Best UK Road Trips

The best UK road trips offer everything from romantic villages and quaint countrysides to bustling cities and sporting events, we share them all!

Growing up in England, we loved a good road trip across the UK! As soon as I got my driving license, I would plan out as many trips as I could, to explore the United Kingdom as much as possible.

Most visitors begin their trip in London and then enjoy the day trips from London but if you want to rent a car and fully explore everything the UK has to offer, buckle up and get planning!

Best UK Road Trips

1. Lake District, England 

The Lake District is one of the most visited places in England and makes for the perfect weekend romantic break in the UK. With over 16 million people exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. Part of the enjoyment of the experience is driving through it, which is why it is one of the most popular road trips in the UK. 

A good starting point is Windermere, which is England’s largest natural lake, before heading to the stoic landscape of Wastwater, which has been recently voted as the best view in Britain. 

If you want to stretch your legs, nearby Ennerdale Water – the park’s most remote lake – has a fantastic walking route that skirts for seven-mile around its stunning shoreline. 

Alternatively, make a beeline towards Bassenthwaite Lake, where the Lakes Distillery offers guided tours of a refurbished Victorian farm, where you can sample a selection of beverages, such as pink grapefruit gin and whiskies, that are made onsite. 

2. North Coast 500, Scotland 

Scotland is basically one entire road trip that every tourist should do. However, if you only have limited time available, the North Coast 500 is what you should focus on. This is a popular place to explore and often used for filming locations in Scotland too.

Taking you through the wild and rugged Scottish Highlands, this route comprises a 500-mile round trip that starts from Inverness. Making your way clockwise, one of your first major stops will be Loch Ness, whose massive, inky waters will compel you to look for the fabled monster. 

If you maintain a westward course for a couple of hours, you will end up at Kyle of Lochalsh, which takes you via a land bridge to the Isle of Skye. While this region of the Hebrides does not technically count as part of the NC 500 route, you should take the opportunity to detour to this fantastic area of mountains, mystical castles and spectacular landscapes. 

When you get back to the mainland, your next port of call should be the stunning village of Ullapool, which is regularly voted as one of the most beautiful in the United Kingdom. You could also choose to head up to John O’Groats, the most northern point of the UK. 

Whilst you are in Scotland, make sure to spend at least 2 days in Edinburgh before exploring the rest of the UK.

3. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland 

If you find yourself in Northern Ireland, you should take the opportunity to drive the Causeway Coastal Route. This journey covers 200 miles from the capital city of Belfast to the lively city of Derry. 

Whilst in Belfast, check out the notable Titanic attraction that showcases the history of the sunken vessel. However, once you have explored the city, make a beeline north to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Giant’s Causeway. Here, you will find 40,000 basalt columns that comprise a massive, naturally-made monument that dates back around 50-60 million years. 

It’s worth spending a bit of time at the Causeway. But, when you fancy moving on, type in ‘Dark Hedges’ in your GPS. This dramatic, eerie avenue lined with beech trees might be familiar to you if you are an avid watcher of Game of Thrones. 

Additionally, you might want to check out Sallagh Braes and the foreboding Cushendun Caves, which were other filming locations. 

Talking of TV shows, the scenic route will eventually take you on to Derry, where the famous sitcom Derry Girls was set. 

4. Wales 

Wales is a beautiful country, best explored by car. Top of your itinerary should be a trip to the Brecon Beacons, a stunning national park, close to the English border, that features rugged mountains and lush valleys that will intoxicate you with their colours and contours. 

If you are up to it, you should attempt a hike up the Pen y Fan, which is the area’s highest peak. There you will enjoy incredible panoramic views of the neighbouring summits and waterways. This is one of the best family destinations in the UK to visit, especially if your family enjoy exploring the outdoors.

West of the Brecon Beacons, head up the coast to the charming market town of Carmarthen before making your way to Ginst Point, which is, hands down, one of Europe’s most scenic beaches. 

You might also want to check out St David’s, to say you have been the UK’s smallest city in terms of population (only 1750 residents) and quaint Solva Harbour, which boasts colourful houses lined around an inlet that brings to mind a Nordic fishing village. 

5. Peak District, England 

While most people head up to the Peak District for its scenic walks, it is actually a beautiful place to drive around as well. 

The best-known course is the rather aptly titled ‘Snake Pass’, which swathes its way through the Pennines to reach a maximum elevation above sea level of 1679 feet! 

Running alongside it is the picturesque Ashop River, which is flanked with brilliant-coloured wildflowers throughout the warmer months of spring and summer. 

Elsewhere, you’ll get the best views of the surrounding peaks at Winnats Pass, which is a spectacular limestone valley best known for its ancient rocks and fossils. 

Alternatively, the stately Chatsworth House, resplendent with a façade of caramel-hues is a popular destination to visit for history buffs and those who are fans of the film Pride and Prejudice and TV show Peaky Blinders, which both used it as filming locations. 

UK Road Trip Tips

The United Kingdom is a region packed with historic sites, beautiful landscapes, world-class tourist attractions, thriving cities and hundreds of towns and villages that positively ooze with character. 

So, it’s a good idea to see as much of it as you can while you are there. 

However, if you are travelling from overseas, you might not be so familiar with where to drive in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Plus, the act of doing so might be a lot different from what you are used to back home. 

For this reason, we’ve put together this guide for the best road trips in the UK. Hopefully, it will inspire you to hit the open road. 

Legal Requirements 

Driving in the UK can be quite a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve not done it before. You will need to hold a valid and full driving license for the privilege of being able to drive in the UK for up to 12 months. 

Additionally, you should also have held that driving license for over a year if you want to hire a car and, if you are under the age of 25, you may need to demonstrate you held it for longer. 

Considerations 

Before hitting the road in the UK, there are some important things you should know. 

For instance, they drive on the left-hand side of the road over there, and their speed limit signs show miles and not kilometers. It would be worth familiarizing yourself with the UK Highway code before you start driving. 

You should be aware that over 70% of the cars in the UK are manual. So, if you have never driven one before or are just nervous at the prospect of touring around the UK by car, you should consider booking a lesson with EzLicence UK to familiarize yourself with the act of doing so. 

Best Routes to Drive in the UK 

All four countries that make up the United Kingdom possess plenty of sights, attractions and landmarks that could fill your itinerary for months. But here are some suggested places to visit in each of them. 

To determine the best specific routes, you should use an app like Google Maps or Waze for directions. 

Things to Know Before you go to the UK

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