Sometimes, going on a gorgeous journey can be just as enjoyable as relaxing at your final destination. And there’s no better way to take in spectacular scenery as you travel than by driving along a scenic route. Shift the gears or whack on cruise control as you meander past picturesque villages, ancient castles, mountain scenery and more. With a road trip, you get the freedom to travel exactly as you’d like while experiencing the best of the UK’s sights.
What scenic road trip should you choose? Believe it or not, you’re actually spoilt for choice in the UK – and that doesn’t mean driving all the way up to the Scottish Highlands. Whether you’re traveling for a weekend, a few days or longer, we’ve put together a list of spots for iconic scenic drives so you can plan your perfect UK road trip.
1. North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales
What better place is there to start than the stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales? Almost any drive through this setting would be beautiful, but a particularly famous drive we’ll mention is the one over Buttertubs Pass. This drive is at the northern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Its sweeping bends and high elevation offer dramatic views over the untamed dales.
Why is this road called Buttertubs Pass? Yorkshire history says that farmers used the deep potholes along it as cool storage spots for their butter as they paused along their journey to market.
Another famously beautiful Yorkshire route is the five-mile journey along the Yorkshire coast from Whitby to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. This charming North Yorkshire coastal way takes you southward, ending in stunning views of the ocean and the rock pools of the village.
2. The Lake District
The Lake District National Park is another top destination for nature lovers who like to take in breathtaking views. And some of the roads certainly give the Lakes’ fells a run for their money.
A great place to start is Hardknott Pass, which leads into Wrynose Pass. Hardknott Pass is a famously narrow and winding road with exceptionally sharp hairpin turns. In fact, the BBC has called Hardknott Pass Britain’s wildest road!
It’s definitely not for amateur drivers, but if you’re skilled behind the wheel, your car’s in top condition, and the weather is fine, you’ll get an exciting and even nail-biting driving experience on this single-track road among the lovely scenery of the Lake District.
Wrynose Pass is a similarly narrow road with a steep incline. In fact, its name is said to refer to the need for a strong horse that can handle its sharp climb.
And if you’d like to enjoy some of the lake district’s water views, try the circular route around Lake Windermere. Try starting at the visitor centre at Brockhole on Windermere and driving clockwise around the lake. You’ll pass by plenty of Windermere attractions like Blackwell House, Hill Top and Wray Castle.
3. The Atlantic Highway
The Atlantic Highway refers to a section of the A39 that takes a coastal route along the north coast of Devon and Cornwall. It’s certainly a bit more easily navigable than Hardknott or Wrynose Pass, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for a scenic route through North Devon and Cornwall.
You won’t see many of the stunning beaches of Cornwall directly from the Atlantic Highway, but you will be taken to spots where you can admire the dramatic coastline. And you’ll be right in the area of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape – a World Heritage Site!
With a small detour on your way, you can take in the ancient castle of Tintagel or the top foodie destination of Padstow. And don’t forget to visit the pristine beaches of the town of Bude. After you’ve done your road trip, you can go on to enjoy one of the many fun days out Cornwall has to offer.
4. The Peak District
It’s no surprise that the Peak District National Park also boasts some of the most spectacularly scenic drives in the UK. And one of the most well-known is Snake Pass, which offers drivers stunning views of the Peak District as they head from Manchester to Sheffield over the Pennines.
As you’d expect, Snake Pass is another high, steep road, so this route takes some skill and is best conquered in good weather. But drivers say it’s worth it, as Snake Pass has been voted as one of the UK’s most popular drives. And if you’re wondering whether the pass was named that way because of its snaky curves – the answer is no! It was named after the Snake Inn at its peak, which has now been renamed to have the same name as the pass.
Be advised, however, that there have been discussions about closing this scenic drive due to the costs of maintenance, so check to see whether it’s open before you go.
5. The Brecon Beacons
Wales’ Brecon Beacons National Park is another wonderful spot for UK road trips. Though it boasts plenty of scenic roads, we’ll pinpoint two particularly famous ones.
First is the Gospel Pass – the highest road in Wales. Since this road is nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, it’s no surprise that it sees lots of snowfall in winter. So, you’ll want to time your trip here to take place in warmer months.
From the Gospel Pass, you’ll see incredible sights like views of the Wye Valley as well as the national park. Plus, one end of the pass takes you to Hay-on-Wye, the town that hosts the famous Hay Festival – one of Wales’ top events.
Along this route, you’ll pass by Llanthony Priory – an unusual spot with a pub operating within the ruins of a 12th-century abbey.
Also within the Brecon Beacons, drivers can tackle the challenging Black Mountain Pass, which offers spectacular views to those who can manage its winding turns. Black Mountain Pass even featured in the television programme Top Gear – a testament to the great drive it offers.
Just by the Brecon Beacons, there’s another great route – the Rhyader to Devil’s Bridge drive, which takes you by numerous feats of Victorian engineering like dams and bridges.
6. Wales’ North and West Coast
Of course, the Brecon Beacons isn’t the only spot in Wales that offers lovely drives. The rugged coastlines of Wales are also top driving locations.
For example, the Coastal Way is a fabulously long driving route all along the west coast of Wales. This coastal route can take you up to a week if you follow the suggested official itinerary and stop at top sightseeing spots along this coastal route.
You’ll start your Coastal Way road trip at the fishing village of Aberaeron, which is famed for its delightfully colourful houses. Here, you’ll be at the top of Cardigan Bay, where you’ll find the largest population of dolphins in Europe.
From there, you’ll drive southward along the bay past the city of Newport.
If you prefer the north coast of Wales, there’s an option for you too. The North Wales Way offers mountain and castle views along the north coast, traveling westward from the town of Mold to Anglesey.
7. The Mendip Hills
We’d be remiss to leave out Somerset’s Mendip Hills here. This area gives drivers jaw-dropping views – just as you’d expect from an area that has been designated a National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
What are the Mendip Hills like? In some places, you’ll see rolling hills. In others, you’ll find more dramatic slopes and gorges.
And that brings us to our favourite Somerset drive – Cheddar Gorge. This limestone canyon is often described as one of Britain’s best natural wonders. You might even say Cheddar Gorge is the UK’s answer to the Grand Canyon!
The drive through Cheddar Gorge, appropriately called Cliff Road, can be tightly winding at times. At your sides, you’ll see views of towering limestone cliff faces. This road trip is absolutely unique and not to be missed!
8. The Cotswolds
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about the rolling hills and gentler scenic routes of the Cotswolds. There are so many gorgeous scenic road trips you could take on a spring day here among the chocolate-box villages – but many people recommend drives that start in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
From here, you can drive northeast to Stratford-upon-Avon along the B4632. Or you can take a clockwise loop to the famously picturesque town of Chipping Campden through the village of Broadway, where you’ll see Capability Brown’s imitation-Saxon Broadway Tower. From Chipping Campden, head on to Bourton-on-the-Water.
How to make the most of your scenic drives in the UK
Once you’ve chosen your perfect UK road trip, the next step is to prepare.
Plan ahead
As we’ve mentioned, you’ll want to check the weather and look for road closures before you depart. While you’ll want to plan your route ahead of time, it’s also important to be flexible in case you run into a rainstorm or decide to stop at an interesting attraction on a whim.
No need to rush
Don’t be in a rush. Slowing down can improve your experience because it gives you the opportunity for spontaneity. So, let yourself stretch your legs and take a break if you like. You might end up discovering a hidden gem!
Charge up
On that note – don’t forget to charge your phone and use apps to keep up to date with weather and traffic changes.
Food for thought
It’s also important to pack enough snacks and drinks to keep yourself feeling healthy. And consider pausing for roadside picnics at scenic sites like the peaks of hills.
At the same time, it’s often also delightful to stop for tea or lunch at a local cafe. And this can be a great strategy for UK drivers on a road trip because it lets you chat with locals who might be able to share handy recommendations or tips.
Going off course
While you may be mainly focused on getting to a specific scenic drive, consider taking B roads and back routes wherever you are. This can help improve your experience and let you see even more pretty countryside or sweet villages.
Cameras at the ready
Of course, you’ll naturally want to bring a camera too. That’s a must in this day and age to document your beautiful road trip and capture amazing memories!
Keep it local
Consider trying to support local businesses like cafes and shops during your road trip. This can help you to have unique experiences as well as promoting sustainable tourism.
And stay green
If you’re interested in being eco-friendly, using an electric vehicle can also help you to reduce carbon emissions and reduce your environmental impact. Look ahead to see where you can use charging stations along your road trip route – many scenic drives do have these in locations like visitors’ centres.
Lastly, you’ll naturally want to take care to preserve the natural areas you visit – so don’t forget to bring a rubbish bag in case you stop to picnic where there are no bins!
Enjoy the scenic route on your road trips with kate & tom’s
So, you’ve chosen the perfect scenic UK holiday road trip among green hills, high peaks, gorgeous coastlines or bucolic villages. The next step is choosing accommodation that’s equally original.
You’ll want a holiday cottage that lets you unwind and spend quality time together rather than separating out into impersonal hotel rooms. Opt for a lake house with a crackling fireplace, a converted manor house with a spacious cinema room or a forest cottage with a hot tub where you can relax after dinner. Don’t forget the fun that lets you stretch your muscles after a day in the car. A games room, swimming pool or tennis court can be the perfect way to burn some energy at the end of a long drive.
At kate & tom’s, we specialise in providing just this kind of indulgent holiday house that makes your road trip truly special. We’ve got the perfect holiday rental with luxe features that suit you. And if you’re traveling with little ones or adventurous pups or going eco-friendly with an electric car, we’ve got dog-friendly houses, homes with EV chargers and even child-friendly cottages with outdoor play structures and dress-up boxes.
Ready to plan your road trip getaway? kate & tom’s is here to help make your holiday truly one to remember. Just reach out to us at [email protected] if you’ve got questions about finding the right holiday house for you.
