I don’t know about you but I don’t often think of UK road trips as a ‘thing’.
When I think of road trips I tend to think of road trips like our American road trip, the Australian road trip, and countries where you can ride the same road for miles and miles and spot wildlife like bears, elks, and kangaroos.
Driving along the M4 or the M6 back home in the UK doesn’t quite conjure up the same feelings of adventure, does it?
This little island shouldn’t be forgotten about though when it comes to awesome road trip routes; there are some UK road trips that just shouldn’t be missed. One benefit of being a small island is that you’re never too far away from civilization in the form of a tasty meal or a petrol station when you need one.
Put on those hiking boots, pack up your car, and prepare your road trip playlist, you’re going to want to do all these road trip ideas!
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Visiting the UK and need to rent a car?
I use Rentalcars.com to rent cars when I travel abroad and they’ve got all the cars for road trips you’ll ever need.
Their comparison site makes it easy to find the best deal for me (I prefer getting full-to-full when it comes to petrol since that way I can find a cheaper petrol price than the rental company is likely to charge me!).
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
The best road trips in the UK
Looking for a road trip itinerary? Check out these UK road trip ideas below to kick-start your planning. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to choose just one of these to do!
Luckily, we’ve been able to tick off quite a few of these best places to go on a road trip UK and I hope you get to too.
Lake District
The Lake District’s hills and valleys are epic rain or shine. Driving on the A1M and A66 to Barnard Castles takes you through luscious moorland and continues on through the steep Kirkstone Pass, locally referred to as “The Struggle”, and you’ll come into Ambleside.
Ambleside is full of cute cottages on the banks of Lake Windermere. In the summer it can get pretty busy so plan your road trip slightly out of season and you’ll avoid traffic jams.
You couldn’t possibly go to the Lake District without getting out and taking a walk. A walk around Lake Windermere, on the far side of the town, is beautiful and free of cars.
Peak District
The Peak District was the UK’s first National Park, being given the title back in 1951. It spans the counties of Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire which gives you an idea of just how big it is.
A lot of the Peak District is great for stunning UK road trips but Snake Pass is particularly worth driving. This is one road trip England has that you won’t forget anytime soon.
Located in the Derbyshire section of the Peak District, Snake Pass crosses the Pennines and Ladybower Reservoir. Expect plenty of snug corners as the tarmac twists and turns in this beautiful National Park for around 42 miles!
Cumbria and Northumberland
Take a road trip across the “roof of England” on the A686 and pass from Cumbria’s Penrith right over to Northumberland’s Haydon Bridge.
As you cross the Pennines you’ll be wowed by the dramatic scenery and landscapes that you’d never thought possible in the UK. You’ll want to pull over your car and get out your camera a lot on this road trip in England.
When you reach the end of the road, why not get out and take a hike along Hadrian’s Wall and seek out a bothy for the night?
Cheddar Gorge
In the heart of the West Country, around 10 miles south-west of Bristol, is Cheddar Gorge.
The scenery here is particularly unusual as it appears as though the earth has opened up, revealing deep limestone cliffs. It’s easily one of the best road trips in England.
Watch out for farm vehicles, and perhaps the odd farm animal too, as you maneuver your way through the gorge.
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is the ideal place for adventurers and Wales road trips are full of fun. From indoor trampolines to caving, hiking, and mountain biking. Plus, there are plenty of dirt road tracks where you can get your 4×4 muddy.
One great drive in Snowdonia is from Wrexham to Bala. The drive is around 29 miles long and you’ll start in Dolgellau, a small and picturesque market town. Drive the A494 switching to the A487 through Cader Idris which is Wales’ second highest mountain.
The road towards Machynlleth twists through lush green valleys and you’ll have plenty of photo opp of Tal-y-Llyn Lake. When you reach Machynlleth take the A489 to Cemmaes Road and then the A470 back towards Dolgellau before rejoining the A494 along Bala’s 3-mile-long lake.
Black Mountain Pass
Another great area for great British trips and driving in Wales is in the Brecon Beacons, home to many great road trip routes.
The Black Mountain Pass is a challenging road with beautiful views. The scenery is pretty hard to beat and if you love hairpin turns you’ll find plenty to get excited about on this road!
Scottish Highlands
I couldn’t possibly write about UK road trips without mentioning the Scottish Highlands. The Highlands are one of the last areas of the UK where you truly get open roads which makes for a fantastic Scottish road trip.
You’ll be surrounded by soaring mountains, icy lochs, and free-roaming cows – everything that creates the best Scotland road trip! One of the best Scottish road trips is definitely the route through Glen Coe. Actually, I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best road trips in the UK and Ireland altogether!
Head up north from either Edinburgh or Glasgow and you’ll soon hit the open road. For even more incredible drives cross on over to the Isle of Skye.
The small island can be explored by car in a day or two and you’ll want 4×4 capabilities if you’re exploring in winter. You’ll probably come across some snow or ice!
Giant’s Causeway
Northern Ireland is home to one of the best UK road trips thanks to the out-of-this-world Giant’s Causeway. This is probably one of the ultimate road trips in the UK and makes an adventure road trip.
The result of an ancient volcanic eruption, The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 connecting basalt columns. You’ll love hopping from column to column.
Once you’re done, hop back in the car, turn on the heated seats to warm up and head off down the coast for some kayaking or coasteering. An Ireland road trip is full of adventures!
Cornwall – Best Coastal Road Trips UK
A Cornwall road trip is almost the quintessential UK road trip.
The UK’s South West has some fantastic sights to take in. My favorite drive would be to follow the coast from Padstow all the way to Land’s End.
This is best done over the course of a few days. Make sure to stop off and admire the beaches. Or perhaps take a surfing lesson in Newquay where there are surf schools, and waves, plenty!
Be sure to check out all the pretty villages in Cornwall too.
Norfolk
If you’re looking for weekend road trips from London then check out this road trip to Norfolk.
This is my pick of the best road trips from London! It’s one that’s not commonly thought of when it comes to road trip destinations UK has to offer, but I think it’s worth it.
Head north out of London and up towards Norfolk. Stop off at the 4×4 track in Suffolk where you can take your own car onto the track.
Get that windswept look whilst exploring the beaches of North Norfolk from Old Hunstanton to Holt and Wells
Go canoeing on the rivers of Norwich or explore the grounds of Sandringham, the Royals’ summer home.
Last Updated on November 24, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
Wow, some truly spectacular destinations to visit. There’s so many gorgeous, natural spots to visit in the UK. Thanks for sharing your favourite locations. They are all very picture-perfect!
Thanks Jane!