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For anyone who enjoys living in the United Kingdom, or those who are travelling to England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, one way to get the most from being there is to go and visit the area’s many picturesque locations. Because of the often beautifully maintained rural roads in Great Britain, some of the most attractive scenery in the world can be seen just by going out and having a relaxing drive, with amazing landscapes, scenic coastlines and dramatic mountains all on offer somewhere in the country.
Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon
One of the most stunning stretches of road in the United Kingdom runs from Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon. The B4632 is a big favourite with sightseers in the Cotswolds in England with their peaceful green hills, due to the fact that the winding road is not a major road. It offers stunning views of meadows filled with wildflowers as well as woodland and sheep pastures, and it passes by a number of beautiful old fashioned English villages. The historic town known as Chipping Campden is a terrific place to stop on the way, as it offers some terrific sightseeing opportunities of its own. When you get to Stratford-upon-Avon don’t miss the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Bamburgh Castle to Alnwick Castle
Many tourists think the United Kingdom is filled with nothing but castles, and if that is what you want to see, then you really need to journey over the windswept North Northumberland Coast in order to see Bamburgh Castle, an ancient and dramatic castle that looms over the nearby village. Continue driving and you will then also get to see Alnwick Castle while passing Lindisfarne Nature Reserve, which will be paradise for bird lovers. There are more castles in Northumberland than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, making this a most memorable drive.
Barnstaple to Newquay
Another excellent English route is the journey along the north of the coast of Cornwall via the Atlantic Highway. The long winding road from Barnstaple, which is located in Devon, through to Newquay, runs nearly 160 miles through some of loveliest coastlines in the entire country. There are a number of splendid sights to see along the way, including the likes of Bedruthan Steps and Constantine Bay, and it is even possible to go off course for a while by taking a private toll road in order to see the Trevose Head lighthouse.
Loch Lomond to Glencoe
For pure Scottish charm, the trip along the A83 and A82 from Loch Lomond all the way up to Glencoe is hard to beat. The passage goes along the edge of the water and into the incredibly picturesque Argyll Forest Park, as well as the stunning Trossachs National Park. Glencoe itself also offers spectacular views in the form of the Pap of Glencoe.
Belfast to Derry
The Northern Ireland drive from Belfast to Derry is also delightful, going along the northeast coast by the fabulous Glens of Antrim, which make up nine green valleys complete with a hotchpotch of fields and woodland that is flanked to the north by the sea.
