Planning a winter highway journey within the UK? Questioning whether or not it is best to head for the Northern Lights in Scotland, the snow-capped peaks in Wales, or use the time to go to widespread places like Cornwall or the Lake District? We’ve lined the perfect routes that can assist you select your excellent UK winter highway journey.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE highway journey planner under to assist maintain you organised.
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Why do a winter highway journey within the UK?
Most individuals assume you could’t go winter motorhoming or take pleasure in a highway journey throughout a UK winter. But it surely’s really top-of-the-line instances to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unimaginable surroundings and easy accessibility to most of the stunning Nationwide Parks we now have on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have decreased costs, as do many prime sights, so it actually is a good time to discover.
All you might want to do is be sure that your car is appropriate for winter highway journeys, gown up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
The most effective UK winter highway journey routes you may’t miss
All of us have completely different priorities. That’s one of many issues I like a lot about highway trips- the liberty to benefit from the stuff you like.
Even higher, the UK has LOADS to take pleasure in throughout winter, together with world-class Christmas markets, winter festivals, meals festivals, snow sports activities and improbable strolling over moors and hills.
We’ve chosen a wide range of winter highway journey concepts that can assist you select the right possibility for you. After all, you may choose and select or mix ones to create your excellent winter getaway.
Ideas for driving in winter
Should you’re planning a winter highway journey, there’s not a lot distinction from planning a UK highway journey at another time of the 12 months, however you do want to verify of some issues.
- Be sure that your car has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- Should you’re travelling in a van, be sure that your motorhome heating is working.
- Be sure that your tyres are protected and appropriate for the roads. Even when there’s no snow, you may count on to drive in heavy rain in some unspecified time in the future in your journey
- Verify windscreen wipers and screenwash ranges
- Carry drink and snacks with you
- Should you’re not planning a motorhome journey, you should definitely carry a thermos of scorching drink or a range and kettle, simply in case you get caught someplace chilly. Additionally, have a few blankets with you too.
- Be sure that your telephones are charged and ideally use a correct sat-nav with site visitors updates so you may see if a highway turns into blocked or closed.
The most effective winter highway journey to see the Northern Lights
Among the best-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is you could typically see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Certain, they’re not as constant as among the different finest locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but when they’re in your bucket listing, it’s time to go north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 516 miles
Beneficial No. of Days: 4-5 days
Finest time to go to: December, January, February
For the perfect likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll need to go as far north as doable. The additional north you may get in your winter highway journey, the higher.
Should you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, chances are you’ll need to mix this with a NC500 motorhome tour which matches alongside the northern coast.
Cease at locations like Sango Sands or Dunnet Bay close to John O’Groats, however ideally you’ll need to get even additional north. Orkney is well accessible on a highway journey, even if you happen to simply go to for a few days.
The most effective time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. Should you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or among the northern Isles, November to February is your finest guess. Simply be sure that to wrap up warmly- the perfect nights to see them are clear and chilly!
Should you’re in a motorhome or campervan, these are the North Coast 500 campsites open all 12 months.
Should you’d wish to discover extra , right here’s the one NC500 itinerary and route planner you want.
Should you’re up in Scotland, you too can go to the Cairngorms, residence to Aviemore- the UK’s finest ski and snowboarding resort
The most effective UK winter highway journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a respectable Christmas Market in nearly each massive UK city or metropolis.
Moderately than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Almost all have a campsite open all 12 months close by for motorhome holidays or campervan excursions, or there are mattress and breakfasts in each place so that you can keep in your highway journey.
Most UK Christmas Markets are open from final November, however some don’t open till mid-December, so you should definitely examine earlier than you begin your winter highway journey.
Three UK highway journey routes to see Christmas Markets
SOUTH CENTRAL
- Begin in Winchester (the Winchester Christmas Market is among the finest in England) and luxuriate in exploring town.
- Then head to Salisbury, the place you’ll discover one other improbable Christmas Market
- From right here, you may head to the Cotswolds, that are among the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you may go to Bathtub, which is superb at any time however particularly good at Christmas.
MIDLANDS
- Begin on the Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is among the largest Christmas markets within the UK and the largest genuine German market outdoors of Austria or Germany. Don’t overlook your skates so you may ice skate on one of many rinks within the metropolis.
- From right here, proceed your England highway journey and head to Stratford upon Avon, Warwick or Royal Leamington Spa for extra conventional Christmas celebrations, or head to Lincoln, residence of the oldest Christmas Market within the UK.
NORTHERN
- Edinburgh is among the finest cities to go to round Christmas time- the markets listed below are legendary.
- Though it is a great spot to cease on a Scotland highway journey, you can additionally use it because the northern level of your winter highway journey route, and head south to Newcastle or Durham.
- After exploring these great cities, head to Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool for extra large festivities.
After all, you can simply spend a weekend highway journey simply in London, exploring the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park and all of the smaller Christmas Markets across the metropolis.
Finest Winter highway journeys for climbing and open air
The UK has some fabulous Nationwide Parks, that are open all 12 months. Throughout summer season months, they will get very crowded, however throughout winter you may typically have locations all to your self!
Should you’re dwelling in a van over winter, don’t overlook that many Nationwide Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so you should definitely comply with these. Right here’s find out how to discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Eire
Northern Eire Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 220 miles
Beneficial No. of Days: 2-3 days
Finest time to go to: November, December, January, February, March
The Causeway Coastal Route is among the finest winter highway journeys in Northern Eire. Highlights embrace:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Citadel
- Darkish Hedges
Winter highway journey route concept
- Begin your Eire highway journey by visiting the well-known Giants Causeway. It’s a few 90-minute drive from Belfast and attempt to get there as early as doable.
- Go to close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In summer season the queues may be prolonged, however in winter you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy.
- One other distinctive cease is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Citadel which grasp above the ocean under.
- Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This highway options in Recreation of Thrones and is among the most stunning roads in Eire. It was surprisingly badly signposted once we visited, so don’t miss it. Should you’re motorhoming in Eire you may’t drive down it- I’m not even positive you’ll make it in a campervan!
How lengthy does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?
You’ll be able to comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You’ll be able to really do it in a day if you happen to actually push. Don’t miss the Titanic museum in Belfast- it’s unimaginable.
Need to go to southern Eire? See concepts for the perfect winter highway journeys in Europe
Yorkshire Moors
Yorkshire is the right winter highway journey vacation spot. The moors look magical lined in snow however there are nonetheless loads of locations open all 12 months.
Highlights of a Yorkshire highway journey embrace:
- Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or a minimum of the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Quite a few castles and ruins
Yorkshire Street Journey Itinerary concepts
Begin your highway journey within the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Citadel or go underground to see the formations in White Scar Caves, the longest present collapse England.
Go to the waterfalls of Ingleton, Aysgarth Falls or Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. These are much more spectacular in winter with the elevated rainfall.
Earlier than leaving the Dales, go to the unimaginable monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Subsequent, head to town of York. You’ll be able to go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in someday! Don’t miss a stroll alongside the cobbled Shambles, which has typically been voted the ‘Finest Avenue in Britain.’
Lastly, head out onto the moors. Cease at Goathland practice station (Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter films.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historical pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
Should you’re in search of a weekend UK highway journey concept, head to one of many prettiest Nationwide Parks within the UK- Snowdonia in Wales.
Snowdonia is definitely a part of two of the Wales Means driving routes– North and Cambrian and it’s straightforward to see why.
Just about the whole lot in Snowdonia includes being open air, so be sure to carry applicable clothes for the time of 12 months. In winter, you’re prone to get rain, chilly and really probably snow.
There are many nice roads with spectacular surroundings and the celebs at evening are unreal, particularly on a crisp Winter evening.
Planning a visit to Wales?
Seize your FREE information to the Wales Means highway journey routes, together with:
- prompt routes round Wales
- finest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different ideas for touring Wales
The most effective winter highway journey routes for widespread UK locations
Winter is the right time to go to locations that are normally loopy busy.
Locations like Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District and the Cotswolds are a lot quieter and simpler to discover on the highway journey.
Listed here are our favorite highway journey concepts:
Cornwall
Cornwall is one in all our favorite locations to highway journey in England. I spent 2 years dwelling there while I used to be within the Navy, and have been again many instances since. There are many issues to do in Cornwall, however there are some essential ideas you might want to know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall top-of-the-line England highway journeys?
If you need cute villages, unimaginable seashores and extra historical past than you may shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Though some locations do shut in winter, most of the primary sights stay open all 12 months, and the dearth of crowds makes it even higher.
How lengthy must you spend roadtripping Cornwall?
How lengthy is a chunk of string!! However, as you may see on our Cornish highway journey itinerary, we advocate 7-10 days minimal to see all the perfect locations.
The place are the perfect locations to go to in Cornwall on a highway journey?
A few of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embrace:
For a full listing of the perfect locations to go to on a Cornwall highway journey, go to our Cornwall Street Journey Itinerary & Information
Devon
Even in Winter, Devon is a improbable highway journey vacation spot. It’s nonetheless filled with cute villages, stunning hills and seashores and loads of cafes!
Highlights and finest locations to go to in Devon
My dad and mom dwell right here, so I’ve spent a whole lot of time exploring the county. A few of my favorite embrace:
- Dartmouth- top-of-the-line cities within the county. Rent a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seashore with the crimson sand
- Exmouth with its stunning painted homes
- Dartmoor
- Saunton Sands
- Fish and Chips from Squires in Braunton
- Salcombe Harbour
- Dulverton- head to the Copper Kettle tea room; you gained’t remorse it!
See the complete listing of my favorite Devon highway journey concepts right here.
Lake District
The Lake District Nationwide Park is an ideal UK winter highway journey concept. It has among the worlds finest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Move and Kirkstone Move are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they could be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can be price a cease, as are the gorgeous cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
Within the South Lakes, Grasmere (residence of William Wordsworth) is price visiting and if you happen to love Beatrix Potter, you may go to her residence in Hawkshead. There may be additionally Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.
Another highlights for winter highway journeys embrace:
- The most important pure lake within the UK, Lake Windermere. Some boat excursions run all 12 months however wrap up warmly
- The Punch Bowl Inn in Crosthwaite.
- Aira Drive Waterfall
- The views at Derwentwater
Cotswolds – a magical UK winter highway journey
The Cotswolds is the biggest Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB) in England and Wales and it seems to be SPECTACULAR in winter.
Highlights & Finest locations to go to within the Cotswolds and surrounding space
- The attractive stone villages of the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water is one in all my private favourites)
- go to the historic metropolis of Bathtub
- marvel on the mysterious historical stones of Stonehenge
- cease on the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.
Wiltshire & Cotswolds winter highway journey itinerary
- Ideally, spend 3-4 days exploring as many pretty little cities and villages of the Cotswolds as you want to. A few of the prettiest villages embrace Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Decrease Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Citadel Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Bathtub is simply a 30-minute drive from the village of Citadel Combe- nicely price a go to. Don’t miss visiting the Roman baths and having a cream tea within the tea rooms there.
- You probably have time, head East to Stonehenge. Should you’re in a motorhome or camper, you may camp in a single day at Stonehenge (That is the place we noticed probably the most INCREDIBLE dawn we’ve EVER seen. (Significantly, watch the video. It’s breathtaking)
- From Stonehenge, it’s solely a 20-minute drive into the medieval city of Salisbury, the place you may discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
Should you’re planning a UK highway journey, you would possibly discover these posts useful:
