Planning a winter highway journey within the UK? Questioning whether or not you must 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 coated the most effective routes that will help you select your excellent UK winter highway journey.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE highway journey planner beneath to assist hold you organised.
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Why do a winter highway journey within the UK?
Most individuals assume you can’t go winter motorhoming or take pleasure in a highway journey throughout a UK winter. However it’s truly top-of-the-line occasions to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unimaginable surroundings and easy accessibility to most of the stunning Nationwide Parks we now have on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have lowered costs, as do many prime points of interest, so it actually is a good time to discover.
All it’s essential to do is ensure your car is appropriate for winter highway journeys, costume up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
The most effective UK winter highway journey routes you’ll be able to’t miss
All of us have totally different priorities. That’s one of many issues I really 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 improbable strolling over moors and hills.
We’ve chosen a wide range of winter highway journey concepts that will help you select the right possibility for you. In fact, you’ll be able to decide and select or mix ones to create your excellent winter getaway.
Suggestions 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 every other time of the yr, however you do want to verify of some issues.
- Ensure your car has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- In the event you’re travelling in a van, ensure your motorhome heating is working.
- Ensure your tyres are secure and appropriate for the roads. Even when there’s no snow, you’ll be able to count on 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, make sure 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.
- Ensure your telephones are charged and ideally use a correct sat-nav with site visitors updates so you’ll be able to see if a highway turns into blocked or closed.
The most effective winter highway journey to see the Northern Lights
The most effective-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is you can typically see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Positive, they’re not as constant as a number of the different finest locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but when they’re in your bucket checklist, it’s time to move north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Street Journey
Complete Distance: 516 miles
Really useful No. of Days: 4-5 days
Greatest time to go to: December, January, February
For the most effective probability of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll wish to go as far north as attainable. The additional north you may get in your winter highway journey, the higher.
In the event you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, you could wish to mix this with a NC500 motorhome tour which fits 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 definitely accessible on a highway journey, even in case you simply go to for a few days.
The most effective time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. In the event you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or a number of the northern Isles, November to February is your finest guess. Simply ensure to wrap up warmly- the most effective 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 finest ski and snowboarding resort
The most effective UK winter highway journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a respectable Christmas Market in virtually each large UK city or metropolis.
Somewhat than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Practically 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 make sure to verify 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 among the finest in England) and luxuriate in exploring town.
- Then head to Salisbury, the place you’ll discover one other improbable Christmas Market
- From right here, you’ll be able to head to the Cotswolds, that are a number of the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you’ll be able to go to Tub, which is superb at any time however particularly good at Christmas.
MIDLANDS
- Begin on the Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is among the greatest Christmas markets within the UK and the most important genuine German market exterior of Austria or Germany. Don’t neglect your skates so you’ll be able to 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 among the finest cities to go to round Christmas time- the markets listed here are legendary.
- Though this can be a great spot to cease on a Scotland highway journey, you might additionally use it because the northern level of your winter highway journey route, and head south to Newcastle or Durham.
- After exploring these great cities, head to Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool for extra enormous festivities.
In fact, you might 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 mountaineering and outside
The UK has some fabulous Nationwide Parks, that are open all yr. Throughout summer time months, they’ll get very crowded, however throughout winter you’ll be able to typically have locations all to your self!
In the event you’re residing in a van over winter, don’t neglect that many Nationwide Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so make sure to comply with these. Right here’s the right way to discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Eire
Northern Eire Winter Street Journey
Complete Distance: 220 miles
Really useful No. of Days: 2-3 days
Greatest time to go to: November, December, January, February, March
The Causeway Coastal Route is among the finest winter highway journeys in Northern Eire. Highlights embrace:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Fort
- Darkish Hedges
Winter highway journey route concept
- 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 attainable.
- Go to close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In summer time the queues may be prolonged, however in winter you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy.
- One other distinctive cease is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Fort which cling above the ocean beneath.
- Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This highway options in Recreation of Thrones and is among the most stunning roads in Eire. It was surprisingly badly signposted after we visited, so don’t miss it. In the event you’re motorhoming in Eire you’ll be able to’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’ll be able to comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You’ll be able to truly do it in a day in case you actually push. Don’t miss the Titanic museum in Belfast- it’s unimaginable.
Wish to go to southern Eire? See concepts for the most effective winter highway journeys in Europe
Yorkshire Moors
Yorkshire is the right winter highway journey vacation spot. The moors look magical coated in snow however there are nonetheless loads of locations open all yr.
Highlights of a Yorkshire highway journey embrace:
- Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or at the very least 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 stunning Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Fort 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 Drive- 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 unimaginable monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Subsequent, head to town of York. You’ll be able to go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in sooner or later! 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 practice station (Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter films.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historic pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
In the event you’re on the lookout for a weekend UK highway journey concept, 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 the whole lot in Snowdonia entails being outside, so be sure to deliver acceptable clothes for the time of yr. In winter, you’re more likely 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:
- steered routes round Wales
- finest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different ideas for touring Wales
The most effective winter highway journey routes for fashionable UK locations
Winter is the right time to go to locations that are normally 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 here are our favorite highway journey concepts:
Cornwall
Cornwall is one among 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 many issues to do in Cornwall, however there are some vital ideas it’s essential to know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall top-of-the-line England highway journeys?
If you need cute villages, unimaginable seashores and extra historical past than you’ll be able to shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Though some locations do shut in winter, most of the essential points of interest stay open all yr, and the shortage of crowds makes it even higher.
How lengthy do you have to spend roadtripping Cornwall?
How lengthy is a bit of string!! However, as you’ll be able to see on our Cornish highway journey itinerary, we suggest 7-10 days minimal to see all the most effective locations.
The place are the most effective locations to go to in Cornwall on a highway journey?
A few of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embrace:
For a full checklist of the most effective 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, stunning hills and seashores and loads of cafes!
Highlights and finest locations to go to in Devon
My dad and mom reside right here, so I’ve spent a number of time exploring the county. A few of my favorite embrace:
- Dartmouth- top-of-the-line cities within the county. Rent a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seashore with the pink 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 checklist of my favorite Devon highway journey concepts right here.
Lake District
The Lake District Nationwide Park is an ideal UK winter highway journey concept. It has a number of the worlds finest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Cross and Kirkstone Cross are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they could be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can also be price a cease, as are the gorgeous cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
Within the South Lakes, Grasmere (residence of William Wordsworth) is price visiting and in case you love Beatrix Potter, you’ll be able to go to her residence in Hawkshead. There’s 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 Drive 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 SPECTACULAR in winter.
Highlights & Greatest locations to go to within the Cotswolds and surrounding space
- The gorgeous stone villages of the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water is one among my private favourites)
- go to the historic metropolis of Tub
- 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 pretty 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 Fort Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Tub is just a 30-minute drive from the village of Fort Combe- effectively price a go to. Don’t miss visiting the Roman baths and having a cream tea within the tea rooms there.
- When you have time, head East to Stonehenge. In the event you’re in a motorhome or camper, you’ll be able to camp in a single day at Stonehenge (That is the place we noticed essentially 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’ll be able to discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
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