For those that enjoy driving, the UK has some of the best roads to offer, with superb scenery and some picturesque pit stops to match. You might want to embark on a road trip to take advantage of the sunny weather, although most areas are as stunning to view in the colder months too.
Whether you are planning a UK staycation, or just fancy an adventure, we’ve put together a list of the best, and most photogenic road trip routes in the UK.
1. Herefordshire’s Black and White Villages – 40 miles
Leominster/ Eardisland/ Pembridge/ Weobley/ Dilwyn
Herefordshire has a cluster of medieval villages, complete with half-timbered black and white buildings, traditional pubs and tea shops, and stone churches reminiscent of the Norman conquerors. Make sure you sample Herefordshire’s famous cider and hearty food.
The trail through the black and white villages will take you through several villages and towns including Leominster, Eardisland, Pembridge, Weobley and Dilwyn.
2. The Cambrian Way, Wales – 73 miles
Cadiff / Brecon Beacons / Elan Valley / Llududno
The Cambrian Way driving route has some of the best scenery in the country, and runs from south to north Wales. Starting in the Welsh capital Cardiff, you’ll go through the south Wales valleys filled with dramatic landscapes with Colliery heritage.
Brecon Beacons National Park offers impressive views and outdoor activities, with backdrops of beautiful peaks and ridges. Then onwards to the Elan Valley, through the dams and reservoirs, towards the final stop in the coastal town of Llandudno in North Wales. Once in Llandudno, take a scenic ride in a cable car, or take a romantic walk on the Victorian pier.
3. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland – 200 miles
This route is over 200 miles long, running from Belfast to Derry. Starting in Belfast, you’ll head out of the city towards the historic town of Carrickfergus, which features the well-preserved Carrickfergus Castle. Continuing along the costal route, you’ll be greeted with the famous Dark Hedges – a tree-lined road that was used as the filming location of King’s Road in the second season of Game of Thrones.
Continue along the route of coastal towns such as Ballintoy, Port Rush and Portstewart, until you get to Derry, the final destination.
4. The Atlantic Highway, Devon to Cornwall – 77 miles
Spanning from Devon to Cornwall, the Atlantic Highway is a 77-mile section of the A39. Starting in Barnstaple in Devon, you’ll pass beautiful beaches, national parks and fishing villages. Keep following the A39 towards Wadebridge and Bude, making time for some cream tea and sea views. Coastal walks and pub lunches are on the agenda, before taking a dip in Bude sea pool.
Keep on the A39 to arrive in your final destination, Newquay – the surfing capital of the UK.
5. The North Coast 500, Scotland – 500 miles
Known as Scotland’s Route 66, the North Coast 500 (NC500) is a 500 mile loop around the highland coast, boasting the most amazing Scottish scenery.
Starting and ending in Inverness, you’ll experience the scenic coastlines, historic castles, sandy beaches, puffin lookout spots and burial grounds. As well as a range of accommodation and campsites to stay at, Scotland also permits wild camping, meaning you can set up camp in some really scenic locations away from other campers.
6. Northumberland Coastal Route, England – 30 miles
This route begins in the coastal village Alnmouth, and then down the coast road and onto the fishing village of Boulmer, where the locals go out to catch crab and lobster.
There is a huge amount of castles on this route, including the 14th-century fortification Dunstanburgh Castle, just north of the village of Craster. When you get to the coastal village named Seahorses, you can get a boat to one of the UK’s top wildlife spots, Farne Islands.
7. Classic Cotswold route, England – 45 miles
The Cotswold area is one of the most picturesque places in the UK. There are lots of different routes to drive in the area, but one of the most popular is a 45 mile loop that starts and ends in the village of Broadway, full of independent stores, hotels and antique shops.
This route also takes you through Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold and Lower Slaughter, Broadway, Stanton Stanway, Hailes Abbey, Guiting Power and then on towards Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter. When in Lower Slaughter, be sure to visit Copse Hill Road, which was voted the most romantic street in Britain.
Known as the Little Venice of the Cotswolds, you’ll then get to Bourton-on-the-Water, for a nice walk along the River Windrush.
8. The Coastal Way, Wales – 180 miles
With sea views on one side and mountains on the other, the Coastal Way is a 180 mile route and is a national trail that stretches the entire length of Cardigan Bay. One of the more challenging routes in the UK due to it’s single track lanes, you’ll discover many secluded spots and sandy beaches.
You’ll start your journey at St David’s in South Wales – Britain’s smallest city, then heading up the coast, passing through Fishguard, Cardigan, and Barmouth, where you’ll eventually get to the final location along the coastal route – Aberdaron. Aberdaron is located near to Porth Meudwy, from which you can trip to wildlife hotspot Bardsey Island.