Planning a winter highway journey within the UK? Wondering 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 common areas like Cornwall or the Lake District? We’ve lined the most effective routes that can assist you select your good UK winter highway journey.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE highway journey planner under to assist maintain you organised.
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Why do a winter highway journey within the UK?
Most individuals assume you could’t have a motorhome vacation or take pleasure in a highway journey throughout a UK winter. But it’s really among the best occasions to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unimaginable surroundings and easy accessibility to lots of the stunning National Parks we’ve got on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have lowered costs, as do many prime sights, so it actually is a good time to discover.
All it’s essential do is ensure that your car is appropriate for winter highway journeys, costume up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
The greatest UK winter highway journey routes you possibly can’t miss
We all have totally different priorities. That’s one of many issues I 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 unbelievable strolling over moors and hills.
We’ve chosen a wide range of winter highway journey concepts that can assist you select the right possibility for you. Of course, you possibly can choose and select or mix ones to create your good winter getaway.
Tips for driving in winter
If 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 ensure of some issues.
- Make certain your car has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- Make certain your tyres are secure and appropriate for the roads. Even if there’s no snow, you possibly can anticipate to drive in heavy rain sooner or later in your journey
- Check windscreen wipers and screenwash ranges
- Carry drink and snacks with you
- If you’re not planning a motorhome journey, make sure you carry a thermos of sizzling drink or a range and kettle, simply in case you get caught someplace chilly. Also, have a few blankets with you too.
- Make certain your telephones are charged and ideally use a correct sat-nav with site visitors updates so you possibly can see if a highway turns into blocked or closed.
The greatest winter highway journey to see the Northern Lights
One of the best-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is you could typically see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Sure, 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 go north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Road Trip
Total Distance: 516 miles
Recommended No. of Days: 4-5 days
Best time to go to: December, January, February
For the most effective likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll need to go as far north as doable. The additional north you may get in your winter highway journey, the higher.
If you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, you might need to mix this with a NC500 motorhome tour which fits alongside the northern coast.
Stop 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 well accessible on a highway journey, even if you happen to simply go to for a few days.
The greatest time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. If you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or a few of the northern Isles, November to February is your greatest wager. Just ensure that to wrap up warmly- the most effective nights to see them are clear and chilly!
If you’re in a motorhome or campervan, these are the North Coast 500 campsites open all 12 months.
If you’d wish to discover extra , right here’s the one NC500 itinerary and route planner you want.
The greatest UK winter highway journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a first rate Christmas Market in virtually each huge UK city or metropolis.
Rather than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Nearly 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 make sure you examine earlier than you begin your winter highway journey.
Three UK highway journey routes to see Christmas Markets
SOUTH CENTRAL
- Start 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 unbelievable Christmas Market
- From right here, you possibly can head to the Cotswolds, that are a few of the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you possibly can go to Bath, which is wonderful at any time however particularly good at Christmas.
MIDLANDS
- Start 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 outdoors 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.
- Although this can be a excellent place to cease on a Scotland highway journey, you would 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 large festivities.
Of course, you would 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.
Best Winter highway journeys for mountain climbing and outside
The UK has some fabulous National Parks, that are open all 12 months. During summer season months, they will get very crowded, however throughout winter you possibly can typically have locations all to your self!
If you’re residing in a van over winter, don’t neglect that many National Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so make sure you observe these. Here’s find out how to discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Winter Road Trip
Total Distance: 220 miles
Recommended No. of Days: 2-3 days
Best 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 Ireland. Highlights embody:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Castle
- Dark Hedges
Winter highway journey route concept
- Start your Ireland highway journey by visiting the well-known Giants Causeway. It’s a couple of 90-minute drive from Belfast and attempt to get there as early as doable.
- Visit close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In summer season the queues might be prolonged, however in winter you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy.
- Another distinctive cease is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Castle which dangle above the ocean under.
- Don’t miss the Dark Hedges. This highway options in Game of Thrones and is without doubt one of the most stunning roads in Ireland. It was surprisingly badly signposted after we visited, so don’t miss it. If you’re motorhoming in Ireland you possibly can’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 can comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You can really 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 right 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 Force- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or no less than the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Numerous castles and ruins
Yorkshire Road Trip Itinerary concepts
Start your highway journey within the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Visit the eleventh century Skipton Castle or go underground to see the formations in White Scar Caves, the longest present collapse England.
Visit the waterfalls of Ingleton, Aysgarth Falls or Hardraw Force- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. These are much more spectacular in winter with the elevated rainfall.
Before leaving the Dales, go to the unimaginable monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Next, head to the town of York. You can go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in in the future! Don’t miss a stroll alongside the cobbled Shambles, which has typically been voted the ‘Best Street in Britain.’
Lastly, head out onto the moors. Stop at Goathland prepare station (Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter films.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Hole of Horcum, an enormous historical pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
If you’re on the lookout for a weekend UK highway journey concept, head to one of many prettiest National Parks within the UK- Snowdonia in Wales.
Snowdonia is definitely a part of two of the Wales Way driving routes– North and Cambrian and it’s straightforward to see why.
Pretty a lot all the things in Snowdonia includes being outside, so be sure you deliver applicable clothes for the time of 12 months. In winter, you’re more likely to get rain, chilly and really presumably snow.
There are loads of nice roads with spectacular surroundings and the celebrities at night time are unreal, particularly on a crisp Winter night time.
Planning a visit to Wales?
Grab your FREE information to the Wales Way highway journey routes, together with:
- instructed routes round Wales
- greatest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different ideas for touring Wales
The greatest winter highway journey routes for common UK locations
Winter is the right time to go to locations that are normally loopy busy.
Places like Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District and the Cotswolds are a lot quieter and simpler to discover on the highway journey.
Here 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 loads of issues to do in Cornwall, however there are some necessary ideas it’s essential know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall among the best England highway journeys?
If you need cute villages, unimaginable seashores and extra historical past than you possibly can shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Although some locations do shut in winter, lots of the predominant 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!! But, as you possibly can see on our Cornish highway journey itinerary, we advocate 7-10 days minimal to see all the most effective locations.
Where are the most effective locations to go to in Cornwall on a highway journey?
Some of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embody:
For a full listing of the most effective locations to go to on a Cornwall highway journey, go to our Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary & Guide
Devon
Even in Winter, Devon is a unbelievable highway journey vacation spot. It’s nonetheless stuffed with cute villages, stunning hills and seashores and loads of cafes!
Highlights and greatest locations to go to in Devon
My mother and father dwell right here, so I’ve spent plenty of time exploring the county. Some of my favorite embody:
- Dartmouth- among the best cities within the county. Hire a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seashore with the crimson 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 total listing of my favorite Devon highway journey concepts right here.
Lake District
The Lake District National Park is an ideal UK winter highway journey concept. It has a few of the worlds greatest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Pass and Kirkstone Pass are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they could be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can also be value a cease, as are the gorgeous cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
In the South Lakes, Grasmere (residence of William Wordsworth) is value visiting and if you happen to love Beatrix Potter, you possibly can go to her residence in Hawkshead. There can also be Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.
Some different highlights for winter highway journeys embody:
- The largest 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 Force Waterfall
- The views at Derwentwater
Cotswolds – a magical UK winter highway journey
The Cotswolds is the most important Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wales and it seems to be SPECTACULAR in winter.
Highlights & Best locations to go to within the Cotswolds and surrounding space
- The stunning stone villages of the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water is considered one of my private favourites)
- go to the historic metropolis of Bath
- marvel on the mysterious historical 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. Some of the prettiest villages embody Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Bath is just a 30-minute drive from the village of Castle Combe- effectively value a go to. Don’t miss visiting the Roman baths and having a cream tea within the tea rooms there.
- If you have got time, head East to Stonehenge. If you’re in a motorhome or camper, you possibly can camp in a single day at Stonehenge (This is the place we noticed probably the most INCREDIBLE dawn we’ve EVER seen. (Seriously, watch the video. It’s breathtaking)
- From Stonehenge, it’s solely a 20-minute drive into the medieval city of Salisbury, the place you possibly can discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
If you’re planning a UK highway journey, you may discover these posts useful: