Facts 08/10/2025 18:18

Explore the Best of Britain: 12 Epic UK Road Trip Ideas

Find your own space on a trip to the Cairngorms National Park (Léonie Lejon/Unsplash)

Are you ready to uncover the United Kingdom's most stunning landscapes, historic treasures, and charming villages like never before? Whether you're drawn to the wild coastlines of Northern Ireland, the serene beauty of the Cotswolds, or the rugged majesty of the Scottish Highlands, the UK offers epic road trip experiences waiting around every corner.

There’s no better way to soak up the diversity of the UK than from behind the wheel. A road trip allows you to explore multiple regions in a single journey, discover hidden gems, and travel at your own pace. To help you get started, we’ve curated 12 of the best road trips across the UK, highlighting breathtaking scenery, cultural landmarks, and unforgettable adventures along the way.

1. Discover the Causeway Coastal Route (Northern Ireland)

The Causeway Coastal Route is one of the UK’s most iconic drives. It winds between Belfast and Londonderry, hugging Northern Ireland’s dramatic north coast. This route offers a mix of rugged cliffs, windswept beaches, and historic sites.

Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, with its fascinating basalt columns, and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which dangles above a 30-metre chasm. Don’t miss The Gobbins Cliff Path, an exhilarating cliffside walk that reveals panoramic coastal views. Fans of Game of Thrones should stop by The Dark Hedges, a hauntingly beautiful avenue of beech trees featured in the series.

Extra Tip: Stop in Ballycastle for a traditional Irish pub lunch and take a ferry to Rathlin Island if you're up for a more remote adventure.

2. Experience the Lake District Loop (England)

The Lake District National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. This scenic loop takes you through postcard-perfect towns like Kendal, Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick, all surrounded by dramatic fells and shimmering lakes.

Start your journey at Lake Windermere, where you can enjoy water sports or a peaceful boat tour. Head to Ullswater to hike to Aira Force, a stunning waterfall nestled in ancient woodland. Then visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of the oldest stone circles in Britain, before hiking up Catbells for breathtaking views.

Extra Tip: Plan a night in Grasmere, the former home of poet William Wordsworth, and try the famous Grasmere gingerbread.

3. Journey Through the Jurassic Coast (South England)

This 95-mile stretch from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset is a geological wonderland, showcasing 185 million years of Earth’s history.

Explore the quaint town of Swanage, ride a heritage steam train to Corfe Castle, and take in the views from this 12th-century fortress. Nature lovers will adore Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch set against turquoise waters, and the circular Lulworth Cove, shaped over millennia by erosion.

Extra Tip: Fossil hunting is a must along this route—head to Charmouth or Lyme Regis for a chance to find ancient sea creatures trapped in time.

4. Venture Along the Atlantic Highway (Southwest England)

Also known as the A39, the Atlantic Highway runs from Barnstaple in Devon to Newquay in Cornwall, offering wild sea views and sleepy fishing villages.

Explore the rugged cliffs of Tintagel, home to King Arthur legends. Stop by Boscastle to visit the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, or feast on seafood in Padstow, a foodie haven made famous by chef Rick Stein. TV fans can visit Port Isaac, the filming location for Doc Martin.

Extra Tip: Take a detour to the Bedruthan Steps, an impressive stretch of coastline with towering sea stacks and a dramatic beach.

5. Escape to the Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands offer a road trip filled with grandeur, mystery, and natural beauty. Starting in Edinburgh, explore the capital’s cobbled streets, historic castle, and Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano with city-wide views.

Travel northeast to Dundee, St Andrews, and Stonehaven, home to the cliff-perched Dunnottar Castle. Loop through Aberdeen, into the Cairngorms National Park, then west through Glencoe, and end your trip at Loch Lomond, a serene freshwater loch surrounded by hills.

Extra Tip: Don’t miss Fort William, a great base for climbing Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

6. Unwind in the Tranquil Cotswolds (Central England)

The Cotswolds is pure English countryside bliss—rolling hills, golden stone cottages, and timeless villages.

Begin in Broadway, known for its wide High Street and honey-coloured buildings. Enjoy afternoon tea in Chipping Norton, explore the fairytale-like village of Bibury, and stroll through Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds.”

Extra Tip: For adventure seekers, visit the Cotswold Water Park, which offers over 150 lakes for paddleboarding, kayaking, and even wakeboarding.

7. Explore Wales’ Scenic Beauty

From mountains to coastline, Wales is perfect for a road trip. Start in the Brecon Beacons, with its waterfalls and walking trails, and make your way through Pembrokeshire’s coastal villages and sandy beaches.

Drive north through the Elan Valley, dotted with reservoirs and dams, and finish in Snowdonia National Park, home to the tallest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).

Extra Tip: Wildlife lovers should detour to Skomer Island, a sanctuary for puffins and seals during the summer months.

8. Delight in the Peak District and Derbyshire (England)

The Peak District is ideal for those who crave open skies, historic houses, and challenging drives. For a short but stunning trip, take the Snake Pass or the Cat and Fiddle Road, both known for their hairpin bends and moody views.

Visit Chatsworth House, explore Bakewell (home of the famous tart), and hike around Mam Tor or the Ladybower Reservoir.

Extra Tip: Stay overnight in Buxton, a spa town with Georgian architecture and natural thermal springs.

9. Tackle Scotland’s North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 (NC500) is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Starting and ending in Inverness, this 500-mile loop showcases castles, lochs, and dramatic coastlines.

Drive through Ullapool, past Smoo Cave, and onto John O’Groats, the northernmost tip of mainland Britain. You’ll find ancient ruins, sea stacks, and quiet beaches along the way.

Extra Tip: Time your visit for stargazing at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory—the remoteness of the Highlands offers incredible night skies.

10. Uncover the Isle of Wight and Military Road

Take a ferry to the Isle of Wight and explore the island via the Military Road (A3055), built during WWII. The route from Chale to Freshwater offers jaw-dropping sea views and steep cliff drops.

Visit Blackgang Chine (the UK’s oldest amusement park), relax at Compton Bay, and explore The Needles, a series of white chalk stacks jutting into the sea.

Extra Tip: The island is home to quaint villages, like Godshill, perfect for a cream tea stop.

11. Marvel at the Yorkshire Moors and Coast

Explore the moody beauty of the North York Moors, with its rolling hills, heather fields, and coastal gems.

Start in Richmond, visit the waterfalls of Ingleton, and continue to Whitby, where Whitby Abbey inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Ride the North York Moors Railway, which winds through classic countryside—and was a filming location for the Harry Potter films.

Extra Tip: Visit Robin Hood’s Bay, a picturesque fishing village with steep cobbled streets and a smuggler's history.

12. Traverse the Sussex Coast and Countryside

The Sussex Coast offers a delightful mix of countryside and seaside. Begin in Rye, known for its medieval streets and antique shops, and continue to Hastings, home to a castle and vibrant arts scene.

Head toward Eastbourne, then on to Beachy Head, where you’ll find soaring chalk cliffs and panoramic sea views.

Extra Tip: End your trip in Brighton, where you can enjoy boutique shopping, quirky street art, and the famous Brighton Pier.