Snow covered road near East Kilbride, by Iain Thompson CC-BY-SA-2.0
Snow covered road near East Kilbride, by Iain Thompson CC-BY-SA-2.0
Road trip holidays in the UK during the winter offer many benefits: the roads are quieter, there aren’t as many crowds, and depending on the weather the landscape can be spectacular. To make it even better you get to see the scenery from the warmth and shelter of your own car. Although you do need to make sure you drive safely and check weather reports before you leave. Here are our 5 top UK winter road trips.
Dumfries and Galloway has a beautiful coastal drive along the A75 south west from Dumfries to Kirkcudbright, where you will see a quaint harbour with fishing boats, castle ruins and further along the A75 to the A714 to the town of Wigtown. This drive offers safe country roads with an attractive coastal landscape.
Image: Varjisakka CC BY-SA 3.0
Northern Scotland is the most likely place in the UK you will see the northern lights (aurora borealis) during winter. Your chances of seeing the phenomenon are increased the further north you go. Aberdeenshire, Northern Highlands, Orkney and Shetland are the most likely places. You can check the northern lights forecast here. The most northerly point of Scotland is Dunnet Head, a peninsula in Caithness. The road up to Dunnet Head is the A9 that runs along the east coast of northern Scotland.
Image: Lake Windermere on a misty morning. By Mkonikkara CC BY-SA 3.0
The Lake District is a beautiful place to visit year-round, and Ambleside is a great point from which to explore the Lakes. Ambleside is positioned next to the largest natural lake in England, Windermere. The A5075 and then the A591 leads to Brockhole where there is an impressive lakeside visitor centre. Heading from Brockhole to Bowness-on-Windermere south along the A591 towards Windermere town, then on the A592 towards Bowness, Ambleside is an attractive town and usually one of the busiest in the Lake District during the summer season.
Image: Whitby harbour
Sample the fish and chips at Whitby, a seaside town with painted cottages and a natural harbour just over an hour from York in the car. Just under an hour from Whitby, along the A169 and the A64 is Castle Howard – you may recognize the backdrop from the 80s TV series ‘Brideshead Revisited’. There is a lot to do inside and out, without forgetting afternoon tea in the Castle Howard farm shop. For an award-winning dinner and an overnight stay, head to the Feversham Arms hotel, Helmsley, where the restaurant has been awarded 2 AA rosettes. The hotel is situated less than half an hour from the castle along the B1257.
The Cornish peninsula is a perfect combination of beautiful countryside and historical interest. At this time of year, it will almost feel like you have the whole coast to yourself. Whilst Cornwall is usually dubbed as an excellent summer destination, it doesn’t disappoint in winter either. Cornwall lights up around Christmas with stunning lights in the harbourside villages, and the grass twinkles too, with the sparkling frost. The steep cliffs have a fresh, angry beauty in the winter, as the sea crashes against them, and the rolling countryside provides a stunning backdrop for exploring the many Celtic ruins and museums along the way. Don’t miss the Penzance cross, one of Cornwall’s most famous Celtic crosses that dates back to the ninth century. Check out Constantine bay for historic quays and National Trust gardens. And be sure to huddle up in front of a roaring fire at one of the main quaint pubs along the way!
Before heading on any journey during the winter months ensure your car is ready for winter, and make sure you follow our top road trip tips to ensure you have a fun-filled journey!
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