Who’d have thought about doing a road trip in the UK? Route 66 in the USA or the Southern Scenic Route in New Zealand perhaps, but a road trip here in good old Blighty?
Well there are some magical road trips right on your doorstep. Our fav five have the power to delight and astonish you with their stunning scenery, quaint towns, things to do and tasty fayre.
So make a suitable playlist (remember, no road trip playlist is complete without Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody) and throw some bags, your children (optional) and the dog in the car – then hit the road, Jack.
Cornwall
How do you pick just one great driving route in Cornwall when there are so many? I’d say (by a nudge) that the Newquay to Padstowe route could possibly just top the list.
Setting off south from Newquay, you’ll pass through beautiful Porth, Watergate Bay and then Mawgan Porth where you can stop off at the luxury Eco-friendly Scarlet Hotel to have lunch in their amazing restaurant, and perhaps a well-deserved spa treatment; even stay overnight if you’ve the budget to accommodate.
When you’re back on the road, continue the road trip by meandering through the wonderfully glorious Seven Bays, taking some arty (or just fun) pictures of the near-white sands and beautifully clear waters.Then head to the renowned Padstow restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No.6, to sample their smoked haddock accompanied by a large glass of Sauvignon Blanc (well-deserved, of course!)
Lake District
The Lake District is blessed with an abundance of routes that allow you to view its magnificent beauty. However, the Keswick – Borrowdale – Buttermere route is particularly stunning.
Starting off from the picturesque town of Keswick, go a little further out of the town to explore the peaceful lakeside area on Derwent Water. Then continue along the B5289 towards Borrowdale before arriving at a pretty little village called Grange. There you’ll see an impressive ancient bridge over the River Derwent. Kick of your shoes and paddle in the shallow water then have a leisurely lunch at the café overlooking the river.
Back on the B5289 towards Buttermere, you’ll notice a steep climb which allows you to take in the full beauty of your surroundings. Begin the descent towards Buttermere, encased by giant peaks, before riding the open valley road to the quaint town where you can dine on the superb fresh catch and sleep at the popular Fish Inn – a place to suit all budgets.
New Forest National Park
Spend a delightful day driving in the charming county of Hampshire to experience the stunning and historic New Forest. Covering a vast wilderness, it is not easy to select just one route to witness the extraordinary beauty the New Forest has to offer.
But I suggest you begin your drive in the picturesque village of Beaulieu and take a tour of the impressive National Motor Museum. Then on to explore the 200-acre grounds of the exquisite Exbury Gardens; famous for their stunning azaleas and rhododendrons.
You can drive along the coast to Lymington and then over to New Park through the Setley Ridge vineyards for a wine tasting experience and dinner before settling down for the night in one of the New Forest’s well-equipped and maintained campsites.
Scotland: Glencoe – Loch Ness – Inverness
No trip to Scotland would be complete without seeing the magnificent Glencoe. With its mesmorising deep valleys, start off your road trip here at the base of Highland Scotland.
Next, drive on to Loch Ness, passing Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Visit Urquhart Castle, where you can soak up the atmosphere of one of Scotland’s most famous lochs. Take a boat on the loch (if you’re feeling adventurous, a speedboat) and then have some lunch at a café overlooking this beautiful loch.
Drive onwards to Inverness where you can go Bottlenose Dolphin Watching at Chanonry Point in Moray Firth which lies between Fortrose & Rosemarkie on the Black Isle.
After all that fresh air, you’ll want to treat yourself to some divine cuisine. Try Rocpool restaurant in Inverness and try their to-die-for linguine with hand dived king scallops, before having a well-earned rest at the The Fraser House B&B, a family run Guest House with stunning river views.
Brecon Beacons, Wales
The Brecon Beacons National Park is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Not only is it a wonderful place to hike and bike, but a magical place for a road trip too.
Start the road trip at the thriving market town of Abergavenny and then drive to the magnificent Brecon Beacons mountain range. See the spectacular waterfalls and impressive peaks as you meander through the valleys. Stop for lunch at the Castle of Brecon Hotel before heading to the Red Kite Feeding Station to witness Red Kites and Buzzards at feeding time.
Following on from here, head to the rural village of the Rhondda Valley to visit the award winning Penderyn Distillery – the first Welsh whisky producer since the 19th century.
Then it’s off to the Nant Ddu Hotel to sample its amazing Glamorgan Sausages before getting some well-earned rest in one of their delightful bedrooms.
These 5 magical UK road trips are perfect for anyone who wants to recharge their batteries, and really explore all that the UK has to offer.
