Road trips are the superior choice of holiday for anyone under 25. This year, why not plan a road trip to see the sites in Scotland, England, and Wales?
Swap international for national travel this holiday season and consider a UK road trip. Hire a car or van, see the Scottish NC500, or spend a few days in London. For the price of vehicle hire, petrol, and campsites along the way, you could have the ultimate holiday without having to hop on the plane.
Planning Your Travel Itinerary
To begin planning the perfect road trip through the UK, you should make a note of each of the sites you would like to see. Worldwide travel has dropped by a third in recent years, so a UK holiday makes sense. Your journey will start in Belfast, where you have choices in onward travel.
Travelling from Belfast
Travelling from Belfast to the UK is fairly simple and you have choices in how you do it. These options will determine how you proceed when you cross the water. Let’s discuss vehicular transport.
Travel in your own car
This option allows you to pack everything you need for a week or two’s worth of driving and set off straight from your home. You might take your car to the airport or even take your car on the ferry. This is a more expensive option than taking the ferry as an individual. However, a successful road trip would require you to hire a car, van, or minibus, when you arrive.
Travel by Ferry
There are regular ferries which run between Scotland, England, and NI. Stena Line operate a ferry service both between Liverpool and Belfast, and Cairnryan to Belfast. Cairnryan has a regular trainline which will take you onwards to Glasgow. Similarly, Liverpool is a travel hub all by itself.
It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes in smooth waters to travel between Belfast and Cairnryan.
It takes 8 hours in smooth waters to travel between Belfast and Liverpool.
Travel by Plane
Flights between Belfast and all major mainland cities leave regularly. They also don’t take long. You can fly out from Belfast International Airport and be in Glasgow within a matter of minutes. See their website for an up to date list of destinations, times, and prices.
Landing in Mainland Britain
Once you touch down, you will need to assess how you travel onwards. If you land in Cairnryan you may wish to hop on the train to Glasgow. From Liverpool (or any other city) you have access to the rest of the UK. Great news if you brought your own car, but you can hire cars in advance of travelling should you wish to rack up the miles on someone else’s dime.
Typical Routes for Your UK Road Trip
There are well-known tourist routes in the UK which will allow you to see the best scenery. You might consider taking the following routes:
- The North Coast 500 takes you around the northern coast of Scotland.
- The Borders Historic Route from Carlisle up to Edinburgh or in reverse.
- Follow Hadrian’s Wall from west to east.
- Travel the Jurassic Coast
- Drive through the Peak District
- See the Cornwall Coastline
These routes encompass some main sites. You should figure out which sites you want to see and narrow down your route from there.
What to See on a UK Road Trip?
There are must-see sites which will vary depending on whether you head north or south.
North
Although you might land in Glasgow, Edinburgh is another city which you should see in the north. Travelling as far up as the Isle of Skye will allow you to see the famous fairy glen and pools. Head north along the west coast to enjoy views of the sea lochs and stop in Oban for an overnight. Alternatively, head for the east coast and travel north through Fife and Angus. Top sites include the Cairngorm National Park and the Grampian Mountain Range.
South
London is a must-see if you come to England. Visit Westminster Abbey, the Shard, or the Tower of London while you are there. Top travel experts recommend you take a full two days to see everything you want to see in the UK capital.
Stonehenge is a top location for anyone on a spiritual pilgrimage, or who has an interest in ancient archaeology. If you have an interest in Viking era history, then take a trip to York, official home of Viking fighting since the 800s. Traveling up the east coast will take you to places such as Bournemouth and Exeter. Travelling south and west will take you to the iconic Welsh kingdoms.
Top sites to see in England include The Angel of the North in Gateshead, the Roman Baths in Bath, and Lake Windermere. While in Bath, don’t miss out on dining at the Bouvardia Restaurant in Bath, a local favorite offering a charming culinary experience that perfectly complements your visit to this historic city.
