2021 is tipped to be the year of the staycation, here is a breakdown of some of the most picturesque driving routes for those eagerly anticipated road trips, from Scotland’s North Coast 500 to the West Country’s Atlantic Highway.
Yorkshire, England
The North York Moors contains one of the largest heather moorlands in England. Walking routes are plotted throughout. Driving through the national park towards the coast leads to a string of nostalgic Victorian and Edwardian seaside towns running along the shoreline. Fishing port Whitby Harbour famous for scampi and for its links to Bram Stoker’s world-renowned novel, Dracula. While Scarborough is a seriously old-school spot for fish and chips on the South Bay promenade.
Driving inland once more, a stop in Malton, Yorkshire’s food capital is well worth a visit, this is the home of Yorkshire Fleet Management so we are not biased of course. In August it is home to the Malton Food Lovers Festival which is a celebration of Yorkshire’s finest produce and cooking.. Finish up in York, the historic centre of the region.
North Coast 500, Scotland
This super-scenic route takes in just over 500 miles of stunning Scottish landscapes, the NC 500 is one of the best road trips on the planet – and the most Instagrammed in the UK. It’s a loop through the Scottish Highlands. You start and end at Inverness Castle and the route takes in incredible deserted beaches, glassy lochs and peaks, as well as castles, whisky distilleries and roadside eateries.
The Atlantic Highway, England
Despite its grand name, this stunning stretch of road, also known as the A39, passes some lesser-known spots in Devon and Cornwall.
The entire road connects Somerset with Cornwall, but the stretch between Barnstaple and Fraddon is named the Atlantic Highway thanks to the almost-constant views of the Atlantic Ocean you can spy from the tarmac. The route passes photogenic places like Bude, Padstow, Newquay, Clovelly, Boscastle and Tintagel. Stop off for hikes, surf lessons and incredible seafood. You can keep driving past Fraddon, right down to Land’s End if you haven’t had your fill of Cornish charm.
The Cambrian Way, Wales
This is a route that runs from south of Wales to the north via loads of incredible countryside. You’ll mainly be sticking to the A470. Starting in Cardiff, the route finishes in the seaside town of Llandudno. You’ll pass through the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, the Elan Valley and Snowdonia.How long should it take? Five days.
Norfolk Coast, England
Following roads that hug in close to the Norfolk coastline, you can see some of the county’s incredible sights. Start in King’s Lynn and keep the coast on your left the whole way to Great Yarmouth. Stop off and you’ll see the best of the Norfolk Coast AONB and parts of the Norfolk Broads National Park, plus seaside towns like Hunstanton, Blakeney and Cromer.
Land of the Lakes, Lake District
From Windermere, drive north and drink in the beautiful lakeside villages of Ambleside and Grasmere, the latter home to William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and where the poet wrote the famous ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.’
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