhiwledyn nature reserve

Chester is a historic city with many Roman remains. It’s actually in England, but just a short hop over the border. Things to do here include shopping at The Rows, seeing the Roman walls and amphitheatre, visiting Chester Racecourse – which is the oldest in the UK – and ancient Chester Cathedral. 

• Roman walls
• Chester Cathedral
• The Rows shopping
• Chester Racecourse
• Roman amphitheatre

Liverpool – optional

There is so much to see and do in Liverpool . The most famous band in the world bar none came from the English city in northwestern England, and you can trace the tale of their success by visiting The Beatles Story or taking a Magical Mystery tour by bus. 

Two cathedrals, a major football stadium with a museum and the River Mersey are also musts. You can also find more things to do and places to stay in our Liverpool articles. 

• River Mersey sightseeing cruise
• Beatles Magical Mystery bus tour
• Liverpool Football Club stadium and museum
• Anglican and Catholic cathedrals
• The Beatles Story

Peak District

The Peak District National Park is another of those outdoor spaces that offer so much scope for active people. Here you can hike or bike, or follow the Pennine Bridleway on horseback. 

Visit the lovely spa town of Buxton, too, and don’t miss out on trying a Bakewell pudding in the town of the same name. This sweet treat is more widely known as a Bakewell tart, but locally is always called Bakewell pudding!

Discover where to stay in the Peak District here

• Horse riding
• Hiking the trails
• Try Bakewell pudding in Bakewell

Stratford-upon-Avon

The birthplace of William Shakespeare – the most famous playwright who ever lived – is a pretty town on the banks of the Avon river. Packed with historic and literary attractions, things to do here include seeing a play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). 

You can also visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford , plus Anne Hathaway’s thatched, half-timbered cottage, or go to Stratford Butterfly Farm and the MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.

• Shakespeare’s birthplace
• Stratford Butterfly Farm
• Anne Hathaway’s cottage
• Royal Shakespeare Theatre 

England is known as “this green and pleasant land”, so seeing the countryside can be a real highlight of touring the UK. While our itinerary includes a few cities, they are small and picturesque picks that complement the countryside. 

Places to include are the Peak District, Yorkshire, the Lake District and the Cotswolds. See the above itineraries, too, for a more in-depth look at locations already featured in this guide.

• Heathrow -> Cambridge -> Peak District -> York and Yorkshire -> Lake District -> Liverpool -> Chester -> Cotswolds (and Bath) -> Salisbury/Stonehenge -> Heathrow 

Academia and punting along the River Cam are what spring to mind when anyone thinks of Cambridge . You can tour the colleges here, including King’s, and also absorb all the history on a guided walking tour. The Fitzwilliam Museum of Art and Gin Laboratory are also popular.  

• University of Cambridge tour
• The Fitzwilliam Museum
• Punting on the Cam
• Cambridge Gin Laboratory
• Historic walking tour

York and Yorkshire

The city of York and the large northern county of Yorkshire have so much to offer visitors from the UK and overseas. Head to the city for history and urban beauty, or go to the Yorkshire dales and moors to see swathes of unspoiled countryside. 

If you do visit York, don’t miss the Minster, or wandering among the shops and cafes of The Shambles. The Chocolate Story is also great for fans of the sweet stuff (and who isn’t?)

You can also find out what to do in Yorkshire and where to stay in York in our guides.

• York Minster
• Yorkshire Moors
• The Shambles | Cafes, restaurants and shops
• Yorkshire Dales
• York’s Chocolate Story

Lake District

The Lake District in Cumbria is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The area is known for its dramatic bodies of water, and it is dotted with historic market towns. The Lakes also has literary associations, a thriving foodie scene and lots of camping shops. 

Things to do include sampling sticky toffee pudding (it was invented here), discovering the history of Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, walking to Aira Force waterfall and visiting Lake Windermere. 

Discover where to stay in the Lakes and the best towns and villages in our Cumbria articles

• Lake Windermere
• The World of Beatrix Potter
• Aira Force waterfall.
• Try sticky toffee pudding
• Beatrix Potter tour with lake cruise

There is so much to see and do in Liverpool . The most famous band in the world bar none came from the city in northwestern England, and you can trace the tale of their success by visiting The Beatles Story or taking a Magical Mystery tour by bus. 

• Heathrow/Oxford -> Cambridge -> Lincoln -> York and Yorkshire -> Whitby -> Durham -> Northumberland Coast then via Hadrian’s Wall to Lake District -> Yorkshire Dales -> Peak District -> Cotswolds -> optional Bath/Salisbury/Stonehenge -> Heathrow 

Lincoln is a little off the beaten track when it comes to British cities, but it’s a place with so much to offer. The cathedral and castle here are incredible, as are the galleries and museums.

We recommend The Museum of Lincolnshire Life and The Usher Gallery art museum, and a stroll up Steep Hill, which will lead you to the castle via shops, cafes and pubs. 

• Lincoln Cathedral
• Lincoln Castle
• The Usher Gallery
• The Museum of Lincolnshire Life

Fish and chips, colourful beach huts, Whitby Abbey, a fascinating insight into science during Victorian times and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum all await in Whitby. 

Much of the scampi consumed in the UK is caught in the waters here, so sampling fish or seafood and chips is de rigueur. Look out for goths, too, Whitby being a favoured hangout among lovers of black attire and white makeup. 

You can also find more places to go in Whitby here .

• Whitby Abbey
• Fish and chips
• Beach huts at West Cliff beach
• The Museum of Victorian Science
• The Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Durham can be somewhat overlooked, but it’s a delightful and compact university city in the north of England. The castle and cathedral are both outstanding.

Other attractions to visit include Hall Hill Farm, the Oriental Museum at Durham University, and a wander along the banks of the River Wear. 

• Hall Hill Farm
• Durham Cathedral
• Oriental Museum
• Durham Castle
• Walk along the banks of the River Wear

Northumberland

Northumberland is England’s hidden coastal gem. It also has more castles than any other county. Think windswept, near-deserted beaches, cliff-top castles and rolling countryside, and you get the idea.

There are some breathtaking buildings to visit, such as Cragside in Rothbury and the castles. The Alnwick Garden is also well worth your time. 

Also discover the best places to stay and top coastal cottages in Northumberland

• Bamburgh Castle
• Alnwick Castle
• Alnwick Garden
• Northumberland coast

Hadrian’s Wall

The Hadrian’s Wall site of Vindolanda features Roman remains, and is one of the key spots to visit when travelling between Northumberland and Cumbria. The Roman fort at Birdoswald is also worth stopping for. You can also follow various trails in the area, or drop into the Roman Army Museum. 

• The Chesters Trail
• Roman Army Museum
• The Corbridge Trail
• Birdoswald Roman fort

• London -> pick up car at Heathrow -> Cotswolds and Stratford -> Peak District  -> York and Yorkshire -> Durham -> Northumberland -> Edinburgh 

Also, discover the best places to stay and top coastal cottages in Northumberland

Scotland’s capital city is steeped in history, has swathes of glorious Georgian architecture, and scenic parks and squares. There’s also world-class dining and shopping, and the mediaeval Royal Mile. Also not to be missed are Edinburgh Castle and the New Town. You could also take a Harry Potter walking tour or a city tour by hop-on, hop-off bus.

Also find the best ghost tours of Edinburgh , top Edinburgh tips , and great Edinburgh accommodation options

• Edinburgh Castle
• Hop-on, hop-off bus tour
• Royal Mile | The Old Town
• Magical Harry Potter walking tour
• New Town | Elegant Georgian architecture

If you want to explore the sun-drenched (well sometimes) southwest of England, check out our southwest corner road trip itinerary here . 

For 10, 14 and 18-day Scotland road trip itineraries, click here . 

Whether you want to drive around the UK for a week, ten days, a fortnight or longer, we hope this guide has inspired you to visit this glorious land.

With so much to see and do yet relatively short distances between places, you really can pack a lot into a short time when visiting the UK.

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Unmissable UK Road Trips & Scenic drives

Planning a UK road trip? Wondering where you can go on a scenic drive around Great Britain and want some ideas and itineraries for places to visit in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland? No worries- we’ve got you covered. Here are 12 of the best UK road trips and scenic drives- and how to make the most of them!

Don’t forget to grab your FREE road trip planner below to help you stay organised.

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

JUMP AHEAD TO...

UK ROAD TRIPS- getting started

Whether you’re visiting the UK from elsewhere or planning a staycation during these uncertain times, I can assure you that there is LOADS to see and do on a self-drive tour of Great Britain.

If you’re going for a weekend, a week or even a longer trip of 2 or 3 weeks, there will be plenty for you to enjoy.

We’ve been exploring the UK for years, both on motorhome holidays and before and we have lots of tips to share.

In this post, we’re highlighting 12 of our favourite UK road trips of all times. If you’d like more help actually planning the trip, you might find these useful:

• How to plan an unforgettable UK road trip (step-by-step with map)
• The best FREE printable road trip planner
• How to tour the UK and Europe by motorhome
• Hiring a motorhome or campervan – essential things to know
• Some of the best motorhome sites in Wales (including near the beach!)

BEST UK ROAD TRIPS- 5 English scenic drives

We love roadtripping in England and have enjoyed many parts of the country, but it can take longer to drive around England than you might think.

It’s been tough to choose, but here are a few of our favourites (to see more unmissable England road trip ideas , click here)

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Cotswolds road Trip

One of the prettiest UK road trip ideas for England has to be the Cotswolds.

This entire area is full of picturesque villages, pretty roads and incredible views over the rolling English countryside- as long as it’s a clear day! 

Cotswolds road trip itinerary

I’d recommend starting in Salisbury, a beautiful cathedral city with plenty to do and see. There are great  shops and plenty of bars and cafes to get you started.

Whilst there, you have to head out to Stonehenge and see the world-famous stone circle. You can see it quite well from the road, but there are often long queues as everyone slow down to take photos. We once spent an incredible night wild camping next to Stonehenge with our motorhome – the sunrise was one of the best we’ve ever seen!

From Salisbury, head into the Cotswolds ‘proper’. Some of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds include Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe- both have been called the prettiest villages in England. You can drive around as many villages in the Cotswolds as you have time for and there are plenty of places to stay in the area if you want to explore for a few days.

Alternatively, head to Bath for an overnight stay (unless you’re in a motorhome and can use Britstops or a campsite. Bath is another beautiful city, built from yellow stone which looks spectacular in the evening light. I highly recommend staying a night (or two) and enjoying afternoon tea at the Pump rooms (an English tradition), as well as exploring the city on foot. 

Devon Road Trip

Famed for its scenery and cream teas, Devon is one of the most popular UK road trip destinations, especially for families. It’s not too far from London or the rest of the UK and there’s plenty to see and do.

Devon road trip ideas for one-week

There are so many options for road trips in Devon that it’s hard to choose where to start. For me, my heart lies in the south as I spent a lot of my early adulthood there.

Picturesque towns like Salcombe and Dartmouth, Exmouth, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe all have a wonderful quiet charm. If you truly want to get away, park up and enjoy some of the best hikes in the UK up on the notorious Dartmoor.

For more life, head to Exeter or Plymouth- these cities have a huge range of activities and things to do. One of our favourites is the Dartmoor Zoo (home of the REAL ‘we bought a zoo’ story)

If you are enjoying your UK road trip in a motorhome or camper, be careful where you stay overnight- motorhome wild camping is not easy in many places around here. But there are plenty of campsites and other places you can use.

Highlights and some of the best places to visit in Devon

• Dartmouth- one of the best towns in the county
• The incredible beaches at Westward Ho! or Saunton Sands
• Paignton- the beach with the red sand
• Salcombe Harbour

TOP TIP: If you have time, extend your holiday to include a Hampshire & Dorset road trip too- there are some amazing places to see on the South coast of England.

Cornwall road trip

If you’re looking for a UK road trip ideas, head to Cornwall.

This beautiful county is one of the best destinations in the UK— the weather is often better than elsewhere in the UK, the beaches in Cornwall are spectacular and the local food includes mouth-watering pasties, cream teas and ice cream (now is NOT the time to be on a diet!)

There is so much to do, you’ll never see it all in a weekend or even a week, but there are some highlights you should definitely visit.

Highlights of a Cornwall road trip

• Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave – home of King Arthur!
• Land’s End
• Boscastle- the village of the witches!
• Minack Theatre
• St Michael’s Mount
• Newquay for surfing and general coolness
• St Nectan’s glen- one of the best and most beautiful waterfalls in Europe

For a full list of the best places to visit on a Cornwall road trip, visit our Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary & Guide

Yorkshire Road Trip

Yorkshire is England’s largest county and the perfect place for the road trip. There are many attractions quite close together, so you can explore a lot in a short period of time. You could ‘cover’ Yorkshire in a couple of days but to truly appreciate all it has to offer we recommend at least one full week.

Highlights of a Yorkshire one-week UK road trip

• England’s highest single-drop waterfall- Hardraw Force
• The longest show cave in England- White scar
• Ribblehead Viaduct
• Stand on Hogsmeade station (or at least the station which played it in Harry Potter!)
• Numerous castles and ruins to visit

Yorkshire Road Trip Itinerary ideas

Start your road trip in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Visit the 11th century Skipton Castle or descend underground to see the formations in White Scar Caves, the longest show cave in England.

Choose between the waterfalls of Ingleton, Aysgarth Falls or Hardraw Force- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. Before leaving the Dales, visit the impressive monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.

Be sure to visit York. This pretty city is an ideal location for history buffs. You can visit Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian sites all in one day! Be sure to stroll along the cobbled Shambles, which has been voted the ‘ Best Street in Britain.’

Head onto the moors to end your Yorkshire road trip. Stop at Goathland train station which doubled as Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter movies. Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike at the Hole of Horcum, a huge ancient natural amphitheatre.

Lake District Road Trip

The Lake District National Park is a perfect UK road trip idea. A UNESCO site, it’s beautifully maintained and the scenery is incredible.

Many people hurry past on their UK road trip itineraries from England to Scotland, but it’s well worth making the time to stop if you can.

Best scenic drive destinations in the Lake District

The Lake District has some of the worlds best scenic drives and a trip along the Honister Pass and Kirkstone Pass are a must, as are the pretty towns of Keswick and Cockermouth.

The Castlerigg stone circle is also worth a stop and the views across Derwent Water are spectacular.

In the South Lakes, Grasmere is delightful. This is the region of William Wordsworth (famous poet) and there’s plenty to see here to remember him. Be sure to also enjoy Sarah Nelson’s delightful gingerbread and visit one of the many tearooms.

If you love Beatrix Potter, you can learn more about her at her home in Hawkshead and also at Wray Castle, where she enjoyed her holidays. There is also Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere. 

If you’re not exploring in a motorhome or campervan , there are plenty of places to stay, from rustic B & Bs to breathtaking hotels. There are also loads of outdoor activites to enjoy, whatever the weather.

READ MORE: Discover more itinerary ideas for our favourite England road trips

NC 500- one of the most famous UK road trips

The NC500 has been voted one of the UK’s most scenic drives, with spectacular scenery, incredible beaches and unmissable views across the Highlands.

The route is just over 500 miles long, will take around 3 or 4 days and takes in parts of the Highlands in the north-west of Scotland. Some of the roads are very narrow, but there are plenty of passing places, even if you’re motorhoming or campervanning in Scotland.

You can start the route wherever you want, go clockwise or anticlockwise and do all or just part of it. We chose to do half of it before heading off to explore other things to do in Perthshire and the surrounding areas.

Along the NC500, you will encounter beautiful white sand beaches with incredibly clear water, incredible mountain views, the Smoo Cave, one of the largest in Scotland and the Kylesku bridge.

There are plenty of lovely hotels and B & Bs along the route, many of which provide views across the sea or the Scottish highlands. Traditionally, the route begins in Inverness, although you can join and leave it anywhere. We include part of it in our  complete Scotland road trip Itinerary , which is a great option for those who want to see as much of Scotland as possible in a limited time.

Planning a trip to Scotland?

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Grab our complete Scotland travel planner and get:

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Highlights of the NC 500 include:

• Inverness- the most northerly city in the UK
• Bealach Na Ba- the UK’s steepest road. Do NOT attempt this with a motorhome (or if you’re a nervous driver!)
• Clachtoll Beach 
• Kylesku Bridge
• John o’Groats 

READ MORE about driving the NC500

Isle of Skye road trip

The  Isle of Skye  is one of the most famous islands on the west coast of Scotland and attracts a lot of visitors each year.

Highlights of an Isle of Skye road trip include:

• Fairy Pools
• Talisker Distillery
• Old Man of Storr hike
• Dunvegan Castle
• Neist Point

It’s possible to add Skye onto the NC500 and visit for the day, but it’s well worth spending 3 days in a road trip here to really see some of the incredible sights.

READ MORE: Our full 3-day Isle of Skye itinerary and tips for visiting

SWC300 – hidden UK road trip gem

The south of Scotland is an excellent destination for a UK road trip or staycation as it’s far off the ‘popular’ tourist track.

The South West Coastal 300 (SWC300) is a scenic drive around the south-west of Scotland. It passes through parts of Ayrshire, runs along the coast of Dumfries and Galloway and crosses into the Moffat and Galloway Hills. 

SWC300 road trip itinerary ideas

It can take 4-5 days to see everything, but the best part is the drive around the Mull of Galloway peninsula, so focus your time here.

Start by exploring the southernmost point of Scotland and visit the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse – from the top, you can see the coast of Northern Ireland, the Lake District and the Isle of Man.

The picturesque harbour of Portpatrick offers plenty of places to enjoy dinner. Other highlights on the SWC300 include Culzean Castle on the coast and the Dark Sky Park in the Galloway Hills.

Brecon Beacons – Perfect UK Road Trip idea

The Brecon Beacons is one of three national parks in Wales and is full of scenic drives perfect for road trippers looking for an adventure. It’s one of the most under-rated road trip destinations in the UK.

The Gospel Pass- one of the most scenic drives in the UK

The highest driving road in Wales is called the Gospel Pass- snaking over the Black Mountains from Abergavenny to Hay-on-wye on the east of the Beacons.

From Abergavenny, turn off the A465 at Llanvihangel Crucorney and follow signs for the ruins of Llanthony Priory. From Hay-on-Wye, the Gospel pass is sign-posted.

CAUTION- The Pass is 22 miles of often single track, very steep (1/4) and is rarely cleared in winter. Motorhomes might find it tough and snow chains are essential in winter. 

Driving the Top Gear Road

You can also drive to the west of the Brecon Beacons (the A4069,) This is the road made famous by Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear (no, this is NOT the same road as the Gospel Pass!) The road runs from Brynamman to Llangadog.

Gower Peninsula – Wales

The Gower peninsula is a perfect stop on UK Road Trip. It’s a small peninsula on the southern Welsh coast, just west of Swansea.

Highlights of a Gower road trip include:

• Worm’s Head.
• Gower beaches- including Caswell and Landland, where you can find everything you need for a day on the beach: ice cream, parking and shops.
• Also, don’t forget to go on a proper coastal hike.  The easiest of them all is actually the hike between the two aforementioned beaches. 
• The Mumbles is where we spent our very first night ‘ wild camping off-grid’ in our motorhome . DEFINITELY worth a visit.

Pembrokeshire Road Trip

The Pembrokeshire Coast is in the far south-west of Wales. The road follows the coast with numerous little beaches, beautiful castles and small towns.  The further west the smaller the roads become and more rugged the landscape.

Highlights of Pembrokeshire road trip include:

• Caldey Island
• Pembroke and Pembroke Castle
• Manobier Castle
• Skomer Island (puffins!)
• St David’s- the smallest city in the UK

Pembrokeshire road trip itinerary ideas

Tenby is a small seaside town and has beautiful beaches. If you have time, a visit to Caldey Island is highly recommended.

A short distance from Tenby is Pembroke.  This is one of the larger towns and you can’t miss Pembroke Castle. Even more impressive is the nearby Manobier Castle that looks over a small bay perfect for surfing.

If seeing puffins is on your bucket list then visit Skomer Island. This small island is home to thousands of puffins and it’s practically guaranteed to see them in summer. 

The final destination to visit in Pembrokeshire is St David’s.  This is the smallest city in the UK and has a beautiful cathedral and small winding streets- as well as one of the best pasty shops we’ve ever found!

Snowdonia – one of the UK’s best road trips

If you’re looking for a weekend UK road trip idea, head to one of the prettiest National Parks in the UK- Snowdonia in Wales. Snowdonia is actually part of two of the Wales Way driving routes – North and Cambrian and it’s easy to see why.

Snowdonia is amazingly well connected to most places in the UK- the drive from Manchester takes around 2 hours (80 miles)

Pretty much everything in Snowdonia involves being outdoors, so make sure you bring appropriate clothing for the time of year. You should always expect rain in Wales, even in mid-summer, but it can also be surprisingly warm. There are plenty of great roads with spectacular scenery and the stars at night are unreal. If you don’t have a motorhome or campervan, there are plenty of hotels or glamping spots in North Wales to enjoy.

Be sure to add the Swallow Falls to your itinerary – it’s one of the prettiest waterfalls in the UK and well worth the easy hike and the small fee to visit.

Want more tips for planning the ultimate UK road trip , including a map and how to make the most of your time? Here you go!

Northern Ireland Scenic Road Trip idea

The Causeway Coastal Route is in the north of Northern Ireland. Highlights include:

• Giants Causeway
• Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
• Dunluce Castle
• Dark Hedges (you can actually drive down this road)

READ NEXT: More Ireland road trip ideas and tips to make the most of your trip

Northern Ireland road trip itinerary idea

Head early to the famous Giants causeway to get there at opening time. It’s about a 90 minute drive from Belfast.

The nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bride connects the mainland to the tiny Carrickarede island and crossing on foot is an exhilarating experience. Expect to queue for a while to get across, but it’s worth the wait.

Another unique stop on the route is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Castle which hang precariously above the sea below.

Don’t miss the Dark Hedges. This road of arching 18th Century beech trees features in the HBO Series  Game of Thrones  and is one of the most beautiful roads in Ireland.  It can be easy to drive right past it as it was surprisingly badly signposted when we visited- and expect crowds. LOTS of crowds. You can also drive down it- if you’re motorhoming in Ireland be VERY nervous about this- I’m not even sure you’ll make it in a campervan!

How long does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?

You can comfortably drive the whole route in one weekend as it’s quite a short route- only 200 miles.

Planning a UK ROAD TRIP? Tips to help

If you’re planning a UK road trip, there are a few things to know which will make your life easier.

• It rains. A lot. Whenever you’re coming, bring a coat.
• The best weather is usually May-October. In 2018 it was blissful from April all through the summer. In 2019 I was still wearing my winter coat during May.
• School holidays are around Easter, during end of July and throughout August and a week in mid-October. Try to avoid planning your UK road trip during these if you can.
• We drive in ‘miles’ (imperial), but we buy fuel in litres (metric).
• Currency is in GBP- not Euros.
• Carry small coins (anything from 10p to £1) Many car parks require change to pay.

How else can we help you today?

• Help me plan a motorhome trip
• Show me the best road trips in Europe
• Give me the best road trip driving songs playlist

See all our road trip tips and advice

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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The 3 greatest road trips in Britain: hop in you car or jump on your bike

Feb 9, 2022 • 7 min read

Get a taste of Britain's landscapes and culture on these three great road trips © Joe Dunckley / Shutterstock

Take  a road trip through the three nations of Britain .  England , Scotland , and Wales  each have great driving routes to follow, providing a snapshot of that country’s history, culture and landscape. 

Travel by car or bike, as fast or slow as you like. You can follow a rigid itinerary, but it’s more fun to use each route as inspiration, branching off to reach other nearby locations as the fancy takes you. Here are three of the greatest road trip routes in Britain.

Drive the Great West Way from London to Bristol

From London , a route has aimed westwards for millennia. Early humans traveled across the open chalk-lands and left their mark in the great monuments like Stonehenge . Later, the Romans constructed a military highway between Londinium (London) and Aqua Sulis (now the city of Bath ). Later again, the road from London to the port of Bristol , gateway to the New World, became the world’s first stage coach route. 

Today, you can follow the Great West Way in the footsteps of these early travelers and still enjoy epic landscapes, old inns, and the palpable sense of history. 

The modern road from London to Bristol traditionally starts at Hyde Park Corner , then saunters through the upmarket shopping area of Knightsbridge, past famous stores such as Harrods. For more cerebral attractions there’s the Victoria & Albert Museum , a treasure trove of art and craft. 

The Great West Way continues through London’s western suburbs, passing the outstanding botanical collection in the Unesco-listed Kew Gardens , where you can see giant redwoods, follow a treetop walkway, and tour a steamy glass-paned Victorian hot house. Further west still, travelers with a taste for adrenaline can divert south to Thorpe Park and sample some of Britain’s highest, fastest, and scariest roller-coaster rides. 

Peace is restored beyond the large town of Reading, as the route breaks free of suburbia and enters a more bucolic landscape of gentle rolling hills. Along the way, look out for historic milestones marking the distance from London. If you need refreshment, stop at one of the many old coaching inns set up in the 18th century to cater for stage coach traffic. If shopping’s your thing, browse till you drop in the beautiful old towns of Hungerford and Marlborough. 

Next, the Great West Way plunges into Neolithic history. Just to the north is Avebury Stone Circle , the largest stone circle in the world. Get up close and personal to the ancient standing stones, which date from 2500 to 2200 BCE, before stopping at one of the cafes or pubs in the village of Avebury. To the south is West Kennet Long Barrow , a burial chamber as old as the Pyramids of Egypt. Its low-key setting is part of the attraction: no entry fee, no souvenir sellers, just you and 5000 years of history. 

Onwards, over Cherhill, where the hillside is topped by a giant monument and an even larger white horse cut into the chalk hilltop. In Chippenham, music fans can pay their respects at the Eddie Cochran memorial, and movie fans can divert north to the delightful village of Castle Combe, frequently used as a film set, from the original Dr Doolittle  (1967) to Spielberg’s War Horse  (2011). 

Then comes Bath , famed for its hot springs and Roman bathhouse that gives the city its name. Its grand mansions of the early 19th century show how the city was reinvented as a playground for aristocrats, an era most famously captured by Jane Austen . Tour filming locations for the TV series  Bridgerton , soak in a rooftop pool at the delightful  Thermae Bath Spa , or enjoy one of the city's many fantastic places to eat.

And finally, the route ends in  Bristol , a port where fortune was built on trade with the Americas, importing sugar and enslaved people – in 2020, the city made headlines when Black Lives Matter activists tore down a statue of slave trader Edward Colson. Today, the city is a cultural and artistic hotbed , perhaps most famous as home of street artist Banksy. The waterfront has been transformed, lined with galleries, museums, shops, and cafes – the perfect spot to end your journey.

Follow the Snowdonia 360 in north Wales  

As the name implies, the Snowdonia 360 is a 360-mile (580km) circuit around Snowdonia , the mountainous region in north Wales. Because it’s a circuit, you can of course begin anywhere, but the town of Conwy – with its imposing castle and city walls – can be easily reached from other parts of Britain, so makes an ideal start-point. 

Travel west along the coast to Bangor, and admire the historic bridge across to the island of Anglesey , where you might like to visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch , an otherwise unremarkable village with the longest place-name in Britain. For more superlatives, a diversion inland takes you to Zip World , boasting the longest and fastest zip-wire in Europe. 

Next stop is Llanberis, from where you can hike up Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, or hop on the delightfully eccentric steam-driven Mountain Railway built in the Victorian days and still going strong. For history of a different sort head to  Caernarfon Castle , where the mammoth battlements date from the 13th century and still dominate the town today. 

The Llŷn Peninsula offers great beaches such as Pwllheli, while from Portmadog another steam train ride will carry you up into the surrounding mountains. For a very different view, you can go under the mountain and explore vast slate caverns near Betws-y-Coed with activity specialist Go Below.  

If time allows, a southern loop takes you to Machynlleth, billed as the “ancient capital of Wales”. Today it has a relaxed and artsy ambience thanks partly to the trailblazing  Centre for Alternative Technology , an education center full of interactive displays that demonstrate ways to be sustainable.

On the final stretch back to Conwy, visit Surf Snowdonia , an inland lagoon with guaranteed waves, where perfecting your carve may be the perfect end your tour on the Snowdonia 360.

Admire the scenery on a drive of Scotland's North Coast 500  

The North Coast 500 , an epic loop around the northwest Highlands of Scotland, should take you several days at least – firstly because it’s around 500 miles (800km); secondly because some of the roads are narrow and meandering; and thirdly because it leads through some of Britain’s most impressive scenery. This is a truly elemental landscape where earth and water meet, with narrow sea-lochs cutting deep inland and sheer mountainsides plummeting to the coast. 

The best start-point is the Highland hub of Inverness , from where the route leads westwards to reach remote Applecross via the notoriously steep road of Bealach-na-Bà. Then it’s true north, past the rugged glen of Torridon and the famous gardens of Inverewe , unexpectedly lush with tropical plants thanks to the benevolent Gulf Stream. 

Beyond the small but busy port of Ullapool , where ferries chug across to Stornaway, the route enters a vast and empty wilderness, with settlements few and far between – a legacy of the brutal 18th-century "Clearances" – to finally reach Durness overlooking the Atlantic where the next major landmass is Iceland. 

The roller-coaster run along the north coast leads to tiny settlement of John O’Groats, famous for being the final point of the across-Britain challenge from Land’s End in Cornwall frequently attempted by walkers and cyclists. Stop to admire the view here and you may also see an exhausted record-breaker stagger to the finish line. 

The final stage of the route leads southwards, along the east coast, less mountainous and with less rain than its western counterpart, via the gritty outpost of Wick and the quaint town of Dornoch, famous as the site of two historical events: the last witch to be executed in Scotland (1722); and Madonna’s wedding to Guy Ritchie (2000). 

Get into the groove for the final few miles of the North Coast 500 alongside the Cromarty Firth, to end your journey back in Inverness, perhaps enjoying a glass or two of local Scotch whisky to celebrate.

You might also like: Lonely Planet reveals the 10 best travel experiences in the UK    These epic UK hikes deserve a place on your adventure bucket list    The 5 most phenomenal road trips in Wales

David Else traveled to Wales by invitation of Caernarfon Castle, Zip World, and Go Below in 2019.

This article was first published August 2020 and updated February 2022

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17 of the Most Amazing UK Road Trips

• Last Updated 5 April 2024

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The UK is full of amazing road trips for your travel bucket list! With miles of rugged coastline, idyllic rolling countryside, epic mountainscapes, and historic towns and cities… there’s just so much to discover!

Road tripping is my new favourite way to explore my home country, and after taking on two incredible journeys in Wales and Scotland recently I’m hungry for more! So, I’ve asked a bunch of amazing local travel bloggers to share their favourite road trips in the UK.

From the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands, to the adventure-filled landscapes of the Welsh national parks, to the varied coastlines of England, and everything in between!

So fill your boot with luggage, load up your SatNav, programme the perfect road trip playlist on Spotify, and get out there. Enjoy…

North Coast 500, Scotland

The cambrian way, wales, causeway coast, northern ireland, jurassic coast, england, the kintyre 66, scotland, atlantic highway, england, pembrokeshire, wales, scottish highlands, northumberland coastal route, mourne coastal route, lake district, england, south west coastal 300, norfolk coast road trip, welsh coast, lands end to john o groats (england & scotland), 17 uk road trips for your bucket list.

Recommended by: Maja, Away with Maja

• Start: Inverness
• End: Inverness
• Length: 516 miles 
• Suggested Time: 7-10 days

ROUTE: Inverness – John O’Groats – Durness – Lochinver – Ullapool – Torridon – Inverness

The North Coast 500 is one of the most epic road trips you can take in the UK. Starting in Inverness and taking in the remote corners of northern Scotland, you’ll discover white sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, and unique landscapes.

While you can rush through the North Coast 500 in 3 or 5 days, I recommend taking at least a week – or even longer. Particularly if you’re wanting to get outdoors (such as hiking Ben Hope, the most northern Munro in Scotland), or planning to take day excursions like Cape Wrath or Handa island.

Some of the most stunning beaches are Sandwood Bay and Achmelvich Bay. And don’t miss the historic sites like Dunrobin Castle and Ardvreck Castle. Driving Bealach na Bà, the steepest ascent of any road in the UK, isn’t for the faint-hearted. But the views are spectacular! Don’t miss this amazing Scottish road trip.

Recommended by: Me!

• Start: Cardiff
• End: Llandudno
• Length: 180 miles 
• Suggested Time: 4-5 days (longer if you want to climb Snowdon)

ROUTE: Cardiff – Brecon Beacons – Rhayader & Elan Valley – Snowdonia National Park – Conwy – Llandudno

Follow the Cambrian Way on this seriously stunning road trip right across the heart of Wales . Start in Cardiff and make your way north following the A470: the longest A-road in Wales and one of the most scenic drives in the UK!

Pass through the stunning mountain scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park, wind your way through the valleys and lake-lands of mid-Wales, and finally twist and turn through the dramatic scenery of Snowdonia National Park and up to the north coast.

You could stay on the same road the entire way! But it’s worth detouring at times in search of scenic stops and winding mountain roads. Check out my Wales road trip itinerary for a full breakdown of all the best stops!

Recommended by: Faith, XYUandBeyond

• Start Point:  Belfast
• End Point: Derry       
• Length: 190 km
• Suggested time: 7 days

ROUTE: Belfast – The Gobbins – 9 Glens of Antrim – Bushmills – Dark Hedges – Giant’s Causeway – Dunluce – Carrick-a-Rede – Mussenden Temple – Derry

The  Causeway coastal route  begins in Belfast and ends in Derry (Londonderry) and covers around 200 miles of dramatic coastline. This is definitely one of the best road trips in the UK! Begin in Belfast and head east towards Islandmagee, where you can do the famous Gobbins Cliff Walk.

Head north through the Glens of Antrim to Cushenden the heart of the Glens. This section of your road trip is scattered with ruined castles, iconic Irish villages, Game of Thrones locations, and absolute jaw-dropping scenery.

Onwards to Ballycastle, where you can see Rathlin Island – Robert the Bruce’s hideway. In Ballycastle take time to enjoy some traditional music and fine Irish cuisine in the pubs. A short journey will take you to the Dark Hedges, then back up to the coast to Bushmills for a whiskey tasting session and tour.

From Bushmills, head out to the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Downhill Strand and the iconic Mussenden Temple is your next stop, and then onto Derry (Londonderry) to soak in some Irish history with a visit to the murals of Derry and the Bloody Sunday memorial.

Recommended by: Me! ( Dorset coast road trip itinerary here )

• Start: Bournemouth
• End: Exmouth
• Length: 95 miles 
• Suggested Time: 3 days

ROUTE: Bournemouth – Studland – Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door – West Bay – Lyme Regis – Beer – Exmouth

A 95-mile stretch of coastline boasting 185 million years of history, the Jurassic Coast is justifiably one of the most famous places in southern England . It’s also an epic location for a road trip, with idyllic beaches, rugged cliffs, cute seaside towns, and fossils galore!

Starting from Bournemouth, take the chain ferry across Poole Harbour to Studland to visit Old Harry Rocks. These chalk stacks off the Isle of Purbeck mark the easternmost point of the Jurassic Coast. From there, drive along the coast to Lulworth Cove. Visit the picturesque beach there, then walk over the cliffs to the Durdle Door.

Next, visit the seaside towns of Weymouth – with its colourful fishing harbour – and Lyme Regis, home of Victorian fossil collector Mary Anning. Finally, make your way into Devon to visit the white chalk cliffs at Beer, before passing a few more quaint beach towns on your way to Exmouth.

Recommended by: by Kathi from Watch Me See

• Start: Tarbert
• End: Tarbert
• Length: 66 miles 
• Suggested Time: 2-5 days

ROUTE: Tarbert – Isle of Gigha – Mull of Kintyre – Campbeltown – Carradale – Skipness

The Kintyre 66 (K66) is a new road trip around the Kintyre peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. Often called Scotland’s only “mainland island”, it is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land and otherwise surrounded by water.

Kintyre offers pristine beaches and remote bays, charming villages and wildlife sanctuaries. You could easily drive the K66 in a day, or fill a whole week with activities and places to visit – it would be a shame not to explore the area in-depth.

The region is packed with things to do for outdoorsy types, whisky lovers, and foodies. A highlight is the ferry ride to the Isle of Gigha to visit its stunning Twin Beaches and kayak in turquoise waters. The golf course in Machrihanish is considered one of the most scenic courses of Scotland. And the ruins of Skipness and Tarbert castles round off the perfect trip!

• Start: Bath
• End: Newquay
• Length: 200 miles 
• Suggested Time: 2-3 days (or more)

ROUTE: Bath – Barnstaple – Bude – Tintagel – Padstow – Newquay

Often touted as one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Atlantic Highway is a section of the A39 running from Barnstaple to Fraddon, near Newquay. With rich forests, pretty seaside villages, and rugged coastline as you descend into the southwest, it’s easy to see why!

Although the Atlantic Highway officially starts in Barnstaple, one of the best UK road trips starts in Bath and follows the A39 all the way down into Cornwall. As you drive you’ll pass through 3 counties and some spectacular scenery.

Pass through the Exmoor National Park, then on to the stunning bays and beaches lining the coast from Barnstaple to Bude. From there, the A39 travels inland slightly, but you can detour back to various stops along the coast. Such as the beaches at Bude, the castle at Tintagel, or the picturesque harbour town of Padstow.

Recommended by: Bella from Passport & Pixels

• Start: Tenby
• End: Fishguard
• Length: 90 miles 
• Suggested Time: 5-7 days

ROUTE: Tenby – Pembroke – Barafundle Bay – Skomer Island – Solva – St David’s – Porthgain – Fishguard

This Pembrokeshire road trip starts in the cute and colourful seaside town of Tenby, then pretty much hugs the coast all the way around the county in a clockwise direction. Along the way, you can stop at two historic castles, several gorgeous sandy beaches, more jaw-dropping coastal scenery than you can handle, the UK’s smallest city, and – if you visit in the summertime – puffins!

There are plenty of activities to fill your road trip, including cold-water swimming, coasteering, or walking the coast path. If that all sounds too much like hard work, enjoy all the charming village pubs and cafes you’ll pass instead.

You can see all the sights in five days, but if you want to make the most of the hiking opportunities you might need a whole week. You won’t regret staying longer – Pembrokeshire is one of the prettiest parts of the UK. The great thing about a road trip here is that everything is really close together so you never have to do much driving.

Recommended by: Victoria from Guide your Travel

• Start: Edinburgh
• End: Edinburgh
• Length: 450 miles 
• Suggested Time: 10 days

ROUTE: Edinburgh – Dundee – Stonehaven – Aberdeen – Inverness – Fort William – Edinburgh

The Scottish Highlands are almost made for a road trip. With incredible scenic locations and dozens of historic cities and towns, there’s plenty to see and do.

Start your trip in the capital Edinburgh , where you can visit incredible places like Edinburgh Castle and the impressive Arthur’s Seat. Drive north, visiting other places of interest like Dundee and St Andrews, before making a stop in Stonehaven, a little beach town that prides itself in having Scotland’s best fish and chips.

You can also visit the impressive Dunnottar Castle, which sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean. If you have time you can stop by the city of Aberdeen and some of its stunning beaches, before heading west to Fort William through the incredible Cairngorms National Park. Finally, head back to Edinburgh via the famous landscapes at Glencoe and Loch Lomond!

Recommended by: Tracy from UK Travel Planning

• Start: Alnmouth
• End: Alnwick
• Length: 59 miles 

ROUTE: Alnmouth – Craster – Embleton – Beadnell – Seahouses – Bamburgh – Holy Island of Lindisfarne – Alnwick

This drive takes you along the  Northumberland Coast ,  passing through stunning countryside and seaside fishing villages. It features some of England’s most beautiful castles, a tidal island (once home to the Lindisfarne Gospels) and the biggest second-hand bookshop in Europe.

Spend your first night in one of the fishing villages such as Craster or Beadnell, and enjoy a beach walk and fish and chip supper. On day two, visit Bamburgh Castle before heading over to explore the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the ruined Priory. Check tide times when planning!

Fans of Harry Potter shouldn’t miss Alnwick Castle, which was used as a filming location in the movies. Finally, curl up with a book at the famous Barter Books, located in a Victorian railway station in Alnwick.

READ MORE: 15 Epic Road Trips in England

Recommended by: Joanna from The World in my Pocket

• Start: Gloucester
• End: Gloucester
• Length: 100 miles 
• Suggested Time: at least 2-3 days

ROUTE:  Gloucester – Bourton-on-the-Water – Moreton-in-Marsh – Broadway – Stow-on-the-Wol – Lower Slaughter – Bibury – Painswick – Castle Combe – Cirencester – Gloucester

Taking a  road trip in the Cotswolds  is one of the most beautiful ways to explore the British countryside. Stretching over six different counties, the Cotswolds can be explored on a weekend trip or on a week-long holiday, depending on how much time you have to spare.

You should also spend some time exploring the historic town of Gloucester and nearby Cheltenham at the start or end of your road trip.

There are plenty of things to do in each of the villages. If you want to really explore each one, you won’t be able to visit more than 5 villages a day. I highly suggest dividing your time in the Cotswolds, and planning your road trip either in the North or in the South.

There are picturesque villages in each. The most famous in the north is Bourton-on-the-Water, while in the south it’s Castle Combe. Keep in mind that the roads in the Cotswolds are not the fastest! You may spend quite a bit of time in traffic – but it’s worth it for one of the most scenic road trips in the UK!

READ MORE: 2-3 Day Cotswolds Driving Itinerary

Recommended by: Allan from It’s Sometimes Sunny in Bangor 

• Start: Belfast
• Suggested Time: 3-4 days

ROUTE: Belfast – Bangor – Ards Peninsula – Downpatrick – Newcastle – Mourne Mountains.

On the island of Ireland, there are 4 significant road trip routes that connect the entire coast of the island. In the Republic of Ireland, it’s the Wild Atlantic Way  and the Ancient East. Then in Northern Ireland in the UK you have the Causeway Coastal Route and the Mourne Coastal Route road trips.

The Mourne Coastal Route follows the lesser travelled east coast route. This is known for its quaint fishing villages and scenic seaside towns. Follow the picturesque coastal roads of Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula, before reaching the majestic Mourne Mountains.

There are many highlights along the route, including Mount Stewart, Castleward (Winterfell), and Tollymore Forest Park. But the main draw, really, is the scenery in between each stop.

Recommended by: Helen in Wonderlust

• Start: Windermere
• End: Ambleside
• Suggested Time: 3-5 days

ROUTE: Bowness-on-Windermere – Ullswater – Keswick – Eskdale – Ambleside

The Lake District, in North West England, is the perfect place for a road trip. The main tourist hotspots in the Lakes are Windermere and Keswick, but there are hundreds of great places in between to add to your  Lake District itinerary .

Starting at Lake Windermere, I would explore the village of Bowness-on-Windermere, which has plenty of shops and restaurants. From there, make your way up to Ullswater, which is often called England’s prettiest lake.

Head next to the market town of Keswick, which is a great base for exploring all over the North Lakes. From there, pass through Buttermere, an incredibly photogenic lake that is perfect for a bit of wild swimming.

The next stop could be wild and untamed Eskdale, which is famed for glorious walks, waterfalls and swimming holes. From there, make your way to Ambleside, on the northern shores of Lake Windermere, for a final night of relaxation.

Recommended by: Cazzy from Dream Big Travel Far

• Start: Dumfries
• End: Dumfries
• Length: 300 miles 
• Suggested Time: 2-3 days

ROUTE: Dumfries- Caerlaverock Castle- Mull Of Galloway- Stranraer – Maybole – Ayr – Sanquhar – Lockerbie – Dumfries 

The South West Coastal 300 is the perfect road trip to explore Scotland and all it has to offer. From spectacular landscapes, pristine coastlines, and exciting adventures, to delicious food and fascinating history, this road trip lets you pack so much into just a couple of days.

South West Scotland is a treasure trove of majestic hills and stunning lochs. There is so much to discover, including historical sites and iconic sceneries. Some highlights include the epic Caerlaverock Castle and Culzean Castle.

The SWC300 is a loop of 300 miles, starting and ending at the lovely town of Dumfries, though you can start and end anywhere along the route. It passes through regions like Stranraer, Ayrshire, and Wanlockhead, and reaches up to Scotland’s southernmost point: Mull of Galloway.

The route is made up of mostly quiet country roads, making it suitable for cars and campervans alike. Three days and two nights is perfect to make the most of the SWC300.

Recommended by: Izzy from The Gap Decaders

• Start: Norwich
• End: Kings Lynn
• Length: 110 miles 
• Suggested Time: 5 days

ROUTE: Norwich – Wroxham – Winterton-on-Sea – Cromer – Blakeney – Brancaster – Hunstanton – Kings Lynn

This Norfolk road trip starts in the historic city of Norwich, and takes you through the glorious Norfolk Broads and along one of the UK’s most unspoilt coastlines. Perfect for a car or  motorhome road trip , there’s lots to do and see along the way, including a few good old-fashioned seaside resorts, some great country pubs and lots of opportunities for getting on the water.

Highlights include crabbing from the harbour in Blakeney and taking a boat trip to see the local seal colony, fresh Cromer crab eaten on the pier in this quintessential seaside town, and taking a sailing trip along one of the beautiful and tranquil broads.

Head east from Norwich to Wroxham, the capital of the Broads, before making your way to the coast and following the road north, stopping at whichever beach or pretty town takes your fancy!

Recommended by: Sinead from Map Made Memories

• Start: Ingleton, Yorkshire Dales
• End: Whitby, Yorkshire Coast
• Length: 117 miles 
• Suggested Time: 5-6 days

ROUTE: Ingleton – Malham – York – Yorkshire Moors – Whitby

Yorkshire is one of the best places in the UK for road trips. There’s such a diverse range of landscapes to discover!

Explore the waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails around Ingleton before heading to Malham Cove. This 230ft-high natural stone amphitheatre featured in the Harry Potter movies.

Allocate a day to hike Malham’s spectacular circular trail. Visit the historic city of York to tour York Minster, walk the medieval-era walls, or browse one of the city’s museums.

Drive across the windswept Yorkshire Moors, stopping to hike into the Hole of Horcum, a natural amphitheatre 400 feet deep and ½ mile across. Detour to the car-free village of Robin Hoods Bay to wander its cobbled lanes and fossil hunt on the sandy beach.

End your road trip at Whitby on the  Yorkshire Coast . Climb the town’s 199 stone steps to the clifftop ruins of Whitby Abbey, or enjoy a world-famous fish and chip dinner.

Recommended by: Abi, Inside the Travel Lab

• End: Liverpool
• Length: 870 miles 
• Suggested Time: 10-14 days

ROUTE: Cardiff – Brecon Beacons – Laugharne – Pembroke – St Davids – Aberystwyth – Snowdonia – Anglesey – Llandudno – Llangollen – Liverpool

Driving around the horseshoe shape of the Welsh coastline is one of the best road trips in Wales – and the whole UK! Start at Europe’s youngest capital in Cardiff before swapping city sights for wild landscapes, rugged cliffs, and some of the best beaches in Europe.

Highlights include the National Parks of the brooding Brecon Beacons and puffin-strewn Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. And, of course, Wales’s highest peak at 1024 metres in Snowdonia.

Follow the literary footsteps of Dylan Thomas through his former home in Swansea and writing bolthole in Laugharne.

Then test your mettle (and your linguistic skills) against the dizzying heights of the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Llangollen.

And, of course, there’s the traditional British seaside experience in Llandudno. Eat fish and chips, watch Punch & Judy and stroll along the sweeping Victorian pier. 

READ MORE: 6 of the Best Road Trips in Wales

• Start: Land’s End
• End: John O Groats
• Length: at least 837 miles (for the most direct route)
• Suggested Time: 7 days

ROUTE: Lands End – Bristol – Stonehenge – Oxford – Peak District – York – Lake District – Dumfries – Glasgow – Loch Lomond – Inverness – John O Groats

Last up, it’s the ultimate in UK road trips: a country-crossing journey from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in northernmost Scotland.

It’s really up to you how you get from A-B. The UK is vast and there are loads of incredible stops along the way.

You could take the most direct route and get there as fast as possible. Or, meander through England and Scotland stopping off at some of the historic cities, stunning national parks, and picturesque villages along the way. The route outlined above is just to give you an idea!

UK Adventure Bucket List

Best Long Distance Bike Rides in the UK

15 of the Best Road Trips in England

Have you done any of these UK road trips- or any others? Share your experiences in the comments!

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Road Trip England – 10 of the Best Routes

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The tiny country of England is famous for its long history, the Royal family and quaint traditions. It is also known for impossibly pretty villages, hedgerow-lined country lanes and a wonderfully diverse landscape and coastline, all of which make England a must for travelers.

Perfect for a road trip, England is small enough to get around easily, meaning you can see more of the country in less time! From the capital city of London, most of the country and its attractions can be reached by car in a day!

We’re Brits who are addicted to being on the road and have years of experience road tripping in England. We got together with some road trip pals and have put together a round-up of our favourite road trips in England for you, to help you see the very best of this amazing country.

Are You in the Right Place?

England is a country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , also known as the United Kingdom or UK for short. The other countries in this sovereign state are Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is not a country but a landmass, which is home to the countries of England, Scotland and Wales.

The British Isles is the name of the group of islands which are made up of Great Britain, the entire island of Ireland, The Isle of Man, The Isles of Scilly, The Channel Islands (including Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Alderney) and lots of other much smaller islands.

So, if you’re looking for road trips around the rest of the UK , in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, check out these awesome posts. If you’re in the right place, then read on for the very best English road trips!

• For Northern Ireland and the Causeway Coastal Route >>> Causeway Coastal Route: The Best Road Trip In Ireland?
• For the North Coast 500 , Loch Ness , Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands >>> Eight Incredible Scotland Road Trips
• For the Brecon Beacons National Park and Snowdonia National Park >>> Wales Road Trip – A Stunning Route & Itinerary

Getting to England

Fly into London’s airports of Heathrow, Gatwick, Standted and Luton for the south of England, Birmingham for the Midlands and Newcastle and Manchester for the north of England. We recommend booking through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

You can hire a car  at any of these airports and be on your chosen UK driving route within an hour of landing. Book your rental car well in advance and use a car hire booker like Rentalcars.com  who will provide the best deals from all the top car hire companies.  How?  Because they have such a large market share, they’ve got way more buying power than individuals and can negotiate much harder on price.

For a real adventure , hire a motorhome or campervan in the UK. We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Best Time to Take an England Road Trip

December to february.

The winter months in England are generally cold and wet. It is likely to be even colder and wetter, and possibly snowy, in the north, which can cause disruption on the roads. Although other visitors will be thin on the ground, this would be our least favourite time to road trip England!

March to May

Late spring is a wonderful time for visiting England, as the cold and wet retreats. Wildflowers appear, baby animals abound and life picks up a lively pace again – we Brits even start to wear t-shirts! But, remember that England is so lush because it rains, so always be prepared for a downpour, or a few drizzly days at this time of year.

June to August

Summer brings sunshine to all of England, with Devon and Cornwall getting the best of the warm Gulf Stream weather. The south coast enjoys the hottest summer with temperatures well into the 70s, whilst East Anglia is the driest part of the country. This is the perfect time to road trip around England, especially if you want to stop and hike or spend time enjoying the beautiful coastline.

September to November

Autumn is a fantastic time to visit England . The roads will be quieter but the weather still warm, and the glorious colours of autumn bring vibrancy to the countryside. Don’t leave your trip to England too late though, it will be cold and wet again by mid-October!

Is this your first time visiting the UK? Get all the information you need in our United Kingdom Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

The Best Road Trips in England

The yorkshire coast.

Explored by Hannah of Get Lost Travel Blog

For some of the most diverse and dramatic views on an England roadtrip, you’ll want to explore the Yorkshire coast. This seven day road trip will take you from the seaside town of Whitby to the stunning nature reserve at Spurn Point, as you meander between the eastern edge of the desolate North York Moors and the coast.

Stops along the route include Robin Hood’s Bay, Scarborough, Filey, Flamborough and Hornsea. However, with so many beautiful stops available on the Yorkshire coast, you can easily customise the trip to fit your preferences.

The Yorkshire coast is renowned for its striking natural beauty and undulating bays and headlands, created by the unique geology of the coastline. This road trip includes the best seaside towns, shingle and sandy beaches and natural wonders along the coast.

To make the most of each stop on the trip, you will ideally want to spend one night at each destination. However, Whitby’s charm and Scarborough’s nostalgia could easily tempt you to extend your stay to two nights in both these locations. 

• Whitby is a charming seaside town full of unique handicraft stores and spectacular cliff-top views. Similarly, the neighbouring Robin Hood’s Bay is a smaller but equally enchanting town you don’t want to miss. 
• One of the oldest seaside resorts in the UK, Scarborough is a town packed with the nostalgia of a traditional British seaside escape. From donkey rides on the beach and penny arcades to fish and chips and fairground rides, you’ll find plenty of memorable  things to do in Scarborough .
• The final stop on the road trip is the remarkable Spurn Point. This narrow peninsula is over three miles long but only 50 metres wide in parts. It is an incredible walking trail and nature reserve to explore.

The Lake District

Explored by Phil & Izzy of The Gap Decaders

The rugged Lake District in Cumbria is known as ‘Wordsworth Country’ and boasts some of the most scenic roads in the United Kingdom. Whether you’re looking to get away from it all or have an adventure, this road trip has something for everyone, and is one of the best road routes in England for active families and couples.

Head for the busy towns of Ambleside and Keswick or find peace and quiet by one of the sixteen beautiful bodies of water in this stunning English national park. Enjoy great hiking, biking and outdoor activities in the warmer months, or spend time on the water, with boat hires, kayaking and SUP all on offer. 

Start your Lake District road trip at Ullswater, the second largest of the national parks lakes. Ullswater is nestled amongst some of the best fells the area has to offer and is home to the stunning Aira Force waterfall.

To the west of Ullswater, Keswick is a busy market town that lies between the natural beauty of Derwentwater and the imposing Skiddaw mountains.

Hike up to the prehistoric Castelrigg stone circle, literally surrounded by fells and sky in every direction, or try an easy trail like Catbells, which also has the added benefit of incredible views of the rugged and far-reaching landscape.

At the southern end of Derwentwater is the valley of Borrowdale, leading to the Honister Pass and the home of the Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in England.

The mine has a visitor centre which provides underground guided mine tours and a range of adventure activities including a Via Ferrata (by ropes) course, a ropes course actually in the mine and a daring infinity bridge – kids big and small will love it here!

• Fell walking around the Lake District will reward you with magnificent views and you’ll get to see the lesser visited parts of this busy national park – conquering Hellvellyn is at the top of the list of best Lake District hikes.
• Seeking out all of the eighteen waterfalls the Lake District National Park has to offer – best done in spring so you can enjoy the cascades in full flow!
• Getting out on the water, whether that’s in a boat or kayak, or on a paddle board, or even going for a swim, the lakes are what this glorious part of England is all about.

RELATED POST: Europe Road Trip – 16 Incredible Routes

London To Salisbury

Explored by Ann of The Road is Life

There are so many incredible sights to see and fascinating history to be discovered surrounding London. From historic cities to charming English villages and ancient monuments, the best way to see these highlights is by embarking on an England road trip. If you’re seeking an exciting adventure beyond the city, this epic  one week road trip from London  is just for you!

Departing from London, this road trip itinerary runs in a loop and passes through a few of the most beautiful Cotswolds villages, the historic cities of Oxford and Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge and the majestic Salisbury Cathedral.

Each of these places has its own story to tell; take your time wandering the cobbled streets, stopping for a drink in a medieval pub and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of village life.

• Only one hour from London, the first place to stop is Oxford. Admire the impressive architecture and learn all about the oldest university in the English-speaking world! Not far from Oxford, the medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon is where you’ll take a step back in time and walk in the footsteps of William Shakespeare!
• Spending a few days exploring the lovely Cotswolds villages will be a big highlight of your English road trip. Some of the must-see villages to include on your itinerary are Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Castle Combe. Driving through this region is truly stunning as you pass through rolling green hills and picturesque scenery. 
• Once you finish up in the Cotswolds, make your way to the city of Bath to marvel at the incredible history by visiting the Roman Baths. On the way back to London, make sure to stop at Stonehenge, followed by a visit to the equally as impressive Salisbury Cathedral.

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting England . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices and excellent service.

The Atlantic Highway

Explored by Trisha of P.S. I’m On My Way

When I was  living in London , I discovered so many road trips but the Atlantic Highway is my favorite. It is one of the best England road trips to do during the summer. In this itinerary, you will get to see the southwest coastal route of England.

Starting in Bath, I would suggest doing this road trip for seven days but if you don’t have more time, five days will do. You have to check the stops I recommended here to see how many days you want to stay in each location, but for you to have an idea, I did one night at each stop.

Bath Highlights

• Don’t miss the Roman Baths, the ancient complex built by the Romans which Bath is famous for. You can’t actually get in the famous waters here, but you can at the wonderful rooftop pool of the Thermae Bath Spa , an indulgent treat.
• Visit Bath Abbey and climb the 212 steps up its iconic tower to learn and see more of the church and city. 
• Literature geeks, the Jane Austen Center is a must when in Bath! Both ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Northanger Abbey’ are partly set in Bath, a city that Jane Austen called home for five years.

Bristol Highlights

• Take a boat trip in the Floating Harbour. There are many thematic boat cruises to choose from wildlife cruising to visiting the Avon Gorge or a simple afternoon tea cruise on the River Avon.
• In England, you’ll never really know when it rains so a suggested activity will be visiting Bristol museums like Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, MShed, and Arnolfini. 
• Bristol has a great nightlife scene so if you’re feeling like checking out some bars, pubs, and even big clubs, I suggest having a cocktail at The Milk Thistle .

From Bristol, slowly head to Somerset, picking up the A39 coast road. I love Somerset and there are many more things to see and do here compared to other destinations.

Somerset Highlights

• Explore National Trust Dunster Castle , a former motte and bailey castle and now a spectacular country house, which was home to the Luttrell family for 600 years.
• Marvel at the dramatic Chedder Gorge, home of the delicious cheese of the same name.
• Visit the Wookey Hole Caves in the beautiful Mendip Hills for an underground adventure, brilliant for families traveling with kids.

The drive through Somerset to Devon is about an hour, but in between these two destinations, you can swing by Exmoor National Park where you can actually spend the night wild camping if you’re road tripping with a tent!

I spent a whole day here and this was my favorite highlight on this road trip – there are many things to do within the park and it’s best for adventure travelers! From Exmoor, head to Devon early in the morning.

Devon Highlights

• Go to Roadford Lake in Wolf Valley where you can ride kayaks and canoes, go paddle boarding, do fishing charters, and even learn archery. 
• Test your balance and learn to surf in the big seas of North Devon at Croyde, the most popular surf spot on the coast.
• Tackle the South West Coast Path, or some of it! A great place to head for is the Valley of the Rocks, an expansive area with fantastic prehistoric rock formations & sea views.

If you have time, finish in Cornwall, where you’ll find gorgeous fishing villages like St Ives and Mousehole, St Michael’s Mount just off the coast of Penzance, glorious beaches and Land’s End, the southernmost tip of England – enough for a Cornwall road trip in itself!

RELATED POST – Cornwall Road Trip: The Best Itinerary, Map & Tips

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts and road trip songs for the journey!

Norfolk Coast

One of the most beautiful counties of England, Norfolk enjoys an incredible and unspoilt heritage coastline and the famous Norfolk Broads, where you will find huge skies and mesmerising landscapes, making it one of the best road trip destinations in England.

The historic city of Norwich is one of the hidden gems of Norfolk. Considered the UK’s best-preserved medieval city, Norwich boasts a fine Norman cathedral, a lively and well-respected food scene, and the Norwich Lanes, a muddle of pedestrian alleys full of independent shops and boutiques.

Head from Norwich through the Norfolk Broads , stopping at pretty Wroxham for a boat trip – by far the best way to explore. From here it’s a pretty straight road to the coast, which is dotted with blue-flag beaches and seaside towns like Cromer to explore. Inland there are castles to scramble around, gardens to admire and stately homes to discover.

As you continue along the coast, you’ll come to the more wild part of Norfolk, and the North Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is where you’ll find the vast swathes of sand, blue seas and huge skies that the county is famous for, as well as a couple of outstanding nature reserves made up of salt marshes, sand dunes and horizons stretching far out to sea.

Stop at Blakeney to admire the traditional flint cottages, practice your crabbing skills in the harbour, or take a trip out to Blakeney Point to visit the UK’s largest Common and Grey seal colony.

On the west coast and close to King’s Lynn lies the royal estate of Sandringham. Set in beautiful woodlands, perfect for walking, you can also visit the house, gardens and transport museum before heading to see the St Mary Magdalene church, where the Queen and her family attend services when they are staying at Sandringham.

• Hiking the Norfolk Coast Path for the best views and wildlife encounters, before stopping at a coastal pub for a pie and a pint after a good day’s walking.
• Spending a day on the huge sandy beach at Wells-next-the-Sea. You’ll have an even better experience if you hire one of the colourful beach huts Wells is famous for.
• Discovering the history of Holkham Hall , one of the UK’s finest Palladian mansions, complete with its own deer park, nature reserve and beach!

For more information about all things Norfolk, visit the local’s guide to Norfolk at Norfolk Travel Guide .

Dover to Dorset

Explored by Paulina from Ukeveryday

If you are traveling from France and looking for the best road trip in England, start your journey in Dover. You can get to the port of Dover from France by ferry, or on a train using the Eurotunnel. There are beautiful white cliffs in Dover, as well as Dover Castle, from which to admire the views of this coastal town.

A road trip in England without visiting London cannot be complete, so make sure to spend at least one day in the capital. It takes around two hours to drive to London from Dover. We suggest parking on the outskirts and using public transport like the London Underground to visit the city center.

It’s easy to see the main London attractions in a day, using our London one day itinerary . Make sure not to miss the highlights of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

Make sure to also stop at Virginia Water which is a hidden gem just outside London. Walking around the lake and admiring beautiful flowers is one of the best  things to do in Surrey .

Next day, visit Salisbury which is a two hour drive from London. When you get there, explore the impressive Salisbury Cathedral and the pretty market town, before heading the 20 minutes north to Stonehenge. The trip to see this magical stone circle is so worth it.

On your last day, relax at Durdle Door beach. The incredibly pretty village of Lulworth, where you need to park to walk to the beach, is around an hour’s drive from Salisbury, through the beautiful rolling countryside of Wiltshire and Dorset.

This iconic landmark on the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast attracts many visitors, so make sure to arrive there early, especially in the summer months. Spend the day admiring one of the most famous natural landmarks in England, the spectacular Durdle Door arch.

• Getting an incredible bird’s eye view of the centre of London from the top of the London Eye.
• Your first view of Durdle Door as you stand at the top of the cliff path, with the sparking English channel stretching away in front of you.
• Enjoying traditional fish and chips at the end of a long day on the road.

RELATED POST – A South England Road Trip to Dorset & The New Forest

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip.

The Yorkshire Dales

In ‘God’s Own Country’ of Yorkshire, the roads ribbon between glacial valleys, patchwork fields, flat-topped hills and rocky outcrops, punctuated by pretty villages with quaint pubs, and windswept hiking trails.

There’s history aplenty too, in this land that was once host to the War of the Roses, the bloody struggle between the royal houses of Lancaster and York.

Start in the well-heeled and elegant Georgian town of Harrogate, known then as ‘The English Spa’. On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this is a great starting point for your Yorkshire road trip.

Malhamdale is in the Pennines, at the southern end of the Yorkshire Dales. Malham itself is a pretty village, surrounded by the limestone buildings and the dry-stone walls so common in the Dales, with a stream bubbling through the centre of the village. 

Malham is best known though for the glacial lake, Malham Tarn, and the majestic Malham Cove, a vast curving amphitheatre-shaped cliff formation of limestone rock. The sheer cliff face is about 80 metres high. If you’re lucky, you may see Malham Cove waterfall, which appears in the centre of the cliff face in spring and after heavy rain.

The lush sweeping valley of Wensleydale is distinct for its wooded hillocks and rushing waterfalls, the most famous being the triple flight Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force, England’s largest single-drop waterfall.

The capital of Upper Wensleydale, Hawes, is a lively market town with many hotels and tearooms. Local craft and artisan industries thrive making pottery, wooden toys and the famous Wensleydale cheese, Wallace and Gromit’s favourite.

One of the northernmost dales in the national park is Swaledale, a deep and winding valley that is home to the pretty cobbled market town of Richmond, which boasts a rich and vivid history.

Sitting high above the town,  Richmond Castle  dominates the skyline. The views from the top of the massive keep are far-reaching between the hills of Swaledale to the west, the Vale of York to the south and in the far distance to the east, the stunning North York Moors.

Be aware that this whole area is a mecca for tour buses which cause major headaches both on the roads and in car parks at the most popular spots. We say avoid the summer months if you possibly can.

• Famous for its hardy breed of horned sheep, Swaledale also puts on a spectacular wildflower display in its meadows, which are a riot of wildlife and colour in June and early July.
• Discovering how cheese experts craft delicious Wensleydale cheese by hand, and how creamy Yorkshire butter is batch churned from rich Yorkshire cream at the Wensleydale Creamery .
• Wandering the pretty streets of Harrogate and stopping at the famous Bettys Café Tea Rooms for afternoon tea.

The Peak District

Explored by Moumita & Sankha from Chasing the Long Road

Britain’s first national park, the Peak District is one of the best places for a road trip in England. There are plenty of amazing  things to do in the Peak District  to keep you busy. The road trip adventure starts at Sheffield and ends in Buxton, and it typically takes about four days to explore this national park. The drive following the twists and turns of Snake Pass is spectacular and rivals that other famous UK road, the Black Mountain Pass of Top Gear fame.

• Located on the banks of the river Wye, the idyllic town of Bakewell is best known for inventing the famous delicious dessert, Bakewell Pudding. The popular Monsal Trail starts from here. Just a few minute’s drive from Bakewell is the magnificent Chatsworth House . Built in the 16th century, it has been the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Once here, you can explore the grand Painted Hall, historic State Rooms and the Sculpture Gallery of the Cavendish family. They have one of the finest gardens in Britain.
• The pretty village of Castleton is situated at the head of Hope Valley in the Peak District. It is a great base to explore the famous caves and taverns of the Peak District National Park. Close to this village lies Winnats Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the UK. The road is very photogenic, having limestone ridges on either side. Also, you can hike Mam Tor hill nearby.
• Ladybower Reservoir offers plenty of opportunities to walk, cycle and fish. Located in the Upper Derwent Valley in the Peak District, the reservoir opened in 1945. For the best view of the surrounding landscapes of Hope Valley and the Ladybower Reservoir, climb the nearby Bamford Edge. It’s quite an easy hike and extremely popular with walkers and climbers in all seasons.

RELATED POST – Why We Think These Are The Best Driving Roads in Europe

The Cotswolds

Explored by Joanna of The World in My Pocket

The best way to explore the Cotswolds is by road trip. The public transport in the Cotswolds is not very reliable and, if you want to explore the best villages at your own pace, you must go there by car. 

A good way to split your Cotswolds road trip  is to explore the south one day and the north the other. For this, the best base for your day trips would be Gloucester, which is located fairly in the middle.

On the first day, you can explore the town of Gloucester, which is famous for its cathedral as well as the marina area where you will find plenty of trendy restaurants and bars. 

On the second day, explore the north of the Cotswolds. Some of the most beautiful villages here are Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, Broadway, Bibury, and Lower Slaughter.

Bourton-on-the-Water is a very popular village and this is why it is advisable to make it your first stop of the day, to avoid the crowds. Bourton-on-the-Water also has very limited parking, which is another reason to arrive here as early as possible. 

On the third day, check out the south of the Cotswolds. The most beautiful villages here are Castle Combe, Painswick, known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’, Nailsworth, and the Roman town of Cirencester, the capital of the Cotswolds. 

If you have more than three days, you can always extend the road trip and spend more time in each of the villages.

• The pretty canals of water from the Windrush river as it crisscrosses picture perfect Bourton-on-the-Water.
• The iconic and very photogenic Old Mill in Lower Slaughter often touted as the prettiest village in the Cotswolds.
• The Rococo Garden in Painswick is a restored and very beautiful 18th century garden with flower & vegetable plots and a lovely cafe – one of the Cotswold’s best-kept secrets!

RELATED POST – UK Road Trip – 18 Unmissable Routes

Northumberland Coast Route

This northern England road trip takes you along the stunning Northumberland coast, passing through the beautiful landscapes and seaside fishing villages of the county.

Northumberland is home to some of England’s most dramatic castles, an iconic holy island and Hadrian’s Wall, on the border with Scotland. There is fantastic coastal walking in the region, huge sandy beaches that seem endless and a warm welcome for visitors.

Start at Alnwick for the spectacular Alnwick Castle and country house, the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland. It was built following the Norman conquest in 1071 and renovated and remodelled a number of times, to the castle you see today.

Film and TV fans shouldn’t miss a visit here – the castle has been featured in Transformers: The Last Knight, Elizabeth, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, as the magnificent Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey, and probably most famously, Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies.

As you head north, spend a night in one of the traditional fishing villages such as Craster, Seahouses, Bamburgh and Beadnell.

End your trip on the tidal island of Lindisfarne , which lies off the northeast corner of England near Berwick-upon-Tweed. Also known as Holy Island, it is one of the most important centres of early English Christianity. Irish monks settled there in 635CE and the monastery became the centre of a major saint’s cult celebrating its bishop, Cuthbert.

In 793CE the Vikings attacked Lindisfarne, looting the monastery and killing or enslaving many of the monks. It was the first time the Vikings had attacked a monastic site in Britain, and the attack came as a major shock for medieval Christians.

• Hiking out to the historic island of Lindisfarne which is accessible on foot across a paved causeway, but only when the North Sea tides permit! Safe times to cross are predictable and can be found here , and the route takes around two hours to walk.
• Your first sight of Bamburgh Castle perched above its huge stretch of sandy beach.
• Enjoy a bracing beach walk and a traditional fish and chip supper from the local chippie in one of the many villages along the coast.

England Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in England.

• Search for affordable flights to England with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in England with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in England with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in England with Rentalcars.com
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
• Get highly rated, reliable and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Information About Driving in England

Whether you’re road tripping England in a car, camper or motorbike, make sure you’ve got all your documents handy and your spare tyre is in good condition. If your England road trip itinerary is longer than a few weeks , you may want to consider a vehicle service before you go, and breakdown cover is probably a good idea.

• Drivers from non-EU countries may require an International Driving Permit. The general rule is that if your licence is not in Latin script, then an IDP will be required. Check with your hire company or embassy if you’re in doubt.
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle.
• Your car must be considered roadworthy in the country in which it is registered.
• Your headlights must be adapted for driving on the left if your vehicle is registered outside the UK.
• Unlike France, the UK does not have laws that require you to carry certain equipment in your car, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. Being prepared in the event of an accident or a breakdown is invaluable. Ideally, you should carry a reflective jacket, a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
• Understand insurance options, mileage limits and fuel policies before booking a rental car.
• Check the car for damage on collection and make sure anything you spot is noted, and the same again when you drop it off.
• Remember to drive on the left during your trip to England!

RELATED POST: Driving in Europe – Everything You Need to Know

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All About London

6 of the Longest Roads in the UK

Introduction:

The United Kingdom is crisscrossed by a network of roads that traverse landscapes, connect cities, and offer a scenic journey through its varied terrain. In this blog post, we embark on a virtual road trip to explore six of the longest roads in the UK, each with its own unique charm and captivating vistas.

A1 – The Great North Road:

Spanning over 400 miles, the A1, also known as the Great North Road, is one of the longest and most historic routes in the UK. Starting in London and reaching as far as Edinburgh, this road takes travelers on a journey through the heart of England, passing picturesque countryside, historic towns, and iconic landmarks.

A82 – The Loch Lomond to Inverness Road:

Stretching approximately 167 miles, the A82 is a breathtaking route that takes road trippers through some of the most stunning landscapes in Scotland. Starting at the shores of Loch Lomond, it winds its way through the Scottish Highlands, offering glimpses of majestic lochs, towering mountains, and historic castles on its way to Inverness.

A30 – The Great South West Road:

Running from London to Land’s End in Cornwall, the A30 is a significant road that covers around 284 miles. Travelers on the A30 are treated to a journey through the charming countryside of southern England, passing through historic towns, rolling hills, and iconic landmarks such as Stonehenge.

M6 – The Spine of England:

As one of the major motorways in the UK, the M6 is an extensive road that spans approximately 230 miles. Connecting the bustling cities of Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, the M6 serves as a vital artery for both commerce and travel, offering glimpses of both urban and rural landscapes.

A9 – The Road to the Highlands:

Running from the city of Stirling to the coastal town of Thurso, the A9 is a long road that covers over 270 miles. This route is renowned for its scenic beauty, taking travelers through the Scottish Highlands, past lochs, mountains, and historic sites like the Cairngorms National Park.

A55 – The North Wales Expressway:

The A55, also known as the North Wales Expressway, stretches approximately 126 miles, connecting Chester in England to Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. This road offers travelers a coastal journey along the North Wales coastline, providing stunning views of the Irish Sea and the Welsh countryside.

Tips for the Ultimate Road Trip:

Plan Your Stops:

Identify interesting landmarks, attractions, or towns along the way to make the journey more enjoyable.

Check Road Conditions:

Stay informed about road conditions, especially during winter months, and plan accordingly.

Fuel Up and Stay Charged:

Ensure your vehicle is fueled up, and electronic devices are charged for navigation.

Pack Essentials:

Pack essentials such as snacks, water, and a first aid kit for a comfortable journey.

Enjoy the Scenery:

Take breaks to appreciate the diverse landscapes and capture memorable moments.

Conclusion: The Open Road Awaits

Whether you’re seeking the historic charm of the A1, the rugged beauty of the A82, or the coastal allure of the A55, the UK’s longest roads promise an unforgettable journey. As you traverse these routes, you’ll discover the rich tapestry of landscapes, history, and culture that make the UK a captivating destination for road trips. So, gear up, hit the road, and let the adventure unfold on these seemingly endless stretches of asphalt.

Author: Jon Tabner

Hi! I’m Jon Tabner, I am a Graphic Designer, Blogger and Marketing Executive in profession. Exploring new things, innovation and designing is my passion. Now working as head of Graphic Designing & Marketing Executive team at Print In London and currently I am based in London. I love using my design knowledge to inspire small businesses to think outside the box when designing their print.

By Jon Tabner

Related post, is albany park safe, places to visit and things to do in  aldborough hatch london, is addiscombe safe, what is new, best chole bhature in london..

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10 Essential Road Trips in the UK and Ireland

By Sarah James

There are iconic road trip routes all around the world, from Route 66 to the Australian Outback . But the UK offers some of the most picturesque, otherworldly drives anywhere in the world. In Scotland , hardy travelers take on the wind-battered Highlands to be rewarded with some of the country’s most incredible scenery, while a jaunt along the coastal roads of the West Country allows for stops in salty beach towns and vast national parks.

Ahead, you'll find the nine best road trips in the UK, ranging from full-on adventure to a more peaceful experience.

1. The Peak District

When to go: spring, to see the wildflowers from the back windows.

How long to go for: four days should do it.

People go to the Peaks to walk. But the roads are worth the odd meandering drive too. The most famous course is Snake Pass, aptly named for the route it carves through the Pennines, at points a vertigo-inducing 1679 feet above sea level. The river Ashop runs alongside, giving life to fields of wildflowers in spring and summer. Elsewhere, seek out the best views in the Peaks at Site of Special Scientific Interest Winnats Pass, a limestone valley known for its fossils and ancient rocks.

The caramel-hued façade of Chatsworth House is the movie star of the area (spot it in the 2005 adaptation of  Pride and Prejudice,   Peaky Blinders , and another Keira Knightley flick  The Duchess.  Pretty village Edale, plonked at the start of the Pennine Way, is a bunch of cottages and farms backed by rolling hills to stop in for lunch or a cup of tea.

Where to stay: Check out the prettiest Airbnbs in the Peak District for a base of your own.

2. North Coast 500, Scotland

When to go: winter, when the countryside is at its most dramatic and you can warm up next to log fires in pubs and inns.

How long to go for: at least five days—more if you also want to visit the Hebrides.

This route through the vast and imposing Scottish Highlands stretches for 500 miles on a round-trip from Inverness. Driving clockwise through the wild and raw landscape, the road first hits Loch Ness, which is well worth a stop to take in its inky, broad waters—monster or no monster. Driving west to Kyle of Lochalsh takes another two hours. From here, you can reach the Isle of Skye via the land bridge. Although this part of the Hebrides isn’t technically part of the route, it’s worthy of a detour—the dramatic Cuillin mountains back the mist-shrouded castles and expanses of countryside.

Back on the mainland and continuing northbound, the North Coast 500 winds through Ullapool—in our opinion, one of the most beautiful villages in the UK —a port where the whitewashed fishermen’s cottages dot the harbor jutting right into Loch Broom. Hugging the northwest coastline, the next stop for the night in Sutherland. John O’Groats, another 60 miles northeast, is the other Land’s End, connecting the 837-mile pilgrimage from Cornwall (from here you can take passenger ferries to the Orkney islands, too). Freewheel back down the eastern coast to end once again in Inverness.

Where to stay: Book a night at Kinloch Lodge , a historic family hotel perched on the edge of sea loch na Dal. In Sutherland, stay at Lundies House —run by Danish couple Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen, this is one of the smartest hideouts in the Highlands to check into.

3. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

When to go: in spring, when the wildflower meadows and pastures are at their prettiest.

How long to go for: Take a couple of weeks to properly explore.

Fifteen hundred miles of coastal highway make up Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way . The craggy cliffs hug the western shoreline from Donegal in the north, all the way down to the south coast and County Cork. The route twists past some of the most beautiful places in Ireland . It’s a long road, so this is a trip to take some time over, rather than a quick weekend jaunt. Start in Donegal, which has some of Ireland’s best beaches (Port Arthur near Derrybeg is one of the most glorious, while Bundoran is the area’s surfing capital).

Driving down the coast, the road winds through Sligo, the country that inspired Yeats (and more recently, of Normal People fame), and into Connemara. It’s a rocky stretch of countryside and national park that sits right on the Atlantic, dotted with waterside castles and traditional pubs that hum with live music. Next, Galway—possibly Ireland’s most creative city right now, known for its quirky tone and innovative food scene—before driving past the towering Cliffs of Moher , which have some of the best views on the route. The Wild Atlantic Way finishes in the pretty fishing town of Kinsale in County Cork.

Where to stay: Built as a sporting retreat in the mid-1830s by the Marquis of Sligo, Delphi Lodge is a lovely pile at the top of a deep, remote valley just north of Killary Harbor.

For more options, see our pick of the best road trips in Ireland.

When to go: in summer, when the beach towns are at their finest.

How long to go for: you can explore pretty thoroughly on a long weekend.

This is big-sky country, dominated by sweeping beaches and flat-as-a-pancake farmlands. Back in the 19th century, some of Norfolk’s beach towns were a draw for the well-to-do to take to the water, and there’s a sense of faded Victoriana to many of the old-school seaside locations dotted along the coast. Start a good, old-fashioned road trip in Norwich, which in 2012 became England's first UNESCO City of Literature and is packed out with old buildings turned into antique shops and restaurants serving Cromer crab (we like Benedicts). Wind into the Norfolk Broads, made up of more than 125 miles of waterways, before skipping northbound along the seaside towns that dot the coast.

The entire stretch of the north Norfolk shoreline is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—seek out Wells-next-the-Sea, a pretty seaside town with candy-colored beach huts and classic bucket-and-spade charm, or vast and wild Holkham Beach for four miles of wind-whipped golden sands backed by pine dunes. The beach is part of the grand Holkham Estate, also home to The Victoria Inn—a red-brick, ivy-covered 19th-century inn with smart rooms. Driving away from the coast, the heath-like landscape of south Norfolk is brilliant for tramping across in any weather. Thetford Forest and nearby Breckland are Special Protection Areas where wildlife wanders freely—golden pheasant, roe deer, and hare can all be found.

Where to stay: the area is home to one of the loveliest log cabins in the UK, Settle , a Scandi-inspired hideout set beside a lake with a wood-burning fire, candles, and plenty of blankets. Or rustic inn The Chequers Inn in Thornham has a gorgeous restaurant.

Jessica Puckett

Hannah Towey

5. Cotswolds

When to go: in spring or autumn, when there are less visitors.

How long to go for: a weekend should be long enough to see lots of the Cotswolds’ nicest villages.

It’s the favorite weekend escape of Londoners whizzing out of the city and tourists hot-footing it to the buttery stone towns in search of a quintessential British hamlet. A clever route stitches together the prettiest Cotswolds villages—start in Wiltshire’s Castle Combe, where the streets wind around a low-lying stream, before driving north to sweet Bibury (described by William Morris as England’s most beautiful village) for a brisk walk along the River Coln. A thatched-roof pub with rooms, Artist Residence was taken over by the team responsible for smart, art-filled hotels in Brighton, London, and Cornwall. Now, it's packed with neon signs, tin baths, and cozy wood burners.

The next morning, fuel up in Kingham, where the Daylesford farm shop sells just-picked fruit and vegetables that will remedy any hangover, before driving on through the closely connected towns of Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower and Upper Slaughter, and Stow on the Wold. End up in Broadway, the north Cotswolds’ biggest hitter for all the right reasons, where there’s top-notch antique-seeking and plenty of spots for a proper pub lunch.

Where to stay: Spend the night at Artist Residence Oxfordshire in sleepy South Leigh.

6. Atlantic Highway

When to go: in summer for a jaunt along this sunny coastal route.

How long to go for: at least a week.

Taking in a string of southwest England’s salty beach towns, the Atlantic Highway knots together a course through Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. Pick up a car in honey-stoned, genteel Bath or eclectic, graffitied Bristol and drive through Somerset’s rolling farmlands towards the Devonshire border. We recommend nipping away from the route to work in a stop in Bruton, arguably the West Country’s most creative town. Hauser & Wirth opened an outpost here in 2014, putting the area firmly on the art world’s radar, and a clutch of smart hotels and farm-to-fork restaurants followed.

Hop back on the Atlantic Highway—also known, rather less romantically, as the A39—and into lush Exmoor National Park. Stop for the night at The Nap , a log cabin with a wood-fired hot tub about 30 minutes away. The next morning, the drive continues into northeast Cornwall—through Bude, whose bustling surf spot Summerleaze is one of the best Cornwall beaches, and south along the coast to foodie neighbors Port Isaac and Padstow. Finish at Land’s End, where the Atlantic crashes into the jagged shoreline at the most westerly point of mainland England.

Where to stay: Book a night at Number One Bruton , a Grade-II listed Georgian house that's a mix of color and comfort. In Cornwall, stay at the Idle Rocks in St Mawes for a classic seaside escape.

7. Yorkshire

When to go: in autumn, when the moorland is tawny and walks along the beach are brisk and wind-whipped.

How long to go for: four or five days should do it.

The windswept North York Moors contains one of the largest heather moorlands in England. It's a stark landscape, which makes it all the more beautiful. Walking routes are plotted throughout, dotted with vibrant wildflowers, and there are boundless views of the seemingly never-ending surrounding countryside. Driving through the national park towards the coast leads to a string of nostalgic Victorian and Edwardian seaside towns running along the shoreline. Fishing port Whitby Harbor is dominated by the ruins of a seventh-century castle that sits on a cliff overlooking the village, while Scarborough is a seriously old-school spot for fish and chips on the South Bay promenade.

Driving inland once more, a stop in Malton reveals a Yorkshire market town undergoing an artisanal regeneration, with independent bakeries, cheese makers, and coffee roasteries cropping up throughout its cobbled streets.

Where to stay: Stay overnight at The Talbot , a coaching inn that had a bohemian makeover in 2019 that turned it into a smart hotel with river views and a brilliant restaurant. Finish up in York, the historic center of the region.

8. Lake District

When to go: in spring or autumn, when the changing seasons make the landscapes shift daily.

How long to go for: a long weekend.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District is also England’s most-visited national park. Start at Windermere, a huge natural lake (the largest in England, in fact), before driving to smaller but more peaceful Wastwater. The spot, surrounded by barren, imposing fells, has been voted Britain's favourite view and the nearby village Nether Wasdale is a brilliant stopping-off point for a pint at one of the handful of microbreweries in town. Just north is Ennerdale Water, the most remote lake in the national park and therefore one of the quietest, which has a seven-mile walking route around its inky shoreline.

Driving further north still, the Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite Lake does tours of the renovated Victorian farm, where the team makes everything from whiskies to pink-grapefruit gins. Stay the night at Sharrow Bay, which sits right on the water at Ullswater and has pretty views. Plus, this is where the sticky-toffee pudding was invented, making it worthy of a pit stop if only for a taste of the original sweet treat.

Where to stay: At Another Place , a low-key country-house hotel sitting plum overlooking Ullswater.

When to go: in the summer you can join in with the watersports offered along the coast.

How long to go for: a weekend will be long enough to nip between these scenic stop-offs.

Darting through some of the prettiest places in Wales on a road trip is a brilliant way to see the country. Head to the Brecon Beacons as the first port of call—this national park’s mountains and valleys start near the border with England and continue for 45 miles into the Welsh countryside. Hike Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the area, for serious views of the surrounding summits and rivers. On the drive west from the Brecon Beacons to the coast, make sure to drop into Carmarthen, a cute market town that's about half an hour from Ginst Point, one of the best beaches in Wales.

Continue up the shoreline with a pit stop in St David’s, the smallest city by population in Britain, and Solva Harbor, where the little sweeping inlet is surrounded by colorful houses that give it an Italian fishing village feel. Next, head to Aberaeron, another port town that peaked as a holiday spot around the same time as Brighton. Take a stroll around Cardigan Bay harbor, followed by oyster happy hour at the Harbourmaster hotel in Aberaeron.

Where to stay: Stop for a night at the Grove of Narberth , a rural Pembrokeshire hotel. Set in a 17th-century manor house, it also has cottages to take over as your own. The Harbourmaster has 13 very cozy bedrooms for those who have their fill of Welsh craft beer in the pub downstairs.

10. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

When to go: in summer, when the days are at their longest

How long to go for: take your time over four or five days.

This road trip covers more than 200 miles between Belfast and Derry, starting in the buzzing capital. Less visited by travelers until recently, Belfast has gained ever-increasing popularity as a city break in Europe. There’s an attraction named after the Titanic to explore, and a grand nightlife scene to dig into. About an hour’s drive north of Belfast is Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. The eerie road was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones —there’s actually a clutch more spots from the HBO show on this route, including Sallagh Braes, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the dramatic Cushendun Caves. The trip finishes in Derry, Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, where the brilliant Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls is set.

Where to stay: The Merchant Hotel is a monument to Mammon, gilded and tasseled within an inch of its life.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveler .

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10 of the UK’s Best Road Trip Destinations (As Voted By British Drivers)

2020 is the year of the staycation. And whilst the term ‘road trip’ might conjure up images of cruising along Route 66 in a convertible, there are plenty of awesome road trips to be found outside of the United States.

In fact, if you’ve got the United Kingdom on your travel list — whether you live in the country, or are travelling from abroad — you should consider hopping in a car and hitting the open road. There are some incredible road trip destinations in the UK, perfect for exploring the very best scenery in the country.

JET, one of the most popular brands of fuel in the UK, recently surveyed 2,000 drivers to find out their favourite road trips. So read on to discover the best UK road trips in 2020, as voted by British drivers — they’re the experts after all, right?

10. The Cotswolds

Voted in at number 10, the roads of the rural Cotswolds are well-deserving of a place on this list. The Cotswolds is an idyllic area of countryside in south-central England, covering parts of six different counties including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. 

When you think of England, do you imagine thatched cottages, stately homes, rolling hills and quaint shops? If so, you won’t be disappointed with the Cotswolds. The countryside in this part of the UK is just made for long drives when you can soak it all up and make plenty of pit-stops at cute little villages along the way. 

Burford is considered the southern gateway to the Cotswolds, located just off the A40, and is well worth a visit. Other top stops include Burton on the Water, sometimes called ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, the historic market town of Stow on the Wold, the Cotswold Lavender Farm (perfect for snapping some Insta-worthy pics), and the beautiful village of Bibury.

9. Norfolk Coast

Norfolk, in East Anglia, boasts nearly 450 kilometres of spectacular coastline. It’s bounded by the North Sea to the north and east, and The Wash (a sprawling bay and estuary) to the northwest. A road trip here will take you to some of the UK’s best beaches, as well as cute seaside towns and impressive nature reserves.

Visit the Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve, run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, at Holme-next-the-Sea to get up close and personal with some of the area’s wildlife, including oystercatchers and ringed plover.

Stop at the pretty village of Brancaster, famous for its harbour and the delicious seafood the local fishing boats bring in (we recommend the mussels!). The beach at Brancaster is great for kite flying and watersports, the perfect way to work up an appetite.

Don’t miss Holkham Bay. With its white-sand beach, you could easily mistake it for the Caribbean in the summer months — but it’s equally impressive during winter and the North Sea breeze is sure to blow away the cobwebs.

8. Stonehenge

One of the most iconic landmarks in the UK, it’s no surprise that Stonehenge made it onto this list. It’s not easy to get to Stonehenge by public transport, so you may as well make the most of the journey by turning it into a road trip!

You’ll get to experience those scenic Cotswolds roads as you make your way towards Stonehenge, which is arguably the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. Once you’ve admired those mysterious stones, head to nearby Salisbury to explore this charming medieval city and its impressive cathedral.

Avebury — a slightly less famous but no less impressive stone circle — is also a great side trip from Stonehenge.

7. Scottish Borders between Northumberland and Edinburgh

Follow in the footsteps of the Border Reivers as you explore this much-debated land along the Anglo-Scottish border. This scenic drive takes you from the lush, rolling hills of rural Northumberland, crossing into Scotland as the hills begin to get higher, before finishing in Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital city.

Take a detour near the start to Northumberland National Park, a beautiful, expansive park that also happens to be the least populated of England’s national parks.

Following the Borders Historic Route, you’ll pass by sections of Hadrian’s Wall, which are well worth exploring, as are the pretty Borders towns you’ll pass through on your way to Edinburgh, including Melrose with its famous abbey, and the historic town of Selkirk.

6. Snowdonia to Anglesey

A road trip in Wales will never disappoint, and this one in the north of Wales is a particularly beautiful one — it’s definitely a contender for the title of Wales’ most scenic drive!

Snowdonia is the most popular National Park in Wales, and you’ll soon see why, as you explore its vast expanse of 2,130 square kilometres, which are packed full of unspoiled scenery. Right at the heart of the park is Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain — and if you don’t fancy the hike, there’s a train that’ll take you all the way to the summit!

There’s plenty to see and do along the road as you head north from Snowdonia towards Anglesey. Caernarfon is a cute market town with an impressive castle, and it’s worth taking a detour to Bangor, the oldest city in Wales.

Anglesey is the biggest island in Wales, and is jam-packed with beautiful beaches and historic sites. Take a walk along the coastal path for spectacular scenery, and don’t miss out on a trip to Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch, a small village with a big claim to fame — it’s the longest place name in Europe and the second-longest in the world.

5. North York Moors

Expansive and moody, the North York Moors offers an atmospheric experience, spanning over 885 kilometres of beautiful landscape.

The area is one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK, meaning it’s particularly beautiful in spring when the heather is in bloom, but it’s well worth a visit year-round. 

Don’t miss the drive between picturesque Hutton-le-Hole and the charming seaside town of Whitby, a traditional seaside resort with some of the best fish and chips in the UK. Take time to explore the town as there’s plenty to discover, including its associations with Dracula and Captain Cook.

4. North Coast 500

The highlands of Scotland offer some of the most incredible scenery in the UK, and the North Coast 500 takes in the very best of it. The 830-kilometre route along the — you guessed it — north coast of Scotland starts and finishes at Inverness Castle.

It then heads towards the west coast, winding up the hair-raising Bealach Na Ba road to the beautiful coastal village of Applecross, and then northwards to the towns of Torridon, Ullapool, and the remote wilderness of Assynt and Wester Ross.

The route then takes you to some of the most northerly coastal points in Scotland, where you’ll travel through Sutherland, with the opportunity to explore some of the most incredible beaches in the country. Don’t miss the dramatic Smoo Cave near Durness, before heading to John o’ Groats and the rugged scenery of Caithness.

After all that stellar sightseeing, it’s time to head back down to Inverness, passing through the seaside towns of Easter Ross. Marvel at how different the landscape is on the east and west coasts, and make sure to take plenty of time to explore and discover what lies off the beaten track — we recommend at least five to seven days to fully explore this beautiful part of the world.

3. Peak District

Coming in at third place is the Peak District, a hilly area in northern England. Close to the cities of Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Sheffield, it’s popular with both local residents and tourists, and it attracts millions of visitors every year. It was the first national park to be established in the UK, in 1951. 

The area is full of beautiful walks and hikes, but it’s also got some jaw-droppingly scenic drives for those who’d prefer to take in the scenery by car. Snake Pass is one of the most famous driving routes in the area, crossing the Pennine Hills between Glossop and the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashopton. You’ll be treated to spectacular views along this road, which reaches 511 metres above sea level at its highest point.

Winnats Pass is another unmissable drive, taking you through a limestone valley that’s packed with fossils from the sea creatures who once lived there.

2. Devon to Cornwall

The drive from Devon to Cornwall, two of England’s most beautiful counties, is a 112-kilometre stretch of the A39 that’s also known as the Atlantic Highway.

With these areas enjoying some of the best weather in the UK, there’s a good chance that you’ll feel like you’re cruising along a Californian highway as you explore. You’ll pass through pretty fishing villages, incredible beaches, and dramatic clifftop castles as well as stunning sea views along the entire route. 

There are plenty of opportunities to jump out of the car and stretch your legs on one of many beautiful coastal walking trails, and lots of fresh seafood to be enjoyed along the way. The road is long and winding so take it easy and soak up the atmosphere.

1. Lake District

Could the top spot have gone to anywhere other than the Lake District? Located in the north of England, this stunning area is a favourite with walkers and cyclists — but it also makes for the perfect scenic road trip. 

With long, winding mountain passes, an abundance of lakes, and charming little market towns, there’s something for everyone in the Lake District. Ambleside, located on the edge of Lake Windermere, is a popular stop.

If you’re a fan of Peter Rabbit, be sure to check out Beatrix Potter’s house whilst you’re exploring the town. Kendal is a must, if only to stock up on its famous Kendal Mint Cake — an essential if you’re planning to hike any of the area’s hills!

Speaking of hills, the Lake District is home to Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. Even if you don’t walk up the mountain itself, the drive to get there along Wrynose Pass is worth it for the views alone. Nearby Keswick is another bustling market town with plenty of options for refuelling after a long walk, or drive.

See Also: Road Trip 101: 10 Tips for an Unforgettable Vacation

Lauren McKay

Lauren is a freelance copywriter based in Edinburgh, Scotland. As well as writing, she loves exploring her country (and the rest of the world), and can often be found running up a hill or on her yoga mat.

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11 Best Road Trips In Great Britain

If it’s your first time here, your gazillionth or you live here, you’ll soon realise that there’s so much more to Great Britain than just London . We are so lucky to have such a huge heap of epic places that make our island so special, which you’ll see if you’re planning one of your very own road trips across Great Britain.

That being said, the huge mix of places can also make it a bamboozling process, especially when planning some road trips in Great Britain.

Do you stay down in the south of England ? Head to the lakes ? Find the beaches? Or just drive indefinitely?

There’s no real right or wrong answer, (as long as you’ve piled your car with snacks) but one thing I would say is to prioritise some regions you’d like to experience most. That’s why we wanted to show you some of the best road trips in Great Britain that we think you might like.

1.) Cornwall

I often think of Cornwall as the leg of Great Britain! Perched in the south-west, it’s a idyllic area to explore.

Now, Cornwall is and possibly one of the best road trips in Great Britain if you like small seaside towns and nature. It’s just filled with quaint little villages , incredible coastal trails and some of the best beaches in Great Britain.

Make sure to stop off at spots like Watergate Bay , see Lands End and head over to Port Isaac. Oh yeah, and gorge on all the Cornish Pasty’s you can find!

Read more: What to see in Cornwall

2.) Dorset 

So, the Dorset and its world-famous coastline is one heck of a place for one of the best road trips in Great Britain.

Once you’re here, make sure to go fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coas t, see Durdle Door and explore the 8,000-year-old village of  Corfe Castle . It really is very special.

We stayed at the  Hix Townhouse in Lyme Regis whilst here. It was gorgeous.

Read more: Visiting Durdle Door and the Jurassic Coast

3.) Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are unique and unlike anywhere else in Scotland. That’s what makes it one of the best road trips in Great Britain to experience. 

Now, the thing with the Scottish Highlands is that your trip can be never-ending. So, it’s best practice to set a timeframe and some key priorities of places you want to see.

Once you’re here, make sure to stop off at the Cairngorms to explore the stunning scenery, head to the west coast visit the tiny towns of Applecross and drive some of the North Coast 500 route.

If you’ve got time, make sure to also see  Eilean Donan Castle , Lower Diabaign and Plockton . You can even drive the incredible route that takes in the views at  Bealach na Ba Viewpoint.

You can read our whole Scottish Highland Road Trip route

4.) The Lake District

As Great Britain’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site , it’s one road trip you should consider if you love the great outdoors.

Perched a few hours drive (north) from Manchester , the whole region is dotted with lakes, rolling hills and incredible scenery to explore.

Once you’re here, take a road trip between all the lakes (each with its character). One of my favourites has to be Ullswater Lake, which is one of the largest but also one of the quietest lakes to visit.

Once here, make sure to stay at Another Place: The Lake , ramble the mountains at Martindale and paddleboard across the lake itself.

You’ll have the best time exploring all the different lakes.

Read more: Best things to do in the Lake District

5.) Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are only about a 2.5-hour drive from Central London and pretty easy to explore on a road trip around the region.

Based just north of Bath , the area is filled with little chocolate-box villages, charming cottages lovely little tea rooms and indie shops to explore.

It’s one of my favourite areas of Great Britain, with it easily being one of the best road trips in Great Britain. Once here, make sure to explore the Slaughters (upper and lower), visit Tetbury and stop off at Arlington Row .

Read more on pretty villages in Great Britain

6.) Cambridgeshire and Norfolk

So, If you’re looking for a road trip around the easterly region of Great Britain, pop over to Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

Once in the area, make sure to go punting in Cambridge , see some of the best spots in Norfolk and explore the gorgeous East Anglian coastline.

Don’t forget: There’s some pretty tasty grub at the Fur & Feathers, just outside Norwich . You’ll love it.

Read more: What to do when visiting Cambridge

7.) West Sussex

Around 70 minutes (or so) from London, West Sussex is a gorgeous region for one of the best road trips in Great Britain.

Now, don’t let its proximity to London fool you, the area around South Downs National Park feels like a million miles away.

Once you’re here, make sure to stop off at Arundel Castle (it’s incredible), stay at your own castle at Amberley Castle and explore Petworth House .

It really is a stunning region with so much history.

Read more: Best places to see in South Downs National Park

Now, a road trip around Wales is a bumper road trip (especially if you’re travelling from south to north Wales).

That being said, don’t feel the pressure to see all of the country in one trip, just choose the regions you feel most appeal to you. Personally, for me, this is the west coast of Wales.

Once here, make sure to stop off at Pembrokeshire National Park, explore the historic fishing town of Aberaeron , visit Devils Bridge and head further north (beyond the Dyfi Estuary) to Snowdonia National Park and Portmeirion.

It’s an idyllic Italian town that’s nestled on the north-west coast.

Read more on what to see in Wales, here

9.) Fife and Edinburgh

If you’ve arrived for a city break in Edinburgh , it’s really easy to partner this up with a road trip around the Kingdom of Fife .

Once here, make sure to stop off at St Andrew’s and explore the castle, abbey ruins and the little-cobbled streets.

If you’re travelling further down the coast, stop off at points like Anstruther (with the best fish and chips), explore Crail and take a boat over to the ruins at Incholm Island.

It is a beautiful area of Scotland to explore.

Read more on what to see in Edinburgh

10.) Yorkshire

Perched in northern England, Yorkshire is a beautiful area of Great Britain to explore.

Once you’re here, make sure to stop off at places like; York, Whitby Abbey and Robin Hood’s Bay (a historic smuggler town from hundreds of years ago).

If you’re looking for some incredible history, pop into Castle Howard . Once here, explore the grounds, ramble through the Yorkshire Dales and stop off at the market town of Malton . It’s known for some of the best local foods you’ll find.

Just remember to arrive hungrily; you’ll be stuffed leaving this town.

Read more: Visiting Whitby for a day trip

11.) North to South of Great Britain

Probably one of the biggest and longest road trips in Great Britain to experience is from the John O’Groats (the north of Scotland) to Land’s End (the south-west of England).

Now, this type of road trip will require a good commitment of time and a few bits of planning but it’s all worth it.

There are some key spots you should visit like the Scottish Highlands (via the NC500 ), Glasgow , Edinburgh , the Lake District, Manchester , Norwich , Cotswolds , Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge , Bath , Dorset, Watergate Bay and St Ives .

Now, I’m aware I’ve thrown a whole heap of gorgeous spots but pick and choose some of the best that suits your taste. You’ll have the best road trip ever!

14 Best Places On The North Coast 500 Route In Scotland

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A Guide to the Longest Roads and Motorways in the UK

The UK has something of a love-hate relationship with its roads. On one hand, we dread their packed lanes, jams and tailbacks, especially on commutes to and from work. But on the other, we have some seriously beautiful routes that bikers and driving enthusiasts can’t get enough of.

Sure, there may be the occasional hold-up and not everyone is a fan of our national speed limits. But when all is said and done, we’re lucky to have such a safe, efficient and reliable road infrastructure.

To celebrate Britain’s great roads, we’re taking a look at some of the most impressive stretches of tarmac connecting towns and cities around the country. Here’s our guide to the longest roads and motorways in the UK.

What Are the UK’s Longest Motorways?

British motorways have been around for over 60 years, with the first being the Preston bypass, which opened in December 1958. Since then, the network has expanded rapidly and now covers over 2,300 miles.

But which of Britain’s motorways are the longest? Let’s find out.

1. M6 – 236 Miles

The M6 isn’t just the UK’s longest motorway; it’s also one of the oldest. Spanning from the original Preston bypass, the carriageway now connects central England with the Scottish borders, running for 236 miles between Catthorpe, Leicestershire and Gretna Green.

And what a journey it is! From the Midlands, the M6 takes you north, passing between the great cities of Liverpool and Manchester and onwards into the heart of Lancashire. From there, it’s a straight shot to the Scottish border, with the spectacular scenery of the Cumbrian Lakes to keep you company on the way.

2. M1 – 200 Miles

While the M6 may pip it on length, the M1 is arguably the UK’s most important motorway. Used by millions every year, this is the primary trunk route between north and south, connecting Yorkshire with London over a 200-mile journey.

The M1 was built in 1959, though there were plans to start construction before the Second World War. The earliest version of the carriageway had no crash barriers, lighting, speed limits or hard shoulders – which sounds like a disaster waiting to happen today.

3. M4 – 192 Miles

While the M1 and M6 are the main north-south motorways in the UK, the M4 is one of our longest east-west routes. Starting in Chiswick, London, the road cuts a course through the Thames Valley before crossing into Wales, stopping close to Swansea on the border of picturesque Pembrokeshire.

In recent years, the area around the motorway has earned the title of the M4 Corridor, particularly the towns and cities close to London. Described as the “Silicon Valley” of England, it’s now considered a major high-technology hub. But there’s a catch: the M4 is among the most congested motorways in the country.

What Are the UK’s Longest ‘A’ Roads?

When we think of long, cross-country roads, motorways are the first thing that come to mind. But it may surprise you to learn that many of our longest routes are ‘A’ roads – and by a considerable margin.

‘A’ roads represent some of the UK’s oldest travel routes, with the tarmac of today laid on paths trod long before cars came along. But which of these historic ways is the longest?

1. A1 – 410 Miles

In much the same way that the M1 is Britain’s most important motorway, the A1 is easily the most recognisable and significant road route in the country. Covering some 410 miles, the carriageway starts in the centre of London before heading north, passing through the Midlands, Yorkshire and Northumbria. From there, it crosses the Scottish border, ending in the centre of Edinburgh.

Though designated an ‘A’ road in the 1920s, the route of the A1 has been in use since ancient times. The Romans, Anglo Saxons and Normans all contributed to its expansion, and today the carriageway is still famous for its ‘coaching inns’ – used by road-weary travellers hundreds of years ago.

2. A38 – 310 Miles

The A38 is, without doubt, one of the most important roads in western England. Cutting a course from Nottinghamshire to Cornwall, its 310-mile span remains one of the most well-used routes into South West England, as it has done since the Romans devised it 2,000 years ago.

Returning to the present, the A38 has earned the affectionate nickname as the “holiday route” due to it being one of the main roads into Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. And even though the M5 motorway now serves the region, many travellers prefer the A38 for its scenery and nostalgia.

3. A30 – 284 Miles

At 284 miles, the A30 is the third-longest ‘A’ road in Britain and connects central London with Cornwall’s iconic Land’s End. For centuries, the route was the fastest way to get from London to the southwest, but now, like many ‘A’ roads, it’s secondary to a modern motorway (in this case, the M3).

Five Incredible Facts About Britain’s Roads

Keen to discover more about our amazing road network? Here are five choice facts we love about Britain’s roads.

• Our widest motorway has 17 lanes of traffic

You read that right. The M61 in Greater Manchester has a whopping 17 lanes, including eight hard shoulders. Sat nav at the ready for this one – you don’t want to get the wrong lane.

• The UK’s shortest motorway is under half a mile long

While the M6 is the longest motorway in Britain, the A635(M) is the shortest. At 300 metres, it’s about the same length as three football pitches. You’ll find it in central Manchester, as part of the Mancunian Way.

• The M62 is the highest motorway in the UK

That’s right, the M62 Summit is the highest portion of motorway in Britain, rising to 1,222 feet above sea level. You’ll see it marked by the side of the carriageway in the middle of the Peak District’s Saddleworth Moor.

• The M25 is the UK’s longest ring road

Encircling Greater London, the M25 is Britain’s longest ring road by a considerable margin, covering some 118 miles. Indeed, it used to be the longest in the world, until the construction of the Berlin Ringbahn, a 121-mile route around the German capital.

• The UK road network totals 247,100 miles of paved roads

Amazing, right? Almost a quarter of a million miles of road crisscrosses the UK, including 2,300 miles of motorway, 29,500 miles of ‘A’ roads, 18,800 miles of ‘B’ roads and 196,300 miles of ‘C’ and ‘U’ roads.

Have you enjoyed our guide to the longest roads and motorways in the UK? Head to the Redex blog for more motoring news and features. Or if you’d like to find out how to improve the life of your car’s engine with Redex fuel additives , visit the homepage .

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Here at Redex, we like to offer guides and advice that help you take care of your car’s engine. But a big part of proper engine health is understanding how engines work – including the pistons, cylinders and other components that power you down the road. With that in mind, this Engine 101 guide is

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Been working on your car in your Sunday best recently? Perhaps you broke down at the roadside and had to do some repairs without your usual overalls on? Motor oil and other vehicle fluids can be tough to remove from clothes, causing a headache you could have done without.

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The world's longest and greatest road trips

Road-trips are the perfect way to experience many different countries, cultures and landmarks all in one epic journey.

Being in control of your destiny and the freedom that comes with jumping in the car and driving wherever you see fit can be liberating. Whilst road-trips do need a decent period of time to undertake there are plenty of options to suit whether you’ve got a long weekend or taking a year to travel the world.

We’re concentrating today on those longer trips, those inspirational life affirming journeys that take you from one side of the world to the other by looking at the world’s longest road trips.

Sagres to Talon: The Longest Overland Road Trip

The furthest that you can drive without the need of ferries or trains is from Sagres in Portugal to Talon in eastern Russia.

This 9,414 mile (15,151km) journey will take around 200 hours of continuous driving. Clearly you’ll be wanting to break up the journey, doing so means you’ll be able to explore a number of wonderful countries from the start point in Portugal, through Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus and across the breadth of Russia via Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk and to Talon.

Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia: Pan American Highway

The Pan American Highway spans the North and South American continents, from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to the southernmost city in the world Ushuaia in Argentina.

It’s a distance of 19,000 miles (30,000km) making it the longest road in the world. It would take an estimated 720 hours to drive the length of the Pan American Highway – which is a solid 3 months of driving, but most people choose to take a much more leisurely approach over the course of 6-12 months.

The journey takes you through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, United States and Canada – which gives you plenty of places to explore and enjoy along the way. From the Patagonian icefields to the Atacama Desert and the Rockies mountains.

We should be honest and admit that this isn’t fully achievable by car alone, the Darien Gap, which separates South America and Central America is a region of mountainous rainforest and swampland which can only be covered by boat.

Highway 1 in Australia: The Big Lap

Australia’s Big Lap is essentially the world’s biggest ring road. The 9,000 mile (14,500km) Highway 1 connects the capitals of Australia’s states (except Hobart and Canberra) by joining Perth (Western Australia), Darwin (Northern Territories), Brisbane (Queensland), Sydney (New South Wales), Melbourne (Victoria) and Adelaide (South Australia). 

In doing so it becomes the second largest road in the world. It showcases all that Australia has to offer from the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide to the isolation of the north eastern coasts with swamps, deserts and scrubland in between.

Although the record for the Big Lap is a remarkable 6 days, those of us with more time could enjoy the journey over the course of 3-6 months. Taking in all that Australia has to offer in that time.

St. Petersburg to Vladivostok: The Trans-Siberian Highway 

Many would have heard of the Trans-Siberian Railway, but did you know there was a highway as well?

Running the length of Russia from St Petersburg in the north west to Vladivostok in the south east it covers 7,000 miles (11,000km) making it the third longest road in the world.

The journey takes goes from the Baltic Sea coast to the Sea of Japan, through some inhospitable terrain making it one of the toughest road trips you can choose to do.

Driving constantly and going at full tilt will still take around 14 days to make it from one side to the other. Happily though, if you allow 4-6 weeks you can make the journey in a more manageable way and enjoy the cities of Moscow, Kazan and Irkutsk whilst the natural wonder of Lake Baikal. 

St John’s to Vancouver: The Trans-Canada Highway 

Canada is the second biggest country in the world, so it’s not a surprise to see it on a list of the world’s longest road trips. The Trans-Canada Highway meanders from St John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador in the east to Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia on Canada’s west coast.

The journey is 5,000 miles (7,000km) takes you through ten Canadian provinces and takes you from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Coast in the west. In total, it would take around 120 hours of pure driving, but more realistically a 2-month trip would allow you to leisurely journey where you can take in all that Canada has to offer.

Along the route, stop in the beautiful Quebec City, explore the lakes and mountains of Alberta and try whale watching in Vancouver Bay.

Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata: The Golden Quadrilateral Highway 

India’s longest road trip in 3,600 miles (6,000km) long and connects 4 of India’s largest cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

In doing so it forms a quadrilateral where the highway gets its name. It is the newest highway on this list having been completed in 2001

2-4 weeks driving this route around India would be able to provide good time to explore each city and immerse yourself in some of India’s most famous landmarks including the world-famous Taj Mahal. 

Boston, Massachusetts to Newport, Oregon: U.S. Route 20

America and road trips go hand in hand, although Route 66 is probably the famous road trip in the world, the longest road trip in the United States is actually Route 20 which connects Boston, Massachusetts on the east coast with Newport, Oregon on the Pacific coast in the north west of the country.

Covering 3,365 miles (5,415km) it runs through 12 different states and some fascinating cities including Cleveland – where you can visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Minneapolis - for some retail therapy at the Mall of America, and Chicago - The Windy City. Aside from cities you can also experience the USAs natural beauty including Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon National Preserve and, if you’re willing take a 2-hour detour, you can see Mount Rushmore.

The 60 hours of driving that it will take can make for an excellent 3-week journey across the route, giving you enough time for a leisurely drive and multiple night stays along the way. 

Istanbul to Tokyo: Asian Highway 1

The longest road trip across Asia spans 12,774 (20,557km) from Istanbul in Turkey – known as the gateway to Asia – to Tokyo in Japan.

Asian Highway 1 takes around 125 hours to complete, but given the number of different countries through which it runs you’ll likely want to allow yourself 4-6 weeks to fully appreciate everything that this route has to offer.

The route runs through South Korea, North Korea, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Whilst some of these countries may not be the easiest to navigate through geo-politically speaking the routes does hold some magnificent treasures throughout south east Asian and parts of the Indian sub-continent.

If you’re not sick of driving by the time you arrive in Istanbul, it is possible to continue the trip via the E80 which will lead you across Europe to Lisbon in Portugal. 

John O’Groats, UK to Cape Town: The Longest Euro-African Road Trip

Here’s one that is perfect for us Brits. A 200 hour drive takes us 9,100 miles (14,650km) from the UK’s most northerly mainland point – John O’Groats to Cape Town in South Africa.

It would take just over a week of solid driving to make the distance, but a much more sensible timescale will be 2 to 3 months – that way you can enjoy your trip through Europe and down the length of Africa.

This unique journey travels through France, Spain, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Namibia and South Africa – allowing you to get up close and personal with the wildlife of Africa in the various deserts, game reserves and national parks with the Algerian Sahara and Deadvlei and Etosha National Park in Namibia being particular highlights.

Serai, Indonesia to Cape Town, South Africa: The Longest Land Route with Ferries

If you’re willing to push the definition of a road trip a bit further and are happy to use a number of ferries, then the longest land route you can do with ferries is between Cape Town and Serai, North Sulawesi in Indonesia.

The longest road trip covers a distance of 20,885 (33,612km) through Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Kazakhstan, Russia and then across Europe from Belarus to Spain. Then head over to north Africa and travel through Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and more.

This is a mammoth journey that with constant driving would take 550 hours – the equivalent of 23 days straight!

Ready to hit the road for your next adventure?

Have we inspired to take a road trip? Even if you don’t have the time or the willing to travel tens of thousands of miles there are some excellent road trips closer to home including:

• North Coast 500 – Scotland
• Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland
• Ring Road - Iceland
• The Amalfi Coast - Italy
• Atlantic Road – Norway

If you are planning a driving adventure this year, remember to get yourself covered with travel insurance and car hire excess cover and breakdown cover to make sure you’re fully protected before you hit the open road.

Longest Road Trips in the World You Could Drive

Everyone loves a road trip – out on the open road, free to explore wherever and whenever you want. with a classic playlist on shuffle, plenty of car snacks and a roughly drawn route into the unknown, there’s a reason why road trips feel synonymous with chasing adventure and freedom. with this list, we’re focusing on distance, drawing up some of the longest and most ambitious road trips we can think of. grab a bag, a map and some friends, and head for the sunset… .

London to Cape Town 

This one’s a classic, and many brave adventurers have crossed this monster journey off their list. One of the longest north to south journeys in the world, the fastest known completion of this route was 13 days, 8 hours and 48 minutes, as part of a publicity campaign for the new Ford Cortina. This beat the previous champions by 18 minutes! If, however, you’re keen to actually soak up the incredible sights, a month is likely the minimum time needed to cover this two-continent trip.

Starting with the Eurostar to Calais, passengers can enjoy scenic drives through rural France and Spain, take the ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar and down into the heart of Africa. For those that make it across the harsh Saharan Desert, the road evens out to provide breath-taking drives across countless National Parks, from the primate-filled rainforest reserve of Dja Faunal in Cameroon, to the lion and elephant filled landscape of Etosha National Park in Namibia. Pulling into Cape Town at the southern tip of South Africa, this drive will have covered 13,207km (8,207 miles) and 13 countries.

Australian Coastal Loop

Driving ‘The Big Lap’ is another adventure that is often planned and rarely attempted. With huge swathes of the continent uninhabited due to its searingly hot desert climate, Australian road trips can be lethal to those without a map and plenty of backup fuel. The best bet for anyone looking to cover the whole country is to stick to Highway 1, a 14,935km (9280 miles) long highway that essentially follows the entire Australian coast in one big loop. Starting in Sydney, drivers can follow the coastline up to Brisbane, past Cairns, Darwin, Port Hedland, Perth and Adelaide, before hitting the spectacular Great Ocean Road to Melbourne and finally, back to Sydney.

The drive is perfectly possible to do within a month, but three months will give drivers time to better explore each stop fully. Because of the size of Australia, it is important to also keep an eye on the seasons. It is recommended to start the north in winter and summer in the south, following the milder temperatures round as you go.

Europe to Ulaanbaatar

Centuries ago, nomadic settlers made their way along the central Asian steppe, seeking new lands and adventures. Now you can follow their route, making your way through Eastern Europe and down into Turkey. Crossing the Istanbul bridge, Europe slowly turns into Asia, swapping crumbling Christian churches for Islamic minarets and the sweeping rural expanse of Lake Van. From Turkey you have two choices, head down through the ancient Persian settlements of Iran, or up over the Caspian Sea into Russia. Both routes reconvene in the sweeping grasslands of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, before the Gobi Desert springs over the horizon.

In recent years, adventurers have made this journey into a challenge, dubbing it the Mongol Rally . Each year, participants sign up, buy a beaten-up old car and race from Europe to Mongolia. Generally broadcasting their progress (or non-progress) on social media, the challenge is designed to be as disaster-filled as possible, creating opportunity for “motoring stupidity on a global scale” and unexpected adventures. If this sounds like your cup of tea, sign up for the Mongol Rally 2022 , and start looking for your rubbish vehicle!

Pan-American Highway 

So you might have done a cross-US road trip, but how about dreaming a bit bigger? This mammoth road trip covers almost the entirety of the Americas, from northernmost Alaska, down through Canada and the US, into Colombia, coastal Peru and Chile. The only break to the journey is the Darien Gap , a roadless region preventing driving access between Panama and Colombia (and by extension the entirety of North America to South America). Though there have been several attempts to build a highway, the impenetrable dense rainforest and prevalence of tropical diseases (not to mention the importance of protecting the indigenous communities that remain in the forests), means a road crossing has never been possible.

The only option, bar a famously hellish 5-day ferry journey , is to take a flight, but once safely into Medellin or Bogota, the journey south can carry on unimpeded. Assuming one drives from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Panama City, and then Medellin in Colombia to Quellon in Chile, this insane road trip should clock up a cool 23,662km (14,703 miles). Assuming you drove for 8 hours a day, this trip would take you a month. Those who have done it, however, take anytime between 2 months to 2 years.

Trans-Eurasian Belt

Our final route on this list doesn’t actually exist yet. It is an imagined driving route that follows much the same path as the Mongol Rally – from London to Ulaanbaatar. Yet once it hits Mongolia, it carries on, heading up through the easternmost point of Siberia and crossing the Bering Strait into Alaska. From there, the entirety of the Americas is possible, even linking down to South America. This journey is not yet possible, since the Bering Strait remains unconnected. However, plans for a Trans-Eurasian Belt Development are in the works, and we may soon see a connecting bridge be built to truly connect the world.

Who knows what such a connecting bridge will do for global trade, as well as perceptions of East and West? All we know is, it sounds like an epic road trip.

If you're planning a road trip across multiple countries, remember to get yourself covered with adequate car insurance just in case.

Starting from Skratch? Here are a Few Tips to Get You Started:

https://www.outbackcrossing.com.au/Touring/How_Long_Does_it_Take_to_Travel_Around_Australia.shtml

https://medium.com/@katheryn.watson/mapped-the-longest-road-trips-f6cf454b967c

https://www.skratch.world

World's Longest Driving Routes at a Glance:

🇬🇧london to cape town🇿🇦.

Distance: 13,207 km (8,207 miles)

Number of Countries: 13

Time Taken: 17 days (assuming 8 hours a day driving)

🇦🇺Australian Coastal Loop🇦🇺

Distance: 14,935 km (9,280 miles)

Number of Countries: 1

Time Taken: 19 days (assuming 8 hours a day driving)

🇵🇹Lisbon to Ulaanbaatar🇲🇳

Distance: 13,000 km (8,077 miles)

Number of Countries: 16

🇺🇸Pan-American Highway🇨🇱

Distance: 23,662 km (14,703 miles)

Number of Countries: 12

Time Taken: 30 days (assuming 8 hours a day driving)

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10 of the best road trips in the UK and Ireland

By Sarah James

There’s no need to fly to the USA’s Route 66 or the Australian Outback for an epic road trip – the UK offers some of the most picturesque, otherworldly drives anywhere in the world. In Scotland , hardy travellers take on the wind-battered Highlands to be rewarded with some of the country’s most incredible scenery, while a jaunt along the coastal roads of the West Country allows for stops in salty beach towns and vast national parks. These are the nine best road trips in the UK, ranging from full-on adventurous to a more peaceful experience.

1. The Peak District

When to go: in spring, to see the wildflowers from the back windows. 

How long to go for: four days should do it. 

People go to the Peaks to walk. But the roads are worth the odd meandering drive too. The most famous course is Snake Pass, aptly named for the route it carves through the Pennines, at points a vertigo-inducing 1679 feet above sea level. The river Ashop runs alongside, giving life to fields of wildflowers in spring and summer. Elsewhere, seek out the best views in the Peaks at Site of Special Scientific Interest Winnats Pass, a limestone valley known for its fossils and ancient rocks. 

The caramel-hued façade of Chatsworth House is the movie star of the area (spot it in the 2005 adaptation of  Pride and Prejudice,   Peaky Blinders , and another Keira Knightley flick  The Duchess.  Pretty village Edale, plonked at the start of the Pennine Way, is a bunch of cottages and farms backed by rolling hills to stop in for lunch or a cup of tea. 

Where to stay: Check out the prettiest Airbnbs in the Peak District for a base of your own. 

2. North Coast 500, Scotland

When to go: winter, when the countryside is at its most dramatic and you can warm up next to log fires in pubs and inns.

How long to go for: at least five days – more if you want to visit the Hebrides too.

This route through the vast and imposing Scottish Highlands stretches for 500 miles on a round trip from Inverness. Driving clockwise through the wild and raw landscape, the road first hits Loch Ness, which is well worth a stop to take in its inky, broad waters – monster or no monster. Driving west to Kyle of Lochalsh takes another two hours. From here, you can reach the Isle of Skye via the land bridge. Although this part of the Hebrides isn’t technically part of the route, it’s worthy of a detour – the dramatic Cuillin mountains back the mist-shrouded castles and expanses of countryside. 

Back on the mainland and continuing northbound, the North Coast 500 winds through Ullapool – in our opinion, one of the most beautiful villages in the UK – a port where the whitewashed fishermen’s cottages dot the harbour jutting right into Loch Broom. Hugging the northwest coastline, next stop for the night in Sutherland. John O’Groats, another 60 miles north-east, is the other Land’s End, connecting the 837-mile pilgrimage from Cornwall (from here you can take passenger ferries to the Orkney islands, too). Freewheel back down the eastern coast to end once again in Inverness.

Where to stay: Book a night at Kinloch Lodge , a historic family hotel perched on the edge of sea loch na Dal. In Sutherland, stay at Lundies House – run by Danish couple Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen, this is one of the smartest hideouts in the Highlands to check into.

3. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

When to go: in spring, when the wildflower meadows and pastures are at their prettiest.

How long to go for: Take a couple of weeks to properly explore.

1,500 miles of coastal highway makes up Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way . The craggy cliffs hug the western shoreline from Donegal in the north, all the way down to the south coast and County Cork. The route twists past some of the most beautiful places in Ireland . It’s a long road, so this is a trip to take some time over, rather than a quick weekend jaunt. Start in Donegal, which has some of Ireland’s best beaches (Port Arthur near Derrybeg is one of the most glorious, while Bundoran is the area’s surfing capital).

Driving down the coast, the road winds through Sligo, the country which most inspired Yeats (and more recently, of Normal People fame), and into Connemara. It’s a rocky stretch of countryside and national park that sits right on the Atlantic, dotted with waterside castles and traditional pubs that hum with live music. Next, Galway – possibly Ireland’s most creative city right now, known for its quirky tone and innovative food scene – before driving past the towering Cliffs of Moher, which have some of the best views on the route. The Wild Atlantic Way finishes in the pretty fishing town of Kinsale in County Cork.

Where to stay: Built as a sporting retreat in the mid 1830s by the Marquis of Sligo, Delphi Lodge is a lovely old pile at the top of a deep, remote valley just north of Killary Harbour.

For more options, see our pick of the best road trips in Ireland.

When to go: in summer, when the beach towns are at their finest.

How long to go for: you can explore pretty thoroughly on a long weekend.

This is big-sky country, dominated by sweeping beaches and flat-as-a-pancake farmlands. Back in the 19th century, some of Norfolk ’s beach towns were a draw for the well-to-do to take to the water, and there’s a sense of faded Victoriana to many of the old-school seaside locations dotted along the coast. Start a good, old-fashioned road trip in Norwich, which in 2012 became England's first Unesco City of Literature and is packed out with old buildings turned into antique shops and restaurants serving Cromer crab (we like Benedicts). Wind into the Norfolk Broads, made up of more than 125 miles of waterways, before skipping northbound along the seaside towns that dot the coast.

The entire stretch of the north Norfolk shoreline is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – seek out Wells-next-the-Sea, a pretty seaside town with candy-coloured beach huts and classic bucket-and-spade charm, or vast and wild Holkham Beach for four miles of wind-whipped golden sands backed by pine dunes. The beach is part of the grand Holkham Estate, also home to The Victoria Inn – a red-brick, ivy-covered 19th-century inn with smart rooms. Driving away from the coast, the heath-like landscape of south Norfolk is brilliant for tramping across in any weather. Thetford Forest and nearby Breckland are Special Protection Areas where wildlife wanders freely – golden pheasant, roe deer and hare can all be found.

Where to stay: the area is home to one of the loveliest log cabins in the UK , Settle , a Scandi-inspired hideout set beside a lake with a wood-burning fire, candles and plenty of blankets. Or rustic inn The Chequers Inn in Thornham has a gorgeous restaurant.  

5. Cotswolds

When to go: in spring or autumn, when there are less visitors.

How long to go for: a weekend should be long enough to see lots of the Cotswolds’ nicest villages.

It’s the favourite weekend escape of Londoners whizzing out of the city and tourists hot-footing it to the buttery stone towns in search of a quintessential British hamlet. A clever route stitches together the prettiest Cotswolds villages – start in Wiltshire’s Castle Combe, where the streets wind around a low-lying stream, before driving north to sweet Bibury (described by William Morris as England’s most beautiful village) for a brisk walk along the River Coln. Thatched-roof pub with rooms Artist Residence was taken over by the team responsible for smart, art-filled hotels in Brighton, London and Cornwall, and is now packed with neon signs, tin baths and cosy wood burners.

The next morning, fuel up in Kingham, where the Daylesford farm shop sells just-picked fruit and vegetables that will remedy any hangover, before driving on through the closely connected towns of Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower and Upper Slaughter and Stow on the Wold. End up in Broadway, the north Cotswolds’ biggest hitter for all the right reasons, where there’s top-notch antique-seeking and plenty of spots for a proper pub lunch.

Where to stay: Spend the night at Artist Residence Oxfordshire in sleepy South Leigh. 

6. Atlantic Highway

When to go: in summer for a jaunt along this sunny coastal route.

How long to go for: at least a week.

Taking in a string of south-west England’s salty beach towns, the Atlantic Highway knots together a course through Somerset , Devon and Cornwall. Pick up a car in honey-stoned, genteel Bath or eclectic, graffitied Bristol and drive through Somerset’s rolling farmlands towards the Devonshire border. We recommend nipping away from the route to work in a stop in Bruton, arguably the West Country’s most creative town. Hauser & Wirth opened an outpost here in 2014, putting the area firmly on the art world’s radar, and a clutch of smart hotels and farm-to-fork restaurants followed.

Hop back on the Atlantic Highway – also known, rather less romantically, as the A39 – and into lush Exmoor National Park. Stop for the night at The Nap , a log cabin with a wood-fired hot tub about 30 minutes away. The next morning, the drive continues into north-east Cornwall – through Bude, whose bustling surf spot Summerleaze is one of the best Cornwall beaches , and south along the coast to foodie neighbours Port Isaac and Padstow. Finish at Land’s End, where the Atlantic crashes into the jagged shoreline at the most westerly point of mainland England .

Where to stay: Book a night at Number One Bruton , a Grade-II listed Georgian house that's a mix of colour and comfort. In Cornwall, stay at the Idle Rocks in St Mawes for a classic seaside escape. 

7. Yorkshire

When to go: in autumn, when the moorland is tawny and walks along the beach are brisk and wind-whipped.

How long to go for: four or five days should do it.

The windswept North York Moors contains one of the largest heather moorlands in England. It's a stark landscape, which makes it all the more beautiful. Walking routes are plotted throughout, dotted with vibrant wildflowers, and there are boundless views of the seemingly never-ending surrounding countryside. Driving through the national park towards the coast leads to a string of nostalgic Victorian and Edwardian seaside towns running along the shoreline. Fishing port Whitby Harbour is dominated by the ruins of a seventh-century castle which sits on a cliff overlooking the village, while Scarborough is a seriously old-school spot for fish and chips on the South Bay promenade.

Driving inland once more, a stop in Malton reveals a Yorkshire market town undergoing an artisanal regeneration, with independent bakeries, cheese makers and coffee roasteries cropping up throughout its cobbled streets. 

Where to stay: Stay overnight at The Talbot , a coaching inn that had a bohemian makeover in 2019 that turned it into a smart hotel with river views and a brilliant restaurant. Finish up in York, the historic centre of the region.

Sophie Heawood

Charlotte Davey

CNT Editors

Olivia Morelli

8. Lake District

When to go: in spring or autumn, when the changing seasons make the landscapes shift daily.

How long to go for: a long weekend.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District is also England’s most-visited national park. Start at Windermere, a huge natural lake (the largest in England, in fact), before driving to smaller but more peaceful Wastwater. The spot, surrounded by barren, imposing fells, has been voted Britain's favourite view and the nearby village Nether Wasdale is a brilliant stopping-off point for a pint at one of the handful of microbreweries in town. Just north is Ennerdale Water, the most remote lake in the national park and therefore one of the quietest, which has a seven-mile walking route around its inky shoreline.

Driving further north still, the Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite Lake does tours of the renovated Victorian farm, where the team makes everything from whiskies to pink-grapefruit gins. Stay the night at Sharrow Bay, which sits right on the water at Ullswater and has pretty views. Plus, this is where the sticky-toffee pudding was invented, making it worthy of a pit-stop if only for a taste of the original sweet treat.

Where to stay: At Another Place , a low-key country-house hotel sitting plum overlooking Ullswater. 

When to go: in the summer you can join in with the watersports offered along the coast.

How long to go for: a weekend will be long enough to nip between these scenic stop-offs.

Darting through some of the prettiest places in Wales on a road trip is a brilliant way to see the country. Head to the Brecon Beacons as a first port of call – this national park’s mountains and valleys start near the border with England and continue for 45 miles into the Welsh countryside. Hike Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the area, for serious views of the surrounding summits and rivers. On the drive west from the Brecon Beacons to the coast, make sure to drop into Carmarthen, a cute market town which is about half an hour from Ginst Point, one of the best beaches in Wales . 

Continue up the shoreline with a pit-stop in St David’s, the smallest city by population in Britain, and Solva Harbour, where the little sweeping inlet is surrounded by colourful houses that give it an Italian fishing-village feel. Next, head to Aberaeron, another port town that peaked as a holiday spot around the same time as Brighton. Take a stroll around Cardigan Bay harbour, followed by oyster happy hour at the Harbourmaster hotel in Aberaeron. 

Where to stay: Stop for a night at the Grove of Narberth , a rural Pembrokeshire hotel. Set in a 17th-century manor house, it also has cottages to take over as your own. The Harbourmaster has 13 very cosy bedrooms for those who have their fill of Welsh craft beer in the pub downstairs. 

10. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

When to go: in summer, when the days are at their longest

How long to go for: take your time over four or five days.

This road trip covers more than 200 miles between Belfast and Derry, starting in the buzzing capital. Less visited by travellers until recently, Belfast has gained ever-increasing popularity as a city break in Europe . There’s an attraction named after the Titanic to explore, and a grand nightlife scene to get stuck into. About an hour’s drive north of Belfast is Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. The eerie road was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones – there’s actually a clutch more spots from the HBO show on this route, including Sallagh Braes, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the dramatic Cushendun Caves. The trip finishes in Derry, Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, where the brilliant Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls is set.

Where to stay: The Merchant Hotel is a monument to Mammon, gilded and tasselled within an inch of its life.

The Longest A Road In The UK: Top 5 List With Travel Tips

If you have just hired a vehicle and are ready for an adventure trip in UK territory, then you definitely should be aware of the main route you could take in different parts of the country. While investigating the roads you can drive on, you’ve likely stumbled on at least one A road. But have you ever wondered what the longest A road in the UK is?

That is what this guide aims to answer. You’ll find out the top five longest A roads, their histories and courses. We’ll also cover some interesting driving tips and facts about these roads.

Table Of Contents

• 1 What's An A Road In The UK?
• 2.1 1. A1: 396 Miles (637 km)
• 2.2 2. A38: 310 Miles (499 km)
• 2.3 3. A30: 284 Miles (457 km)
• 2.4 4. A6: 282 Miles (454 km)
• 2.5 5. A9: 279 Miles (449 km)
• 3 Travel Tips For The UK Roads
• 4 Fun Facts About The UK Roads
• 5.1 What Is The Longest A Road In The UK?
• 5.2 How Long Does It Take To Drive The A1?
• 5.3 Is The A1 A Dangerous Road?
• 5.4 What Is The Speed Limit For A Roads?
• 5.5 What Is The UK's Longest Motorway?
• 6 Conclusion

What's An A Road In The UK?

An A Road in the UK is a major road designed to connect regional towns and cities. Also known as ‘trunk’ roads, they are the backbone of the road network. A roads can vary in size and importance, with some of them being dual carriageways while others are single carriageways.

Currently, there are 28,000 miles of A-roads in the UK .

Each of those roads boasts a wealthy history, and they can be found both in rural and urban areas. Other roads you might find in the UK are B roads and C roads. They connect small towns and villages and are known as the ‘minor roads’. Of course, we shouldn’t forget about motorways, which are also a crucial part of the UK road system. See here to find out about the longest roads the UK can offer.

What's The Longest A Road In The UK?

The longest A road in the UK is the A1, reaching 396 miles (637 km). Here is an overview of this road and others you can find in UK territory.

1. A1: 396 Miles (637 km)

With a total length of 396 miles, this road isn’t only the longest road in the UK; it’s also deeply intertwined with the development of trade and transportation. It was constructed by the Anglo-Saxons, who used it for this very purpose. It starts in London before heading north, where you’ll cross the Scottish border and end up in Edinburgh.

The number ‘1’ comes from the fact that it was Britain’s first numbered road back in 1921. Part of the A1 is a motorway, and one of its junctions is South Mimms.

 The road is also known as the Great North Road.

The A1 intersects with the A14 at Brampton in Cambridgeshire. As a component of the A14 project , Highways England expanded the road from two lanes to three in both directions between Alconbury and Buckden. Additionally, a redesigned junction has been constructed at Brampton Hut. Also, a part of the A1 (between Berkhamsted and Bicester) consists of a piece of Akeman Street , an ancient Roman road.

2. A38: 310 Miles (499 km)

The A38 is a major trunk road that runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. Parts of it are known as the Devon Expressway. It connects several towns and cities, the most important ones being Plymouth, Exeter, Birmingham and Derby.

The A38 also has historical significance as it follows some Roman roads, the most notable one being part of Icknield Street . This road also contains the line of a Saxon salt road.

In terms of importance, the A38 is a key route for both passenger and freight transport. It facilitates the movement of goods and people, contributing to economic growth.

The A38 provides beautiful views of popular sights such as Dartmoor National Park, the Peak District and Exmoor National Park.

3. A30: 284 Miles (457 km)

The A30 connects central London with Cornwall. It’s one of the longest roads in the West Country. When you drive through this road, you’ll pass through diverse landscapes, urban areas and scenic countryside. It consists of various roads, such as highways and minor roads.

A major highlight of this road is when it became a primary route between London and the West Country for wealthy Londoners in the 18th and 19th centuries. And long before that, the Romanian armies used it to travel from the east and west sides of Cornwall. Today, it’s a very important part of the transportation network in Britain.

4. A6: 282 Miles (454 km)

The A6 road is the main star of the north–south roadways in England. This course connects Luton with Carlisle, where the stunning Lake District is located. It used to be England’s second longest road, starting at Barnet in London and then moving to Bignells Corner when the Barnet Bypass opened.

With the opening of the M25, the road ended up being shorter by 17 miles. As a result, the A38 and A30 became longer, and the A6 fell down to fourth place in terms of length. The road remains crucial today, both for local and long-distance travel, as it connects major urban areas.

5. A9: 279 Miles (449 km)

We’re finishing this list with the longest road you can find in Scotland – the A9. The part of this road that links Perth to Inverness is the most famous area of the route, as it connects the Central Belt with the Highlands.

The A9 has been in use for more than 500 years.

The first notable work on this road happened in 1725 when the military road that led from Dunkeld to Inverness was constructed. General George Wade, an Anglo-Irish British Army officer, oversaw everything.

In the 19th century, there was an apparent need for improved transport in the Highlands area, which led to the A9 road being further developed. Today, this long road remains the key element of the country’s road network.

Travel Tips For The UK Roads

If you’re embarking on a road trip adventure, either alone or with friends or family, it’s a good idea to be informed of some tips and tricks that can make your journey easier. We have compiled some useful advice for you.

• If you want to spare yourself from traffic congestion, avoid driving during peak hours. The time at which traffic is the heaviest is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Be mindful of the weather conditions, especially during the winter months. In cases of rain, fog or snow, visibility and road conditions can be impacted. Weather, especially in the UK, can be quite unpredictable, so ensure your vehicle is equipped with good windshield wipers and functioning lights.
• Use a SatNav or Google Maps when navigating these roads for the first time to make your journey easier.

If you want to cruise the A roads in both a stylish and comfortable way, then our 4×4 car and SUV hire deals are ideal for you!

Fun Facts About The UK Roads

Here are some facts about the UK roads you might find interesting:

• England’s highest motorway is M62, at 1,222 feet above sea level. Its busiest section is in the West Midlands.
• The M1 motorway connects London with both the southern end of the M6 and Yorkshire.
• One of the trickiest motorways to navigate is the M61 in Greater Manchester. It has 17 lanes and eight hard shoulders. It’s also considered the widest motorway in the UK.
• The M4 motorway, which passes through Thames Valley and South Wales, is one of the longest routes in the east-west.
• The longest motorway in the UK is the M6, which runs for 230 miles (370 km) to connect central England with Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest a road in the uk.

The A1 is the longest A road in the UK. It’s Britain’s longest road, connecting London to Edinburgh while covering 396 miles (637 km). The road passes several key cities and towns and has been a significant transportation corridor since Roman times. The Anglo-Saxons built the A1 to facilitate trade and transportation.

How Long Does It Take To Drive The A1?

It takes about 7.5 to 8 hours to drive the A1 road. This is if you plan to drive nonstop without stopping to explore locations along the road. The A1, which is 396 miles (637 km) long, is a major road that starts in central London and spans the Midlands, Yorkshire and Northumbria, after which you’ll cross the Scottish border and end up in the centre of Edinburgh.

Is The A1 A Dangerous Road?

A1 road can be a dangerous road . Over the years, numerous accidents occurred on it, with many people ending up dead or injured. However, this can be influenced by factors such as weather, traffic conditions and the drivers themselves. It’s important to make sure you always follow the stated rules and drive without any alcohol or substances in your system.

What Is The Speed Limit For A Roads?

The speed limit for A roads is 60 mph (97 kph) if you plan to drive on single carriageways and 70 mph (113 kph) if the road trip adventure takes you on dual carriageways. The 70mph limit also applies to driving on motorways, as this is the national speed limit. However, you might find yourself in an area where a different speed limit is in place, so make sure to keep an eye out for posted road signs.

What Is The UK's Longest Motorway?

The UK’s longest motorway is the M6 . It spans from the original Preston bypass (the first motorway in Great Britain), and it connects central England with the Scottish border while passing through Gretna Green.

While the M6 might be the longest motorway in the UK , M1 is the most important motorway. It’s the primary route between the north and the south (it goes from Staples Corner to Hook Moor), and it has come a long way since its beginning when it had no crash barriers, lighting or speed limits.

Now you know exactly which is the longest A road in the UK. Knowing about the longest roads and their routes will help you significantly in planning your next road trip. Also, make sure to hire a high-quality vehicle that can take on the challenge of longer explorations so that you can have a really enjoyable travel experience.

About The Author

Alyssia Jenkins

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