Skip to Content

UK Road Trip Itinerary Planner | The 7 Best Routes

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated:

If you love to take to the wheel and you’ll be visiting the UK at some point in the future, then you need to find the perfect UK road trip itinerary! This UK road trip planner aims to help you pin down the ideal 1 week, 10 day or 2 week UK road trip itinerary to follow during your visit. 

Featured in this guide are 7 of the best road trip routes in the UK. Whether you want a 10 days in England itinerary, would rather spend a week in Wales or have 10 days to discover Scotland, this post showcases the very best that the UK has to offer. 

Don’t plan a road trip in the UK without reading this first! From the Scottish Highlands to the sunny south coast of England and wild, unspoiled Wales, here are seven of the best UK road trip itineraries. But first, a few pointers on how to use this guide.

UK Road Trip Itinerary Planner map of routes.
Click for the Google map of the routes
Table Of Contents
  1. How to use this UK road trip itinerary planner
  2. 7 best UK road trip itineraries
  3. Which UK road trip itinerary will you follow?

How to use this UK road trip itinerary planner

Timescales

You could follow these itineraries over whatever period of time you have at your disposal, but we’d say you need at least a week.

A fortnight means you can spend more time in each place, while ten days means having to rush around a little less than when you have only 7 nights to spare. 

Cherry-picking

The key thing to remember here is that it’s your UK road trip, not ours! So you can of course cherry pick where you want to go and leave out anywhere that doesn’t really interest you. 

If you think about it, doing that means you could fit in two of these itineraries, back-to-back, over a fortnight. Rather than just one. Having said that…

Pace yourself

A holiday is all about having fun. Or at least it should be. For that reason, we urge you not to try to pack too much in. Pace yourself and you might just enjoy yourself a whole lot more. 

When you’re not sure about where you really want to go, ask yourself this. Would you be really disappointed if you missed out on visiting this place? Or are you not really all that bothered? If you’re not feeling the love and aren’t too fussed about it, then is it really worth spending the time and money on going there? 

The Great British weather

Wherever you go, be prepared for the weather to take over. British people often seem to talk about little else. Whether you’re in northern Scotland, west Wales or central England, the maritime climate of the British Isles means that the weather can be very changeable. 

Dress in layers, take along a packable rain jacket and an umbrella, pick the right footwear and you’ll be prepared for anything. 

Driving in the UK

Before you draw up that UK road trip map, you’ll need to think about driving around the country. Booking car hire before you go is always advisable, especially if you want a particular kind of vehicle. Such as an automatic – cars with manual transmission are still the norm in the UK. 

In the UK they drive on the left. Cars are thus right hand drive. Meaning that the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. If you’re from North America, Europe or any other area that drives on the left, then this may feel very different from what you’re used to!

Roads in the UK are generally well-maintained. Signs measure distances in miles rather than kilometres. In the interests of safety, it’s a good idea to look at the Highway Code before you set off, as this will familiarise you with the rules of the road in the UK.

We recommend preparing to drive in the UK with Tripiamo which is the most comprehensive guide for Americans driving abroad.

Their guides include instructional videos and interactive 360-degree driving tours and will teach you everything you need to know about driving abroad, from reading road signs to avoiding fines. Drive safely and confidently in the UK with the help of Tripiamo.

Roundabouts

7 best UK road trip itineraries

1. The Cotswolds and the South of England

This suggested road trip itinerary for the UK commences in Oxford. If you make all the stops, you’ll visit the Cotswolds, Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge, Portsmouth, Winchester, Brighton, Dover and Canterbury. 

  • Heathrow/Oxford -> The Cotswolds -> Bath -> Salisbury & Stonehenge -> optional Portsmouth and/or Winchester -> Brighton -> Dover -> Canterbury 

Depending on whether you want to embark on your road trip right away or spend some time in London first, you can collect a hire car for this Cotswolds and southern England road trip either at Heathrow Airport or in Oxford.

Don’t bother trying to drive in central London – it’s congested, expensive and almost completely devoid of any parking whatsoever!

Here’s where to stop when you want to explore the Cotswolds and the south of England. As well as five of the best things to do in each of these locations.

Oxford

If you choose to begin in Oxford, this historic and academic city has lots to offer. It’s packed with very old buildings, including the many colleges making up the prestigious University of Oxford. Some of these were featured in the Harry Potter movies. 

Oxford also offers the Ashmolean Museum, which focuses on art and archaeology. You can also take a river cruise on the Thames, which is a lovely way to see the city. The Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum are also well worth a look. 

Cotswolds

If you’re spending time in southern England, then you must visit the Cotswolds. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all greenery and honey-toned local stone, and dotted with appealing towns and villages. 

Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are the two most popular spots, but there are so many villages you can visit. Check out the 10 best Cotswolds villages in this post, or use the suggestions below.

Find things to do and places to stay in the Cotswolds in our complete guides.

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market town with traditional pubs and antique shops
  • Bourton-on-the-Water On the River Windrush with honey-toned stone buildings
  • Lacock Home to Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful, ancient buildings 
  • Bibury Timeless village where you can find photogenic and historic Arlington Row
  • Painswick The Queen of the Cotswolds with Rococo gardens and a grand churchyard

Bath

Bath is a spa city in the west of England. It’s world famous for its original Roman Baths, handsome Georgian architecture and the Bath bun. Other top places to visit in Bath include Pulteney Bridge and the luxurious Thermae Bath Spa. 

Discover a Bath itinerary, where to stay and what to do in our Bath guides.

Oxford 4
Cotswolds 5
Bath 5

Salisbury & Stonehenge

So many visitors to the UK want to see Stonehenge. The mysterious stone circle can be found close to Salisbury, making it easy to visit both. 

Salisbury is a small city with a magnificent cathedral, a good museum and a bi-weekly market. You can also enjoy views of the city from Old Sarum, two miles away. 

  • Stonehenge World Heritage Site
  • Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta
  • Salisbury Charter Market | Tuesdays and Saturdays
  • The Salisbury Museum | Stonehenge and local archaeology
  • Old Sarum | Deserted hilltop ruins with panoramic city views

Portsmouth – optional

An optional trip to Portsmouth will particularly appeal to anyone interested in maritime history. The city is home to the historic dockyard, the Mary Rose and HMS Victory. Other sights to see include the Spinnaker Tower, and you can shop at the Gunwharf Quays outlet centre too. 

Winchester – optional

Like Salisbury, Winchester is a small cathedral city. There’s an interesting military museum here. Other places to visit include the Winchester Science Centre, the Great Hall and Winchester College.

  • Winchester Cathedral
  • The Royal Green Jackets Museum
  • Winchester College
  • The Great Hall
  • Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Salisbury and Stonehenge 3
Portsmouth
Winchester

Brighton

Brighton makes a great day trip from London – or you can stay over as part of a road trip around the UK. With a grand pier and a pebble beach, Brighton is Britain’s most popular city by the sea. 

Things to do here include shopping at The Lanes, seeing the Royal Pavilion and going on the i360. The Seal Life Centre is also popular with families. 

Dover 

Dover is best known for the iconic white cliffs, but there are other attractions here too. These include St Margarets Bay beach, Dover Castle, the Fan Bay Deep Shelter and the Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery.

  • White Cliffs of Dover
  • Dover Castle
  • St Margarets Bay beach
  • Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery
  • Fan Bay Deep Shelter

Canterbury

Canterbury is the capital of Kent, the county known as the Garden of England. The cathedral here is a draw, and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England. 

You can also explore Westgate Gardens here, and visit Howletts Wild Animal Park or The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge with the kids.

Brighton 4
White cliffs of Dover June 2022
Canterbury 2

2. Wonderful Wales

Our wonderful Welsh itinerary begins in Oxford, in England, before heading via the Cotswolds to Bath. You can find out what to do in those locations under the Cotswolds and South of England itinerary above. Or read on to discover all that Wales has to offer. 

  • Heathrow or Oxford -> The Cotswolds -> Bath -> Cardiff (optional) -> Brecon Beacons -> Barmouth -> Porthmadog -> Snowdonia -> Caernarfon -> Anglesey -> Llandudno -> Chester -> Liverpool (optional) -> Peak District -> Stratford -> Oxford/Heathrow

Oxford

If you choose to begin in Oxford, this historic and academic city has lots to offer. It’s packed with very old buildings, including the many colleges making up the prestigious University of Oxford. Some of these were featured in the Harry Potter movies. 

Oxford also offers the Ashmolean Museum, which focuses on art and archaeology. You can also take a river cruise on the Thames, which is a lovely way to see the city. The Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum are also well worth a look. 

Cotswolds

If you’re spending time in southern England, then you must visit the Cotswolds. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all greenery and honey-toned local stone, and dotted with appealing towns and villages. 

Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are the two most popular spots, but there are so many villages you can visit. Check out the 10 best Cotswolds villages in this post, or use the suggestions below.

Find things to do and places to stay in the Cotswolds in our complete guides.

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market town with traditional pubs and antique shops
  • Bourton-on-the-Water On the River Windrush with honey-toned stone buildings
  • Lacock Home to Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful, ancient buildings 
  • Bibury Timeless village where you can find photogenic and historic Arlington Row
  • Painswick The Queen of the Cotswolds with Rococo gardens and a grand churchyard

Bath

Bath is a spa city in the west of England. It’s world famous for its original Roman Baths, handsome Georgian architecture and the Bath bun. Other top places to visit in Bath include Pulteney Bridge and the luxurious Thermae Bath Spa. 

Discover a Bath itinerary, where to stay and what to do in our Bath guides.

Bath Sally Lunns

Cardiff

Cardiff is the cool capital of Wales. Top things to see here include Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, the Principality Stadium and home of Welsh rugby, and the National Museum. You can also take a Doctor Who walking tour of the city!

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Bannau Brycheiniog, formally known as the Brecon Beacons, is the ideal place for outdoor sorts to stretch their legs. As well as hiking, you can cycle, try watersports, stargaze or do some rock climbing here.

  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Watersports
  • Rock climbing
  • Stargazing

Barmouth

The seaside town of Barmouth in northwest Wales is a pretty place to explore. Here you can spend time at Barmouth Beach, walk over Barmouth Bridge, see the harbour, discover Old Barmouth or hike the Taith Ardudwy Way. 

  • Barmouth Beach
  • Barmouth Harbour
  • Taith Ardudwy Way hiking trail
  • Old Barmouth
  • Barmouth Bridge
Cardiff 1
Brecon Beacons
Barmouth

Porthmadog

Porthmadog is also a coastal town in Gwynedd. Things to do in this Welsh destination include visiting Black Rock Sands, two miles from town. You can also see the harbour village of Borth-y-Gest, Criccieth Castle, take a ride on the famous Blaenau Ffestiniog railway and spend time in the Italianate village of Portmeirion.  

Snowdonia (Eryri)

This mountainous part of northwest Wales is home to Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), Wales’s highest mountain.

The area is popular among hikers, and also known for the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway. Apart from exploring Eryri (Snowdonia National Park), taking a train ride and conquering the peak, you can also visit the National Slate Museum or go to Harlech beach and castle.   

  • Scale Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon)
  • National Slate Museum
  • Snowdon Mountain Railway
  • Harlech Castle and beach
  • Eryri (Snowdonia National Park)

Caernarfon

Caernarfon is known for its majestic castle, but there are other absorbing places to visit in this royal Gwynedd town. These include Gypsy Wood Park, the Beacon Climbing Centre and the picturesque village of Beddgelert. You can also find the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum at the castle. 

  • Caernarfon Castle
  • Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum
  • Gypsy Wood Park
  • Beacon Climbing Centre
  • Beddgelert village
Llandudno 2
Llandudno 1
Caernarfon

Anglesey

Anglesey is an island off the northwest coast of Wales. It offers the mediaeval capital of Beaumaris, historic sites and beautiful beaches.

You can also see the Menai Suspension Bridge built by Thomas Telford, trek the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path, head to Llanddwyn Island and beach, or explore Plas Newydd House and Gardens.

  • Mediaeval Beaumaris
  • Menai Suspension Bridge
  • Llanddwyn Island
  • Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path
  • Plas Newydd House and Gardens

Llandudno

Llandudno is a popular Welsh resort town. It has everything you’d expect from a British seaside spot, including a pier, gaming arcades, beaches and more. Here you can also add the Great Orme Tramway, North Shore Beach, Great Orme Mines and Rhiwledyn nature reserve to your to-do list. 

  • North Shore Beach
  • Great Orme Tramway
  • Llandudno Pier
  • Great Orme Mines
  • Rhiwledyn nature reserve

Chester

Chester is a historic city with many Roman remains. It’s actually in England, but just a short hop over the border. Things to do here include shopping at The Rows, seeing the Roman walls and amphitheatre, visiting Chester Racecourse – which is the oldest in the UK – and ancient Chester Cathedral. 

  • Roman walls
  • Chester Cathedral
  • The Rows shopping
  • Chester Racecourse
  • Roman amphitheatre
Chester 1
Llandudno and Great Orme
Beaumaris 1

Liverpool – optional

There is so much to see and do in Liverpool. The most famous band in the world bar none came from the English city in northwestern England, and you can trace the tale of their success by visiting The Beatles Story or taking a Magical Mystery tour by bus. 

Two cathedrals, a major football stadium with a museum and the River Mersey are also musts. You can also find more things to do and places to stay in our Liverpool articles. 

Peak District

The Peak District National Park is another of those outdoor spaces that offer so much scope for active people. Here you can hike or bike, or follow the Pennine Bridleway on horseback. 

Visit the lovely spa town of Buxton, too, and don’t miss out on trying a Bakewell pudding in the town of the same name. This sweet treat is more widely known as a Bakewell tart, but locally is always called Bakewell pudding!

Discover where to stay in the Peak District here

  • Buxton
  • Horse riding
  • Hiking the trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Try Bakewell pudding in Bakewell

Stratford-upon-Avon

The birthplace of William Shakespeare – the most famous playwright who ever lived – is a pretty town on the banks of the Avon river. Packed with historic and literary attractions, things to do here include seeing a play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). 

You can also visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford, plus Anne Hathaway’s thatched, half-timbered cottage, or go to Stratford Butterfly Farm and the MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.

The Beatles in Liverpool
Morris dancers in Bakewell
Statue of a fool in Stratford 1

3. The English Countryside

England is known as “this green and pleasant land”, so seeing the countryside can be a real highlight of touring the UK. While our itinerary includes a few cities, they are small and picturesque picks that complement the countryside. 

Places to include are the Peak District, Yorkshire, the Lake District and the Cotswolds. See the above itineraries, too, for a more in-depth look at locations already featured in this guide.

  • Heathrow -> Cambridge -> Peak District -> York and Yorkshire -> Lake District -> Liverpool -> Chester -> Cotswolds (and Bath) -> Salisbury/Stonehenge -> Heathrow 

Cambridge

Academia and punting along the River Cam are what spring to mind when anyone thinks of Cambridge. You can tour the colleges here, including King’s, and also absorb all the history on a guided walking tour. The Fitzwilliam Museum of Art and Gin Laboratory are also popular.  

Mathematical bridge Cambridge.

Peak District

The Peak District National Park is another of those outdoor spaces that offer so much scope for active people. Here you can hike or bike, or follow the Pennine Bridleway on horseback. 

Visit the lovely spa town of Buxton, too, and don’t miss out on trying a Bakewell pudding in the town of the same name. This sweet treat is more widely known as a Bakewell tart, but locally is always called Bakewell pudding!

Discover where to stay in the Peak District here

  • Buxton
  • Horse riding
  • Hiking the trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Try Bakewell pudding in Bakewell

York and Yorkshire

The city of York and the large northern county of Yorkshire have so much to offer visitors from the UK and overseas. Head to the city for history and urban beauty, or go to the Yorkshire dales and moors to see swathes of unspoiled countryside. 

If you do visit York, don’t miss the Minster, or wandering among the shops and cafes of The Shambles. The Chocolate Story is also great for fans of the sweet stuff (and who isn’t?)

You can also find out what to do in Yorkshire and where to stay in York in our guides.

Lake District

The Lake District in Cumbria is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The area is known for its dramatic bodies of water, and it is dotted with historic market towns. The Lakes also has literary associations, a thriving foodie scene and lots of camping shops. 

Things to do include sampling sticky toffee pudding (it was invented here), discovering the history of Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, walking to Aira Force waterfall and visiting Lake Windermere. 

Discover where to stay in the Lakes and the best towns and villages in our Cumbria articles

Cambridge 6
Yorkshire day trip ideas
Lake District 2

Liverpool

There is so much to see and do in Liverpool. The most famous band in the world bar none came from the city in northwestern England, and you can trace the tale of their success by visiting The Beatles Story or taking a Magical Mystery tour by bus. 

Two cathedrals, a major football stadium with a museum and the River Mersey are also musts. You can also find more things to do and places to stay in our Liverpool articles. 

Chester

Chester is a historic city with many Roman remains. It’s actually in England, but just a short hop over the border. Things to do here include shopping at The Rows, seeing the Roman walls and amphitheatre, visiting Chester Racecourse – which is the oldest in the UK – and ancient Chester Cathedral. 

  • Roman walls
  • Chester Cathedral
  • The Rows shopping
  • Chester Racecourse
  • Roman amphitheatre

Cotswolds

If you’re spending time in southern England, then you must visit the Cotswolds. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all greenery and honey-toned local stone, and dotted with appealing towns and villages. 

Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are the two most popular spots, but there are so many villages you can visit. Check out the 10 best Cotswolds villages in this post, or use the suggestions below.

Find things to do and places to stay in the Cotswolds in our complete guides.

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market town with traditional pubs and antique shops
  • Bourton-on-the-Water On the River Windrush with honey-toned stone buildings
  • Lacock Home to Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful, ancient buildings 
  • Bibury Timeless village where you can find photogenic and historic Arlington Row
  • Painswick The Queen of the Cotswolds with Rococo gardens and a grand churchyard

Bath

Bath is a spa city in the west of England. It’s world famous for its original Roman Baths, handsome Georgian architecture and the Bath bun. Other top places to visit in Bath include Pulteney Bridge and the luxurious Thermae Bath Spa. 

Discover a Bath itinerary, where to stay and what to do in our Bath guides.

Salisbury & Stonehenge

So many visitors to the UK want to see Stonehenge. The mysterious stone circle can be found close to Salisbury, making it easy to visit both. 

Salisbury is a small city with a magnificent cathedral, a good museum and a bi-weekly market. You can also enjoy views of the city from Old Sarum, two miles away. 

  • Stonehenge World Heritage Site
  • Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta
  • Salisbury Charter Market | Tuesdays and Saturdays
  • The Salisbury Museum | Stonehenge and local archaeology
  • Old Sarum | Deserted hilltop ruins with panoramic city views

4. The South to North Circular

  • Heathrow/Oxford -> Cambridge -> Lincoln -> York and Yorkshire -> Whitby -> Durham -> Northumberland Coast then via Hadrian’s Wall to Lake District -> Yorkshire Dales -> Peak District -> Cotswolds -> optional Bath/Salisbury/Stonehenge -> Heathrow 

Cambridge

Academia and punting along the River Cam are what spring to mind when anyone thinks of Cambridge. You can tour the colleges here, including King’s, and also absorb all the history on a guided walking tour. The Fitzwilliam Museum of Art and Gin Laboratory are also popular.  

Lincoln

Lincoln is a little off the beaten track when it comes to British cities, but it’s a place with so much to offer. The cathedral and castle here are incredible, as are the galleries and museums.

We recommend The Museum of Lincolnshire Life and The Usher Gallery art museum, and a stroll up Steep Hill, which will lead you to the castle via shops, cafes and pubs. 

  • Lincoln Cathedral
  • Steep Hill
  • Lincoln Castle
  • The Usher Gallery
  • The Museum of Lincolnshire Life

York and Yorkshire

The city of York and the large northern county of Yorkshire have so much to offer visitors from the UK and overseas. Head to the city for history and urban beauty, or go to the Yorkshire dales and moors to see swathes of unspoiled countryside. 

If you do visit York, don’t miss the Minster, or wandering among the shops and cafes of The Shambles. The Chocolate Story is also great for fans of the sweet stuff (and who isn’t?)

You can also find out what to do in Yorkshire and where to stay in York in our guides.

Cambridge 6
Lincoln
The Shambles in York

Whitby

Fish and chips, colourful beach huts, Whitby Abbey, a fascinating insight into science during Victorian times and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum all await in Whitby. 

Much of the scampi consumed in the UK is caught in the waters here, so sampling fish or seafood and chips is de rigueur. Look out for goths, too, Whitby being a favoured hangout among lovers of black attire and white makeup. 

You can also find more places to go in Whitby here.

  • Whitby Abbey
  • Fish and chips
  • Beach huts at West Cliff beach
  • The Museum of Victorian Science
  • The Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Durham

Durham can be somewhat overlooked, but it’s a delightful and compact university city in the north of England. The castle and cathedral are both outstanding.

Other attractions to visit include Hall Hill Farm, the Oriental Museum at Durham University, and a wander along the banks of the River Wear. 

  • Hall Hill Farm
  • Durham Cathedral
  • Oriental Museum
  • Durham Castle
  • Walk along the banks of the River Wear
Whitby Abbey 1
Durham Cathedral 3
Hadrians Wall

Northumberland

Northumberland is England’s hidden coastal gem. It also has more castles than any other county. Think windswept, near-deserted beaches, cliff-top castles and rolling countryside, and you get the idea.

There are some breathtaking buildings to visit, such as Cragside in Rothbury and the castles. The Alnwick Garden is also well worth your time. 

Also discover the best places to stay and top coastal cottages in Northumberland

  • Cragside
  • Bamburgh Castle
  • Alnwick Castle
  • Alnwick Garden
  • Northumberland coast

Hadrian’s Wall

The Hadrian’s Wall site of Vindolanda features Roman remains, and is one of the key spots to visit when travelling between Northumberland and Cumbria. The Roman fort at Birdoswald is also worth stopping for. You can also follow various trails in the area, or drop into the Roman Army Museum. 

Lake District

The Lake District in Cumbria is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The area is known for its dramatic bodies of water, and it is dotted with historic market towns. The Lakes also has literary associations, a thriving foodie scene and lots of camping shops. 

Things to do include sampling sticky toffee pudding (it was invented here), discovering the history of Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, walking to Aira Force waterfall and visiting Lake Windermere. 

Discover where to stay in the Lakes and the best towns and villages in our Cumbria articles

Peak District

The Peak District National Park is another of those outdoor spaces that offer so much scope for active people. Here you can hike or bike, or follow the Pennine Bridleway on horseback. 

Visit the lovely spa town of Buxton, too, and don’t miss out on trying a Bakewell pudding in the town of the same name. This sweet treat is more widely known as a Bakewell tart, but locally is always called Bakewell pudding!

Discover where to stay in the Peak District here

  • Buxton
  • Horse riding
  • Hiking the trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Try Bakewell pudding in Bakewell

Cotswolds

If you’re spending time in southern England, then you must visit the Cotswolds. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all greenery and honey-toned local stone, and dotted with appealing towns and villages. 

Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are the two most popular spots, but there are so many villages you can visit. Check out the 10 best Cotswolds villages in this post, or use the suggestions below.

Find things to do and places to stay in the Cotswolds in our complete guides.

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market town with traditional pubs and antique shops
  • Bourton-on-the-Water On the River Windrush with honey-toned stone buildings
  • Lacock Home to Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful, ancient buildings 
  • Bibury Timeless village where you can find photogenic and historic Arlington Row
  • Painswick The Queen of the Cotswolds with Rococo gardens and a grand churchyard

Bath

Bath is a spa city in the west of England. It’s world famous for its original Roman Baths, handsome Georgian architecture and the Bath bun. Other top places to visit in Bath include Pulteney Bridge and the luxurious Thermae Bath Spa. 

Discover a Bath itinerary, where to stay and what to do in our Bath guides.

Chatsworth House
Bourton on the water in the Cotswolds
Jane Austen Centre 2

Salisbury & Stonehenge

So many visitors to the UK want to see Stonehenge. The mysterious stone circle can be found close to Salisbury, making it easy to visit both. 

Salisbury is a small city with a magnificent cathedral, a good museum and a bi-weekly market. You can also enjoy views of the city from Old Sarum, two miles away. 

  • Stonehenge World Heritage Site
  • Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta
  • Salisbury Charter Market | Tuesdays and Saturdays
  • The Salisbury Museum | Stonehenge and local archaeology
  • Old Sarum | Deserted hilltop ruins with panoramic city views

5. Capital to Capital (London to Edinburgh)

  • London -> pick up car at Heathrow -> Cotswolds and Stratford -> Peak District  -> York and Yorkshire -> Durham -> Northumberland -> Edinburgh 

Cotswolds

If you’re spending time in southern England, then you must visit the Cotswolds. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is all greenery and honey-toned local stone, and dotted with appealing towns and villages. 

Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are the two most popular spots, but there are so many villages you can visit. Check out the 10 best Cotswolds villages in this post, or use the suggestions below.

Find things to do and places to stay in the Cotswolds in our complete guides.

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market town with traditional pubs and antique shops
  • Bourton-on-the-Water On the River Windrush with honey-toned stone buildings
  • Lacock Home to Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful, ancient buildings 
  • Bibury Timeless village where you can find photogenic and historic Arlington Row
  • Painswick The Queen of the Cotswolds with Rococo gardens and a grand churchyard

Stratford-upon-Avon

The birthplace of William Shakespeare – the most famous playwright who ever lived – is a pretty town on the banks of the Avon river. Packed with historic and literary attractions, things to do here include seeing a play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). 

You can also visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford, plus Anne Hathaway’s thatched, half-timbered cottage, or go to Stratford Butterfly Farm and the MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.

Peak District

The Peak District National Park is another of those outdoor spaces that offer so much scope for active people. Here you can hike or bike, or follow the Pennine Bridleway on horseback. 

Visit the lovely spa town of Buxton, too, and don’t miss out on trying a Bakewell pudding in the town of the same name. This sweet treat is more widely known as a Bakewell tart, but locally is always called Bakewell pudding!

Discover where to stay in the Peak District here

  • Buxton
  • Horse riding
  • Hiking the trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Try Bakewell pudding in Bakewell

York and Yorkshire

The city of York and the large northern county of Yorkshire have so much to offer visitors from the UK and overseas. Head to the city for history and urban beauty, or go to the Yorkshire dales and moors to see swathes of unspoiled countryside. 

If you do visit York, don’t miss the Minster, or wandering among the shops and cafes of The Shambles. The Chocolate Story is also great for fans of the sweet stuff (and who isn’t?)

You can also find out what to do in Yorkshire and where to stay in York in our guides.

Stratford fool
York in spring
Chatsworth

Durham

Durham can be somewhat overlooked, but it’s a delightful and compact university city in the north of England. The castle and cathedral are both outstanding.

Other attractions to visit include Hall Hill Farm, the Oriental Museum at Durham University, and a wander along the banks of the River Wear. 

  • Hall Hill Farm
  • Durham Cathedral
  • Oriental Museum
  • Durham Castle
  • Walk along the banks of the River Wear

Northumberland

Northumberland is England’s hidden coastal gem. It also has more castles than any other county. Think windswept, near-deserted beaches, cliff-top castles and rolling countryside, and you get the idea.

There are some breathtaking buildings to visit, such as Cragside in Rothbury and the castles. The Alnwick Garden is also well worth your time. 

Also, discover the best places to stay and top coastal cottages in Northumberland

  • Cragside
  • Bamburgh Castle
  • Alnwick Castle
  • Alnwick Garden
  • Northumberland coast

Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital city is steeped in history, has swathes of glorious Georgian architecture, and scenic parks and squares. There’s also world-class dining and shopping, and the mediaeval Royal Mile. Also not to be missed are Edinburgh Castle and the New Town. You could also take a Harry Potter walking tour or a city tour by hop-on, hop-off bus.

Also find the best ghost tours of Edinburgh, top Edinburgh tips, and great Edinburgh accommodation options

Durham Cathedral 3
Hadrians Wall
Edinburgh in winter

6. Devon and Cornwall

If you want to explore the sun-drenched (well sometimes) southwest of England, check out our southwest corner road trip itinerary here. 

7. Bonnie Scotland

For 10, 14 and 18-day Scotland road trip itineraries, click here. 

Which UK road trip itinerary will you follow?

Whether you want to drive around the UK for a week, ten days, a fortnight or longer, we hope this guide has inspired you to visit this glorious land.

With so much to see and do yet relatively short distances between places, you really can pack a lot into a short time when visiting the UK.

Road trip podcast episodes