Road trips around the UK are a must-have if you are travelling across the United Kingdom. The UK has a plethora of fantastic road excursions to add to your travel bucket list! Miles of rocky coastline, gorgeous rolling countryside, magnificent mountainscapes, and historic towns and cities await you. There’s so much to see and do! From the untamed grandeur of Scotland’s Highlands to the adventure-filled landscapes of Wales’ national parks to England’s diverse coastlines, and all in between!
In this blog, I will list down our top 5 favourite road trips around the UK that will give you the real taste of the country on road. Read on and plan your road trip around the UK inexpensively!
North Coast 500, Scotland
Planning a road trip around the UK? Well, how can you miss the spectacular North Coast 500! It is one of the most magnificent road excursions in the United Kingdom. You’ll find white sand beaches, spectacular mountain views, and unique landscapes as you travel from Inverness to the further reaches of northern Scotland.
While the North Coast 500 may be completed in 3 or 5 days, I recommend devoting at least a week – if not more – to it. Especially if you want to get outside (like hiking Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northern Munro) or go on day trips to places like Cape Wrath or Handa Island.
Sandwood Bay and Achmelvich Bay are two of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Also, historic sites such as Dunrobin Castle and Ardvreck Castle should not be overlooked. The steepest slope route around the UK coast, Bealach na Bà, is not for the faint of heart. However, the vistas are breathtaking!
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The Cambrian Way, Wales | Road Trips Around The UK
The extremely stunning road trip into the heart of Wales, follow the Cambrian Way. Begin at Cardiff and travel north on the A470, Wales’ longest A-road and one of the most picturesque drives in the country!
Pass through the Brecon Beacons National Park’s spectacular mountain landscape, then make your way through the valleys and Lakelands of mid-Wales, before ultimately twisting and turning through Snowdonia National Park’s dramatic terrain and up to the north coast.
You could drive the entire distance on the same road! However, it is worthwhile to take a detour from time to time in quest of picturesque spots and winding mountain roads. This is one of the people’s favourite road trips around the UK! Well, count this as one of the benefits of studying abroad.
Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
The Causeway Coastal Route runs from Belfast to Derry (Londonderry), covering approximately 200 kilometres of spectacular coastline. This is without a doubt one of the best road trips around the UK! Begin in Belfast and go east to Islandmagee, where the famous Gobbins Cliff Walk may be found.
Continue north through the Glens of Antrim to Cushenden, the Glens’ core. Ruined castles, iconic Irish villages, Game of Thrones locations, and jaw-dropping landscape abound in this leg of your road trip.
Then it’s on to Ballycastle, where you can visit Rathlin Island, which was once home to Robert the Bruce. In Ballycastle, stop by a pub for some folk songs and fine Irish cuisine. After a short drive to the Dark Hedges, head back up to the coast to Bushmills for a bourbon tasting and tour.
Jurassic Coast, England | Road Trips Around The UK
The Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile length of shoreline with 185 million years of history, is unquestionably one of the most famous destinations in southern England. It’s also a fantastic road trip destination, with lovely beaches, rocky cliffs, cute coastal towns, and plenty of fossils!
To get to Old Harry Rocks, take the chain ferry from Bournemouth across Poole Harbour to Studland. This is a great experience for solo travellers. The Jurassic Coast’s easternmost point is marked by these chalk stacks off the coast of the Isle of Purbeck. Drive along the coast to Lulworth Cove from there. There’s a beautiful beach there, and you can stroll across the cliffs to the Durdle Door.
Then go to the seaside towns of Weymouth, which has a colourful nautical harbour, and Lyme Regis, which is home to Victorian fossil collector Mary Anning. Finally, travel into Devon to see Beer’s white chalk cliffs before travelling through a couple more charming seaside villages.
The Kintyre 66, Scotland
The Kintyre 66 (K66) is a new road trip that takes you around the Kintyre peninsula on Scotland’s west coast. It is Scotland’s only “mainland island,” with a tiny strip of land connecting it to the mainland and the rest of the island covered by the sea.
Kintyre is home to gorgeous beaches and hidden bays, as well as picturesque settlements and nature preserves. You could easily drive the K66 in a day or fill a week with activities and places to see — it would be a shame not to get a thorough understanding of the area.
Outdoor enthusiasts, whisky connoisseurs, and foodies will find much to do in the region. The boat voyage to the Isle of Gigha, where you may see the magnificent Twin Beaches and kayak in blue waters, is a highlight. Machrihanish’s golf course is regarded as one of Scotland’s most picturesque. The excursion is completed by visiting the ruins of Skipness and Tarbert castles.
These were our top picks for a road trip around Europe from the UK! Make sure you experience one of these at least once when you visit the United Kingdom.
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