Road trips are an ideal way to explore somewhere new at your own pace and on your own schedule and the great news is that there are loads of fantastic road trips you can take right here in the UK.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best UK road trips you can do in just one day.
The Coniston Loop, Lake District
The Coniston Loop in the Lake District is a 42-mile drive that takes you through Coniston, Duddon Valley and Eskdale, along some challenging mountain pass roads with incredible scenery. The drive allows you to stop off at several historical attractions, including Hardknott Roman Fort and the Ruskin Museum, which houses a collection relating to British speed record-breaker, Donald Campbell and his boat, ‘Bluebird.’ There’s a great choice of pubs and picnic spots along the way and plenty of places to pause and admire the beautiful landscape.
Snowdonia, Wales
Snowdonia is the largest National Park in Wales and a popular tourist destination thanks to Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales. However, mountain climbs aren’t the only thing Snowdonia has to offer – it also makes a fantastic spot for a one-day road trip. Full of twists and turns, along mountain passes, through rolling hills and past beautiful lakes, a drive through this incredible landscape allows you to soak in the breath-taking Welsh countryside. If you want to share the driving with a friend, you could arrange temporary insurance for a day so you can both admire the stunning views.
Be sure to stop off at the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed and the small town of Llangollen along the River Dee, where you can take a ride on a steam train or visit the ruins of a Medieval castle. Lovers of Celtic legends will want to pay a visit to Beddgelert, where you can find the stone monument known as ‘Gelert’s Grave’, the legendary hound of the Welsh Prince Llewelyn the Great.
Snake Pass, Peak District
Well-renowned among locals and commuters, Snake Pass is 1,680ft above sea level and as such, is often the first road to close in bad weather. This slithering slip of road crosses the Pennines, connecting Manchester and Sheffield. Opened in 1945 by King George VI, it’s also one of Britain’s most scenic drives, with beautiful moorland views across the valley. With more than its fair share of hair-raising bends and blind summits, the drive requires your full attention but there are plenty of places to pull up, stretch your legs and admire the views, with a choice of local inns for food or you could take your own and picnic by the Ladybower or Derwent Reservoir.
This drive is also perfect for bikers, with its winding roads and stunning views wherever your wheels take you. If you’re planning on taking a road trip to snake pass this year, ensure you have motorcycle insurance. Although unlikely to occur, accidents can happen, so it’s always best to be covered.
Causeway Coastal Route, Ireland
The Causeway Coastal Route captures the raw beauty of Ireland, with its awe-inspiring landscapes, dramatic coastline and myths and legends. The 120-mile route takes you between Derry (Londonderry) and Belfast and offers river valleys, mountains and glens to admire and plenty of famous places to stop along the way, such as the Giant’s Causeway and Torr Head – the closest point to Scotland. Game of Thrones fans can also visit some of the locations featured in the TV series, such as Dark Hedges (aka the Kingsroad Highway.) There are also an additional nine routes off the main route to explore, adding a further 256 miles for those looking to extend their road trip or make a return trip.
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