What are the best road trips in the UK and Ireland?
Domestic holidays have seen a boom in interest in recent years, as UK holiday-goers slowly reject the rigours and expense of international travel in favour of something a little closer to home. The UK and Ireland have so much to offer the intrepid explorer, and there are a number of road trip routes which prove that exact point.
The Coniston Loop
The Lake District is an area of outstanding natural beauty in the North-West of England, home to England’s largest natural lake in the form of Lake Windermere. There are myriad routes through this expansive land of lakes and hills, but the best route to take if you’re in the market for a day trip would be the Coniston Loop. Between 35 and 42 miles long depending on your exact route, this loop encompasses much of the Lake District’s best: Lake Windermere itself, Eskdale, Coniston and the Duddon Valley – an area made famous by William Wordsworth’s sonnets of the same name.
The North Coast
This Scottish road trip is an attraction in and of itself, representing around 500 miles of coastal splendour and incorporating a breath-taking pass through the Highland mountains. The journey is expected to take around five days, but you could easily find a fortnight of activities from the places this route takes in. The Black Isle peninsula is a must-visit for the night culture and local produce, while Sutherland sits at the foot of the Highlands and the brim of the sea – and Wester Ross hosts the fullness of history, with imposing natural formations and archaeological wonders alike.
The Wild Atlantic Way
A route which could be considered Ireland’s answer to Scotland’s North Coast, the Wild Atlantic Way is in fact so much more – by more than 1,000 miles. The route encompasses the entirety of Ireland’s west coast, from Cork to Derry, and is one of the longest coastal routes in the world as a result. Naturally, you might choose to break this trip up and simply run the section that suits you, but there is much to be found across the entire thing, from the Killarney National Park to the world-famous Galway Bay.
The Causeway Coastal Route
On the other side of Northern Ireland lies yet more natural beauty, and six-day road trip that incorporates the lot. The Causeway Coastal Route is named for the Giant’s Causeway near Bushmills, a coastal rock formation that resembles a pathway for giants of old. Rathlin Island off the northern coast also features via ferry, and Belfast and Derry bookend the route.
These road trips are certainly an enticing prospect for what is promising to be a warm Summer – but preparing for them is no joke, especially if you are planning on tackling the Wild Atlantic Way from start to finish. Ensure your car insurance is up to date, your car’s other documents are in order and, above all, that it is in good enough condition to weather the coastal driving. Ensuring you and your travel companions pack appropriately is the other half of the battle – after which, you can be sure to have a road trip to remember.
