2022 is going to be a year of exploring, and what better way to do that than by car? Take on these beautiful road trips in the UK and make memories that will last forever.
Based on miles driven through National Parks, along coastlines, and through Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the holiday accommodation provider Cottages in Northumberland has revealed six of the most beautiful road trips to drive in the UK.
These routes are around 100 miles, can be done in a day, and take 3-4 hours to drive. They take into account the need for pit stops and leg stretches and leave plenty of time to take little detours or fit in some sightseeing that suits you. No road trip should be set in stone!
There is only one more thing to do – get in your car and drive…
Berwick upon Tweed to Kielderhead Nature Reserve via the Northumberland coast
Distance: 98 miles
Time: 3 hours 3 minutes
A 98-mile route that takes you down the Northumberland Coast AONB and inland to Kielder Forest. With 25miles of coastline to drive and 21 miles through the Northumberland National Park, there is lots of amazing scenery to soak up and interesting places to stop and explore. Places of interest include:
- Lindisfarne and the Holy Island
- Bamburgh Castle
- Druridge Bay Nature Reserve
- Alnwick Castle
- Hindhope Linn
Loch Lomond to Mallaig via Glencoe and Fort William
Distance: 113 miles
Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
A 113-mile route through some of the wildest parts of Scotland’s west coast, taking in 7 National Scenic Areas, 16 miles of coastline, and over 22 miles through Loch Lomond National Park. With a lovely mixture of wilderness landscape and craggy coastline, this route offers up tremendous scenery for the most picturesque road trip. Some highlights along the way are:
- The Trossachs (NSA)
- Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Glencoe (NSA)
- Ben Nevis (NSA)
- Loch Morar
Aviemore to Pitlochry via Grantown-on-Spey and Braemar
Distance: 99.5 miles
Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
This 99.5-mile route takes in the best of the Scottish Highlands as well as rural Aberdeenshire and the Queen’s holiday home! A blissful 2 hours 40 minutes can be spent soaking up the best of what Scotland’s wild landscape has to offer as you wind and wiggle your way through 73 miles of the Cairngorm National Park. You will pass four National Scenic areas including Lochnagar, Glen Lyon, and the River Tay. Other highlights include:
- Loch Garten
- Speyside whisky trail
- Braemar Castle
- Ben Vrackie
- Faskally Forest
Ambleside to Harrogate via Howes in Yorkshire Dales National Park
Distance: 90.6 miles
Time: 3 hours 2 minutes
Take on two National parks in one trip and enjoy this 90-mile road trip during your time off. Taking in pretty Lake District villages this route starts in Ambleside and takes you all the way to the Victorian spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. With over 70 miles of the route taking you through National Parks, there is lots of wildlife and nature to be explored as well as opportunities for stopping to stretch the legs. It’s a 3-hour drive and Nidderdale AONB is also on route! Keep an eye out for:
- Arnside & Silverdale AONB (south)
- Lake Windermere
- Stock Ghyll
- Seven Bridges Valley
- Ripley Castle
Dartmoor National Park to Christchurch in New Forest National Park
Distance: 112 miles
Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
This is a route between two National Parks with heaps of exploring to be done at both ends, and in between! With 10 miles of National Parks, 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and 10 miles of coastline, this 3.5 driving route is a scenic delight taking in the best of the south coast, and it must go on the list! Sightseeing suggestions along the way:
- Blackdown Hills AONB
- West Dorset Heritage coast
- South Devon Railway
- West Dorset Heritage Coast
Snowdonia National Park – The Isle of Anglesey (loop)
Distance: 98 miles
Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Take on a 98-mile road trip in North Wales looping around Anglesey, stopping off at Port of Holy Head on Holy island, and visiting Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch – the place with the second-longest name in the world! Starting in Snowdonia National Park you can enjoy 15 miles of National Park, 20 miles of coastline, and Anglesey itself which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is around a 2 hour 45 minute drive so plenty of time to stop off at local attractions and landmarks. Some to keep in mind include:
- Porth Tywyn Mawr beach
- Parc Arfordirol Coastal Park
- Isle of Anglesey coastal path
- Llanfairpwllgwyngyll train station
- Cors Bodeilio National Nature Reserve
Discover even more in the full blog on the UK’s most beautiful road trips.
