Are you an avid motorist who loves exciting scening journeys? Here’s our top five list of the best road trips/passages in the UK.
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Cheddar Gorge is a beautiful limestone gorge found near the small countryside village of Cheddar in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. The gorge looks like something out of The Lord Of The Rings and is home to the oldest skeleton found in the UK, estimated to be around 9000 years old. If you fancy stopping for a stroll, there are plenty of caves and caverns to explore with nearby cafes to stop and get a bite to eat. You can easily spend a day driving around, walking, and exploring the beauty that Cheddar Gorge has to offer.
How Do I Get There?
Cheddar Gorge is situated in the heart of Somerset and is roughly 14 miles away from Bristol.
How Long Does The Journey Take?
The Road Distance is 19.1 miles.
Snake Pass, Peak District
Snake Pass is a hill pass going through the tip of the peak district, which connects the busy cities of Manchester and Sheffield. It’s known to be a dangerous route when it comes to the winter due to its windy roads and cliff edges but on a clear summer’s day, the views really are breathtaking. The road remains a very popular route for cyclists and motorists due to its steep inclines and is even featured as part of the course in the Tour of Britain cycling race. If you’re driving through Snake Pass for the first time, it’s recommended that you do it on a clear day to avoid any road closures.
How Do I Get There?
You can begin the route on the A57 route from Macclesfield, nr Manchester, or from Sheffield.
How Long Does The Journey Take?
Between 30 minutes to an hour.
Winnats Pass, Peak District (Castleton)
Winnat’s pass really is one of the most beautiful places in the whole of the UK. It’s situated in the peak district close to the small industrial town of Castleton, where there are plenty of gorgeous shops and restaurants to dine at. The pass itself winds through a tight cleft surrounded by high limestone ridges where you will find an old lead mine; which is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Be sure to visit the surrounding areas around Winnats pass and Castleton as there are plenty of beautiful walks.
How Do I Get There?
Peak District, Derbyshire.
How Long Does The Journey Take?
10 mins.
Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most iconic places in Northern Ireland, UK. It’s synonymous with old Irish folklore, where they believe that the Causeway was home to giants due to the interlocking basalt columns on the shore. The Causeway itself is incredibly unique due to these strange, perfectly placed, hexagonal columns and you can actually get a tour with a guide if you want to learn more about the mythology and history of the area.
How Do I Get There?
You can find Giants Causeway by heading northeast of the town of Bushmills, County Antrim, NI.
How Long Does The Journey Take?
The Journey up to the Causeway is around 20 minutes from the town of Bushmills.
Scottish Route 500 (Link)
Image from Countryfile
The Scottish Route 500 takes the number one spot for the best road trip in the UK due to the length of the journey and the breathtaking views that come with it. The North Coast 500 is coined ‘the Scottish Route 66’ and was created to link up all of the most iconic places in the Scottish Highlands. The driver will make their way from Inverness castle all the way north to John O’Groats where they will then travel west through the Highlands and back around towards the castle. On your travels, be sure to stop at Rogie Falls, Applecross Peninsula, Ullapool, Clachtoll, Cape Wrath, Durness, and Thurso.
How Do I Get There?
The route both begins and ends at Inverness Castle, Scotland.
How Long Does The Journey Take?
The route is said to take the driver at least 5 days if they want a good experience of driving through the Scottish highlands.