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 one of the best routes that will help you select your excellent 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 go winter motorhoming or get pleasure from a highway journey throughout a UK winter. Nevertheless it’s truly the most effective occasions to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unbelievable surroundings and easy accessibility to lots of the lovely Nationwide Parks we’ve got on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have decreased costs, as do many prime points of interest, so it actually is a superb time to discover.
All it is advisable to do is be sure your car is appropriate for winter highway journeys, gown up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
The very best UK winter highway journey routes you possibly can’t miss
All of us have totally different priorities. That’s one of many issues I like a lot about highway trips- the liberty to benefit from the belongings you like.
Even higher, the UK has LOADS to get pleasure from 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 will help you select the right choice for you. In fact, you possibly can decide and select or mix ones to create your excellent winter getaway.
Ideas for driving in winter
In the event you’re planning a winter highway journey, there’s not a lot distinction from planning a UK highway journey at some other time of the yr, however you do want to verify of some issues.
- Make sure that your car has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- In the event you’re travelling in a van, be sure your motorhome heating is working.
- Make sure that your tyres are protected and appropriate for the roads. Even when there’s no snow, you possibly can anticipate to drive in heavy rain in some unspecified time in the future in your journey
- Verify windscreen wipers and screenwash ranges
- Carry drink and snacks with you
- In the event you’re not planning a motorhome journey, remember to 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.
- Make sure that 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 very best winter highway journey to see the Northern Lights
The most effective-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is you could typically see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Certain, they’re not as constant as among the different greatest locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but when they’re in your bucket record, it’s time to move north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 516 miles
Really helpful No. of Days: 4-5 days
Greatest time to go to: December, January, February
For one of the best probability of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll wish to go as far north as doable. The additional north you will get in your winter highway journey, the higher.
In the event you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, it’s possible you’ll wish to mix this with a NC500 motorhome tour which works alongside the northern coast.
Cease at locations like Sango Sands or Dunnet Bay close to John O’Groats, however ideally you’ll wish to get even additional north. Orkney is well accessible on a highway journey, even in the event you simply go to for a few days.
The very best time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. In the event you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or among the northern Isles, November to February is your greatest wager. Simply be sure to wrap up warmly- one of the best nights to see them are clear and chilly!
In the event you’re in a motorhome or campervan, these are the North Coast 500 campsites open all yr.
In the event you’d wish to discover extra , right here’s the one NC500 itinerary and route planner you want.
In the event you’re up in Scotland, you can even go to the Cairngorms, residence to Aviemore- the UK’s greatest ski and snowboarding resort
The very best UK winter highway journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a first rate Christmas Market in virtually each large UK city or metropolis.
Relatively than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Almost all have a campsite open all yr close by for motorhome holidays 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 remember to 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 revel in exploring the town.
- Then head to Salisbury, the place you’ll discover one other improbable Christmas Market
- From right here, you possibly can head to the Cotswolds, that are among the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you possibly can 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 most important genuine German market outdoors of Austria or Germany. Don’t neglect your skates so you possibly can ice skate on one of many rinks within the metropolis.
- 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 here are legendary.
- Though this can be a good spot to cease on a Scotland highway journey, you could possibly 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.
In fact, you could possibly 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 climbing and outside
The UK has some fabulous Nationwide Parks, that are open all yr. Throughout summer time months, they will get very crowded, however throughout winter you possibly can typically have locations all to your self!
In the event you’re dwelling in a van over winter, don’t neglect that many Nationwide Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so remember to observe these. Right here’s tips on how to discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Eire
Northern Eire Winter Street 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 embrace:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Fortress
- Darkish Hedges
Winter highway journey route thought
- Begin your Eire 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.
- Go to close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In summer time 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 Fortress which dangle above the ocean under.
- Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This highway options in Recreation of Thrones and is without doubt one of the most lovely roads in Eire. It was surprisingly badly signposted once we visited, so don’t miss it. In the event you’re motorhoming in Eire you possibly can’t drive down it- I’m not even positive you’ll make it in a campervan!
How lengthy does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?
You may comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You may truly do it in a day in the event you actually push. Don’t miss the Titanic museum in Belfast- it’s unbelievable.
Wish to go to southern Eire? See concepts for one of the best winter highway journeys in Europe
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 yr.
Highlights of a Yorkshire highway journey embrace:
- Hardraw Pressure- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or not less than the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Quite a few castles and ruins
Yorkshire Street Journey Itinerary concepts
Begin your highway journey within the lovely Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Fortress 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 Pressure- 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 unbelievable monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Subsequent, head to the town of York. You may go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in someday! Don’t miss a stroll alongside the cobbled Shambles, which has typically been voted the ‘Greatest Avenue in Britain.’
Lastly, head out onto the moors. Cease at Goathland prepare station (Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter motion pictures.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historic pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
In the event you’re searching 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 simple to see why.
Just about all the things in Snowdonia includes being outside, so ensure you carry applicable clothes for the time of yr. In winter, you’re prone to get rain, chilly and really presumably 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 very best winter highway journey routes for fashionable UK locations
Winter is the right 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 one among our favorite locations to highway journey in England. I spent 2 years dwelling 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 essential suggestions it is advisable to know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall the most effective England highway journeys?
In order for you cute villages, unbelievable seashores and extra historical past than you possibly can shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Though some locations do shut in winter, lots of the foremost points of interest stay open all yr, and the dearth of crowds makes it even higher.
How lengthy must you spend roadtripping Cornwall?
How lengthy is a bit of string!! However, as you possibly can see on our Cornish highway journey itinerary, we suggest 7-10 days minimal to see all one of the best locations.
The place are one of the best locations to go to in Cornwall on a highway journey?
A few of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embrace:
For a full record of one of the best locations to go to on a Cornwall highway journey, go to our Cornwall Street Journey Itinerary & Information
Devon
Even in Winter, Devon is a improbable highway journey vacation spot. It’s nonetheless filled with cute villages, lovely 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. A few of my favorite embrace:
- Dartmouth- the most effective cities within the county. Rent a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seashore with the crimson sand
- Exmouth with its lovely 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 record 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 among the worlds greatest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Move and Kirkstone Move are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they might be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can 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 in the event you love Beatrix Potter, you possibly can go to her residence in Hawkshead. There may be additionally Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.
Another highlights for winter highway journeys embrace:
- The most important pure lake within the UK, Lake Windermere. Some boat excursions run all yr however wrap up warmly
- The Punch Bowl Inn in Crosthwaite.
- Aira Pressure 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 attractive stone villages of the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water is one among 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 beautiful little cities and villages of the Cotswolds as you want to. A number of the prettiest villages embrace Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Decrease Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Fortress Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Bathtub is barely a 30-minute drive from the village of Fortress Combe- properly 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. In the event you’re in a motorhome or camper, you possibly can camp in a single day at Stonehenge (That is the place we noticed probably 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 possibly can discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
In the event you’re planning a UK highway journey, you may discover these posts useful:
