You need to consider a lot of factors when planning your perfect road trip: your point of departure, road conditions, destinations, budget, and, of course, the most scenic or navigable routes across the UK. To help you out, our ultimate road trip itinerary will guide you through the West Country, Southern England, Wales, Northern England, and Scotland to ensure you get a comprehensive view of the places and cultures that make the UK unique.
Planning Your Itinerary: Vehicle Options and Route Mapping
In order to get the best out of a UK road trip, you need the right vehicle. Maybe more than one, in fact. For example, if you’re not used to driving the very narrow, very twisty, very high-hedged lanes of Devon and Cornwall, then you may struggle to navigate them in a big car. Similarly, something smaller may not be the best choice for a lot of motorway driving, and something without four-wheel drive won’t be much help on more rugged terrain. So, if your own car is likely to have difficulties in any part of the UK, think about what you need to get the best out of the roads and terrain you’ll be covering, and look into affordable car leasing to get a vehicle perfectly suited to those conditions.
Of course, in order to work out what kind of vehicle you need, you first need to work out where you’re going. Planning your route in advance will help you to make better decisions about where to stay, when to relax, and so on, as well as giving you a decent idea of how long it will take to get from one point to another. Google Maps is pretty good for this, but bear in mind that it doesn’t cover a lot of the interesting sights and places that you might want to park up and hike to, so don’t forget old-school OS maps. As well as detailing spots off the beaten track, they’ll also come in useful when your mobile signal vanishes in the wilds of Dartmoor or the Highlands.
Setting Off: The Westcountry
The Westcountry isn’t where everyone would begin a UK road trip, but it actually makes a lot of sense to begin here. Otherwise, to fit in Devon and Cornwall, you’d have to go out of your way to venture down the Peninsula – and it’s definitely worth visiting. This historic region is often overlooked by people travelling in the UK, which gives it an untouched quality that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Start with a trip to Land’s End. Visit the nearby Seal Sanctuary at Gweek if you like marine life, and take a dip in the sea at one of Cornwall’s many gorgeous beaches. Take in a sunset over St Michael’s Mount, and work your way up the Peninsula by the coast or over the spectacular inland moors. When you hit Devon, make your way to beautiful Dartmoor and explore the largest Neolithic landscape in Europe. There are standing stones, stone rows, stone circles, hut circles, and much more all over the moorland, most of which date back beyond the Stone Age. There’s also plenty of more recent history to enjoy, such as the mediaeval stone clapper bridge at Postbridge or one of the many ancient pubs, fortifications, and churches in the local villages.
If maritime history is your thing, stop in Plymouth to see the Mayflower Steps, and don’t forget to stop in Exeter to do a bit of shopping and see the spectacular Gothic cathedral.
Then wind your way through pretty, hedged lanes and beautiful ancient villages to Somerset, where you can take in the awe-inspiring Glastonbury Tor, stop for some local cider (be careful about driving after that!), and take a breather in some of England’s most lush and beautiful scenery before heading on to Southern England.
Southern England
As you head up out of the South West Peninsula, you can’t fail to see Stonehenge. It’s right there, by the side of the road. Stop if you want to explore the stone circle and take some photos. The surrounding area of Salisbury Plain and Avebury is also lovely, with plenty of Neolithic sites that are typically less busy than Stonehenge itself.
At a certain point in this stage of the journey, decide whether to continue into Southern England or head West into Wales. We’re going to continue with Southern England in this section and Wales in the next section, but do bear in mind that you can chop and change these two depending on the direction you take at this point.
The south coast of England is stunning, with the iconic white cliffs, historic Canterbury and Winchester (the old Anglo-Saxon capital city), and vibrant seaside cities like Brighton. Of course, the big hitter of Southern England is London itself. Driving in and around London isn’t always simple, but if you’re prepared for some slow-moving traffic and don’t mind searching for parking, you should definitely spend a day or two taking in the sights.
Wales
From Bristol, cross the Severn Bridge into Wales and visit the buzzing capital city, Cardiff, home to the Millennium Stadium and historic Cardiff Castle. Then, travel along the A470 towards Eryri National Park – a real adventurer’s haven with epic landscapes, hiking trails, and Eryri itself (Mount Snowdon in English) – the tallest peak in Wales. Finally, explore the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to enjoy Wales’s rugged coastline, beautiful fishing villages, and sandy beaches.
Northern England
Heading back to England, journey through the Heart of England along the M6. If you want, stop off at some iconic Midlands locations – do some shopping in Birmingham or explore Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Or, if you’re eager to get to the North, carry on until you reach the Lake District. This gorgeous national park is famed for its picturesque lakes, rolling hills, and friendly stone villages. Drive the scenic A591 through to Kendal and Keswick, taking in the breathtaking scenery as you go.
Next, head east to the heart of Yorkshire and spend time discovering the Yorkshire Dales. This is one of the most iconic landscapes in England, famed for being the setting of classic books like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. Finally, follow in the footsteps of the Romans and head to Northumberland National Park, where you’ll find breathtaking landscapes and the Roman fortification of Hadrian’s Wall marching along the England/Scotland border.
Scotland
Do as the Romans didn’t and cross the border into Scotland. First, head through the beautiful borders to the historic capital, Edinburgh, and explore the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Climb Arthur’s Seat for stunning panoramic views of the city.
Explore the coastal fishing villages of Fife and visit ancient St Andrews, before heading north to the Scottish Highlands. Explore Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, then the Cairngorms via the A9. Finish your journey at the Isle of Skye – an island of dramatic landscapes and fairytales – with plenty of hiking and wildlife watching opportunities. Or head beyond, to the Outer Hebrides. The road trip ends when you decide, not when we do!
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