The summer is on the horizon and the weather across the UK is already starting to warm up. What’s a better way to enjoy sun than setting out on the open roads in your van and enjoying the scenic beauty that Blighty has to offer?
In this blog post we have put together some of our favourite van driving routes across the UK. If you live near by these places, can be day trips. If you are living further afield than these places, load up the van and make a weekend of it. You will regret it if you don’t!
Our best places to drive in the UK this summer are…
The Glens of Antrim – Northern Ireland
This wonderful stretch of the A2 is considered as one of the most scenic routes in the world. The 25-mile Antrim coast road runs from the Black Arch in Larne to the Cushendall’s Red Arch. It passes by the foot of the nine glens fronting the coastline and passes through the picturesque villages of Waterfoot, Carnlough, Glenarm and Ballygalley. Dunlunce Castle and the Giant’s Causeway are in the western section.
Horsham to Winchester
The A272 weaves around the typically English countryside of Hampshire and West Sussex. Great stop-offs are the towns of Petworth and Petersfield. The route is about 50 miles long and will take more than an hour of leisurely driving. Since this route is quite popular, one should be wary of speed traps, and walkers and revelers on bike. Sheep are known to cross the road.
The Dark Hedges, Ballymoney
This stretch of road lined with beech trees planted in the 18th Stuart family as an impressive landscape feature to awe visitors as they approach their Gracehill House. The tree-lined avenue have become one of the most photographed view in Northern Ireland and has gained more popularity as it filmed as the King’s Road in the highly successful TV series Game of Thrones. It is located in Bregagh Road off the A147 some 2.5 miles from the village of Stranocum.
Glencoe on the A82
Scotland is famous for its fantastic landscapes. Driving through Glencoe affords one spectacular views of soaring mountains, verdant valleys and crystal clear mountain rivers. The A82 runs from Glasglow to Inverness and also passes through Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, Rannoch Moor, Commando Memorial, Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness. This road is about 167 miles long and is the second longest A-road in Scotland.
Black Mountain Road
Located in A4069 in Powys, Black Mountain Road is a 5-mile stretch of some of the most spectacular scenic drives not only in the UK but in the world. The road is practically deserted, affording drivers less distractions as he twists, climbs and dips his way through Brecon Beacons National Park. However, since its Top Gear feature, it is now usual to see car clubs members driving this challenging route on weekends.
Hutton-le-Hole
This small picture-perfect village is located in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, England. Located some seven miles NW of Picketing, sheep are licensed to roam the streets in the quintessential English village. The honeypot village attracts a huge number of visitors each year.
Other Points of Interest to Visit are:
So what are you waiting for? Ready and load the van! Go! The UK is awesome: don’t forget the scenic tarmac is not just abroad but right on our doorsteps!
Next week, let’s see what Europe has to offer in terms of scenic routes.