There’s something special about seeing Britain from the road. Instead of rushing from one destination to the next, a road trip gives you the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye, take the scenic route, and uncover places that don’t always make the guidebooks.
- The North Coast 500, Scotland
Distance: 516 miles
Suggested trip: 5 to 7 days
Starting point: Inverness
Drive from London: Around 9 to 10 hours
Best time to visit: May to September
Main stop points:
- Inverness – The capital of the Scottish Highlands and the official starting and finishing point of the North Coast 500.
- Applecross – A remote coastal village reached via the famous Bealach na Bà mountain pass.
- Torridon – A small Highland village surrounded by towering mountains.
- Ullapool – A picturesque fishing village and ferry port.
- Durness – Home to white sand beaches and the impressive Smoo Cave.
- John o’ Groats – One of Britain’s most famous landmarks.
- Dunrobin Castle – A fairytale style castle.
The North Coast 500 has become Britain’s best-known road trip for good reason. The circular route takes drivers through some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes, with winding mountain roads, white sand beaches, lochs, and historic castles all packed into one journey.
One of the biggest highlights is the Bealach na Bà mountain pass, famous for its steep climbs and sweeping views. Wildlife lovers may also spot dolphins, red deer, seals, or even golden eagles along the route.
Although some complete it in a few days, allowing a full week gives you plenty of time to enjoy walks, local seafood, and Highland villages without feeling rushed.
- The Atlantic Highway, Devon and Cornwall
Distance: Around 70 miles
Suggested trip: 2 to 4 days
Starting point: Barnstaple
Drive from London: Around 4 to 5 hours
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Main stop points:
- Bude – A popular seaside town known for its sandy beaches and coastal walks.
- Tintagel – A historic village famous for its links to the legend of King Arthur.
- Boscastle – A picturesque fishing village with a natural harbour.
- Port Isaac – A traditional Cornish fishing village.
- Padstow – A bustling harbour town known for its seafood and waterfront.
- Newquay – Cornwall’s surfing capital, famous for its beaches and lively atmosphere.
The Atlantic Highway follows the A39 through some of the South West’s best coastal scenery. While the road doesn’t stay beside the sea throughout, short detours lead to dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque fishing villages.
Tintagel is closely linked with the legend of King Arthur, while Boscastle and Port Isaac provide quieter stops full of character. Fresh seafood and traditional Cornish pasties are never far away.
- The Lake District Circular
Distance: Around 145 miles
Suggested trip: 2 to 3 days
Starting point: Windermere
Drive from London: Around 5 to 6 hours
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
Main stop points:
- Windermere – Home to England’s largest natural lake.
- Ambleside – A bustling town at the northern end of Lake Windermere.
- Keswick – A lively market town surrounded by lakes and fells.
- Buttermere – A peaceful lake known for its mountain scenery.
- Ullswater – One of the Lake District’s largest and most scenic lakes.
The Lake District offers some of England’s finest driving roads. Quiet lanes weave between lakes, mountain passes, and stone-built villages, making every section feel different.
Along the way you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take short walks, enjoy a boat trip, or stop for lunch overlooking the water. Popular viewpoints appear around almost every corner, making this one of the country’s most photogenic drives.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready
Don Amott Leisure Kingdom advises starting with the basics before any long road trip. Tyres should be checked for wear and correct pressure, along with oil, coolant, lights, and brakes. It’s also worth making sure you’ve got essentials packed, including a warning triangle, first aid kit, phone charger, and waterproof clothing.
For caravan and motorhome travel, extra attention should go to towing equipment, gas systems, batteries, and storage. Small faults can become more noticeable once you’re covering longer distances, so it helps to sort them in advance rather than deal with issues on the road.
Their general guidance is to treat preparation as part of the trip itself rather than an afterthought. A quick check before setting off tends to make the journey smoother and reduces the chance of interruptions once you’re underway.
- The Snowdonia Scenic Route, Wales
Distance: Around 120 miles
Suggested trip: 2 to 3 days
Starting point: Betws-y-Coed
Drive from London: Around 4.5 to 5 hours
Best time to visit: Spring through autumn
Main stop points:
- Betws-y-Coed – A picturesque village known as the gateway to Eryri (Snowdonia).
- Beddgelert – A traditional Welsh village surrounded by mountains.
- Bala – A market town on the shores of Bala Lake.
- Harlech – A coastal town famous for its medieval castle.
- Snowdon Mountain Railway – A historic railway that climbs to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
Driving through Snowdonia means passing mountain lakes, forests, waterfalls, and some of Wales’ most impressive scenery. The roads twist through valleys before opening onto spectacular viewpoints.
Many visitors combine the drive with walks, castle visits, or a trip up Snowdon on the mountain railway.
- The Yorkshire Dales
Distance: Around 130 miles
Suggested trip: 2 to 3 days
Starting point: Skipton
Drive from London: Around 4 to 5 hours
Best time to visit: April to October
Main stop points:
- Skipton – A historic market town known for its medieval castle.
- Grassington – A traditional Yorkshire village with cobbled streets.
- Hawes – A market town famous for its Wensleydale cheese.
- Ribblehead – Home to the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.
- Malham – A village known for the dramatic limestone formation of Malham Cove.
The Yorkshire Dales offers a slower pace than many coastal routes. Expect winding roads bordered by dry stone walls, green valleys, waterfalls, and traditional villages.
Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the route’s best-known landmarks, while Malham Cove is well worth a short detour.
- The Peak District
Distance: Around 100 miles
Suggested trip: Weekend or 2 days
Starting point: Bakewell
Drive from London: Around 3.5 to 4 hours
Best time to visit: All year
Main stop points:
- Bakewell – A historic market town famous for the Bakewell pudding.
- Castleton – A picturesque village known for its caves and Mam Tor.
- Buxton – A spa town renowned for its Georgian architecture.
- Edale – A small village at the start of the Pennine Way.
- Chatsworth House – A grand stately home surrounded by landscaped gardens.
The Peak District was Britain’s first national park and remains one of its easiest countryside escapes from many parts of England.
Rolling hills, limestone valleys, caves, and historic estates all sit within a relatively compact area, making it easy to cover plenty of ground over a weekend.
- The Jurassic Coast
Distance: Around 95 miles
Suggested trip: 2 to 3 days
Starting point: Exmouth
Drive from London: Around 2.5 to 4 hours
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Main stop points:
- Lyme Regis – A historic seaside town famous for its fossil rich beaches.
- Durdle Door – A natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast.
- Lulworth Cove – A sheltered bay known for its unique geological formations.
- Weymouth – A traditional seaside town with a long sandy beach.
- Sidmouth – A charming coastal town surrounded by red sandstone cliffs.
England’s only natural World Heritage Site offers one of Britain’s best coastal drives. Towering cliffs, fossil-rich beaches, and dramatic rock formations make this route popular with photographers and walkers alike.
Stopping at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove is almost essential, but smaller seaside towns along the way are equally rewarding.
- The Cotswolds
Distance: Around 100 miles
Suggested trip: Weekend
Starting point: Burford
Drive from London: Around 2 hours
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
Main stop points:
- Burford – A historic Cotswold town with a medieval high street.
- Bourton-on-the-Water – A village known for its low stone bridges over the River Windrush.
- Stow-on-the-Wold – A market town with a large central square and antique shops.
- Broadway – A village known for its wide main street and honey coloured stone buildings.
- Chipping Campden – A historic market town with well-preserved architecture.
The Cotswolds is known for its honey-coloured stone villages, quiet country roads, and traditional market towns.
Rather than rushing between destinations, allow time to wander through independent shops, local cafés, and village greens that have changed very little over the years.
- The Norfolk Coast
Distance: Around 90 miles
Suggested trip: 2 days
Starting point: Hunstanton
Drive from London: Around 3 to 4 hours
Best time to visit: Spring to autumn
Main stop points:
- Hunstanton – A seaside town known for its striped cliffs and sunsets.
- Wells-next-the-Sea – A coastal town with a large sandy beach and pine backed shore.
- Blakeney – A village on the Norfolk coast known for its salt marshes and seal colonies.
- Cromer – A traditional seaside town famous for its pier and crab fishing.
The Norfolk Coast offers wide beaches, nature reserves, and charming seaside towns. It’s one of Britain’s quieter coastal routes, making it a good choice for those looking to avoid larger crowds.
Fresh seafood, colourful beach huts, and excellent birdwatching opportunities are all part of the experience.
- The Northumberland Coast
Distance: Around 120 miles
Suggested trip: 2 to 3 days
Starting point: Newcastle upon Tyne
Drive from London: Around 6 hours
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Main stop points:
- Tynemouth – A coastal town known for its priory, beaches, and surfing spots.
- Alnwick – A historic market town home to Alnwick Castle and gardens.
- Bamburgh Castle – A dramatic castle overlooking a wide sandy beach.
- Seahouses – A small harbour village used for boat trips to the Farne Islands.
- Holy Island – A tidal island known for Lindisfarne Priory and its causeway access.
- Berwick-upon-Tweed – A border town with Elizabethan walls and a historic harbour.
Northumberland’s coastline combines miles of unspoilt beaches with some of Britain’s most impressive castles. Bamburgh Castle dominates the shoreline, while Holy Island offers a memorable stop, provided you check the tide times before crossing the causeway.
The route is quieter than many of Britain’s better-known coastal drives, making it a relaxing way to round off a road trip.
Take the Scenic Route
Britain’s road network connects far more than towns and cities. It links mountains, coastlines, national parks, historic villages, and landscapes that are best appreciated at a slower pace. While each of these routes offers something different, they all reward drivers who leave extra time for unexpected stops and scenic detours.
Whether you’re setting off in a family car, campervan, caravan, or motorhome, a little planning before you leave helps make the journey smoother. Pack for changing weather, book accommodation in advance during busy periods, and don’t be afraid to stray from the planned route. Some of the best discoveries are the ones you weren’t expecting to make.
