The United Kingdom is a treasure trove for stunning driving routes, from rugged coastlines to charming countryside villages. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a family adventure, or a solo escape, the UK offers some top driving routes.
Before hitting the road, it’s important you’re prepared for your road trip. That includes choosing your destination, mapping your route, checking road conditions, and ensuring you’re fully covered with the right insurance.
In this guide, we’ll explore our top picks of driving routes across the UK, along with practical road trip tips for a safe and unforgettable adventure.
The top driving routes in the UK
- The Black Mountain Pass, Brecon Beacons
- The Norfolk Coast Road, Norfolk
- The Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland
- The North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire
- The Cat and Fiddle Road, Cheshire to Derbyshire
- Loch Lomond, Scotland
- The Northumberland Coastal Route, Northumberland
The Black Mountain Pass, Brecon Beacons
Winding through the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Black Mountain Pass (A4069) is a 19-mile route famous for its dramatic cliffs, sweeping valleys and hairpin bends. This road offers breathtaking views of the Carmarthenshire countryside and is a must-visit for scenic driving enthusiasts with its tight turns and long straights that let you enjoy being behind the wheel.
For more Welsh road trips, check out our guide on the most scenic drives in Wales.
Highlights:
Tro Gwcw (Cuckoo Turn), Black Mountain Pass
The Norfolk Coast Road, Norfolk
The Norfolk Coat Road spans the North Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is considered one of the best scenic drives in England. This relaxing route connects quaint villages and sandy beaches with plenty of great stops along the way making it ideal for families. This is one of our top choices for a UK road trip if you’re looking for an easy, picturesque coastal experience.
Highlights:
Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk
The Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland
The Antrim Coast Road is widely regarded as one of the most scenic driving routes in Northern Ireland. Running from Larne to Ballycastle, it passes rugged cliffs and offers spectacular views over the Irish Sea. Its length and the range of sights means that you may want to take longer along this route, giving yourself time to explore and properly take in the attractions.
Highlights:
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
The North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire
Few areas rival the North York Moors National Park and Yorkshire Dales National Park for classic UK national park road trips. There are a variety of routes through these parks where you can take in sweeping landscapes with breathtaking views that have inspired novelists such as the Bronte sisters and Sylvia Path. Roads like the A170 offer sweeping moorland views, charming villages, and access to walking trails with nearby market towns making perfect lunch stops.
Highlights:
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The Cat and Fiddle Road, Cheshire to Derbyshire
The Cat and Fiddle Road (A537), named after the local inn, runs through the Peak District and is considered one of the UK’s most famous mountain drivers. It’s well known for it’s tight bends, moorland scenery, and dramatic elevation changes. Whilst the route offers stunning views, it has historically been associated with accidents due to its sharp bends so drivers should maintain safe speeds and always remain alert, especially in poor weather.
Highlights:
Cat and Fiddle Road, Cheshire
Loch Lomond, Scotland
The A82 along Loch Lomond is one of the most iconic UK road trips. The route combines stunning loch views, wooded hillsides, and access to hiking trails within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. You can even take the ferry over to Inchmurrin Island, the largest island in the lake. This drive is great for a relaxed day trip or as part of a longer Scottish Highlands itinerary.
Highlights:
Trossachs National Park
The Northumberland Coastal Route, Northumberland
Stretching between Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Northumberland Coastal Route offers castles, sandy beaches, and historic landmarks, including Roman ruins. It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. It is best explored over a full weekend, giving you plenty of time to explore and take in the sights.
Highlights:
Low Newton Beach and Dunstanburgh Castle
Planning your UK road trip
When planning the best UK road trips, preparation ensures you’ll have both a safe and enjoyable trip. Follow our top tips below when planning your next UK road trip:
- Map your route in advance
Use navigation apps to plan fuel stops, accommodation, and attractions before you set off. Rural areas may have limited signal so downloading offline maps can be helpful.
- Prepare for road conditions
Mountain drives and coastal roads can feature sharp bends, steep inclines, and sudden weather changes. Always drive to the road conditions and take regular breaks if needed.
- Make sure you’re properly insured
Having the correct insurance for your road trip is essential. If you’re borrowing a car, short-term insurance is a great option. Standard annual policies don’t always cover additional drivers, and driving uninsured can lead to fines and penalty points.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most scenic driving routes in the UK?
The Black Mountain Pass in Wales, the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland, and the Norfolk Coast Road in England are among some of the most scenic driving routes in the UK.
What is the best coastal drive in England?
The Norfolk Coast Road and the Northumberland Coastal Route are widely regarded as two of the best coastal drives in England.
Where can I drive to see the best scenery in Wales?
The Black Mountain Pass offers dramatic landscape views and winding roads for some amazing scenic driving.
Short-term car insurance for your next UK road trip
From coastal drives in England to mountain passes in Wales, the UK offers some of the best scenic drives in Europe. If you’re borrowing a car or want to share the driving, Dayinsure short-term car insurance ensures you stay legal and protected throughout your journey. With flexible policies to suit your plans, you can get cover from just 1 hour up to 30 days. Get a quote today and you can be on your next road trip in minutes.
