9 Stunning Road Trips in England You Need to Take

There’s nothing better than a coastal drive, and this is one of the best by a country mile. The Jurassic Coast Road drive – known officially as the B3157 road – takes in stunning countryside and coastal views at the same time. The 18-mile route starts in Weymouth and ends in Bridport (or vice versa) and allows drivers to take in stunning, lofty views of beaches and rolling hills. Don’t forget to stop off en route though, so you can visit wonderful natural, sandy areas like Durdle Door. And if you’re planning on an epic trip through the south of England, why not do it in bona fide campervan style?

This wonderfully scenic drive through one of the country’s most picturesque parts is aptly named after its winding route that it takes. Snake Pass, also known as the A57 road, crosses the Peak District between Sheffield and Manchester and on a clear day allows for views as far as the latter city. The road itself can be tricky to navigate in poor weather due to its various bends and dips, so often gets closed when it snows heavily. Summer is the best time to go, when country road lovers and cyclists wind their way through the bends.

The AA have named this stretch of road as one of the greatest drives in Britain and Top Gear once voted it the ninth best drive in the country, so you might as well add this route to the top of your list. Flanked by rolling countryside, beautiful green scenery and winding, open roads, the A686 is a 36.5 mile stretch of England at its finest. Complete the experience by hiring a state-of-the-art RV to get you from A to B, and all the other letters in between.

Those looking for coastal views on the Isle of Wight should look no further than the Military Road. This stunning stretch of road runs parallel with the southern coast and in turn offers numerous pit stops with beautiful views across the water. This road is packed with history too, having been built in World War II by German prisoners of war.

This 14-mile driving route in The West Country incorporates the impressive Cheddar Gorge and allows for versatile scenery, including cliff-edges and rolling countryside. Starting on the B3135 in Cheddar, you’ll encounter rocks, trees, grass, sand and sea, making it one of the best for those who just love getting out on the road. If you have time, make sure you stop off at Cheddar Gorge, one of the country’s most stunning natural wonders, and explore the caves. Most roads on this route are narrow and winding, though you can easily drive a high-spec camper van down them if that’s your vehicle of choice.

The Yorkshire Dales, though grandiose in size, is one of England’s best kept secrets. Its driving route, a hilly stretch of winding country roads, passes the Buttertubs, a series of 20-metre-deep limestone potholes, which supposedly get their name from farmers who would lower their butter into the holes during the summer months to keep it cool. Buttertubs Pass is also popular with cyclists too, thanks to its challenging ascent.

The Coast Road – officially known as the A419 – is a beautifully picturesque road between King’s Lynn and Cromer on the Norfolk Coast. Those looking for quaint coastal towns and views should hop on this 85-mile-long road at some point – there are plenty of B&Bs dotted along the way, but if you’d rather save your money for things to do, you can always choose to hire a camper van instead.

One of the most iconic bridges and the longest in England, the Humber Bridge needs to be experienced. This North Yorkshire bridge forms a rather picturesque part of the A15 route between Yorkshire and Lincolnshire – best appreciated at sunset. The Humber Bridge is also the longest single-span suspension bridge that can be crossed by foot or bicycle, meaning you don’t necessarily need a car to experience this postcard-worthy spot.

If you’re after a typically English drive that’s a little more landlocked or centrally located, take the B4632 from Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon. This unspoilt stretch of road passes through a number of quintessentially English villages and landmarks, including Broadway Tower. At the end of the drive you’ll reach Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare – you can’t get more English than that.