Best Road Trips Across the UK

Embarking on a road trip is a popular proposition that captivates the heart of every traveller. For anyone planning road trips across the UK, there is a certain magic in being free to create a bespoke itinerary to suit where you want to go.

Whether you’re aiming to drive the whole distance, take a few trains along the way, or hop on a few ferries, the beauty is that it’s your choice to leave London and head to the nearest beaches. That also includes picking the places you want to visit, what you hope to see once you arrive, and any activities you look forward to doing once you’re there.

This post unpacks the joys and practicalities of combining road trips with other modes of travel like rail and boats, ensuring a travel experience that’s as varied as it is exciting.

Freedom of the Open Road

Without a doubt, the benefits of planning a road trip to explore all the best sights, landmarks, and stunning places across the UK and further afield are the freedom and flexibility you have to choose where you go and when. For the ultimate road trip, there is something romantic about packing up and setting off with everything you need come rain or shine. Perhaps you’ve recently invested in a campervan and have packed your bikes, pets, paddle boards, and wetsuits for a fun trip that takes you wherever you fancy.

If you’re driving in a camper or in your car, the open road gives you a real sense of freedom. Whether you have a few days off to explore the Lake District or are visiting Bath’s surroundings and Roman sites for the first time, you can come and go as you please. Literally, after a good night’s sleep, stop off at any beach for outdoor swims or park up close to a popular park whenever you feel like it.

Spontaneous Travel

Travelling by camper or car, with the choice to book a train or catch a boat when you need to is hard to match if you have lots of places you want to tick off en route. Unlike being tied down to the schedules of public transport, you can extend your stay if you absolutely love seeing the countryside in the Cotswolds or want to see more of Dorset beyond the Jurassic Coast.

Drive through the rolling hills of the Lake District for breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities. The region offers myriad trails suitable for both casual walkers and serious hikers. Don’t miss the peaceful lakes of Windermere or Ullswater. For those who love the sea, the UK’s coastline offers a diverse range of beaches. From the surfer-friendly waves of Cornwall to the charming Victorian elegance of Brighton’s pebbled shores, there’s a beach for every mood. If you’re on a romantic getaway or celebrating an anniversary, find a unique place to stay to make the occasion a memorable part of your journey.

Road trips can be so much more spontaneous and allow you to take that detour to find a hidden beach, discover a tiny fishing village, or have a long, lazy lunch at one of England’s best country pubs or any one of hundreds of highly-rated Michelin Star restaurants in the UK and Ireland. In fact, the Michelin Guide’s humble origins in France are rooted in road travel. The brothers produced a small red guide with maps, information on changing a tyre, and about places to eat to help motorists plan their trip while boosting tyre sales!

Trains, Boats, and Ferries

One of the greatest benefits of road-tripping is the ability to see more places than most on any particular week or weekend away. After stopping off for lunch and stretching your legs on a South Downs walk, in the Peak District, or along Brighton’s famous Pier, you can also plan trips that take you across waterways, bridges, and into entirely different countries by train. If the mood takes you, roads across the UK are ideal for city hopping, from London to Edinburgh before exploring the rugged coastal areas that have given Scotland a reputation for white, unspoilt sandy beaches as perfect as those in the Caribbean. If you have seen enough of city culture in the UK’s capitals, it’s easy to drive yourself to Paris, across the Channel on a speedy shuttle to Paris or Brussels for a quick change of scenery.

If you’re lucky enough to be driving your camper van or a large vehicle on your journey, you’ll have some home comforts, plus the option to plan some amazing stays on your trip. You’ll also be able to get the ferry across to France, so look for some great villas with pools, unique chateaux, and coastal retreats overlooking beaches and rivers. Before you leave your parking spot, look around for incredible stays in special destinations across Europe.

Fancy venturing even further afield? A quick check of the great network of roads interlinking cities and research into the best boat trips in the UK will tempt you out of your vehicle. Likewise, there are various ferry crossings that will soon see you reach Nice in the South of France or other picturesque French villages before you travel deeper into Europe. By mixing up driving with train or boat travel can boost the extent of your itinerary by speeding up longer distances, allowing more time to explore.

If you have a large vehicle, you have that added bonus of taking along everything you need for an action-packed holiday. Whether it’s your furry friend, skis, a paddleboard, bikes, swim floats, or camping gear, having your equipment with you means every day can be a new adventure. If you’re planning to stay in the UK, there are lots of dog-friendly parks, beaches, and walking routes if you love outdoor experiences and staying active. A road trip is ideal if you can’t bear to leave your dog or your bike behind, so plan some great spots and routes to help you get the most out of an eventful journey.

Stop Off and See the Highlights

A road trip and mixed travel-transport combination not only makes your trip versatile but can be more environmentally friendlier compared to flying, plus helps you see and experience far more than a one-stop trip. However, if you’re staying in one country, you’ll want to ensure you’ve seen all the highlights of any particular place.

For example, in England, you might want to see the most historic university towns, such as Oxford and Cambridge. They are renowned for their stunning architecture, river punting, and can be reached on charming country roads. Other historic university destinations are well worth a visit if you love the buzz of a thriving city.

Meanwhile, no road trip would be complete without visiting some famous castles, including Windsor Castle if you are a fan of the Royal Family, Warwick Castle, or the Tower of London for a great trip into the capital’s rich past. If castles are your passion, you can always book a stay in a castle for the most luxurious stay on your road trip. If you are venturing north, the castles in Northumberland and Scotland, like Edinburgh Castle, have some of the most dramatic backdrops if you love history.

Iconic Attractions on Long-Distance Trips

A visit to Stonehenge is almost compulsory on a road trip around England and its prehistoric mystery attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. In recent news, there is some added intrigue that the infamous stones travelled even further, from Scotland rather than Wales as it was first thought. This proves that long-distance travel by land or sea has always been popular.

For those fascinated by natural and manmade feats, the Humber Bridge and the Forth Bridge offer spectacular examples of engineering triumphs. These spots provide not only photo opportunities but also a chance to appreciate the scale and skill involved in their construction. Likewise, if you love mysterious places, make sure you visit Loch Ness in Scotland and stop off at the imposing ‘Angel of the North’ sculpture en route.

Tips for Successful Road Trips Across the UK

Plan but Be Flexible: While it’s important to have a plan, the beauty of a road trip lies in its spontaneity. Allow room in your itinerary for unplanned explorations.
Check Your Vehicle: Ensure your vehicle is road-trip ready with all necessary checks on fuel, and oil, and that you have air in your tyres.
Pack Smart: Bring along essentials but avoid clutter. Remember, space is at a premium, especially in a camper van or cramped car.
Stay Connected: Use apps and tools to find campsites, routes, and attractions. GPS can be a road tripper’s best friend to avoid getting lost and to discover local spots.
Respect Local Areas: Be mindful of local communities and their environment, especially when camping, dog-walking, and hiking. Follow the ‘Leave no trace’ principles to look after the natural environment for everyone else to enjoy.

Whether it’s the romantic ruins of a historic castle, an attractive national park, or a vibrant university city, road trips across the UK are very rewarding. Where did your road trip take you? Let us know in the comments section below. If you are planning a staycation near one of your favourite spots, then check out our selection of gorgeous UK cottages, or explore Oliver’s Travels’ portfolio of exceptional, hand-picked holiday homes! Get in touch with our concierge team ahead of your next trip for advice and help booking all manner of exciting extras.