9 Stunning Road Trips in England You Need to Take
England is blessed with miles of coastal, countryside and calming driving routes that should all be experienced at least once. From the beautiful coastline of the Jurassic coast in Dorset to the winding roads and rolling hills of the Pennines, we round up some of the most stunning road trips.
Jurassic Coast, Dorset
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Snake Pass, Peak District
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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 A686 from Cumbria to Northumberland
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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.
Old Military Road, Isle of Wight
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Cheddar Gorge, West Country
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Buttertubs Pass, Yorkshire Dales
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The Coast Road, Norfolk
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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.
Humber Bridge, North Yorkshire
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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.
The B4632 from Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon
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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.