If you’re looking for an adventure that will take you off the beaten path, these underrated UK road trips are for you. Whilst iconic road trip routes through the Lake District get plenty of attention, we’ve uncovered some hidden gems that offer equally stunning scenery with some exciting stops along the way.
Whether you’re planning your first UK road trip or looking for new UK road trip ideas, this guide covers some of the lesser-known and some of the best UK road trip routes that deserve a spot on your travel list.
Underrated UK road trips:
Everything you need for your UK road trip
Before you hit the road, you need to make sure you’ve packed the essentials. A smooth road trip around the UK starts with the proper preparations, and the right cover. Take a look at our handy checklist:
- Sat nav or maps app: this is a must-have for when you’re road-tripping in a new location. A sat nav or maps app can help you to avoid traffic and be confident you’re travelling in the right direction on unknown roads.
- Emergency kit: this should include any essentials you might need if your vehicle breaks down, such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, water and snacks.
- Phone charger and power bank: these are perfect for keeping your devices charged should you need to use them for directions or taking photos along your road trip.
- Snacks and entertainment: no road trip is complete without a good playlist and plenty of snacks to keep you going.
- Vehicle insurance: whether you’re road-tripping in a car, campervan or motorhome, you must make sure you have the correct cover. Dayinsure offers temporary insurance which is perfect if you want to borrow a vehicle for your road trip or you’d like to share the driving with your family or friends.
Cambrian Way
The Cambrian Way is a lesser-known road trip route that stretches around 185 miles through Wales, from Llandudno to Cardiff. It offers stunning views of mountainous landscapes, with stops to visit historic castles and experience Welsh culture.
Highlights:
- Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons: hike to Pen y Fan or enjoy star-gazing in this International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Elan Valley: known as the ‘Welsh Lake District’, this area offers serene lakes and stunning dams.
- Eryri National Park: Explore dramatic peaks, charming villages like Betws-y-Coed, and the famous Yr Wyddfa.
- Adventure activities: as well as stunning scenery, this route offers lots of stop-offs to take part in adventure activities such as, zip lining, mountain biking and kayaking, at locations like Plas y Brenin.
- Historic sites and cultural heritage: you will pass by historic houses and culturally significant locations, including Castell Coch (a fairytale castle with incredible interiors) and Blas ar Fwyd (a shop with an amazing range of Welsh food and drink).
Eryri National Park
Need to know: this road trip route is approximately 185 miles long. You should be prepared for winding roads and rural sections with limited fuel stops, especially if you’re travelling in an EV, so it is important to plan accordingly.
Causeway Coastal Route
This road trip route is around 115 miles and follows the Antrim coast from Belfast to Derry, weaving along cliffs and beaches and even passing by some Game of Thrones filming locations.
Highlights:
- Giant’s Causeway: this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking unique basal columns which are the eroded remnants of an erupted volcano.
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: this is a rope bridge near Ballintoy in Country Antrim which is connected to the cliffs across the Atlantic Ocean. The walk across is not for the faint-hearted but offers stunning views.
- Dunluce Castle: this now-ruined medieval castle is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping providing a dramatic sightseeing opportunity.
- Game of Thrones filming locations: along this route there are multiple locations you can stop at to see your favourite scenes from the widely popular TV series, Game of Thrones. Locations include, Castle Ward (Winterfell and the Whispering Wood), Tollymore Forest Park (the opening scene of the first ever episode) and Ballintoy Harbour (Iron Islands port).
Giant’s Causeway
Need to know: this route is around 115 miles long, and with so many exciting sights to see along the route you should allow at least 3 days to properly explore.
North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is one of the best road trips in the UK, offering 516 miles of breathtaking Scottish scenery, including beautiful coastlines, historic attractions, incredible wildlife and delicious local food. Whilst not necessarily underrated, we just couldn’t miss it off our list.
Highlights:
- Bealach na Bà: this thrilling mountain pass winds through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula and is considered a ‘holy grail for drivers looking to give themselves a challenge’.
- Duncansby Stacks: these striking sea stacks are considered to be some of the most impressive in the British Isles and the area offers a great opportunity to spot Puffins.
- Smoo Cave: this dramatic sea cave near Durness is an amazing natural wonder set into the limestone cliffs in Sutherland.
- Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle: ideal for history lovers and photographers, this ruined castle dates from around 1490 and overlooks Loch Assynt to provide a dramatic view.
Duncanby Stacks
Need to know: this route is best done by starting and finishing in Inverness, enjoyed over at least a 5-7 day period to experience all there is to offer at a relaxed pace.
For a full breakdown on the North Coast 500 road trip route, take a look at our comprehensive guide.
South West Coastal Path
Whilst this is technically a walking trail, you can drive parallel to the South West Coastal Path to explore Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, making it one of England’s most scenic seaside drives.
Highlights:
- Land’s End: the most south-westerly point of the country is one of Britain’s best-loved landmarks; this stop is famous for it’s unique location and incredible views.
- St Ives to Tintagel: this part of the route offers views of rugged cliffs and hidden coves as well as passing by the legendary King Arthur’s Castle.
- Jurassic Coast: this 95-mile stretch along the Dorset coast is England’s only natural World Heritage Site. You can hunt for fossils whilst taking in the breathtaking coastal views.
- Exmoor National Park: this national park is brimming with outdoor activities including horse riding, fishing, and canoeing – perfect for those looking to enjoy a more active road trip.
Durdle Door
Need to know: you can make this route flexible to suit your plans or timeline. Rather than doing the entire route over a couple of weeks you can choose shorter stretches to fill a long weekend instead.
Are you covered?
Whether you’re planning a road trip in the UK with friends or family, or going it alone, it’s essential to ensure everyone who will be driving has the correct cover.
Dayinsure’s temporary insurance is perfect if you need to borrow a friend or family member’s vehicle for your road trip holiday. You can insure the vehicle for the exact amount of time that you need it, from 1 hour up to 30 days.
Want to share the driving? Whether you’re in a car or a motorhome, with Dayinsure you can split the drive time between your party, letting everyone have some time behind the wheel. Find out more here.
Looking for road trips further afield? Check out our picks of the best European road trips from the UK.
Why choose to insure with us…
Dayinsure can be a great option to make sure you’re fully covered for your next road trip.
- Flexible cover: from 1 hour up to 30 days, you can get cover to specifically fit your plans.
- Quick quotes: you can get a quote and cover in just minutes
- Helpful app: by using our app you can save money on your policy and stay in control of your cover on the road
- Refer a friend: sharing the driving with your friend? When you refer a friend and they purchase a policy, you’ll both receive a £10 gift voucher
- Excellent customer service: rated Excellent on Trustpilot, our customer service team is here to help when you need
Get road trip insurance with Dayinsure
Ready to hit the road? Whether you’re planning the best UK road trip route or a spontaneous detour to some top spots, make sure you’ve got the right cover. Take out our flexible cover today and you can be on the road in minutes.
