10 Great Road Trips in Britain
Not necessarily as glamorous as its European peers, nonetheless with it’s beautiful and varied terrain Britain offers a range of exceptional routes for enthusiastic drivers to explore. Encompassing everything from mountains to moors, the British landscape boasts some wonderful backdrops for those keen on the open road. In the article below, we look at ten of the best road trips in a bit more detail.
1. Snowdonia
Take the A494 through Wales and enjoy the pretty market town of Dolgellau and the sights of the region’s second highest mountain Cader Idris on the way. Passing through green valleys and alongside Bala’s three-mile lake, switching between this road and the A487 will allow you to revel in the best of nature’s awe-inspiring sights. Snowdonia National park is an unrivalled piece of Britain and a must-see on any road trip to this area.
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2. The Yorkshire Moors
A three-hour drive starting from the A1079 in Malton will allow you to see York Minster as well as the historic NYM Railway. With National Trust trails and Castle Howard en route, this trip also affords the perfect opportunity to stay in a beautiful hotel up in the Cleveland Hills. Whilst nearby Whitby is an excellent place to lunch on freshly caught fish, the A169 will take you through some of the bleakest yet most emotive landscapes Britain has to offer.
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3. The Scottish Highlands
Choosing the A835 route to travel from Iverness to Durness offers a chance to take in some truly epic panoramic views including mountain passes and the beautiful coastline at Ullapool. Pass Ledmore Junction and the Kylesku and Laxford bridges before capturing sunset over the Forth Road bridge beyond the northern point of Cape Wrath.
Photo courtesy of Andi CJ Photography.
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4. London to Brighton
Once a rite of passage for mods and rockers back in the 1960s, for those road trippers who find themselves rather more strapped for time, just a quick jaunt past Embankment on the A23 down to the coast is enough to put the spring back in your step. A city of boutiques, cool bars and home to shopping haunt to those in the know The Lanes this is one of Britain’s best road trips.
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5. The Atlantic Highway
Taking in Somerset, Bude and providing the option to visit the surfer’s paradise of Newquay or a foodie’s retreat in the form of Padstow, the M5 and A13 provides a wealth of scenic detours. With opportunities to see villages, railways, rocky shorelines and wild hills this route gives a taste of the diverse treats the British isles have to offer.
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6. The Outer Hebrides
From the ferry in Stornoway, this 150-mile straight road provides the opportunity to see Stevenson’s lighthouse, Kisimul Castle, the Port of Ness fishing village and views of mountains and white-sand beaches. For animal lovers there is even a chance to spot seals from the sea-spray soaked causeways.
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7. The Norfolk coast
From the A149 to the B1355 this trip is one for those seeking to unwind. Dotted with nature reserves including Cley, Snettisham and Titchwell, the Norfolk coast is known for its beautiful secluded beaches with miles of sand and salt marsh as far as the eye can see. With cottages, craft shops and galleries by the dozen, this is a perfect peaceful road trip destination.
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8. The Cotswolds
Famous for its limestone buildings and surrounded by the famous Cotswolds Hills, not only are the surrounding towns of Cirenchester, Southrop and Fairfield very beautiful they also home to a handful of well-known faces including Kate Moss and Liz Hurley. A drive north along the A429 from Stow on the Wold to Moreton in Marsh will take you along a road thought to have been established in Roman times.
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9. Midlands Tick
For those drivers seeking a bit more of a technical thrill, a journey around the outskirts of Leicester and Nottingham will test your mettle with a mix of tight turns and awe-inspiring straights.
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10. Londonderry
A drive along the 195-mile coastal route from Belfast will lead you into the heart of this year’s city of culture. With this journey taking you through sweeping valleys, past the cliff-top located Dunluce castle and past the Giant’s Causeway this has to be one of Britain’s most astounding road trips.
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So there you have 10 great ideas for a road trip. All you have to do now is find the time, choose what car to take/ hire, then get on with it. If you want to get a car through business Car Leasing/ business vehicle Leasing then take a look at Contract Hire a Car website, it may beat using your pride and joy!
If you do drive any of these roads/ areas, then please let us know what you think, plus any other drives that you think are EPIC we’d love to hear all about them.
