10 of the most spectacular road trip routes in the UK

From the best of the Welsh coast to the perennial beauty of the Scottish Highlands
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While it looks like we won't be going on holiday anytime soon, once we can start travelling around the UK again it will only mean one thing: a road trip is in order.

While we Brits tend to fly off to the warmer oceans of Europe as soon as we put our ‘out of office’ on, this year consider staying closer to home with a classic British road trip.

From the ever-beautiful Scottish Highlands to the famous tracks on the Isle of Man and the beach-dotted Cornish coastline, we’ve detailed our favourite road trip routes in the UK below.

Heart 200, Scotland

The Trossachs
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You’ll drive through: Perth, Sterling, The Trossachs and Cairngorms National Park.

Time needed: 2-3 days.

The newest road trip on the block, Heart 200 launched in 2019 and covers 200 miles around ‘the heart’ of Scotland. The round trip from Stirling takes you through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, up to Cairgorms National Park and down through Perthshire. Easily done in a weekend, you can also access the road from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Along the way, expect to see castles, distilleries (of both the gin and whiskey variety), stunning nature and delicious pubs and eateries. If you need to work, the site can even point you to co-working spaces along the route.

Atlantic Highway, England

Newquay
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You’ll drive through: Barnstaple, Bude, Exmoor National Park and Newquay.

Time needed: 4-5 days.

Otherwise known as the A39, the Atlantic Highway stretches from Barnstaple in Devon to Fraddon in Cornwall – undoubtedly two of the more temperate areas in the UK. While the route is just 77 miles long, there are a number of detours and stops to make along the way.

If driving from London, be sure to stop at Exmoor National Park en route to the highway, and there are also a number of lovely seaside Cornish villages to visit as well like Newquay, Padstow and Bude.

The Cambrian Way, Wales

Cardiff
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You’ll drive through: Cardiff, Brecon Beacons National Park and Snowdonia National Park.

Time needed: 5 days.

Part of the newly-launched Wales Way – a selection of three driving routes through Wales – the 185-mile Cambrian Way takes you from coast to coast. The north-to-south journey takes you along the mountainous spine of Wales, weaving between the glorious Brecon Beacons before arriving at Snowdonia National Park and finally the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno.

Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
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You’ll drive through: Belfast, the Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Derry.

Time needed: 2-3 days.

Northern Ireland’s most popular drive, and Lonely Planet’s number one region to visit last year, the Coastal Causeway route is not to be missed. Starting in either Derry or Belfast, head to the coast where you’ll pass the Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges (made famous by Game of Thrones) and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – from where you can sometimes see across the sea to Scotland on a clear day.

The white sands and azure waters of Whitepark Bay also makes for a lovely stop, as does the small fishing village of Ballintoy Harbour and Dunluce Castle on the North Antrim Coast.

Oxford to the Wye Valley, England

Cotswolds
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You’ll drive through: Cotswolds, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye.

Time needed: 4-5 days.

Is there anything more quintessentially British than a weekend spent in the chocolate-box villages of the Costwolds? This self-guided tour will take you from the historic university town of Oxford, through the Cotswolds and over the border to Wales.

One for nature lovers whose favourite pastime is a nice, long country walk, this route will wind you through picture-perfect British towns and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

North Coast 500, Scotland

Sandwood Bay
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You’ll drive through: Inverness, Fairy Glen, Dunrobin Castle and Sandwood Bay.

Time needed: 7 days.

Dubbed as Scotland’s ‘answer to Route 66’, the North Coast 500 will take you to the furthest reaches of the Highlands. Starting in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, spend your first day looking for Nessie at nearby Loch Ness before spending the week discovering fairytale castles, idyllic beaches and charming villages.

Highlights include spotting Highland cows, the stunning Torridon Mountains and the sea stacks at Duncansby Head. While 7 days will be just enough time, extend it if you can to fit everything in.

Tourist Trophy Route, Isle of Man

Isle of Man
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You’ll drive through: Braddan Bridge, Glen Helen, Ballaugh Bridge and Ramsey Hairpin.

Time needed: 3 days (with other routes included).

Sitting pretty between the UK and Ireland, the Isle of Man hosts the world-famous motorcycle race – the Isle of Man TT – each year. If you don’t fancy racing, you can follow the 37.5-mile circuit in your own time. Expect to be in awe of the stunning landmarks along the way, from Braddan Bridge and Glen Hele to the famous restaurant, Creg-ny-Baa.

There are a number of other routes to follow while on the island as well so, if you can, extend your trip to explore all the Isle of Man has to offer.

Coastal Way, Wales

Mwnt Beach
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You’ll drive through: St Davids, Mwnt Beach, Cardigan and Portmeirion.

Time needed: 7 days.

Another family member of the Wales Way, the Coastal Way leads you along the coast of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Gwynedd counties. Starting at St Davids in the south, winding through to Aberdaron on the tip of the wild Llŷn Peninsula in the north, expect a journey filled with sandy beaches, quaint harbour villages and hidden coves.

During the drive you’ll also pass through two National Parks, a protected Heritage Coast and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Glasgow to Isle of Skye, Scotland

Isle of Skye
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You’ll drive through: The Trossachs, Glencoe, Fort William and Eilean Donan Castle.

Time needed: 5 days.

A classic and popular self-guided road trip, the route begins in Glasgow and it’s worth spending a night or two there exploring the centre and the West End. Not long after you depart Glasgow, you’ll enter mountain territory, passing by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs before delving into the valleys of Glencoe.

Spend a night or two in Fort William, discovering the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the bridge made famous by the Harry Potter films), and the road up to Mallaig – where you can get the ferry to the Isle of Skye – or double back and follow the A82, then A87 to pass the magnificent Eilean Donan Castle on your way to Skye. Once in Skye, expect dramatic landscapes, friendly locals and an abundance of fresh seafood. Give yourself at least three days here.

Peak District to the Lake District, England

Yorkshire Dales
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You’ll drive through: Windermere, Yorkshire Dales and Manchester.

Time needed: 4-5 days.

Two of the UK’s most beautiful National Parks, it’s well worth combining the Lake District and the Peak District for a singular road trip. With lovely lakes and lush hills, the Lake District is the perfect place to start this self-guided road trip. Check into one of the many spa hotels dotted around this quaint piece of countryside and treat yourself to some R&R before continuing through the Yorkshire Dales and on to Manchester.

Here, you’ll discover the delights of the city that produced Liam Gallagher before carrying on to the Peak District. Be sure to visit Lyme Hall, the setting of what was ‘Pemberley’ in the Colin Firth adaptation of Pride and Prejudice – we just don’t recommend going for a swim in the pond. If you have an extra day or two to kill, why not go east before heading down to the Peak District and tack on the North York Moors National Park too? The perfect way to complete your northern National Park quartet.