These are the UK’s top 10 greatest road trips - and you’ve still got time to drive them this summer!
A road trip isn’t a race to the finish line.
It’s about soaking-in the experience and feasting your eyes on the scenery. And what scenery it is that Britain has to offer, from the crashing surf of Northern Ireland’s coast to the towering mountains of Welsh Snowdonia.
The great thing about the routes we’ve listed below is that you don’t have to wing it when it comes to creating a map.
Most of these road trips have been created by the area’s tourist board in order to attract new visitors, so you’ll find websites crammed with ideas about what to visit, how to keep the sprogs entertained (if you’re ferrying them with you), and where to lay your head for the night.
Some of the trips are doable in just a few days, others might take you a while longer.
But all of them steer a course through some of the most picturesque and spectacular landscapes the British Isles have to offer.
And that’s no bad thing at all if you’re still looking for a memory-making summer jaunt.
North Coast 500
The OG of UK road trips, the North Coast 500 (or ‘NC500’ to those in the know) takes you on a 516-mile excursion through Scotland’s northern coast, beginning and ending in the city of Inverness. It was launched in 2015 by the Tourism Project Board of the North Highland Initiative (NHI) and was also backed by Visit Scotland.
You can run the trip in around five days, and the route showcases everything from wild beaches and coastal castles to granite cliffs and historic battle sites.
One word of caution: the NC500 has been criticised for attracting hooligan drivers and litterbugs, so go easy with your right foot and respect the environment.
Lake District EV Trail
This is the newest official road trip on our list, having only been created earlier this summer by Cumbria Tourism in association with a group called the ‘Low Carbon Lake District Project’, which is led by the Lake District National Park Authority. The 74 mile route sees you stopping at Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick, Whinlatter and Honister, Ullswater and Penrith. And while you don’t have to do it in an electric vehicle, the EV Trail pinpoints precisely where you can charge your battery-powered car.
Northumberland 250
Is Northumberland one of the most underrated holiday destinations in the UK? Probably. It’s got miles of empty beaches, windswept, castle-strewn landscapes, and amazing seafood.
The Northumberland 250, or the ‘NLand 250’, cuts a swathe through the best of it, covering coast, borderlands, and Dark Sky territory.
Don't miss Dunstanburgh Castle (above) and the nearby village of Craster, which is one of the quaintest fishing ports you'll find anywhere in the UK.
Causeway Coastal Route
Endorsed by Discover Ireland, this six-day route runs from Belfast through to Derry/Londonderry and takes-in beaches, historic sites, fairytale castles, and lots of locations from TV’s Game of Thrones. You’ll obviously see the famous Giant’s Causeway near the village of Bushmills, and there’s even a boat trip to Rathlin Island. !
Route 57
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Yeah, America has got Route 66 - but have you ever heard of the UK’s own Route 57?
It was dreamed-up by hotel chain Jurys Inn (now called ‘Leonardo Hotels’) and takes in a whopping 57 locations covering the length and breadth of the UK. Better book some time off work, because this is a long one! It’s actually a series of 10 interlinked road trips, and you can break them down for a shorter experience. Check out the maps at the official website.
The Atlantic Highway
The 70-mile long Atlantic Highway isn’t officially recognised, but it’s still regarded as one of the finest road trips you can take in Britain. It links the coastal areas of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and you won’t need to detour too far from the A39. You’ll see locations like Tintagel Castle (above), Port Isaac, and the stunning Bedruthan Steps on the wild cliffs of north Cornwall.
You can read a BBC journalist’s account of it here.
Snowdonia 360
Sure, the Lake District is pretty, but when it comes to powerful, almost intimidating landscapes that truly take your breath away, we reckon Snowdonia has it licked.
As you might have guessed, it’s a 360-mile route that sees you traversing Snowdonia, Anglesey, and the Llŷn Peninsula. It’s also endorsed by Visit Snowdonia.
There’s tons to do for little ones, including theme parks and museums, and - if you know what you’re doing - a jaunt up Snowdon itself is surely a must.
Yorkshire 600
Before being ceremonially split-up in the 1970s, ‘Yorkshire’ was once one massive entity. And this 600 mile road trip traces the historic boundaries of that famous county. And it’s ‘reyt good’, as they say in Yorkshire - a real feast for the eyes. You’ll see three National Parks - the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, and Peak District - as well as four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - the North Pennines in Teesdale, Nidderdale, the Howardian Hills and the Forest of Bowland.
Heart 200
Want a road trip in Scotland but don’t have time for the full-on North Coast 500? This 200-miler might be a decent alternative. The Heart 200 was recently founded to get more punters to explore the heart of Scotland - so you’ll see places like Perth, Stirling, The Trossachs and Highland Perthshire. Give yourself five or six days, and enjoy some of the finest driving roads on the face of the planet, let alone just the UK.
Pembrokeshire Coast 200
Launched in 2021 and backed by Visit Pembrokeshire, the Pembrokeshire Coast 200 takes a leisurely trip down south west Wales, starting in Amroth and finishing in Dale. It’ll take between three and five days, depending on how often you want to stop, and you’ll see iconic places like St David’s, Ramsey Island, and the sensational Blue Lagoon of Abereiddi. Head for a hike down the coastal path and you’ll see seals in almost every bay.
If you’re looking for a lease car to enjoy your perfect road trip, check out some of our affordable convertibles, with the legendary Mazda MX-5 (below) available to lease from just £310 per month*.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 28/06/23.
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