Don’t get us wrong. We love the Cotswolds and the Lake District. But they can get a wee bit crowded, especially during peak season. So if you want to truly get away from it all, why not hit the open road and set off on one of Britain’s epic road trips?
Vixa recently carried out a survey for the AA and came up with a list of the most underrated road trips in the UK and Europe. Read on for some British road trips that promise breathtaking scenery, incredible amounts of fresh air, and an escape from the crowds.
Pembrokeshire Coast 200
The Pembrokeshire Coast 200 is the most underrated road trip in Europe according to Vixa. We’ve mentioned the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park before as being perfect for walking and cycling holidays, but if time is limited, why not consider a drive? You can take in plenty of local history while enjoying coastal views. Vixa also praises the signage on this route, so you can relax and enjoy the journey without fearing a wrong turn. Spread it out over three to five days and perhaps take a side trip to one of the nearby islands.
Kintyre 66
This underrated 66 mile loop travels around Scotland’s Kintyre peninsula, and offers rugged scenery, distilleries, historical sites, and more. The Kintyre 66 also encourages travellers to take one or more of the six spur roads that lead off the main route. Take a ferry to the nearby Isle of Gigha; visit the smokehouses and distilleries; stop for a round of golf at Dunavarty; or visit the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse. And if you time your trip accordingly, there are dozens of festivals year-round whether your tastes run to seafood or watersports.
Causeway Coastal Route
For the next epic road trip, we’re telling you to hop across the channel. Not the English Channel. Take a ferry or fly across the Irish Channel to experience the wild scenery of the Causeway Coastal Route. The Giant’s Causeway is famous around the world, but this part of the country received further attention thanks to The Game of Thrones TV series, filmed on location here. This six-day itinerary lets you soak in the very best that Northern Ireland has to offer.
Road to the Isles
Say you’re planning to drive the A830 and it doesn’t sound that glamorous. Say you’re driving the Road to the Isles and it conjures up an array of images. The drive is much shorter than some on this list, clocking in at about 44 miles, but this is as much about the destination as the journey. Start in Fort William and drive along the lochs (with spectacular views of the water and mountains) to Mallaig on the Lochaber coast. Stop along the way to enjoy the pristine white sands of Morar and Arisaig. Once you arrive in Mallaig, you can explore the local coastline, spot wildlife, or take one of the ferries to the Isle of Skye or some of the other islands in the area. Because it’s a short drive, it makes an ideal day trip. Or plan on staying longer and drinking it all in.
The Cambrian Way
The Cambrian Way runs the length of Wales from Llandudno in the north to Cardiff in the south. It is the longest of the Wales Way routes, extending some 185 miles. For the most part, the route follows the A470. However, there are plenty of options for diversions to visit nearby castles or enjoy the two national parks that you will pass through. To make the most of the journey, we suggest this five-day itinerary or this seven-day option. And allow some time in Llandudno and Cardiff at either end.
North Coast 500
Rounding out the list of Top Ten European Drives is Scotland’s North Coast 500. Billing itself as “the ultimate road trip” the NC500 starts and ends in Inverness. Follow the road along the coast of the Black Isle peninsula, around Caithness, down the western coast and through the Highlands back to Inverness. The route is relatively new, only launching about five years ago, but already the 516-mile route is considered to be one of the best in the world. Those planning to explore the entire NC500 are advised to plan for a minimum of 7 days so that you can stop along the way and take in all that it has to offer. The website also features various suggested itineraries based on your interests.
