This is the perfect time of year for shaking off those winter cobwebs and taking an inspirational road trip to see some spectacular scenery. The UK has some fabulous options for road trip routes around the country with many ideal places to visit whilst enjoying your yummy Easter chocolate. With beautiful countryside, traditional seaside towns, and historic cities, what better way to explore the UK than by enjoying a drive? Check out our round-up of some of the most interesting road trips and places to visit in the UK this Easter!
The NC500 route, Scotland
Covering a grand 516 miles, this route takes you past stunning coastal views across the far north of Scotland. The North Coast 500 (often referred to as the NC500) is one of the best road trips to be found in the UK. Beginning and ending in Inverness, the NC500 takes you on a loop across the Scottish Highlands. You will have the opportunity to travel to some of the most remote corners of northern Scotland. Along the way, you’ll explore magnificent sandy beaches like Sandwood Bay and Achmelvich Bay, awe inspiring mountains, and historic sites like Dunrobin Castle and Ardveck Castle. The NC500 can be completed in a few days, but it is recommended to schedule at least a week to get the most out of this stunning road trip adventure. One highlight of the drive is travelling along Bealach na Ba, which is the steepest ascent of any road in the UK. Whilst this may be a bit daunting, the views are definitely worth it.
The Cambrian Way, Wales
One of the unique things about this road trip is that you can mainly stay on the same road for the whole way. Begin in Cardiff and follow the A470 north. This is the longest road in Wales and it is known for being one of the most scenic roads in the UK. The Cambrian Way takes you right into the heart of Wales and the spectacular surrounding countryside. Although you can remain on the A470 for the whole journey, it may be worth taking some detours to explore the intriguing mountain roads and winding country lanes as you search for the best scenic spots to stop. The route takes you through the mountainous scenery of the Brecon Beacons National Park, through the Elan Valley, and then into the Snowdonia National Park and on up to the north coast, where the route ends in the seaside town of Llandudno. It is recommended to allow about five days to travel this spectacular route, although you may wish to schedule slightly longer if you want to incorporate climbing Snowdon into your itinerary.
The Yorkshire Dales Circuit, England
Known as the best road trip in the North of England, the Yorkshire Dales Circuit can be expanded to encompass the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast, as well as exploring the Dales. A recommended starting point is the Victorian Spa town of Harrogate. From there, head out into the Yorkshire Dales to explore at your leisure. Town highlights include Grassington, Hawes, and Reeth. Circling back to Harrogate completes the circuit. Along the way, you are sure to see lush wildflower meadows, wonderful waterfalls, and plenty of opportunities for walks to explore the countryside further. For this road trip, it is suggested that you should allow between three to four days.
Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
Beginning in Belfast and ending in Derry, this route takes around 7 days to complete and covers about 200 miles of scenic coastline along the way. From Belfast, you start by heading east towards Islandmagee and the famous Gobbins Cliff Walk. Then head north through the Glens of Antrim, spotting castle ruins and wonderful scenery along the way. Your next stop may be Ballycastle where you can take some time to sample local cuisine in the cosy pubs and listen to traditional music. One highlight of the trip is a drive up the coast to Bushmills where you can take part in a whiskey-tasting session and tour. Finally, no trip around the coastline of Northern Ireland would be complete without heading over to see the Giant’s Causeway. According to legend, these are the remains of a causeway built by an Irish giant who was challenged to a fight by a Scottish giant, and he built the causeway so that the two of them could meet.
