So, in these uncertain times, there may be no travelling abroad for a while. As a result, now is a perfect opportunity to take that UK Road Trip. Although, if you are reading this during the 2020 LockDown thanks to the Coronavirus, then don’t take one just yet. Save your UK Travel for a later date!
Our longest stretch of land is 874 miles. The USA may be the country for the Road Trip, but the UK has its share of beautiful, stunning drives. OK, so we can’t match the 2,500 miles or so of Route 66 or the 3,300 + mile of US Route 20, but we do have some quite stunning drives over here.
Here are 5 UK Road Trips you need to take, and there is something here for everyone. England, Northern Island, Scotland and Wales!
My Choices for 5 UK Road Trips you need to take
The UK is a beautiful country. We perhaps don’t have the diversity of landscapes like other countries, USA and Australia for example, but our climate doesn’t allow for deserts, or extremely dry places.
What we do have his plenty of lush, green mountains, lakes, and coastal areas that are worthy of your time.
After a bit of LockDown research, I have earmarked the 5 UK Road Trips I want to take when we are allowed to travel. These five cover England, Northern Island, Scotland and Wales,
I hope you find this useful, and I would love to hear of any additions you may have?
Atlantic Highway, South West England
This is a stretch of road officially known as the A39. I know this doesn’t sound that glamorous, but neither does Route 20 really. Does it? The Atlantic Highway sounds much more appealing. Perhaps this is our equivalent of California’s Pacific Coast Highway?
Not quite. To start with, it is only just over 200 miles long compared to about 700 miles for its Californian Counterpart, although this does make it one of the longest ‘A’ roads in Britain. Also, it doesn’t really hug the coast like the PCH. Otherwise, I guess they would have called it the Atlantic COAST Highway.
But, it does have some amazing places along the way. A bit of research tells me the best place to travel this road is from Newquay, up to Bideford. This portion of this particular UK Road Trip is less than 70 miles. We have visited a couple of places along here, but never really done the drive.
We travelled directly into Bude, directly into Newquay for example, so the drive is still on the UK Road Trip bucket list.
Atlantic Highway UK Road Trip Stop Offs
Newquay, Tintagel Castle, Northcott Mouth Beach / Bude, and Padstow.
Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
This is a route I have never taken, but having read about it, and seen the photos and the roads, it is certainly on my list.
Running from Belfast to Londonderry, it stretches for about 130 miles and will take a good three and a half hours to drive, without stops. I can only imagine the views, the wildlife, the coastal village towns.
Having looked at a few photos, and read a few articles, I have nudged this one up my list, second only to, well, read on!
The Brecon Beacons & Black Mountain Pass, Wales
There are probably many variations of this trip you could take. We have driven the odd road, but not this route that I am planning.
I think when we do it, we may start somewhere like Brecon, and head West, aiming for Llandovery. Enroute, stopping at USK Reservoir is an option.
On arrival at Llandovery, you could take a few minutes to view Llandovery Castle, one of the 1,500 Castles the UK has to offer. Join the A4069 for the best part of the drive. Wales’ Black Mountain Pass.
Head East when you reach Brynamman on the A4068, and aim for Merthyr Tydfil. You can then enjoy the A470 north back to Brecon.
There are plenty of pullouts to stop and marvel at the views, best enjoyed of course on a clear day. Look out for sheep that wander roadside, which we encountered when we were there.
Black Mountain and Brecon UK Road Trip Stop Offs
Usk Reservoir, Llandovery Castle, National Showcaves Centre (short Detour), and any pull out for photographs!
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England
The shortest by far. This particular stretch of road that I want to travel is just 3 miles long! Yes, I know this is going to be the shortest UK Road Trip ever!! But it is the perfect as a lunch stop, or detour on the way south to the Atlantic Highway, or perhaps north to Wales?
The cliffs of the Gorge tower over you, and certainly make for dramatic scenery. There is the Cheddar Gorge Walk Path, that runs alongside the Gorge, and the Caves if you wanted to make more of it than just a 3-mile drive.
As a bit of history, Cheddar Gorge and caves were formed under the sea 300 million years ago. Starting on the Equator, it was shifted to its present position by huge tectonic earth movements, and then pushed upwards to form the mountains and gorges that we enjoy today.
I discovered this after a quick Google search and a brief read on a BBC Website. Not being a historian, I suggest if you want to know more about the history of the Gorge, check out their website.
I am a road trip lover though, so here are is the route for you
Things to see near Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Cheddar Reservoir, stroll around the village of Cheddar and of course, the Cheddar Gorge Walk/Hike
North Coast 500, Scotland
I have saved the best (in my eyes) until last. I am itching to do this trip, in our Campervan. This route is supposed to be the UK equivalent to the Pacific Coast Highway. The twists and turns, the dramatic scenery, the sights to see on the way, and the distilleries!
This cannot be rushed. The NC500 website suggests at least 5 days to do it, but many of their Itineraries are 8 or 9 days. I think I would want at least 14 days. We will certainly be taking note of a guide book or two when we do eventually go.
Nature, great drives, stunning views, vast landscapes and quaint coves all await on this UK Road Trip of a lifetime. I for one, cannot wait to undertake this one, and can only hope you will join me when I do.
North Coast 500 Road Trip stop offs
Castles, Coves, Distilleries, Beaches. There is just too much to single anything out. Depending on what you like, there is sure to be something you can theme your trip on. I think mine will be camping and distilleries. No, Castles and Coves. No, no I mean Locks and Landscapes. Aaargh!!!!
Summary of my 5 UK Road Trips
So there you have it. At the time of writing, and after 7 weeks of LockDown, cabin fever has set in and I am itching to get out there.
There is a Road Trip I could do here in a day. One that would take a few days, and the final one, probably about 3 weeks. The North Coast 500, my ultimate UK Road Trip I want to do, is a 600 mile 10-hour drive away.
Getting there and back will take the best part of 4 days. Plus the 14 days I would want to take to drive around it.
I hope you found this useful, and I would love to hear all about any UK Road Trips you have done, or would like to do.
Atlantic Highway 
Causeway Coastal Route Black Mountain and Brecon Beacons 
Cheddar Gorge North Coast 500
