9 Incredible Road Trips to Experience the Best of England

Renting a car and exploring the stunning English countryside, charming villages, and majestic castles is a must-do, no matter the season.

The roads are generally well-kept, though you might encounter the occasional pothole. Off the main highways, you can wander down narrow lanes lined with hedgerows and take a moment to enjoy a sunset or spot a bird of prey soaring overhead.

Here are nine of the finest road-trip routes across the nation, starting with a loop around Cornwall in the southwest and extending all the way north to a coastal adventure at the Scottish border. The distances mentioned do not reflect direct routes between start and end points; we anticipate plenty of detours for exploring each region more thoroughly.

1. Following Hadrian's Wall

Ideal road trip for dramatic landscapes and Roman heritageNewcastle – Carlisle; 127km (79 miles), plan for three to four days

As you travel across the island's narrow stretch, you'll witness the remarkable engineering of Hadrian's Wall up close. Each Roman mile (0.95 miles) featured a gateway protected by a small fort (milecastle), with two observation towers in between, and many of these structures still stand. Several southern forts, which may have predated the wall, served as bases, with 16 located along its path.

The route is dotted with well-preserved remains and fascinating museums, along with easily accessible segments of the 1900-year-old wall. Begin in the Newcastle suburb of Wallsend at Segedunum, the wall's last stronghold. Travel westward, taking time to explore along the way. Don’t miss the exceptionally preserved Roman cavalry fort at Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and soak in the views over the wall and the moors at Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum.

Insider tip: The interactive Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum features artifacts once owned by Roman soldiers and includes a mini-cinema that transports visitors back in time.

2. The Historic South

Ultimate road trip for English history and cultureLondon – Oxford; 720km (450 miles), plan for seven to ten days

England's rich history weaves a dazzling thread through this remarkable multi-day road trip in the south. The romantic Leeds Castle is a must-see, ideally taking up an entire day, followed by a visit to the historic city of Canterbury, home to a World Heritage–listed Gothic cathedral. The charming medieval town of Rye captivates with its cobbled streets and tales of smugglers.

Next, explore Brighton, a vibrant coastal city renowned for its nightlife, followed by Portsmouth, where the city's maritime history comes to life at the historic docks. Cathedral enthusiasts will delight in stops at Winchester and Salisbury to admire their stunning medieval spires, before heading to the intriguing archaeological sites of Stonehenge and Avebury. Conclude your journey by soaking in the Georgian architecture of Bath and the spires of Oxford, along with a visit to Churchill's palace.

3. The Coast of Cornwall

Ideal road trip for breathtaking sceneryBude – Fowey; 333km (207 miles), plan for 10 days

Get ready to buckle up, roll down the windows, and keep your camera handy—few places in Britain deliver such stunning scenery as Cornwall. This unforgettable journey takes you from the refreshing coastal town of Bude all the way down, around, and back up to Fowey, showcasing the spectacular coastline along the way.

As you journey along, you'll discover glimmering beaches, surf spots, and bustling seaside ports, along with unique sights like a clifftop castle rich in Arthurian tales, a theater carved into granite, the magnificent St Michael's Mount, and the futuristic biomes of the Eden Project. The wild west holds many wonders for you to explore.

4. The Jurassic Coast

Perfect road trip for an unforgettable family vacationPoole – Lyme Regis; 145km (90 miles), plan for seven days

This route is one of the finest drives in the west, meandering over chalk ridges, through charming thatched villages, and along picturesque coastal roads. History abounds, from enchanting castles to a quarry filled with art.

As you continue westward, get ready to experience the best of Dorset’s attractions and breathtaking sea-view sunsets. Discover the romantic hilltop ruins of Corfe Castle, take a refreshing swim at Lulworth Cove, and hike to the stunning Durdle Door arch. Kids will likely enjoy a trip to the Monkey World sanctuary in Wareham or exploring the 29km (18-mile) stretch of pebbles at Chesil Beach, along with the fascinating fossils found in Lyme Regis.

5. The Cotswolds

Ultimate road trip for a taste of quintessential EnglandBath – Stratford-upon-Avon; 240km (149 miles), allow seven to eight days

This journey weaves through the idyllic, lesser-known villages of the southwestern Cotswolds and the stunning golden streets of the classic northern Cotswolds, taking you deep into one of England's most sought-after regions.

Experience Georgian elegance in Bath, admire the tranquil beauty of Painswick, and discover Roman heritage in Cirencester. Don’t miss the picturesque Bibury with its charming riverside cottages, then wander through the honey-colored lanes of Chipping Campden, concluding in the dramatic Tudor architecture of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of the legendary William Shakespeare.

Detour: Just about 1.6km (1 mile) apart and 5.6km ( miles) southwest of Stow-on-the-Wold, the enchanting villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter have preserved their serene medieval charm. Their names derive from the Old English sloughtre, meaning a muddy area, not anything gruesome.

6. The Lake District

Ultimate road trip for outdoor adventuresWindermere – Ullswater; 260km (162 miles); allow five days

The Lake District has enchanted literary giants like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Beatrix Potter. Designated a national park in 1951, it boasts England's highest peaks (fells), including the towering Scafell Pike. This route features stunning lakes, lush forests, rolling hills, and valleys, alongside charming country homes, scenic walks, and inviting pubs.

Don’t miss highlights like visiting Wordsworth's historic homes in Grasmere, hiking through the picturesque Lakeland valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, taking in the rugged scenery and England's highest mountain in Wasdale, and tackling Hardknott Pass, the steepest road in the district. With a gradient reaching 30% in spots and few passing areas on this narrow, single-file road, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart or nervous drivers.

Travel tip: Motorways and major A-roads will get you swiftly across the country. However, for a more scenic journey, opt for lesser A-roads, B-roads, and minor roads—perfect for car or motorcycle adventures. Just a heads up: these roads can be quite winding, so if you or your children are prone to motion sickness, be prepared!

7. The Midlands

Ultimate road trip for exploring battlefields, castles, and grand estatesNottingham – Lincoln; 344km (214 miles); allow five days

This magnificent journey kicks off at the iconic Nottingham Castle and wraps up at the equally renowned Lincoln Castle, with a visit to the impressive Warwick Castle along the way. Along the route, you'll explore Bosworth Battlefield, the site where Richard III became the last English monarch to fall in battle, and discover the fascinating tale of his remains found in a car park in 2012.

You’ll also visit exquisite stately homes like the opulent Burghley House, the Tudor gem of Sulgrave Manor, and Althorp House, the final resting place of Princess Diana. Take your time to stroll through the lavish halls, beautifully landscaped gardens, and sprawling estates, where some even feature free-roaming deer.

8. The North York Moors and Yorkshire coast

Best road trip for windswept moorlandsYork – Robin Hood's Bay; 140km (87 miles), allow four to five days

This diverse journey features ancient structures, breathtaking moorland vistas, charming villages (complete with steam trains!), and a classic seaside resort tied to dark literary tales. The Blakey Ridge road, departing from Hutton-le-Hole, climbs higher and higher, leaving the medieval city of York and the grandeur of Castle Howard behind as you enter a realm of heather-covered moors, roaming sheep, Dinogo stone crosses, and historic pathways.

Pause in Malton, a culinary hotspot in Yorkshire, before heading to the vibrant fishing port of Whitby, known for its Gothic abbey and connections to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Conclude your road trip in Robin Hood's Bay, one of the most picturesque locations along the Yorkshire coastline.

Detour: Step back into the 9th century at the Jorvik Viking Centre, where the history of 'Jorvik' (the Viking name for York) comes alive through a sensory experience that recreates the Viking settlement uncovered during excavations in the late 1970s.

9. Historic Northumbria

Best road trip for untamed coastline Newcastle – Berwick-upon-Tweed; 182km (113 miles), allow three to four days

This journey along the breathtaking northeast coastline of England stretches from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish border, traversing the historic medieval realm of Northumbria with its expansive, untouched beaches, wind-swept castles, and enchanting islands.

Newcastle is famous for its vibrant culture and nightlife. Make sure to visit the iconic Angel of the North sculpture just south of the city before heading north to Tynemouth, where you'll discover one of England's premier surf destinations at a Blue Flag beach, watched over by the ruins of a Benedictine priory.

As you hit the open road, the tempo slows to a tranquil pace – this wild and remote region is sparsely inhabited. Along the journey, you’ll discover remarkable birdlife in Amble, home to a puffin colony, and enjoy the freshest seafood brought in from traditional fishing harbors. Alnwick boasts a charming historic town featuring an imposing castle that served as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, while Bamburgh showcases the area’s most striking clifftop castle.

Further north, the route leads you past Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, a tiny, ethereal isle connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway that appears at low tide.