The United Kingdom is one of the best places for a road trip, with scenic backdrops, quaint villages and ancient castles. More of us now than ever are deciding to book holidays within the UK rather than venturing abroad, and we can see why. Wherever you decide to visit during your travels will provide a different experience, however, every great adventure needs to start will a similarly great plan. Here we do that for you, with some of the best tips to help you start organising your own UK road trip.
Preparation
The UK is relatively small compared to other countries, so it is possible to drive from top to bottom in 24 hours, but you will unlikely be able to manage seeing everything in a week. First, decide how long you are planning to spend on the road so that you can allocate a period of time for each location. You are not going to want to spend hours upon hours driving each day and will need a rest every so often, particularly if you are travelling with children.
Transportation
How you get around during your travels is entirely up to you, but we would recommend using your own vehicle as this allows you to have more freedom in deciding how and when you visit each destination. If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle for your travels, an SUV or larger vehicle may be an ideal choice in order to store all your belongings, or if you have a large family. Choosing a used SUV, like the DS 7 Crossback, means you can acquire one with relatively low mileage for a lower price. The vehicle will likely see wear and tear during the trip and will need to endure long distances, so make sure you pick one that will be able to withstand this.
Accommodation
Depending on how you usually travel or what your budget will allow, you may either want to book your accommodation or make it up as you go. If the weather will allow it, camping can be great if you love the outdoors and want to save a bit of money. It is important to note that wild camping is generally illegal in the UK and Wales without the permission of the landowner but isn’t prohibited in most areas of Scotland, so it is always best to check the rules and regulations before you arrive. Alternatively, for some, there is nothing better than a homely B&B for you to rest in and not worry about cooking breakfast in the morning. Sorting out your accommodation beforehand can save you money and prevent the fear of everywhere being fully booked on the day.
Activities
There are endless opportunities for things to do throughout your travels, which doesn’t necessarily need to just be sightseeing. This may be one of your only chances to properly see what the country has to offer, so make the best of it. Here are some of our favourites that we recommend doing if you’re in the area!
- Hike Hadrian’s wall in Brampton
- Visit The Beatles museum in Liverpool
- Wander the piers and relax on the beach in Brighton
- Ride the London Eye
- Take a guided tour at the Roman Baths in Bath
- Go surfing in Newquay
- Book a ghost tour in York or Edinburgh
- See the Blackpool Illuminations
- Walk up Snowdon in Wales
