rying to plan a summer road trip but not sure where to go? Whether you’re going with your family, your partner, or your friends, the UK is a fantastic destination to find tons of amazing road trips. See our list of our top recommended road trips below.
Plan for your road trip
First and foremost before you set off, you want to plan your road trip.
Be sure to get your car checked and serviced if it’s due, to ensure it’s in the safest possible condition for driving long distances.
Long journeys also put a lot of strain on your car. So, it may be worth taking out a warranty for extra protection in case unexpected repairs arise after your trip. Or, consider taking an automatic, as they’re perfect for longer commutes and driving through congested areas because you’re not putting as much strain on the clutch and gearbox as you would in a manual.
Also consider taking spare fuel, or researching where electric charge points are on your route if you have an electric car. Additionally, check you have all your necessary documents, a spare tyre and the equipment needed to fit it, as well as a first aid kit.
North Coast 500 – Scotland
The North Coast 500 is one of the most well-known and popular road excursions in the Uk. You take a circular journey via Inverness, the Black Isle, Caithness, Sutherland, and Wester Ross, stopping to visit some of Scotland’s most iconic sights, such as spectacular mountainous vistas, mediaeval castles, and brilliant beaches.
The journey takes between 4 and 7 days.
If you want to get away from the city and see breathtaking scenery, this is the road trip for you.
Brecon Beacons – Wales
This may be a shorter road trip route, but if you’re a driving enthusiast, the hair pin turns and bends will have your adrenaline going skyrocket. You can complete the route in just a day, but we recommend staying there for at least two to really take in all the scenery and everything the roads have to offer.
Start in Llandovery in the North, cross the humps of Pont Aber and Herberts Pass, before plunging down into Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. If you’re wanting to extend your trip to two days you can always take the A470 road which runs East through the pass.
The Peak District
The Peak District is located in the West Midlands, mostly in Derbyshire, but it also extends to Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Yorkshire.
Snake Pass is one of the most famous routes through the Peak District, and it reaches its highest point at 1,679ft above sea level!
You travel down the A57 from Glossop to Sheffield fr 26 miles, and is a truly hair-raising drive, making it another great road trip for driving enthusiasts. There are lots of twists, blind summits and tricky bends, which has made it notorious for being one of the most dangerous roads to drive in the UK.
If you want more of a relaxing road trip, start in the epicentre of Buxton, head towards The Roaches, a spectacular rocky ridge rising to 505m, then head down to Throwley Old Hall – the ruins of a large mediaeval manor house. Then stop in Illam for a walk to stretch your legs and have a coffee while taking in the stunning views. After that, take a long drive up the A515 back up towards Buxton, but vear off East towards Bakewell at Tagg Lane. Here you can see the only river in the country with wild rainbow trout, and try a genuine bakewell tart. After that, you can head to Chatsworth House, another famous landmark, before driving up to Froggatt Bridge and Froggatt Edge for some more breathtaking views, and then take a drive back through Eyam towards Buxton.