Road trip holiday map of Britain
School’s out for the summer, and if you’re wondering how you’re going to spend the last few weeks of the holidays and bank holiday, you’re not alone. Now is the ideal time for a UK road trip, so we’ve put together a fantastic itinerary to help you see the best of what Britain has to offer. It should take you around a week to nine days to complete, but with so much to see en route, you could take as long as you like or just stop off at a few of these destinations.
Rambling in the Peak District, England
Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, the Peak District is a great starting point for your UK road trip. Whether you pull on your walking boots for a ramble up Mam Tor or take the kids to Alton Towers, there’s more than enough for a whole holiday in the Peak District alone. Why not stop off in Bakewell to try a delicious traditional Bakewell pudding.
● Explore the picturesque Chatsworth Estate
● Get your adrenaline fix at Alton Towers
● Visit Bakewell for a traditional Bakewell pudding
Tour the cathedral in Durham, England
Famous for its spectacular cathedral as well as for its university, the northern city of Durham is a three-hour drive from the Peak District with plenty to see when you stop off here. Make the cathedral your first port of call, and then enjoy a wander around the old part of town to see the Castle and university buildings. If you’re travelling with the kids, the Diggerland Durham adventure park is sure to go down well.
● Visit the famous Durham Cathedral
● Pay a visit to Diggerland Durham
Peruse an art gallery in Glasgow, Scotland
A three-hour drive north of Durham, the Scottish city of Glasgow is packed with culture in the form of museums, art galleries and other interesting places to visit. If you only visit one, make it the renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – considered to be one of Scotland’s most popular attractions. If the weather’s nice, enjoy a stroll in the beautiful Botanic Gardens or head out of the city for adrenaline-pumping fun at M&D’s amusement park in Motherwell.
● Visit an art gallery, such as the Kelvingrove or the Gallery of Modern Art
● Learn about local history at the People’s Palace
● Ride the rollercoasters at M&D’s amusement park
Hike in the Lake District, England
World-renowned for its stunning scenery, the Lake District is a picturesque UK road trip destination. Just two hours’ drive from Glasgow, it’s a walker’s paradise thanks to its dramatic hills and picturesque lakes. The obvious thing to do is head out for a hike, but if you’re not much of a walker then you might enjoy getting out onto the water instead. There’s lots of watersport to choose from, whether you fancy riding on a sedate steamer or manning the helm of a rowing boat, dinghy, kayak or canoe.
● Head out for a hike - there’s walking for all abilities in the Lake District
● Visit the houses of the author Beatrix Potter or the poet William Wordsworth
● Get out on the water in your choice of vessel, from kayak to steamer
Explore a castle in Conwy, Wales
A walled market town rich in history, Conwy in Wales is a two-and-a-half hour drive from the Lake District. Conwy is dominated by its impressive 13th century castle, so don’t leave the town without a look round the castle’s many rooms. Then enjoy the views from the town walls, before heading down to the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre to sample some tasty local foods.
● Visit the mighty Conwy Castle
● Walk around the town walls and enjoy the views
● Check out the smallest house in Britain, Quay House
Spa break in Bath, England
The city of Bath takes some beating in the Georgian architecture stakes thanks to its elegant rows of beautifully proportioned townhouses. Around a four-hour drive from Conwy, it’s the perfect spot for some relaxation thanks to its long-standing tradition of bathing in the geothermal waters found here. Head to Thermae Bath Spa to enjoy the healing properties of the water from the breathtaking rooftop pool, and follow that by learning about the city’s ancient origins at the Roman Baths. Don’t miss the Royal Crescent, where you can look round Number 1 for a glimpse of Bath as Jane Austen would have known it.
● Enjoy a relaxing spa session at Thermae Bath Spa
● Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen with lunch at the Pump Room
● See the city’s Roman history at the Roman Baths
Explore the university buildings of Oxford, England
Two hours' drive from Bath, the ancient university city of Oxford is packed with culture, so reserve plenty of time for exploring its idyllic colleges and ‘dreaming spires’. When you’ve had your fill of university buildings, while away an afternoon with a gentle punting session on the River Isis, or explore one of the city’s fabulous museums, such as the Ashmolean or the Pitt Rivers. Finally don’t forget to call in at the Covered Market for delicious freshly baked cookies.
● Visit an Oxford college or two - Christ Church is always popular
● Pack up a picnic and punt down the River Isis
● Indulge in freshly baked cookies at the Covered Market
Paddling on the Isle of Wight, England
Finish up your road trip with a ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight, famed for its stunning coastlines and award-winning beaches. A three-to-four-hour drive from Oxford, the Isle of Wight has an old-fashioned British seaside holiday feel to it, making it the perfect place to end your jaunt around the UK. Don’t miss a visit to The Needles, the iconic stacks of rock off the west coast, where you can hop on a chairlift for spectacular views as you head down to the beach.
● Visit Osborne House, once the beloved home of Queen Victoria
● Take a trip on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
● Ride the chairlift at The Needles
Make sure you're covered
Wherever you choose to go, make sure you have the right car insurance. Learn more about getting Sheilas' Wheels car insurance.