When the leaves start to drop most people hide their pride and joy away for the colder months, but in truth, there are many roads throughout the UK which are just amazing regardless of what time of year it is.
If you look after your car properly, with the correct care and maintenance, you can enjoy it as designed any time of year.
The Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)
We kick things off with the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. It’s a 200-mile road that goes from Belfast to London Derry and it’s overflowing with amazing things to do and sites to take in.
There’s a mix of everything from ruined castles to whiskey distilleries and sandy beaches. With a ton of UNESCO world heritage sites that you can visit. It’s well worth a venture by all measures.
While these roads have been visited by the Cannonball Run and other road trip tours it has even featured as a backdrop for a Game of Thrones scene where it’s referred to as the dark hedges. Worth checking out if you’re a fan, you just need to head to Bregagh Road.
If you’re looking for a beautiful yet dark and enchanting way to see the Irish countryside this is the one we recommend.
The Great West Way (Bristol – London)
For our second trip, we’ve selected the Great West way, which is Bristol to London, and this is one we’ve had a lot of fun on, obviously sticking to 70mph…
The Great West Way was proposed by King Charles I in 17th century. It was one of six major roads that he proposed. A 500-mile adventure that navigates from London to Bristol, passing through Bath, Castle Combe, Stonehenge and even Windsor Castle at the other end. The route also takes in many cool and quaint villages.
Cheddar Gorge isn’t too far off-piste on this route, as well as Wookey Hole for those who have a sense of adventure and fancy a bit of fun to do whilst driving through Somerset.
Definitely one to try if you’re in the South West.
EVO Triangle
Now this is one that we absolutely do not take credit for and it’s one that most people will probably have heard of, it’s the EVO triangle.
This was so named because this is where the EVO magazine went to test all their cars for years due to its incredible and testing true driver roads.
Forming the triangle are the A5 West, A543 Northeast and B4501. So that obviously rolls off the tongue and you’re going to remember that…
Even with speed cameras and such, it’s a stunning way to take in the Welsh countryside. The route takes you not far from the Snowdonia National Park where you can see Mt. Snowdon, one of the tallest mountains in the UK. On top of amazing roads, there are quaint pubs and villages, with plenty of things to do and places to see.
If it was good enough for EVO to test their cars for 20-odd years, it will be good enough for you to go and have some fun with your friends.
North Coast 500
The next is the North Coast 500. Our Route 66 and THE driving route in the UK.
I’m sure at some point, every single petrolhead in the UK will go and see at least parts of it but it really is the nirvana for driving in the UK. What we’re talking about is a 516-mile route around the north coast of Scotland starting and ending at Inverness castle. If you have the hammer down, you can do it in five days. But if you wanted to stop and have a nice pub lunch, we’d recommend seven to 10 days. It’s a beautiful part of the world and one where we’ve spent a lot of time in, and it never ceases to amaze us how stunning it really is.
Scotland is regularly voted as one of the most beautiful places in the world and of course this is accompanied by stunning roads.
There are a lot of features in the northern highlands that you simply have to go and see. As you pass the famous and picturesque Kylesku Bridge you will encounter wild rugged coastlines and many Scottish castles.
Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park is 900 square miles of just the most ridiculously beautiful landscapes you’ve ever seen.
It also delivers plenty of really good and enjoyable driving routes. You’ve got the Keswick Loop via Buttermere and Borrowdale and the Coniston Loop. With an abundance of hidden gems throughout the cavernous passes, there’s hours of fun to be had here.
Remember with high altitudes in the Autumn or Winter you’ll need your fog lights.
Wash away those autumn blues and hop in your car and enjoy the beautiful colours, scenery whilst have an absolute blast.
Honourable Mentions…
New Forest National Park
The New Forest National Park has got the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.
Sussex coastal Roads
A really wicked route which is a 90-mile route starting in Ryde and going along the coast via Hastings, Eastbourne and even the White Cliffs of Seven Sisters – A real whistle-stop tour of the southeast.
Road Trip Tips
By all means enjoy these locations and roads at any time of year and let us know how you get on. But first check out our road trip tips so you can all have a safe time.
• Have a good night’s sleep before a day of driving
• Ensure your tyres and engine are warm and you ease into the drive
• Do a full check over of the car before heading out (Tyre pressure, lights, battery, fluid levels)
• Plan your trip
• Ensure you have water and snacks for if you stop
• Take regular breaks while you take in the scenery