Planning a UK road trip soon? Let’s get you equipped with these twelve brilliant tips for your next ultimate UK road trip, making your journey unique.
You must equip yourself with the necessary tips when planning your next UK road trip. The wide valleys, striking mountains, flowing rivers, and time-capturing towns can promise your next ultimate UK road trip.
It’s essential to plan ahead of your available time and resources before you set off for a road trip. A road trip in the UK will involve driving, resting, meals, sightseeing, camping, and moving on. So, you must have an idea to make the best of your road trip.
In this article, the twelve brilliant tips may make your next UK road trip an experience for a lifetime.
Calculate Available Time for Your UK Road Trip
You must plan your time for your next UK road trip according to the places you want to cover. Hence, consulting various tour planners and guides like Three As A Bird may ease your UK road trip.
You may only want to drive from end to end in this small country compared to other larger countries. However, you shouldn’t do it unless you want to tell your friends only about highways and roads when you get back home. A perfect road trip will only be possible if you appropriately manage your time and places.
Let’s say you’re going on a one-week trip to the UK; how will you manage your total travel time there?
We suggest you cut the total coverage of the UK area in four to five weeks. Then, plan a number of places in each of those weeks.
Apart from clocking your road trip, you must also get other resources and essential survival tools before starting the journey. These include hiring a car, getting a GPS, a backpack, necessary camping gear, etc.
If you’re reluctant to go with friends or travel buddies, you may go on your own. But before that, check the following twelve tips for your next ultimate UK road trip.
- Get a Free GPS
You don’t need to pay for the GPS service anymore nowadays. Instead, get an offline GPS map from your smartphone to find your way along the way in your UK road trip. Offline maps will work better than online because you can’t rely on your internet data pack for long.
Nonetheless, many of the UK’s roads and communications were developed even before cars were introduced. So, it naturally falls short of accurate routes and indications on Google maps. Still, it will help you to reroute your driving if you’ve hit the wrong end.
- Hire a Reliable Rental Car
Look out for reasonable rental car services in London, where you may find reliable rentals for your ultimate UK road trip. It’s a more convenient and affordable way to start your journey in the south. However, if you’re beginning from the north, check out the car hire services in Edinburgh.
When choosing the right rental car service for your road trip, ensure the service is covered with third-party insurance. But if you’re already covered with a CDW (collision damage waiver), that might entail the insurance you need.
- Be Flexible About Bookings
A road trip is about flexibility and exploration, so be easy on yourself while making your UK trip itinerary. It’s about spotting anything attractive, from a quaint town to breathtaking hills and mountains, and stopping there.
Moreover, If you see a scenic viewpoint or a beautiful village, go for it! The best part of your UK road trip will be the spontaneous detours and unexpected discoveries. Hence, keeping an open trip plan and booking will be much to your liking.
- Drive Safely
Other than enjoying the scenic views, towns, and foods on your UK road trip, it’s also essential to maintain your safety while driving. Driving in the UK can be challenging, especially on narrow roads and rural areas, so driving safely on the road is important.
Know the speed limit and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. You’re not the only one who’s traveling out there. So, caution is a must-do thing to carry out. Besides, don’t ignore wearing your seatbelt. If you’re driving on unfamiliar roads, take your time and stay alert.
- Enjoy the Food and Drink
The UK is famous for its cuisine, so there’s no harm in trying a few of the local specialties as you go. You’ll find each food mouthwatering, from fish and chips by the coast to hearty stews in the countryside. Furthermore, the local pubs and cafes can sample the local beer, cider, and wine. Remember to chat with the locals.
- Stay Overnight in Places
The UK offers a wide range of unique and affordable accommodation options, including cozy bed and breakfasts to luxurious treehouses. You can also enhance your ultimate UK road trip experience by staying in some of the country’s most unique lodgings.
But don’t get too used to the UK’s fun indoor activities while staying over, as you need to get going the following morning. The UK promises some wonderful stay-in places, such as castles, lighthouses, and local country inns.
Not only will this add unforgettable memories to your trip, but it will also give you a touch of local hospitality and culture.
- Take Your Time
No matter what place you want to travel to, rushing your road trip is not a good sign. The UK may be a small country, but there’s so much to see and do. Hence, take your time and enjoy the journey as you go about the enchanting places in the UK.
Whether driving through the Cotswolds’ rolling hills or exploring Scotland’s rugged coast, take the time to discover and enjoy all the things these places offer. Also, wandering the streets of historic cities and towns can also promise you an unprecedented traveling experience.
- Explore the Great Outdoors
The United Kingdom is undoubtedly home to some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world, including breathtaking hills and mountains, inviting coastlines, and flowing lakes and rivers.
Take advantage of your road trip to explore the great outdoors and experience the beauty of the country’s parks, gardens, and nature reserves. Whether hiking, fishing, or simply enjoying a picnic, the UK’s great outdoors has something for everyone.
- Visit Historic Sites and Museums
The UK is rich in history and culture, and there are countless historic sites and museums to visit on your road trip. You may explore the ancient ruins of Stonehenge, the Hadrian’s Wall, the British Museum, the National Gallery, and more.
Those places are always ready to surprise you with knowledge and inspiration. So take advantage of your UK road trip to learn about the country’s fascinating history and culture and to see some of the most iconic landmarks and artifacts.
- Enjoy Local Festivals and Events
The UK is alive around the year with its vibrant festivals and events, from music and food festivals to cultural celebrations and sporting events.
We suggest you research ahead of time to find out about the upcoming events during your road trip. Then plan your road trip so you can attend some of those local festivals and events.
This will not only make your UK road trip more exciting, but it will connect you to the cultural and traditional norms and celebrations altogether.
- Make Sure to Avoid Toll Roads
To avoid toll roads, one could plan their route using the many scenic roads and highways that wind through the countryside and cities. Instead, you can drive through trails of the Lake District to the winding coast of Cornwall. You won’t regret the opportunities for breathtaking views and unique experiences there.
Whether you’re taking a car or a motorcycle, a UK road trip without tolls promises an unforgettable and hassle-free adventure.
- Mix Your Road Trip with a Train Journey
There’s no harm in taking a train to the UK. Mixing a train journey with your car or motorbike wouldn’t compromise the ultimate UK road trip. Instead, taking a train can be a convenient and enjoyable way to travel through this amazing region.
You can easily reach many of the region’s top destinations on a train, including London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. The trains in the UK are modern, comfortable and offer stunning views of the passing scenery. You can relax and enjoy the ride as the train takes you through soothing greeneries, lakes, and mountains.
To Conclude
A road trip in the UK is the perfect way to explore the country’s stunning landscapes, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. The twelve tips we’ve shared will enable you to plan and make the most of your next UK road trip.
Make sure to prepare a flexible yet calculated plan for your UK road trip along with necessary transport, meals, GPS, stay-over places, etc. So, if you think you’re ready, pack your bags and fuel your wheels or motorbike to start a memorable journey.
