Planning a winter highway journey within the UK? Questioning whether or not it is best to head for the Northern Lights in Scotland, the snow-capped peaks in Wales, or use the time to go to fashionable places like Cornwall or the Lake District? We’ve lined the perfect routes that can assist you select your good UK winter highway journey.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE highway journey planner beneath to assist maintain you organised.
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Why do a winter highway journey within the UK?
Most individuals assume you can’t have a motorhome vacation or take pleasure in a highway journey throughout a UK winter. However it’s truly the most effective occasions to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unimaginable surroundings and easy accessibility to lots of the stunning Nationwide Parks now we have on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have lowered costs, as do many high sights, so it actually is a good time to discover.
All it is advisable do is make certain your car is appropriate for winter highway journeys, gown up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
The most effective UK winter highway journey routes you’ll be able to’t miss
All of us have completely different priorities. That’s one of many issues I really like a lot about highway trips- the liberty to benefit from the stuff you like.
Even higher, the UK has LOADS to take pleasure in throughout winter, together with world-class Christmas markets, winter festivals, meals festivals, snow sports activities and improbable strolling over moors and hills.
We’ve chosen quite a lot of winter highway journey concepts that can assist you select the proper choice for you. After all, you’ll be able to decide and select or mix ones to create your good winter getaway.
Ideas for driving in winter
Should you’re planning a winter highway journey, there’s not a lot distinction from planning a UK highway journey at every other time of the 12 months, however you do want to verify of some issues.
- Be certain your car has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- Be certain your tyres are protected and appropriate for the roads. Even when there’s no snow, you’ll be able to anticipate to drive in heavy rain sooner or later in your journey
- Test windscreen wipers and screenwash ranges
- Carry drink and snacks with you
- Should you’re not planning a motorhome journey, be sure you carry a thermos of sizzling drink or a range and kettle, simply in case you get caught someplace chilly. Additionally, have a few blankets with you too.
- Be certain your telephones are charged and ideally use a correct sat-nav with visitors updates so you’ll be able to see if a highway turns into blocked or closed.
The most effective winter highway journey to see the Northern Lights
Probably the greatest-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is you can usually see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Positive, they’re not as constant as a few of the different greatest locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but when they’re in your bucket listing, it’s time to move north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Highway Journey
Whole Distance: 516 miles
Really helpful No. of Days: 4-5 days
Greatest time to go to: December, January, February
For the perfect probability of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll need to go as far north as potential. The additional north you will get in your winter highway journey, the higher.
Should you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, you could need to mix this with a NC500 motorhome tour which fits alongside the northern coast.
Cease at locations like Sango Sands or Dunnet Bay close to John o’Groats, however ideally you’ll need to get even additional north. Orkney is definitely accessible on a highway journey, even if you happen to simply go to for a few days.
The most effective time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. Should you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or a few of the northern Isles, November to February is your greatest guess. Simply make certain to wrap up warmly- the perfect nights to see them are clear and chilly!
Should you’re in a motorhome or campervan, these are the North Coast 500 campsites open all 12 months.
Should you’d wish to discover extra , right here’s the one NC500 itinerary and route planner you want.
The most effective UK winter highway journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a first rate Christmas Market in virtually each massive UK city or metropolis.
Reasonably than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Practically all have a campsite open all 12 months close by for motorhome or campervan excursions, or there are mattress and breakfasts in each place so that you can keep in your highway journey.
Most UK Christmas Markets are open from final November, however some don’t open till mid-December, so be sure you examine earlier than you begin your winter highway journey.
Three UK highway journey routes to see Christmas Markets
SOUTH CENTRAL
- Begin in Winchester (the Winchester Christmas Market is without doubt one of the greatest in England) and luxuriate in exploring the town.
- Then head to Salisbury, the place you’ll discover one other improbable Christmas Market
- From right here, you’ll be able to head to the Cotswolds, that are a few of the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you’ll be able to go to Bathtub, which is superb at any time however particularly good at Christmas.
MIDLANDS
- Begin on the Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is without doubt one of the greatest Christmas markets within the UK and the largest genuine German market exterior of Austria or Germany.
- From right here, proceed your England highway journey and head to Stratford upon Avon, Warwick or Royal Leamington Spa for extra conventional Christmas celebrations, or head to Lincoln, residence of the oldest Christmas Market within the UK.
NORTHERN
- Edinburgh is without doubt one of the greatest cities to go to round Christmas time- the markets listed below are legendary.
- Though it is a excellent place to cease on a Scotland highway journey, you may additionally use it because the northern level of your winter highway journey route, and head south to Newcastle or Durham.
- After exploring these fantastic cities, head to Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool for extra big festivities.
After all, you may simply spend a weekend highway journey simply in London, exploring the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park and all of the smaller Christmas Markets across the metropolis.
Greatest Winter highway journeys for mountaineering and outdoor
The UK has some fabulous Nationwide Parks, that are open all 12 months. Throughout summer season months, they’ll get very crowded, however throughout winter you’ll be able to usually have locations all to your self!
Should you’re residing in a van over winter, don’t overlook that many Nationwide Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so be sure you comply with these. Right here’s find out how to discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Eire
Northern Eire Winter Highway Journey
Whole Distance: 220 miles
Really helpful No. of Days: 2-3 days
Greatest time to go to: November, December, January, February, March
The Causeway Coastal Route is without doubt one of the greatest winter highway journeys in Northern Eire. Highlights embody:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Citadel
- Darkish Hedges
Winter highway journey route thought
- Begin your Eire highway journey by visiting the well-known Giants Causeway. It’s a few 90-minute drive from Belfast and attempt to get there as early as potential.
- Go to close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In summer season the queues will be prolonged, however in winter you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy.
- One other distinctive cease is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Citadel which dangle above the ocean beneath.
- Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This highway options in Sport of Thrones and is without doubt one of the most stunning roads in Eire. It was surprisingly badly signposted once we visited, so don’t miss it. Should you’re motorhoming in Eire you’ll be able to’t drive down it- I’m not even certain you’ll make it in a campervan!
How lengthy does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?
You’ll be able to comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You’ll be able to truly do it in a day if you happen to actually push. Don’t miss the Titanic museum in Belfast- it’s unimaginable.
Yorkshire Moors
Yorkshire is the proper winter highway journey vacation spot. The moors look magical lined in snow however there are nonetheless loads of locations open all 12 months.
Highlights of a Yorkshire highway journey embody:
- Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or at the least the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Quite a few castles and ruins
Yorkshire Highway Journey Itinerary concepts
Begin your highway journey within the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Citadel or go underground to see the formations in White Scar Caves, the longest present collapse England.
Go to the waterfalls of Ingleton, Aysgarth Falls or Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. These are much more spectacular in winter with the elevated rainfall.
Earlier than leaving the Dales, go to the unimaginable monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Subsequent, head to the town of York. You’ll be able to go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in sooner or later! Don’t miss a stroll alongside the cobbled Shambles, which has usually been voted the ‘Greatest Road in Britain.’
Lastly, head out onto the moors. Cease at Goathland practice station (Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter films.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historic pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
Should you’re on the lookout for a weekend UK highway journey thought, head to one of many prettiest Nationwide Parks within the UK- Snowdonia in Wales.
Snowdonia is definitely a part of two of the Wales Method driving routes– North and Cambrian and it’s straightforward to see why.
Just about every little thing in Snowdonia includes being outdoor, so ensure you deliver applicable clothes for the time of 12 months. In winter, you’re prone to get rain, chilly and really probably snow.
There are many nice roads with spectacular surroundings and the celebs at evening are unreal, particularly on a crisp Winter evening.
Planning a visit to Wales?
Seize your FREE information to the Wales Method highway journey routes, together with:
- advised routes round Wales
- greatest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different suggestions for touring Wales
The most effective winter highway journey routes for fashionable UK locations
Winter is the proper time to go to locations that are often loopy busy.
Locations like Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District and the Cotswolds are a lot quieter and simpler to discover on the highway journey.
Listed below are our favorite highway journey concepts:
Cornwall
Cornwall is considered one of our favorite locations to highway journey in England. I spent 2 years residing there while I used to be within the Navy, and have been again many occasions since. There are many issues to do in Cornwall, however there are some necessary suggestions it is advisable know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall the most effective England highway journeys?
If you need cute villages, unimaginable seashores and extra historical past than you’ll be able to shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Though some locations do shut in winter, lots of the principal sights stay open all 12 months, and the shortage of crowds makes it even higher.
How lengthy do you have to spend roadtripping Cornwall?
How lengthy is a chunk of string!! However, as you’ll be able to see on our Cornish highway journey itinerary, we suggest 7-10 days minimal to see all the perfect locations.
The place are the perfect locations to go to in Cornwall on a highway journey?
A few of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embody:
For a full listing of the perfect locations to go to on a Cornwall highway journey, go to our Cornwall Highway Journey Itinerary & Information
Devon
Even in Winter, Devon is a improbable highway journey vacation spot. It’s nonetheless filled with cute villages, stunning hills and seashores and loads of cafes!
Highlights and greatest locations to go to in Devon
My mother and father stay right here, so I’ve spent quite a lot of time exploring the county. A few of my favorite embody:
- Dartmouth- the most effective cities within the county. Rent a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seaside with the pink sand
- Exmouth with its stunning painted homes
- Dartmoor
- Saunton Sands
- Fish and Chips from Squires in Braunton
- Salcombe Harbour
- Dulverton- head to the Copper Kettle tea room; you received’t remorse it!
See the complete listing of my favorite Devon highway journey concepts right here.
Lake District
The Lake District Nationwide Park is an ideal UK winter highway journey thought. It has a few of the worlds greatest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Cross and Kirkstone Cross are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they might be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can also be price a cease, as are the beautiful cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
Within the South Lakes, Grasmere (residence of William Wordsworth) is price visiting and if you happen to love Beatrix Potter, you’ll be able to go to her residence in Hawkshead. There may be additionally Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.
Another highlights for winter highway journeys embody:
- The most important pure lake within the UK, Lake Windermere. Some boat excursions run all 12 months however wrap up warmly
- The Punch Bowl Inn in Crosthwaite.
- Aira Drive Waterfall
- The views at Derwentwater
Cotswolds – a magical UK winter highway journey
The Cotswolds is the most important Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB) in England and Wales and it seems to be SPECTACULAR in winter.
Highlights & Greatest locations to go to within the Cotswolds and surrounding space
- The gorgeous stone villages of the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water is considered one of my private favourites)
- go to the historic metropolis of Bathtub
- marvel on the mysterious historic stones of Stonehenge
- cease on the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.
Wiltshire & Cotswolds winter highway journey itinerary
- Ideally, spend 3-4 days exploring as many pretty little cities and villages of the Cotswolds as you want to. A few of the prettiest villages embody Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Decrease Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Citadel Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Bathtub is simply a 30-minute drive from the village of Citadel Combe- effectively price a go to. Don’t miss visiting the Roman baths and having a cream tea within the tea rooms there.
- If in case you have time, head East to Stonehenge. Should you’re in a motorhome or camper, you’ll be able to camp in a single day at Stonehenge (That is the place we noticed essentially the most INCREDIBLE dawn we’ve EVER seen. (Severely, watch the video. It’s breathtaking)
- From Stonehenge, it’s solely a 20-minute drive into the medieval city of Salisbury, the place you’ll be able to discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
Should you’re planning a UK highway journey, you may discover these posts useful:
