Durdle Door is located on the Jurassic Coast’s stunning coastline with rocks dating as far back as 185 million years.
Why go abroad when there’ s so much beauty (and fabulous food) right on the doorstep? We’ve scoured the nation to bring you the best road trips, taking in stunning scenery, waterfalls, avant-garde treehouses, infinity pools and beachside Michelin-starred restaurants along the way.
LOCATION: NEW FOREST AND JURASSIC COAST
Escape London’s crowds and smog with a trip south-west, which will take you into the peaceful New Forest where wild ponies roam among beautiful woodlands. Under an hour on scenic roads and you’re in Dorset – explore the official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty before powering through to Devon. We recommend a sidestep to Dartmouth for true foodie heaven before heading back along the winding Jurassic Coast, stopping to admire Chesil Beach and Durdle Door on the way.
MUST VISIT: Dartmouth’s jaw-dropping estuary location has made it a natural home for fabulous restaurants. The Seahorse is one of the most acclaimed eateries. Drop in for fresh seafood roasted over an open charcoal fire; seahorserestaurant.co.uk
LOCATION: NORTHERN ENGLAND
Take a sunrise stroll along Hadrian’s Wall © British Tourist Authority
The North/South divide may rage on, but Northern England can always boast its undeniably rugged beauty. Experience the best of it with an hour’s drive from Manchester to the Lake District National Park, where you must stop to admire Surprise View near Ashness Bridge, which offers a secret vista of pretty Derwent Water. It’s a taster of what’s to come. Keep going, and you’ll see the wonderful views below Honister Pass, before heading through the North Pennines to Hadrian’s Wall. Even further north will take you to the Kielder Water and Forest Park, where the brilliantly unblemished skies can be admired at the Observatory. If you then head south, you’ll reach the Yorkshire Dales and the remarkable Hardraw Force, England’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Don’t forget to stop off at a local brewery for an ale; you are in Yorkshire after all…
Stay in a treehouse like no other at the Sky Den © Mark Pinder
MUST VISIT: After your stop at the Observatory, take a break at Northumberland’s cool Sky Den. An ultra-modern take on a treehouse, its avant-garde design and wonderful views mean you won’t have stayed anywhere quite like this before; canopyandstars.co.uk/skyden
LOCATION: LOCH LOMOND AND OBAN
View towards Ben Nevis, Fort William and Loch Linnhe © photolibrary.com
There’s so much more to Scotland than the Highlands. Enjoy the coastlines with a trip from Glasgow to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, before hitting Argyll’s rugged coast. Stop at Oban if you’re hungry – it’s known as Scotland’s seafood capital, while the Oban Distillery is worth a visit too for its awesome history alone. From there, it’s just an hour’s drive to Fort William in its dramatic location by Loch Linnhe, right by Ben Nevis.
Peaceful Loch Lomond in rush hour.
MUST VISIT: Stay just outside Oban at the beautiful Isle of Eriska Hotel. The grand castle also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant which must not be missed. eriska-hotel.co.uk
LOCATION: BELFAST AND THE CAUSEWAY COAST
Giant’s Causeway © VisitBritain / Craig Easton
If you haven’t seen Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, you should – it will take your breath away. From Belfast, head along the Belfast Lough shoreline, stopping off at seaside town Carrickfergus to admire its 12th century Norman castle and, just 15 minutes away, the remarkable Glenoe waterfall. The striking basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway aren’t far away, and from there it’s a short trip to the beautiful ruins of Dunluce Castle.
MUST VISIT: Just 20 minutes from Dunluce Castle is Harry’s Shack, a much-loved spot on the beach at Portstewart. With a chef who trained under Heston Blumenthal, expect great food and a fun atmosphere; facebook.com/harrysshack. For more on all locations, go to visitbritain.com
LOCATION: SOUTH WALES
A dip in the infinity pool at the St Brides Spa Hotel is the perfect way to unwind after a day’s driving along the coast Catch your breath by the imposing basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway.
Explore the three national parks in Wales with an easy route. From Cardiff, it’s just 40 minutes to the Brecon Beacons (look out for Raglan Castle on your way) which is made up of idyllic villages and lush green valleys. Head south to the Pembrokeshire coast – from here, it’s not far to the Pembrokeshire National Park, which offers wonderful cliff-top views and miles of beaches.
MUST VISIT: When in Brecon Beacons, stop at the chilled, Michelin-starred Walnut Tree Inn. If you’re heading to the Pembrokeshire coast afterwards, stay at the stunning St Brides Spa Hotel in the small seaside town of Saundersfoot. It’s worth it for a dip in the infinity pool alone. thewalnuttreeinn.com; stbridesspahotel.com
