When the weather’s not playing up (as it looks like it will for the foreseeable future), the UK is a pretty brilliant place for a summer road trip. There is simply nothing more liberating than heading out on the open road, whether you’re going solo or off on an adventure with your family or best mates.
Across the four nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the UK is a treasure trove of wonderful landscapes and scenic drives. But which are the best UK summer road trips? AA travel experts at travel company Rated Trips have weighed in with their top ten best UK summer road trips for 2023.
The best road trip in the UK this summer is… Thetford to King’s Lynn! This 132km stretch takes you on the A1075, through Norfolk's diverse landscapes and market towns, along the Norfolk Coast and even past the royal residences at Sandringham.
Next is from Danby to the North York Moor National Park, traversing the dramatic Yorkshire Moors and medieval wonders of York. Builth Wells to the ‘Biarritz of Wales’ Aberystwyth made it to third place, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and quaint towns.
Here are the best summer UK road trips, according to Rated Trips.
- Thetford to King’s Lynn
- Danby to York
- Builth Wells to Aberystwyth
- Blaenau Ffestiniog to Bangor
- New Romney to Canterbury
- Bishop’s Waltham to Winchester
- Inverewe Garden (Poolewe) to Inverness
- St Mawes to Penzance
- Cambridge to Ipswich
- Clitheroe to Morecambe
Now you’ve no shortage of road trip inspo this summer! Provided, of course, the weather clears up a bit first.
ICYMI: here is our ultimate guide to the 11 best road trips in the UK.
Did you see that this gorgeous pier railway has just reopened on the Isle of Wight?