Planning a UK street journey? Questioning the place you may go on a scenic drive round Nice Britain and need some concepts and itineraries for locations to go to in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Eire? No worries- we’ve obtained you coated. Listed below are 12 of the perfect UK street journeys and scenic drives- and learn how to take advantage of them!
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE street journey planner under that can assist you keep organised.
*We work laborious to make this the perfect motorhome journey weblog and street journey web site doable, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so if you happen to purchase by means of hyperlinks on this website we could earn a commission- at no additional value to you. All opinions stay our personal.
Should you discover this put up helpful, you may additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even bask in a biscuit (or two!)
UK Highway Journeys- getting began
Whether or not you’re visiting the UK from elsewhere or planning a staycation, I can guarantee you that there’s LOADS to see and do on a self-drive tour of Nice Britain.
Should you’re going for a weekend, per week or perhaps a longer journey of two or 3 weeks, there can be a lot so that you can take pleasure in.
I’ve been exploring the UK for years, each on motorhome holidays and I’ve numerous tricks to share.
On this put up, we’re highlighting 12 of our favorite UK street journeys of all instances. Should you’d like extra assist truly planning the journey, you may discover these helpful:
BEST UK ROAD TRIPS- 5 English scenic drives
I really like roadtripping in England and have loved many components of the nation, however it may possibly take longer to drive round England than you may suppose.
It’s been robust to decide on, however listed below are a number of of my favourites (to see extra unmissable England street journey concepts, click on right here)
Cotswolds street Journey
One of many prettiest UK street journey concepts for England needs to be the Cotswolds.
This complete space is stuffed with picturesque villages, fairly roads and unbelievable views over the rolling English countryside- so long as it’s a transparent day!
Cotswolds street journey itinerary
I’d suggest beginning in Salisbury, a gorgeous cathedral metropolis with a lot to do and see. There are nice retailers and loads of bars and cafes to get you began.
While there, it’s a must to head out to Stonehenge and see the world-famous stone circle. You possibly can see it fairly properly from the street, however there are sometimes lengthy queues as everybody decelerate to take photographs. We as soon as spent an unbelievable night time wild tenting subsequent to Stonehenge with our motorhome – the dawn was among the finest we’ve ever seen!
From Salisbury, head into the Cotswolds ‘correct’. Among the greatest locations to go to within the Cotswolds embrace Bourton-on-the-Water and Fort Combe- each have been known as the prettiest villages in England. You possibly can drive round as many villages within the Cotswolds as you might have time for and there are many locations to remain within the space if you wish to probe for a number of days.
Alternatively, head to Tub for an in a single day keep (except you’re in a motorhome and may use Britstops or a campsite. Tub is one other lovely metropolis, constructed from yellow stone which seems spectacular within the night mild. I extremely suggest staying an evening (or two) and having fun with afternoon tea on the Pump rooms (an English custom), in addition to exploring town on foot.
Devon Highway Journey
Famed for its surroundings and cream teas, Devon is likely one of the hottest UK street journey locations, particularly for households. It’s not too removed from London or the remainder of the UK and there’s a lot to see and do.
Devon street journey concepts for one-week
There are such a lot of choices for street journeys in Devon that it’s laborious to decide on the place to begin. For me, my coronary heart lies within the south as I spent loads of my early maturity there.
Picturesque cities like Salcombe and Dartmouth, Exmouth, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe all have a beautiful quiet appeal. Should you actually wish to get away, park up and revel in among the greatest hikes within the UK up on the infamous Dartmoor.
For extra life, head to Exeter or Plymouth- these cities have an enormous vary of actions and issues to do. One among our favourites is the Dartmoor Zoo (residence of the REAL ‘we purchased a zoo’ story)
In case you are having fun with your UK street journey in a motorhome or camper, watch out the place you keep overnight- motorhome wild parking will not be simple in lots of locations round right here. However there are many campsites and different locations you should utilize.
Highlights and among the greatest locations to go to in Devon
- Dartmouth- among the finest cities within the county
- Clovelly
- The unbelievable seashores at Westward Ho! or Saunton Sands
- Paignton- the seashore with the crimson sand
- Salcombe Harbour
TOP TIP: If in case you have time, lengthen your vacation to incorporate a Hampshire & Dorset street journey too- there are some wonderful locations to see on the South coast of England.
Cornwall street journey
Should you’re on the lookout for a UK street journey concepts, head to Cornwall.
This lovely county is likely one of the greatest locations within the UK— the climate is usually higher than elsewhere within the UK, the seashores in Cornwall are spectacular and the native meals contains mouth-watering pasties, cream teas and ice cream (now’s NOT the time to be on a food plan!)
There may be a lot to do, you’ll by no means see all of it in a weekend or perhaps a week, however there are some highlights you must undoubtedly go to.
Highlights of a Cornwall street journey
For a full listing of the perfect locations to go to on a Cornwall street journey, go to our Cornwall Highway Journey Itinerary & Information
Yorkshire Highway Journey
Yorkshire is England’s largest county and the proper place for the street journey. There are lots of sights fairly shut collectively, so you may discover loads in a brief time period. You may ‘cowl’ Yorkshire in a few days however to actually admire all it has to supply we suggest at the very least one full week.
Highlights of a Yorkshire one-week UK street journey
- England’s highest single-drop waterfall- Hardraw Drive
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Stand on Hogsmeade station (or at the very least the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Quite a few castles and ruins to go to
Yorkshire Highway Journey Itinerary concepts
Begin your street journey within the lovely Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Fort or descend underground to see the formations in White Scar Caves, the longest present collapse England.
Select between the waterfalls of Ingleton, Aysgarth Falls or Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. Earlier than leaving the Dales, go to the spectacular monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Make sure you go to York. This gorgeous metropolis is a perfect location for historical past buffs. You possibly can go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in someday! Make sure you stroll alongside the cobbled Shambles, which has been voted the ‘Greatest Avenue in Britain.’
Head onto the moors to finish your Yorkshire street journey. Cease at Goathland practice station which doubled as Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter films. Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historical pure amphitheatre.
Lake District Highway Journey
The Lake District Nationwide Park is an ideal UK street journey thought. A UNESCO website, it’s superbly maintained and the surroundings is unbelievable.
Many individuals hurry previous on their UK street journey itineraries from England to Scotland, but it surely’s properly value making the time to cease if you happen to can.
Greatest scenic drive locations within the Lake District
The Lake District has among the worlds greatest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Go and Kirkstone Go are a should, as are the gorgeous cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
The Castlerigg stone circle can also be value a cease and the views throughout Derwent Water are spectacular.
Within the South Lakes, Grasmere is pleasant. That is the area of William Wordsworth (well-known poet) and there’s a lot to see right here to recollect him. Make sure you additionally take pleasure in Sarah Nelson’s pleasant gingerbread and go to one of many many tearooms.
Should you love Beatrix Potter, you may be taught extra about her at her residence in Hawkshead and in addition at Wray Fort, the place she loved her holidays. There may be additionally Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.
Should you’re not exploring in a motorhome or campervan, there are many locations to remain, from rustic B & Bs to breathtaking accommodations. There are additionally a great deal of outside activites to take pleasure in, regardless of the climate.
READ MORE: Uncover extra itinerary concepts for our favorite England street journeys
NC 500- some of the well-known UK street journeys
The NC500 has been voted one of many UK’s most scenic drives, with spectacular surroundings, unbelievable seashores and unmissable views throughout the Highlands.
The route is simply over 500 miles lengthy, will take round 3 or 4 days and takes in components of the Highlands within the north-west of Scotland. Among the roads are very slim, however there are many passing locations, even if you happen to’re motorhoming or campervanning in Scotland.
You can begin the route wherever you need, go clockwise or anticlockwise and do all or simply a part of it. We selected to do half of it earlier than heading off to discover different issues to do in Perthshire and the encompassing areas.
Alongside the NC500, you’ll encounter lovely white sand seashores with extremely clear water, unbelievable mountain views, the Smoo Cave, one of many largest in Scotland and the Kylesku bridge.
There are many pretty accommodations and B & Bs alongside the route, lots of which give views throughout the ocean or the Scottish highlands. Historically, the route begins in Inverness, though you may be part of and go away it wherever. We embrace a part of it in our full Scotland street journey Itinerary, which is a superb possibility for individuals who wish to see as a lot of Scotland as doable in a restricted time.
Planning a visit to Scotland?
We’ve performed the laborious give you the results you want!
Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:
- 80+ concepts for locations to go to
- Maps and itinerary solutions
- Routes and issues to see alongside the best way
- Suggestions, customs and far far more!
Highlights of the NC 500 embrace:
- Inverness- probably the most northerly metropolis within the UK
- Smoo Cave
- Bealach Na Ba- the UK’s steepest street. Do NOT try this with a motorhome (or if you happen to’re a nervous driver!)
- Clachtoll Seashore
- Kylesku Bridge
- John o’Groats
READ MORE about driving the NC500
Isle of Skye street journey
The Isle of Skye is likely one of the most well-known islands on the west coast of Scotland and attracts loads of guests annually.
Highlights of an Isle of Skye street journey embrace:
- Fairy Swimming pools
- Talisker Distillery
- Outdated Man of Storr hike
- Dunvegan Fort
- Neist Level
It’s doable so as to add Skye onto the NC500 and go to for the day, but it surely’s properly value spending 3 days in a street journey right here to actually see among the unbelievable sights.
READ MORE: Our full 3-day Isle of Skye itinerary and suggestions for visiting
SWC300 – hidden UK street journey gem
The south of Scotland is a wonderful vacation spot for a UK street journey or staycation because it’s far off the ‘in style’ vacationer monitor.
The South West Coastal 300 (SWC300) is a scenic drive across the south-west of Scotland. It passes by means of components of Ayrshire, runs alongside the coast of Dumfries and Galloway and crosses into the Moffat and Galloway Hills.
SWC300 street journey itinerary concepts
It could possibly take 4-5 days to see all the pieces, however the perfect half is the drive across the Mull of Galloway peninsula, so focus your time right here.
Begin by exploring the southernmost level of Scotland and go to the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse – from the highest, you may see the coast of Northern Eire, the Lake District and the Isle of Man.
The picturesque harbour of Portpatrick provides loads of locations to take pleasure in dinner. Different highlights on the SWC300 embrace Culzean Fort on the coast and the Darkish Sky Park within the Galloway Hills.
Brecon Beacons – Good UK Highway Journey thought
The Brecon Beacons is considered one of three nationwide parks in Wales and is stuffed with scenic drives good for street trippers on the lookout for an journey. It’s some of the under-rated street journey locations within the UK.
The Gospel Go- some of the scenic drives within the UK
The very best driving street in Wales known as the Gospel Go- snaking over the Black Mountains from Abergavenny to Hay-on-wye on the east of the Beacons.
From Abergavenny, flip off the A465 at Llanvihangel Crucorney and comply with indicators for the ruins of Llanthony Priory. From Hay-on-Wye, the Gospel move is sign-posted.
CAUTION- The Go is 22 miles of usually single monitor, very steep (1/4) and is never cleared in winter. Motorhomes may discover it robust and snow chains are important in winter.
Driving the High Gear Highway
You can even drive to the west of the Brecon Beacons (the A4069,) That is the street made well-known by Jeremy Clarkson and High Gear (no, that is NOT the identical street because the Gospel Go!) The street runs from Brynamman to Llangadog.
Gower Peninsula – Wales
The Gower peninsula is an ideal cease on UK Highway Journey. It’s a small peninsula on the southern Welsh coast, simply west of Swansea.
Highlights of a Gower street journey embrace:
- Worm’s Head.
- Gower beaches- together with Caswell and Landland, the place you will discover all the pieces you want for a day on the seashore: ice cream, parking and retailers.
- Additionally, don’t overlook to go on a correct coastal hike. The best of all of them is definitely the hike between the 2 aforementioned seashores.
- The Mumbles is the place we spent our very first night time ‘wild tenting off-grid’ in our motorhome. DEFINITELY value a go to.
Pembrokeshire Highway Journey
The Pembrokeshire Coast is within the far south-west of Wales. The street follows the coast with quite a few little seashores, lovely castles and small cities. The additional west the smaller the roads turn into and extra rugged the panorama.
Highlights of Pembrokeshire street journey embrace:
- Tenby
- Caldey Island
- Pembroke and Pembroke Fort
- Manobier Fort
- Skomer Island (puffins!)
- St David’s- the smallest metropolis within the UK
Pembrokeshire street journey itinerary concepts
Tenby is a small seaside city and has lovely seashores. If in case you have time, a go to to Caldey Island is extremely advisable.
A brief distance from Tenby is Pembroke. This is likely one of the bigger cities and you’ll’t miss Pembroke Fort. Much more spectacular is the close by Manobier Fort that appears over a small bay good for browsing.
If seeing puffins is in your bucket listing then go to Skomer Island. This small island is residence to 1000’s of puffins and it’s virtually assured to see them in summer time.
The ultimate vacation spot to go to in Pembrokeshire is St David’s. That is the smallest metropolis within the UK and has a gorgeous cathedral and small winding streets- in addition to among the finest pasty retailers we’ve ever discovered!
Snowdonia – one of many UK’s greatest street journeys
Should you’re on the lookout for a weekend UK street journey thought, head to one of many prettiest Nationwide Parks within the UK- Snowdonia in Wales. Snowdonia is definitely a part of two of the Wales Approach driving routes– North and Cambrian and it’s simple to see why.
Snowdonia is amazingly properly linked to most locations within the UK- the drive from Manchester takes round 2 hours (80 miles)
Just about all the pieces in Snowdonia entails being outdoor, so be sure you carry applicable clothes for the time of 12 months. It is best to all the time count on rain in Wales, even in mid-summer, but it surely will also be surprisingly heat. There are many nice roads with spectacular surroundings and the celebs at night time are unreal. Should you don’t have a motorhome or campervan, there are many accommodations or glamping spots in North Wales to take pleasure in.
Make sure you add the Swallow Falls to your itinerary – it’s one of many prettiest waterfalls within the UK and properly definitely worth the simple hike and the small payment to go to.
Need extra suggestions for planning the final word UK street journey, together with a map and learn how to take advantage of your time? Right here you go!
Northern Eire Scenic Highway Journey thought
The Causeway Coastal Route is within the north of Northern Eire. Highlights embrace:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Fort
- Darkish Hedges (you may truly drive down this street)
READ NEXT: Extra Eire street journey concepts and tricks to take advantage of your journey
Northern Eire street journey itinerary thought
Head early to the well-known Giants causeway to get there at opening time. It’s a few 90 minute drive from Belfast.
The close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bride connects the mainland to the tiny Carrickarede island and crossing on foot is an exhilarating expertise. Anticipate to queue for some time to get throughout, but it surely’s definitely worth the wait.
One other distinctive cease on the route is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Fort which dangle precariously above the ocean under.
Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This street of arching 18th Century beech bushes options within the HBO Sequence Sport of Thrones and is likely one of the most lovely roads in Eire. It may be simple to drive proper previous it because it was surprisingly badly signposted after we visited- and count on crowds. LOTS of crowds. You can even drive down it- if you happen to’re motorhoming in Eire be VERY nervous about this- I’m not even positive you’ll make it in a campervan!
How lengthy does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?
You possibly can comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles.
Planning a UK ROAD TRIP? Suggestions to assist
Should you’re planning a UK street journey, there are some things to know which can make your life simpler.
- It rains. Loads. Everytime you’re coming, carry a coat.
- The very best climate is normally Could-October. In 2018 it was blissful from April all by means of the summer time. In 2019 I used to be nonetheless carrying my winter coat throughout Could.
- Faculty holidays are round Easter, throughout finish of July and all through August and per week in mid-October. Attempt to keep away from planning your UK street journey throughout these if you happen to can.
- We drive in ‘miles’ (imperial), however we purchase gasoline in litres (metric).
- Foreign money is in GBP- not Euros.
- Carry small cash (something from 10p to £1) Many automotive parks require change to pay.
