Magnificent Marvels of British Nature – Road Tripping across Britain
A guest post by Giles Kirkland: Giles Kirkland is a dedicated car expert and passionate travel enthusiast. He likes to hit the road and explore new places then sharing his ideas with readers across the globe. You can find his articles at Oponeo blog and on Twitter.
Great Britain is studded with epic places that are a must-visit for all those filled with wanderlust; and what can be a better way to explore them than by going for a scenic drive?
Scotland’s North Coast 500
Colin Horn
The North Coast 500 is a circular route that goes on for over 800km and can take you about 7 days with ease. Start with Inverness and onwards through the Black Isle, Sutherland and Wester Ross. You’ll drive through gorgeous sandy beaches, enchanting East Coast villages and elegant castles as you go.
This route provides a blissful escape from the daily hustles of urban living. More popular stop points include the Achmelvich Bay for water sports lovers and the Torridon Mountains for nature enthusiasts.
The Scottish highlands are so impressive that your trip can turn into one that never ends, so be sure to plot out your route and try to stick to it despite the distracting temptations. Accommodation options might be limited, so it’s a good idea to book ahead of our journey.
The Lake District to the Peak District
Ali Gooya
Why not combining two of the UK’s most famous national parks within one road trip?
Start with the Lake District – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which connects serene lakes nestled between lush green hills. Each lake is breath-taking and holds its own charm, but the Ullswater Lake stands out for its tranquillity. You may want to visit Windermere; England’s largest lake or Wastwater; England’s deepest lake.
You can paddle across these lakes, go for a hike, or just take in the views that inspired many poets and writers across time – there is plenty of options.
A drive onwards to the Peak District will take you to several exciting places such as the Snake Pass, which lies nestled in the mountains, 510m above sea level. The stunning Alton Towers and the Gothic Derwent Dam are some of the favoured spots to keep an eye out for. Visiting England’s first national park in itself is something to cross off the bucket list.
North Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route
Trevor Cole
This famous route feels almost too good to be true – as if something spun out of a dream into reality. It goes along the Atlantic coast from Belfast to Londonderry through some of the major spots in North Ireland.
You can gaze awestruck at the 40,000 pieces in the Giant’s Causeway, or pay homage to one of the locations of Game of Thrones at the Dark Hedges. The soothing waters of Whitepark Bay, Glens of Antrim, Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, and the delightful village of Ballintoy Harbour provide perfect points to stretch your legs along the way.
This trip can actually be broken down into nine different drives, which makes it really flexible and ideal for those with a tighter timeframe. Be sure to drive carefully as there are some steep turns along the way.
The Atlantic Highway in South West England
George Hiles
The Atlantic highway or the A39 is one of the longest routes in the country. It stretches over 270km from Bridgewater all the way to Bude. The foaming coastline, sandy dunes and lush fields of barley keep the view as picturesque as one could hardly imagine.
Take a stop at the Exmoor National Park and indulge in a hike, discover King Arthur at Tintagel Castle, or stop through the Cornish villages at Padstow and Bude and get your surf on.
It’s important not to be misled by the name as most of this drive will be inland, and you’ll only see the ocean at some points such as Newquay. But don’t worry – it will be a stunning route with or without it. It’s best to plan your road trip along this route when it’s not peak season as it’s very popular and can get crowded.
Choose any of these places for your scenic British road trip and you will soon realise that there’s even more to Great Britain that meets the eye. You might be coming back for more very soon.
