The Best Roadtrips in the UK

All us petrolheads love a road trip. From rugged highlands to coastal cliffs, winding countryside lanes to historic city streets — the UK is packed with road trip potential. Whether you’re driving a spirited coupe or a grand tourer built for comfort, these routes promise scenery, history, and just the right amount of adrenaline. Here’s a refined list of the best UK road trips, each packed with sights, stops, and a few cheeky detours. Let us know if you’ve done one of these, or if you’ve got a great road trip we should add to this list. We’d love to hear from you.

1. North Coast 500, Scotland

Route: Inverness → Applecross → Ullapool → Durness → John o’ Groats → Inverness
Distance: Approx. 500 miles
Best for: Dramatic scenery, isolation, and a proper test of your car’s handling.

Why drive it?

Scotland’s ultimate road trip combines rugged coastlines, misty mountains, and some of the UK’s most rewarding driving roads. The Bealach na Bà is a hairpin-heavy, single-track climb that rivals anything in the Alps.

What to see and do:

• Bealach na Bà Pass: A dramatic mountain pass with alpine switchbacks.
• Achmelvich and Sandwood Bay: Remote, white-sand beaches that feel untouched.
• Dunrobin Castle: A fairy-tale château with sea views and falconry displays.
• Ardvreck Castle: Atmospheric ruins on the edge of Loch Assynt.
• Whisky Detours: Make time for a dram at Glenmorangie or Balblair.

2. Snowdonia & North Wales

Route: Conwy → Betws-y-Coed → Llanberis → Beddgelert → Portmeirion
Distance: Approx. 150 miles
Best for: Winding roads, mountain views, and Welsh charm.

Why drive it?

You’ll wind through the heart of Snowdonia National Park, with its slate-topped peaks and mirror-like lakes. Perfect for those who appreciate elevation changes and punchy corners.

Highlights:

• Mount Snowdon: Hike it if you dare, or take the scenic train.
• Zip World: Ride Europe’s longest zipline over a former quarry.
• Harlech & Caernarfon Castles: Both steeped in history and impressively well-preserved.
• Portmeirion: A surreal Italian-style village tucked into the North Welsh coast.

3. Cornwall Coastal Route

Route: St Ives → Land’s End → Penzance → Falmouth → Newquay → Padstow
Distance: Approx. 200 miles
Best for: Sea views, surf vibes, and fresh seafood.

Why drive it?

Tight coastal roads and clifftop bends make this route ideal for nimble cars. Between stops, there’s everything from art galleries to ancient tin mines.

Highlights:

• Minack Theatre: A stunning open-air venue carved into the cliffs.
• St Michael’s Mount: A tidal island with a medieval castle.
• Eden Project: A futuristic garden paradise housed in biomes.
• Foodie finds: Cream teas in St Ives, Cornish pasties in Padstow, and oysters in Falmouth.

4. The Cotswolds Loop

Route: Chipping Campden → Stow-on-the-Wold → Bourton-on-the-Water → Bibury → Cirencester
Distance: Approx. 80 miles
Best for: Relaxed cruising, picture-perfect villages, and posh pub stops.

Why drive it?

This one’s more about the journey than the speed. The Cotswolds offer undulating roads through golden-stone hamlets and lush countryside.

Highlights:

• Arlington Row, Bibury: One of England’s most photographed streets.
• Broadway: Stop for afternoon tea or a luxurious stay at The Lygon Arms.
• Chedworth Roman Villa: Explore well-preserved Roman mosaics.
• Blenheim Palace: A short detour away and well worth it.

5. Lake District Explorer

Route: Keswick → Buttermere → Ambleside → Windermere → Coniston
Distance: Approx. 90 miles
Best for: Twisting mountain roads, literary history, and stunning lakes.

Why drive it?

The Lake District combines tough driving challenges with gorgeous scenery. Expect narrow lanes, steep inclines, and frequent stops for views.

Highlights:

• Hardknott Pass: One of the UK’s steepest, most thrilling roads.
• Lake cruises: Take a break from the wheel and float across Windermere.
• Helvellyn & Catbells: Two scenic hikes with rewarding panoramas.
• Grasmere: Stock up on gingerbread and Wordsworth trivia.

6. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

Route: Belfast → Carrickfergus → Cushendun → Giant’s Causeway → Derry
Distance: Approx. 130 miles
Best for: Coastal cliffs, ancient legends, and Game of Thrones sights.

Why drive it?

This dramatic coastal route mixes history, myth, and pure driving pleasure. The road sweeps through glens and hugs the sea — it’s as cinematic as it gets.

Highlights:

• Giant’s Causeway: Walk across the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns.
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Not for the faint-hearted.
• Dark Hedges: A moody avenue of trees made famous by GoT.
• Bushmills Distillery: The oldest licensed distillery in the world.

7. London to Edinburgh: The Historic Highway

Route: London → Oxford → Stratford-upon-Avon → Peak District → York → Edinburgh
Distance: Approx. 400 miles
Best for: A mix of urban buzz, cultural hotspots, and open road cruising.

Why drive it?

Swap the motorway for a curated blend of England’s finest historic towns and scenic backroads. It’s an epic city-to-city drive with endless detours.

Highlights:

• Oxford: Colleges, cobbles, and punting on the Cherwell.
• Stratford-upon-Avon: Birthplace of the Bard and home to the RSC.
• Peak District: Classic English moorland and stone-built villages.
• York: Gothic architecture and charming shambles.
• Edinburgh: End in style with castle views and whisky bars.

Final Thoughts: Which One’s Your Favourite?

Each of these routes offers something different — whether it’s the wildness of the North Coast 500 or the foodie-friendly lanes of Cornwall. But which one gets your motor running?

Have you tackled any of these road trips? Would you add another to the list? Let us know your favourite UK road route in the comments. We’d love to hear your stories.

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