This is the summer of the UK road trip and it’s going to be a fantastic boost to the UK economy. I wanted to share some travel blogger’s favourite UK road trip destinations with you to get you inspired for summer adventures.
If you are hiring a car for a UK road trip, I have a guide to the best used car models for road trips. If you don’t have a car of your own and aren’t able to hire a car, look into some cheap one day car insurance and borrow a friend or family member’s car. For more family road trip tips, check out The Strawberry Fountain’s 4 Tips for Planning the Best Summer Road Trip post.
You really have no excuses not to explore all the UK has to offer this summer. These are the destinations the UK’s travel bloggers are recommending…
Somerset and the Mendip Hills – Meandering Wild
A Mendip Hills road trip is an easy adventure from both Bristol and Bath as well as only being a few hours from London. This scenic drive will take you down through the spectacular Cheddar Gorge with its deep caves and then to Wells, the smallest city in England. Here you can explore the stunning cathedral and Bishops Palace. Close to Wells is Glastonbury, famous for its annual music festival. This new age town has a unique vibe where modern day intwines with ancient folk law and myths. Sitting over the town and the Somerset Levels is Glastonbury Tor, a distinctive hill with a ruined church tower on the summit. After visiting the town you can drive out onto the Somerset Levels with their peat moors and nature reserves, but be careful in winter months as flooding is a common sight.
Yorkshire Coast – Map Made Memories
The Yorkshire Coast from the tiny village of Staithes to the popular resort of Bridlington is approximately 50 miles long but the winding coastline is packed with great locations. Explore the fishing village of Staithes and then walk along the coastal path or drive 3 miles to Runswick Bay, voted Best Beach in Britain in 2020. From here, it is a short drive to historic Whitby, famous for its old town, fish and chips and the ruins of Whitby Abbey, perched on a hill high above the town. Make a stop at Robin Hoods Bay, a picture-perfect car free village lined with old cottages that lead to a sweeping sandy beach, perfect for fossil hunting. Visit the seal colony at Ravenscar, play the arcades in Scarborough or learn to surf at Cayton Bay. Relax on the sandy beaches at Filey or deserted Hunmanby or visit the Puffins nesting at Flamborough Head before enjoying a boat trip from Bridlington. 
West Wales – Wales With Kids
A great UK destination for a road trip is West Wales. While Cardiff and the surrounding area are popular with holidaymakers, West Wales has everything you need for a great road trip in the UK. Rolling hills, plenty of ruined castles to explore and a coastline that is as varied as the weather, you will find plenty to see and do in West Wales. Tenby is one of the better-known seaside towns and is a great place for a pit stop. Think sandy beach, colourful houses, cute shops and of course, the obligatory ice cream. Further along the coast you can find pretty fishing villages such as Solva, longer sandy beaches such as Newgale and St Davids, the smallest city in the UK. Pembroke is worth stopping in to visit the castle. The castle is an 11th century medieval castle that has a huge map of Wales in its grounds, as well as towers and cellars to explore. If you are visiting Wales with kids then take them to Folly Farm, a farm, zoo and adventure playground they will love. There is also nearby Oakwood Theme Park and a fun dinosaur park too. Consider staying at the amazing Bluestone Resort for a few days before continuing your road trip and enjoy all the fun and activities on offer there.
The Lake District – Anywhere We Roam
The Lake District is a beautiful national park in the north of England with spectacular ribbon lakes, rugged mountains, beautiful and quaint villages. As one of the most scenic national parks in the country, it’s the perfect region to explore on a road trip in the UK. Apart from an abundance of natural beauty, the area is one of the best places in the county for hiking. With everything from gentle ambles, to challenging scrambles, there’s a host of wonderful Lake District walks for all tastes. The Lake District and it’s towns is the perfect destination to explore on a road trip. 
Cotswolds – Explore The Cotswolds
With its rolling hills, honey-stone cottages, flower-filled gardens and grand country houses, the Cotswolds is home to some of England’s most beautiful landscapes, and a road trip is the ideal way to explore its back roads and tucked-away villages. Don’t miss the picturesque villages of Bourton-on-the-Water – known as the Venice of the Cotswolds – Bibury, Broadway and Upper and Lower Slaughter. There are also historic sites like Sudeley Castle, former home of Henry VIII’s last wife Katherine Parr, Painswick Rococco Gardens and the fairytale hilltop Broadway Tower. The Cotswolds is packed with cosy country pubs as well as having accommodation ranging from luxury space hotels to thatched cottages. And the area’s relatively small size means it’s easy to get around on a road trip and see all the highlights in just a few days.
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