6 best road trips in the UK

Distance: 68 km / 42 miles

Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours (half-day with scenic stops)

Best time to go: May to October (early morning recommended to navigate narrow passes smoothly)

Highlights

• Duddon Valley (inspiration for William Wordsworth's 1820 sonnet series)
• Picturesque cascades at Stanley Force waterfall
• Historic ruins of Hardknott Roman Fort

What better way to explore the Lake District National Park than with a stop-start trip around the 42-mile long Coniston Loop? This takes you through some of the more rarely seen parts of the region and will allow you to cover more ground than if you were simply setting out on foot. Highlights of this route include Duddon Valley, which was the inspiration behind William Wordsworth’s 1820 work, The River Duddon, A Series of Sonnets. You’ll also head past Stanley Force waterfall and Hardknott Roman Fort. If you decide to stop in any of the little villages or hamlets along the way, you’re sure to come across a selection of charming coffee shops and pubs which make for the perfect pit stop.

Nearby Club campsites:

Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite, Coniston, Cumbria

Kendal Club Campsite, Kendal, Cumbria

Distance: 42 km / 26 miles

Duration: 1 to 2 hours (full day recommended for sightseeing stops)

Best time to go: May to September

Highlights

• Dramatic peaks of Snowdonia National Park (Eryri)
• Historic grounds of Penrhyn Castle and Garden
• Crossing the Britannia Bridge onto the Isle of Anglesey
• Photo opportunity at the train station with the longest name in Britain!

If you’re looking to explore the Welsh countryside, then how about a road trip from the foot of the region’s highest peak, Snowdon, to its westernmost point in Anglesey? This is a 26-mile route that can be easily completed in a single day and will pass by a number of must-see locations including the Snowdonia National Park, and Penrhyn Castle and Garden. Once you’ve crossed the Britannia Bridge into Anglesey, you can then visit the town with the longest name for fun. Get ready to say… Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

If you want to make this route even longer, you could even start from the spectacular Brecon Beacons further south, before heading north to Snowdonia.

Nearby Club campsites:

Coed-Y-Llwyn Club Campsite, Gwynedd, Wales

Penrhos Club Campsite, Anglesey, Wales

Distance: 800 km / 500 miles

Duration: 5 to 7 days

Best time to go: May to September

Highlights

• Historic Inverness Castle as your start and end point
• John o' Groats (mainland Britain's northeastern extremity)
• Pristine white-sand beaches of Wester Ross
• Single malt distillery tours along Easter Ross

When it comes to caravan and motorhome tours in Scotland, don’t miss the Scottish North Coast trip, which starts and ends at the picturesque Inverness Castle. If you complete this entire route, you’ll cover an impressive 800km and pass the UK’s northernmost mainland coast. Stop at John o’ Groats which is the furthest point from Land’s End in the south of England, and see if you can spot whales and seals off the shore as you go. The white-sand beaches of Wester Ross are also a remarkable sight – and why not also squeeze in a spot of whisky sampling at Easter Ross? If you choose the latter, however, remember not to drink and drive – you’re best off booking a nearby Club site for the night.

Nearby Club campsites:

Culloden Moor Club Campsite, Inverness, Highlands

Dunnet Bay Club Campsite, Thurso, Highlands

Distance: 193 km / 120 miles

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Best time to go: April to October

Highlights

• Giant's Causeway (around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns)
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Panoramic North Antrim coastal cliff drives between Derry and Belfast

Discover the rugged and spectacular coast of Northern Ireland with a route that takes you from Derry to Belfast. The Causeway Coastal Scenic Drive is one of Ireland’s most visually fascinating routes, with premium tourist attractions including the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Giants Causeway – a truly breath-taking display of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which were formed during an ancient volcanic fissure eruption.  

Nearby Affiliated Site:

Drumaheglis Marina and Caravan Park, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

Distance: 22.5 km / 14 miles

Duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (allow extra time during busy summer periods)

Best time to go: Year-round (early mornings or weekdays are ideal to avoid traffic)

Highlights

• Steep limestone gorge road with dramatic cliff faces
• Access to historic cave networks and local cheese maker shops
• Award-winning Mendip Hills scenery

Somerset is well known for its striking landscapes and the award-winning Cheddar Gorge will help you see this part of the world at its very best. The route through the gorge twists and turns for 14 miles, making it one of the shortest drives on this list. But what you’ll see along the way will stay with you forever. Described as the most scenic route in Britain, you’re sure to be completely in awe of your surroundings. It can get fairly busy along this popular route, so leave plenty of time to complete your journey.

Nearby Club campsites:

Cheddar Club campsite, Cheddar, Somerset

Hurn Lane Club campsite, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset

Distance: 21 km / 13 miles

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Best time to go: May to October (check local weather condition alerts during winter months)

Highlights

• High moorland pass through the Pennines
• Ladybower Reservoir at the midpoint of the drive
• Elevated vistas across Glossop toward Greater Manchester

Located just a stone’s throw from bustling cities like Manchester, the Peak District is one of the UK’s top beauty spots. If you’re looking to enjoy a road trip in this area, then Snake Pass is ideal. It’s a famous route in Derbyshire that cuts through the Pennines, past several small villages, with Ladybower Reservoir as the halfway point. This route heads towards north Manchester, providing stunning views of Glossop town. Snake Pass is well known for its sharp bends and sudden drops. It’s fun to drive but be careful – this route can prove hazardous.

Nearby Club campsites:

Buxton Club campsite, Buxton, Derbyshire

Castleton Club campsite, Castleton, Derbyshire

Take advantage of our UK Club campsite special offers - available to all of our members, so you can make sure you find your ideal site at a price to suit you.