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Southern England’s Best Road Trips

Explore the South of England With These Online Planner Guides

Southern England is one of those places where every mile offers something new — chalk cliffs glowing in the sun, quiet country lanes lined with honey-stone cottages, broad sandy beaches, or villages where time seems to slow down. This part of England blends big landscapes with small, memorable moments, from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and Wiltshire’s ancient stone circles to the dramatic coastline of Cornwall, the peaceful waterways of the Norfolk Broads, and the literary, cliff-top charm of the Sussex and Kent Coasts. It’s a region made for unhurried exploring, with places that invite you to pause: historic towns, cosy pubs, panoramic viewpoints and winding hillside paths. These road trip routes bring together the best of the South — countryside calm, coastal drama, timeless history and everyday charm — making it easy to plan a journey that feels varied, relaxed and full of discovery.

The South of England is the kind of place where every road seems to lead somewhere interesting.

One minute you’re drifting past a row of honey-stone cottages glowing in late-afternoon sunshine, and the next you’re standing on a windswept cliff with the sea stretching out for miles.

Ancient landmarks, storybook villages, wild headlands, peaceful river paths — it’s all here, wrapped up in landscapes that shift quickly but naturally from one region to the next.

These online road trip guides are designed to spark ideas rather than set rules. They highlight the best stretches of road, the viewpoints worth stopping for, places steeped in history, and corners that are easy to miss unless someone tells you they’re there. Each route gives you space to explore at your own pace: slow country detours, coastal drives, cafés tucked into narrow lanes, and the kind of small discoveries that make a journey feel personal.

Whether you’re drawn to countryside calm, cliffside walks, beaches, market towns or iconic historic sites, Southern England offers landscapes with real depth and character. It’s a region that rewards curiosity and unhurried days — perfect for a road trip.

Southern England at a Glance: Countryside Escapes, Coastal Views & Historic Landscapes

The Cotswolds - Soft hills, golden villages, gardens, tearooms and winding lanes.

Cornwall Coast - Fishing harbours, turquoise coves, big surf, rugged cliffs and hidden beaches.

Stonehenge & Wiltshire - Ancient stone circles, chalk hills, historic cathedral cities and timeless market towns.

Sussex Heritage Coast - White cliffs, literary landscapes, golden beaches and expansive downland.

Kent Coast - Historic castles, chalk headlands, colourful harbours and “Garden Coast” scenery.

Norfolk Broads & Coast - Wide skies, quiet waterways, remote beaches and wildlife-rich landscapes.

Malvern Hills, The Vale & Black & White Trail - Hilltop views, orchards, blossom routes, cathedral cities and timber-framed villages.

Road Trip Across the South of England

A Region Full of Variety, Charm & Easy Exploring

Southern England is one of those places where every mile offers something new — chalk cliffs glowing in the sun, quiet lanes brushing past honey-stone cottages, sweeping beaches, and towns where centuries of history feel close at hand. This region mixes landscapes with stories: Wiltshire’s ancient stone circles, the Cotswolds’ medieval market towns, the smugglers’ coves of Cornwall, and the wide skies of the Norfolk Broads. It’s also a place to eat well, whether it’s Cornish pasties by the sea, fresh oysters in Whitstable, cream teas in Devon, or slow lunches in cosy country pubs.

These road trip routes bring it all together — countryside calm, coastal drama, heritage-filled cities and everyday charm. With panoramic viewpoints, historic castles, beautiful gardens and long, scenic drives, the South of England is made for unhurried exploring. Each journey offers space to pause, wander, taste something local, and discover places you’ll want to return to.

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A smartphone displaying a scenic view of classic Cotswolds houses with stone walls and lush greenery, with text overlay saying 'Classic Cotswolds' and the website 'UncoverBritain.com'.

Smartphone displaying a scenic coastal view of the Cornwall Coast with rocks and blue water, and an overlay text with the website uncoverBritain.com

Smartphone screen displaying an image of Stonehenge. The screen also shows text: 'Stonehenge & Wiltshire' and 'UncoverBritain.com'.

Landscape of Malvern Hills, Vale, Black & White Trail with blue sky and lush green fields

Mobile phone displaying a webpage titled 'Norfolk Broads & Coast' with sailboats docked on the water.

Smartphone displaying an image of the Sussex Heritage Coast, featuring white cliffs, a blue sea, and grazing sheep.

Smartphone screen displaying a beach scene with a large chalk cliff, wooden posts, and a blue sky, with text 'Kent Coast' and 'UncoverBritain.com'.

Classic Cotswolds: Quiet Lanes, Honey-Stone Villages & Picture-Perfect Countryside

Cotswolds

Highlights

Storybook villages like Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water
Rolling hills, rivers, mills and peaceful walking paths
Historic market towns such as Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold
Beautiful gardens and estates including Blenheim Palace and Sudeley Castle

Driving through the Cotswolds feels like drifting between postcard scenes. Every village seems to have a cosy pub, a lovely café or a view that makes you pause a little longer than planned. It’s gentle, charming and endlessly scenic.

Classic Cornwall Coast: Rugged Cliffs, Hidden Coves & Bright Blue Waters

Cornwall

Why this road trip is loved

Art-filled St Ives and its golden beaches
The drama of Land’s End and the Minack Theatre
St Michael’s Mount rising from the tides
Surf spots, fishing harbours and quiet coastal paths
A rich backstory of mining, shipwrecks, folklore and pirates

Cornwall’s coastline feels both lively and peaceful depending on where you go — a mix of wild cliffs, serene beaches and little harbours with boats bobbing in the tide.

Historical Kent Coast: Cathedrals, Clifftops, Harbours & Seaside Stories

Kent Coast

Best bits

Canterbury’s medieval streets and soaring cathedral
The White Cliffs of Dover and scenic coastal paths
Whitstable’s oysters, harbours and sea views
Broadstairs’ beaches and sheltered coves

This route blends history and seaside charm. Each town has its own personality, and the coastline offers brilliant walking and fresh sea air.

Malvern Hills, The Vale & Black & White Trail: Ridges, Orchards, Villages & Layers of History

Malvern Hills

What to expect

• Hilltop views across several counties
• Orchard valleys and the famed Vale of Evesham
• Honey-stone villages on the edge of the Cotswolds
• Herefordshire’s half-timbered Black & White villages
• Historic stories from the Civil War, Tintern Abbey, and local heritage

This is a route full of contrasts: sharp hill ridges one moment, quiet timbered villages the next. You’ll find blossom walks in spring, cider trails in summer, golden orchards in autumn and crisp walks above Malvern in winter.

Norfolk Broads & Coast: Waterways, Windswept Beaches & Big-Sky Landscapes

Norfolk

Route highlights

• Historic Norwich, full of character and riverside walks
• Calm waterways of the Norfolk Broads National Park
• Fishing villages, pretty seaside towns and nature reserves
• The wide sands and dunes along the Norfolk Coast AONB
• A scenic finish in King’s Lynn

The Broads feel peaceful and slow, while the coast brings huge horizons and wild beauty. Quiet, airy, and perfect for unhurried days.

Stonehenge & Wonders of Wiltshire: Ancient Landmarks & Unspoiled Countryside

Stonehenge

Highlights

• Stonehenge, Avebury and ancient long barrows
• Salisbury Cathedral’s spire and surrounding medieval streets
• The Ridgeway’s chalk landscapes and sweeping Downs
• Classic villages like Lacock, bursting with history
• Big skies, rolling hills and quiet byways

Wiltshire feels ancient and grounded. The landscape carries thousands of years of stories, but the towns are welcoming, walkable and full of character.

Sussex Heritage Coast: Chalk Cliffs, Downs & Seaside Towns With Personality

Sussex Coast

Expect

• The iconic white cliffs between Seaford and Eastbourne
• Rye, Lewes, Arundel and other timeless towns
• Downs scenery perfect for picnics and viewpoints
• Coastal walks, golden beaches and gentle estuaries

This stretch of coast mixes dramatic shapes with soft colours — sea, sky, chalk and rolling green hills. It’s classic England at its most scenic.

Mendips & North Somerset: Caves, Gorges, Hills & Relaxed Seaside Towns

Mendips

Route highlights

• Cheddar Gorge with its cliffs and winding road
• Hidden caves and tiny Mendip villages
• Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Tor
• Long beaches near Weston-super-Mare
• Breezy clifftop paths and soft coastal views

This is a route where landscapes shift quickly — rugged and dramatic in the hills, slow and breezy by the sea, and full of history in between.

Your Southern England Road Trip, Your Way

Southern England is one of those regions where every journey feels different — and every mile brings a new reason to slow down and look around. One moment you’re wandering through honey-stone villages in the Cotswolds or standing in the quiet shadow of Stonehenge, and the next you’re breathing in sea air on the Cornwall or Sussex coast. The landscapes change quickly here: chalk cliffs, blossom-filled valleys, ancient forests, wide beaches, cathedral cities, orchard country and timeless market towns all sit within easy reach of each other.

Whether you’re travelling for fresh air, history, food, hidden places or just the rhythm of the open road, the South rewards you with variety. You can follow one route from start to finish or link several together to create a journey that feels entirely your own — slow, scenic and full of character.

If you’re ready to start planning, explore more ideas with our Road Trip Inspiration, find the right vehicle, use the Route Planner to map out your days, or browse our Road Trip Experiences for even more ways to shape your adventure. For deeper, day-by-day itineraries and insider tips, our Uncover Britain road trip guides unlock every southern road trip in full.

Wherever you choose to go, the South of England is made for exploring — and there’s always another wonderful place just around the bend.