Six epic road trips that you can start from Manchester

How far? Five hours 50 minutes to Inverness; eight hours 20 minutes to Duncansby Head.

Why go? There’s no way to properly immerse yourself in nature than deserted beaches and long expansive horizons – and the Scottish Highlands are as remote and awe-inspiring as it gets in the UK. Shake off the city with a road trip along the North Coast 500, from Inverness to what seems like the edge of the world. 

Do this: Stop off for a little monster-hunting at Loch Ness before heading north on the NC500 out of Inverness. Chanonry Point is your next pitstop, where you can spot bottlenose dolphins from the edge of the peninsula. Pull over to see one of the route’s brochs: iron-age fortifications found only in Scotland. Eventually, you’ll arrive at John O’Groats, the northernmost inhabited spot in mainland Britain. Take the blustery walk out to see the fang-like stacks at Duncansby Head.

Eat this: Park up at Whaligoe Steps Café and Restaurant for a really rather special meal with the horizon as its backdrop. Order hot bowls of Scottish smoked salmon ramen, lentil curries and black pudding and haggis burgers. 

How far? Three hours ten minutes. 

Why go? The Cotswolds’ lush green hills and pretty villages, populated with cute stone cottages, are postcard-ready all year round. Get ready to get lost in the England of daydreams; think impossibly quaint streets, abundant gardens and charming shops.

Do this: Spend a day village-hopping for the full Cotswolds experience. Visit Bourton-on-the Water for pretty waterways and cafés, Broadway for its imposing stone tower, Stow-on-the-Wold for antique shops, its church door, which is said to have inspired JRR Tolkien, and Arlington Row in Bibury for possibly the prettiest row of stone cottages you’ll ever see. All that driving around taken it out of you? Pop to Bamford Haybarn spa for lush treatments in plush surroundings. 

Eat this: The tiny village of Daylesford is home to a farm shop and restaurant, serving up delicious dishes from breakfast through to supper. This is real farm-to-fork eating: meat and poultry, fruit and veg, homemade bread. Even their cheese, milk and yoghurt is made onsite at the creamery. Dreamy, right? 

Stay here: The Wild Rabbit in Kingham is a wonderfully serene place to lay your head. Inspired by the Cotswolds countryside, each room or cottage is kitted out with luxe beds and fine linens in calming, muted tones. 

How far? Three hours 20 minutes. 

Why go? Honey-coloured Bath has been drawing in visitors since Roman times, thanks to the thermal spring which bubbles up under the city. The Roman Baths aren’t for splashing about in these days but there are plenty of places to wallow in warm waters, as well as pretty parks and an indie high street. 

Do this: Soak up Bath’s fascinating history. Stroll around Prior Park Landscape Garden, promenade along the architecturally impressive Royal Crescent, pop into the Jane Austen Centre and take in the ancient Roman Baths. Then, enjoy the city’s more modern pursuits with a trip to the Thermae Bath Spa, which boasts a stunning rooftop pool and super-luxe facilities. 

Eat this: Head to one of the oldest houses in the city for a famous Bath bunn. Sally Lunn’s has been serving up sticky bunns for centuries. Like the vibe? Pop to the Pump Room for the kind of afternoon tea Jane Austen would have enjoyed.

Stay here: Head out of the town for a night in the nearby Mendip Hills. The Pig near Bath is found in a pretty country townhouse, with animals roaming nearby as well as an enormous kitchen garden that supplies the dreamy restaurant.