York – Robin Hood's Bay 87 miles (140km) allow 4-5 days Rao / Shutterstock The North York Moors and Yorkshire coast Best road trip for windswept moorlands Heather in bloom over the rugged North York Moors © Daniel J. Lesser A-roads, B-roads and minor roads are much more scenic – ideal for car or motorcycle touring. If you or your children get travel sick, you've been warned: these roads are twisty. Planning tip: Motorways and main A-roads deliver you quickly from one end of the country to another. Highlights include visiting Wordsworth's former homes in Grasmere, walking through the classic Lakeland valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, admiring the wild landscapes and England's highest mountain in Wasdale, and driving Hardknott Pass the district's steepest road pass (at a 30% gradient in some places, with precious few passing places on the narrow, single-file road, this is absolutely not for the faint-hearted or nervous drivers). This drive takes in lakes, forest, hills and valleys, with country houses, hill walks and cozy pubs thrown in for good measure. It's been a national park since 1951, and is studded by England's highest hills (fells), including the highest of all, Scafell Pike. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Beatrix Potter are just a few of the literary luminaries who have fallen in love with the Lake District. Windermere – Ullswater 162 miles (260km) allow 5 days Drive on to soak up the Georgian cityscape in Bath, Churchill's palace and Oxford's spires.įactor in time for excursions like canoeing on Derwent Water in The Lake District © Getty Images The Lake District Best road trip for the great outdoors Cathedral lovers will be further overjoyed by stops in Winchester and Salisbury to marvel at their majestic medieval spires, before traveling onwards to the fascinating archaeological sites at Stonehenge and Avebury. Brighton, a lively coastal city with superb nightlife, is next on the route, followed by Portsmouth, where you can learn all about the city's nautical heritage at the historic docks. The quaint medieval settlement of Rye is a delight, with cobbled alleyways and stories of smugglers. Romantic Leeds Castle alone is worthy of a full day, before stopping at the historic city of Canterbury with its World Heritage-listed Gothic cathedral. London – Oxford 450 miles (720km) 7-10 daysĮngland's rich heritage runs like a glittering seam through this remarkable multi-day road trip across the south. This road trip across the south takes in great cities such as Brighton, Bath and Oxford © Nikada / Getty Images The historic south Best road trip for English history and culture Local tip: The interactive Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum showcases objects once belonging to Roman soldiers and the includes a mini-cinema that takes visitors on a journey to the past. Be sure to include the superbly-preserved Roman cavalry fort at Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and enjoy the views over the wall and the moors of Northumberland National Park at Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum. Follow the route west, stopping to explore sites on the way. Start in the Newcastle suburb of Wallsend at Segedunum, marking the last strong post of the wall. Preserved remains and intriguing museums punctuate the route, along with easily accessible remnants of the 1900-year-old wall. A series of southern forts (which may predate the wall) were developed as bases, and 16 lie astride it. Every Roman mile (0.95 miles) had a gateway guarded by a small fort (milecastle), with two observation turrets between them, and many of these remain. Traversing the island's narrow neck, you'll encounter the extraordinary feat of engineering of Hadrian's Wall first-hand. Newcastle – Carlise 79 miles (127km) allow 3-4 days Following Hadrian's Wall Best road trip for rugged landscapes and Roman history Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.
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