Five standout UK routes set to shine

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5 Road Trips to Watch

Image Credit: Visit Herefordshire

Five standout UK routes, mixing coast, countryside and historic highlights.
Top picks: Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, North Wales Coast, Edinburgh & Scottish Borders, York & North York Moors, Malverns & Worcestershire.
Ideal for travellers wanting big sights and quieter detours at their own pace.

Heading off on a road trip around the UK is one of the best ways to really experience the country. You’ll move from rugged coastlines to peaceful countryside, past ancient castles, lively cities and villages that feel frozen in time. The landscapes change quickly, and each place comes with its own stories, history and character. Whether you love planning every stop or prefer to wander and see what you find, a road trip gives you the freedom to shape the journey your way.

Instead of highlighting the usual big-name routes, this list focuses on the roads that deserve more attention. These are the journeys where you can slow down, explore hidden corners, and experience landscapes that feel a little more untouched. Each route offers its own mix of scenery, culture and unexpected find, ideal for travellers who enjoy discovering places that aren’t always on the main tourist trail. Here are our Top 5 Road Trips to Watch, perfect for fresh perspectives, quieter moments and standout views across the UK.

Take a closer look at these great road trip ideas:

☑ 1. Forest of Dean and Wye Valley:

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is the kind of area that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Old trees surround peaceful roads and walkways, letting sunlight through the leaves and moss and making the air smell like leaves and moss. Walking here feels ageless - the sort of setting where nature and history sit side by side without hassle.

You’ll come across reminders of the area’s industrial past almost by accident: old tramways, ironworks and mine entrances softened by ivy and ferns, now part of the scenery rather than scars upon it. It’s this blend of wild beauty and human story that gives the Forest of Dean its depth.

The driving is a joy. Routes wind through small villages and historic market towns, opening suddenly onto wide views across rolling hills and wooded valleys. One of my favourite spots is pulling up near Symonds Yat, especially early in the morning, when the River Wye sits quietly below the limestone cliffs and the only sound is birdsong drifting up from the gorge.

The river itself is the heartbeat of the region. Follow its looping course and you’ll find dramatic viewpoints, gentle riverside walks and stretches perfect for kayaking, canoeing or a slow boat trip. On warmer days, it’s hard to resist lingering by the water a little longer than planned.

Outdoor life is woven into everyday travel here. Whether you’re walking woodland trails, cycling forest tracks, fishing along the riverbanks or fitting in a round of golf with a view, the landscape invites you to be part of it rather than just pass through.

This is a road trip that rewards curiosity and unhurried exploring — one where the best moments often come from taking the scenic route, stopping on impulse, and letting the day unfold naturally.

Read more about this Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Road Trip.

☑ 2. North Wales Coast:

The North Wales Coast is a road excursion where history and sea air go side by side. This stretch of coastline is sculpted by Edward I’s magnificent castles, each one rising spectacularly from its surroundings and presenting a story of power, warfare and workmanship.

Driving west, Caernarfon Castle dominates the skyline — vast, imposing and deeply atmospheric — while Conwy Castle sits proudly above the estuary, its towers perfectly framed by water and mountains. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and both reward taking your time: walk the walls, look back across the town, and imagine what this landscape must have felt like centuries ago.

Anglesey brings a softer pace. Here the road opens out to wide skies, quiet beaches and ancient ruins, with Beaumaris Castle offering a more refined contrast to the military bulk of its neighbours. The Anglesey Coastal Path is a joy to dip into, even for short sections, revealing coves, headlands and views that feel wonderfully removed from the busier roads.

One of my favourite lesser-known stops along this stretch is Rhos-on-Sea. Often bypassed in favour of its bigger neighbours, it has a calm, unhurried feel, a lovely promenade and views across the bay to the Great Orme. It’s the sort of place where you stop for a coffee and end up staying far longer than planned, watching the light change over the water.

Beyond the castles and coastline, North Wales reveals its character in motion. Heritage steam railways climb into the hills, the Wales Coast Path traces the edge of land and sea, and small market towns and border villages offer cafés, independent shops and a warm welcome. Each stop adds another layer to the journey.

This road trip has a good mix of famous attractions and peaceful discoveries. It has ancient stone, open water, and mountain backdrops that all come together in a way that seems very Welsh. Read more about the North Wales Road Trip.

☑ 3. Edinburgh & Romantic Scottish Borders:

This road trip begins with the obvious presence of Edinburgh – a city steeped with history, culture and narrative. With its impressive castle skyline, calm closes, and streets dotted with cafés, it's a great area to explore before the road slowly pulls you south.

When you leave the capital and enter the Romantic Scottish Borders, the pace slows down. This is a region fashioned by words, conflict and creativity – where rolling hills, flowing rivers and expansive skies offer a backdrop that has inspired writers for generations. As you drive down the route, towns and villages slowly appear, each with its own history of conflict and a strong feeling of who they are.

You would not expect to see castles and abbeys: roofless ruins softened by grass and shade, Gothic arches framing views over valleys, and strongholds that once protected a borderland that was always changing. You can stop, stroll around, and see the life that flowed through these stones at places like Melrose Abbey and the great Border castles.

Scott's View is one of the best places to stop. It's a quiet spot with a view of the River Tweed. Named for Sir Walter Scott himself, it’s claimed to have been one of his favourite places – and it’s simple to understand why. The Eildon Hills loom in the background, and the river softly winds its way through the valley below. The whole landscape feels like it has been there forever. It's the best area to pull over, get out of the car, and take it all in.

Literary links run deep here. A journey to Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s residence, offers insight into the imagination that helped form how Scotland perceives itself. A tiny chapel from the 15th century is also nearby. It adds to the history of the area without being too big.

This trip across the Scottish Borders is less about seeing things and more about the mood. The wind carries stories, the scenery makes you think, and the roads make you want to slow down and take in the view. Read more about the Edinburgh & Romantic Scottish Borders.

☑ 4. York & North York Moors:

This road adventure begins in York, a city that wears its history softly but proudly. You can easily spend an hour or two just taking in the sights and sounds of York by walking its mediaeval streets, going around the old walls, or stopping under the huge stone presence of York Minster. The Shambles is best seen early in the morning, when it still feels very private before the day picks up speed.

The route from York progressively expands up towards the coast before turning back towards the land. This takes you into the North York Moors National Park, where the land is broad and formed by the wind. Heather-covered hills go on forever, broken up by dry-stone walls, lonely farms, and communities that look like they are gently rooted in the earth instead of being built on it.

One of my favourite calmer stops is Hutton-le-Hole – a small moorland village with a big green at its middle, stone bridges over a clear stream, and a sense of tranquilly that truly encapsulates the spirit of the Moors. It’s a perfect place to pause, stretch your legs and feel properly immersed in the scenery.

Driving here is part of the fun. Roads rise and fall across wide moorland, with startling views that make you reflexively slow down. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway adds another layer of nostalgia, with heritage steam trains snaking through valleys and villages - a great way to explore the countryside from a fresh perspective.

The seaside delivers drama. Whitby Abbey, set high above the town, is both gorgeous and haunting, its stories hanging in the salty air. There are fishing communities and huge bays nearby, which is a good difference from the wide moors. At each stop, you get to see a somewhat different part of the area.

Further inland, history emerges gently at places like Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey, where ruins lay calmly within the surroundings, softened by grass and time. These are sights that make you want to slow down, explore, and think about the people who used to live here.

This road trip has a little bit of everything: city history, big open spaces, and drama by the sea. It's better to take your time and leave room for detours, overlooks, and those unplanned stops that turn out to be the greatest.

Learn more about the York and North York Moors Road Trip. York & North York Moors road trip.

☑ 5. Malvern, Herefordshire & Worcestershire:

This road trip through Malvern, Herefordshire & Worcestershire evolves at a slower, contemplative pace — one fashioned by nature, music, and layers of history that reveal themselves slowly as you go.

It generally begins in Worcester, a cathedral city where black-and-white buildings line quiet streets and the River Severn glides gently past. Worcester’s past feels close here: from vestiges of medieval life to the very real scars left by the Civil War, when the city found itself at the hub of national battle. Walking about the city, it’s easy to visualise the footsteps of King Charles I and the conflicts that previously defined these streets.
Beyond the city, the route rises gradually into the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These long, sweeping ridgelines make you want to stop, slow down, and walk, even if it's just for a little while. British Camp, an Iron Age hill fort high up on the slope, is one of my favourite peaceful places to halt. The vistas spread across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and, on a clear day, well into Wales. It’s the kind of setting where a quick pause may turn into an hour, simply watching the light travel across the landscape.

A scenic view of rolling green hills and lush farmland under a cloudy blue sky.

Worcestershire’s heritage isn’t only inscribed in stone and battlefields. It’s also a centre of innovation and industry – from its musical tradition, closely related to Edward Elgar, to its role in forging Britain’s industrial past. Small towns and villages along the road gently reflect this blend of craft, culture and countryside.

As you go eastwards, the scenery softens into the borderlands between Worcestershire and the northern Cotswolds. Here, elegant homes and gardens arise almost suddenly, tucked into folds of land and framed by woods. These are sites meant for meandering – gravel roads, formal gardens, and views that inspire you to linger rather than dash on. The Black and White Trail of Herefordshire is a scenic road trip through historic market towns and villages, celebrated for their black-and-white timber-framed buildings.

Curated walks throughout the region give some of the most satisfying moments of the journey, revealing expansive countryside views, ancient trails and tranquil lanes that feel far apart from modern life.

This is a road trip that encourages curiosity and meditation — where history, landscape and culture come together in a way that feels grounded and quietly remarkable. Read more about the Malvern Herefordshire & Worcestershire road trip.

Before You Hit the Road…

If this blog has sparked a few ideas, you might enjoy our great themed road trip ideas, which are perfect for building a trip around your interests. And if you’re craving beautiful views and winding roads, take a look at our Top 10 Scenic Drives in the UK for inspiration. If you are looking to hire a car or hire a campervan for your road trip, check out our find a vehicle pages. And don’t forget to visit our road trip inspiration pages and road trip planning pages for tips on how to plan your perfect road trip.