Whether it's zigzagging highways and country lanes or coastal trails and mountain passes, the UK is dotted with some truly incredible roads. Spanning from sprawling cross country routes to hidden hill paths, here we take a look at the most amazing roads that showcase the UK’s most stunning scenery.
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Stretching between London and Bristol through some of Britain’s best-known attractions and scenery, the Great West Way certainly lives up to its name. Also known as the A4, the spectacular 125-mile (201km) touring route trails through the heart of England along the River Thames and serves up a plethora of breathtaking sights along the way. With no rigid A to B path, the route is dotted with country lanes, hidden tracks and peaceful pathways for drivers to plot their own adventure.
Journeying across a huge chunk of central England, the road passes many of the UK’s much-loved landmarks. Travelling through Salisbury, the spectacular Stonehenge can be found along the route. Known as one of the world’s most famous monuments, the prehistoric stone circle is a shining feature amongst the scenic Wiltshire countryside. Further west, set in rolling hills, the Cotswolds is another highlight. As England's largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its pretty rural landscape stretches on for miles. Decorated with chocolate-box villages and towns, the area oozes with British charm.
Traversing Britain’s highest public road, the Snow Roads Scenic Route journeys 90 miles (145km) through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. The journey begins near the pretty market village of Blairgowrie, passing the towns of Braemar and Ballater before ending at Grantown-on-Spey, on the northern edge of the mountains. The scenic route slices through hills dotted with crumbling castles, rugged mountains and plenty of jaw-dropping scenery.
From historic ruins and adorable villages to soaring mountains and spectacular vantage points, the route is teeming with incredible on- and off-road attractions. As the road dips, twists and turns through the ancient landscape, there’s an array of viewpoints showing off Scotland’s natural beauty. Along the road, there are three specially designed viewing areas that are also outdoor sculptures. They beautifully frame the Scottish Highlands. As the route trails through the craggy peaks of the Cairngorms, there's plenty of spots for hiking, walking and mountain biking.
Also known as the A39, this vast 170-mile (275km) road hugs England’s southwest shoreline and is famed for its jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean along the way. Travelling through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, the route covers many of the region's most charming coastal towns, beautiful beaches and rolling countryside, as well as some of the southwest’s most underrated spots and hidden gems.
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Nicknamed England’s surfing capital, the route journeys near some of Cornwall’s most picturesque towns. Pretty fishing villages along the way include Bude, Port Isaac and Newquay, hailed for their lovely beaches, pretty coves and epic waves. Alongside the beaches and resorts, the route also crosses through the northern edge of Exmoor National Park. Home to a rich landscape of woodland, moorland, valleys and coast, the park is framed by the South West Coast Path, a scenic walking trail overlooking the ocean.
From craggy cliffs and gorgeous lochs to thundering waterfalls and sandy beaches, the North Coast 500 trails through some of the best of Scotland’s coastal scenery. Hailed as Scotland’s 'answer to route 66' the impressive road stretches for a whopping 516 miles (830km) along the coastal edges of the Northern Highlands, looping through some of the prettiest regions including Sutherland, Wester Ross and Inverness-shire. Passing along the coastline, the journey begins and ends at the magnificent Inverness Castle, a glorious starting and finishing point for the scenic drive.
Running over 500 miles (805km) through the North Highlands, the route is bursting with incredible sights and scenery. Just southwest of Inverness is one of Scotland’s most famous attractions, Loch Ness. Known as the UK’s largest body of water by volume, the loch is thought to be home to the mystical Loch Ness monster from Scottish folklore. Wester Ross is another highlight, with its towering peaks, hidden lochs and Mediterranean style beaches, it’s like stepping into another country.
Often regarded as one of the best roads in Wales, the Black Mountain Pass twists, dips and climbs through the beautiful Black Mountains between Llandovery and Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. Set in the eastern region of the Brecon Beacons National Park, although the route only stretches for around 21 miles (34km), it includes plenty of thrilling bends and jaw-dropping turns. Those who can handle the climb which reaches a staggering 1,624 feet high (495m) above sea level will be rewarded with unparalleled views of the Brecon Beacons and surrounding countryside.
Aside from its challenging climb making the pass popular with thrill-seekers, it has some truly memorable spots along the way. Located just a few miles west of the pass perched on a rocky outcrop near the River Cennen, the incredible Carreg Cennen Castle is considered one of the best castles in Wales. Dating back to at least the 13th century, the castle provides sweeping panoramas across the Carmarthenshire countryside. Alongside its ruins, the views across the nearby Tywi Valley are another highlight. Known as Wales' longest river, the River Tywi flows through the valley and is a picturesque sight.
Covering an impressive 120 miles (193km) of dramatic coastline, the Causeway Coastal Route features some of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful sights shrouded in mythical stories and legends. Stretching between the lively capital of Belfast and the historic city of Derry, the route is peppered with historic ruins, pretty villages, lush beaches and stunning cliffs passing many of the country’s most popular sights.
Probably the route’s best attraction and where it gets its name is the spectacular Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend has it that the 40,000 basalt columns were created by an Irish giant to defeat his enemy and its mystical history draws sightseers from around the world. Hailed for its natural beauty and native wildlife, Rathlin Island is another highlight on the route. Situated just a few miles off the coast of County Antrim, the tiny island is home to an array of incredible wildlife including puffins, seals and razorbills.
Hailed as one of the best drives in Scotland, the Road to the Isles (also known as the A830) is a historic route leading from the village of Fort William to the fishing port of Mallaig in Lochaber. The scenic drive covers approximately 46 miles (74km) and works its way west through the mountains and along the coast. The road passes through some of Scotland’s best scenery including soaring mountains, sandy beaches and glittering lochs as well as historic ruins dotted along the route.
Travelling from mountains to coast, the route takes in plenty of memorable sights. Highlights include the Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of Scotland's most recognised attractions. The historic railway viaduct passes through the Highlands, overlooking the pretty waters of Loch Shiel. Further along, the beautiful beaches of the west coast seem far flung from the mountains at the start of the route. Morar’s string of white sandy beaches and blissful views of the Isles of Rum, Muck, Eigg and Canna are some of the prettiest spots.
Known as one of England’s most famous roads, Derbyshire’s Snake Pass connects Sheffield and Greater Manchester on the A57. Sat within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park, the pass begins at the market town of Glossop just east of Manchester and ends at the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashotop, fringed by the pretty rolling hills of the Pennines. With its tight bends, steep climbs and long descents against a beautiful countryside backdrop, the pass is popular with those wanting a challenging but scenic drive through the Peak District.
Snaking right next to the River Ashop, the route features beautiful riverside views while overlooking the pretty moors between Kinder Scout and Bleaklow. The sprawling Y-shaped valley of the Ladybower Reservoir (pictured)) is one of the route’s main sights. Opened by King George VI in 1945, the impressive reservoir and dam include viewpoints such as Bamford Edge, a picturesque overhang that towers over the dam, overlooking the Peak District’s peaceful woodland and moorland.
Another incredible Welsh road, the Cambrian Way traverses from the country’s south coast all the way to the north coast. The road begins at the capital city of Cardiff and then finishes at the Victorian town of Llandudno. Mostly following the A470, the epic journey stretches for 185 miles (300km), passing along the country’s mountainous spine and zigzagging through the beautiful national parks of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. The coast to coast route journeys along an array of peaceful towns, lush forests, shimmering lakes and mining hotspots.
Along the route, Elan Valley is one of the main highlights, home to the most picturesque dams and reservoirs in Mid Wales. Completed in the early 20th century, the valley consists of six dams and with its gorgeous rural Welsh countryside setting, is renowned for its photogenic views. Passing through two national parks, the route has plenty of incredible natural wonders. In Snowdonia, nestled amongst woodland, a cascading waterfall named Swallow Falls is one of the park’s prettiest attractions.
Although the Yorkshire Dales has plenty of incredible roads highlighting the region’s stunning scenery, possibly the best and most famous route is Buttertubs Pass. Named after the cluster of deep natural limestone potholes that can be found along the road, the pass connects the town of Hawes with the village of Thwaite. It climbs spectacularly across the high moorland between Wensleydale and Swaledale.
Formed millions of years ago, the striking rock formations that litter the road is how the pass gets its name – and they are the main attraction. According to local legend, on hot summer days farmers would lower baskets of butter they had made into the deep natural potholes to keep their produce cool on their way to market, hence their funny nickname. Aside from the limestone potholes, the pass offers breathtaking views of the surrounding fells and countryside, including the pretty hills of High Shaw.
Known for its spectacular natural beauty, much of the famous Snowdonia National Park can be found along the route, a gorgeous landscape of craggy mountains, steep gorges and scenic valleys. Other highlights on the route include the Llyn Peninsula, stretching for 30 miles (48km) near Cardigan Bay on the northwest coast. With its picturesque hills, sandy beaches and an abundance of wildlife, we can see why it earned the title of one of the only designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales.
Possibly one of the most breathtaking roads on the list, and often regarded as one of the best in Britain, is the winding B3135. Situated in a picturesque corner of Somerset, the road travels along one of England's most spectacular natural wonders. The peaceful route meanders through the Mendip Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, along the famous Cheddar Gorge for roughly 14 miles (23km) between the villages of Cheddar and Ashwick.
The road may be short, but it certainly makes up for it with plenty of gorgeous scenery along the way. Dating back millions of years and measuring almost 400 feet (122m) deep, the rocky slopes of the jaw-dropping limestone gorge and caves dramatically tower over the road featuring narrow spots and tight bends as it winds around the cliffs. Past the gorge, the road journeys into the open landscape, through some of Somerset’s prettiest countryside.
Scotland’s A82 road showcases some of the best of the country’s famous lochs. The road glides from the heart of the bustling city of Glasgow via Fort William, passing along the banks of the famous Loch Lomond, the UK’s largest expanse of freshwater. The route then slices through the gorgeous Glen Coe Valley, before heading northeast towards Inverness, finishing at the shadow of Ben Nevis.
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Passing through some of the prettiest parts of central Scotland, the A82 is bursting with stunning natural wonders along the way. The road journeys through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park along Loch Lomond’s northern banks. The gorgeous watery expanse features breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands with the surrounding woodland mirrored in its glittery waters. Carved out by glaciers, the V-shaped Glencoe Valley is another scenic spot. Home to craggy peaks, soaring mountains and sparkling waterfalls, the road courses through the valley's dramatic scenery.
Hidden in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, Hardknott Pass holds the title as one of steepest roads in England alongside Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire. Reaching a dizzying height of 1,289 feet (393m) above sea level, the pass dramatically twists and turns along the Hard Knott mountain peak overlooking Eskdale and the Duddon Valley. With its series of sharp bends and zigzagging turns, it’s often regarded as one of the toughest roads in England but with its incredible heights, it also has some of the most blissful views.
Located near the southern end of the pass are the ruins of an ancient Roman site known as Hardknott Fort, a hidden gem of the Lake District. Founded under Hadrian’s rule during the 2nd century, the fort ruins consist of a commandments house, headquarters building and bathhouse and are an incredibly well-preserved example of ancient Roman architecture. Built on a rocky spur, the ruins overlook both the upper and lower Eskdale valley and are a truly spectacular sight.
Anyone who’s been to the Isle of Skye will waste little time in telling you how special its landscapes are. Home to rolling hills, epic mountains, stunning coastal views and eerie rock formations, there’s arguably no better place to go for a drive in the UK than on the largest and northernmost of the major Inner Hebrides islands. Starting in Skye’s small and idyllic capital Portree, take the A855 north for one of the most memorable road trips of your life. Standout moments include driving towards and then past the iconic Old Man of Storr (pictured), a location used in Ridley Scott’s 2012 science fiction film Prometheus.
As you head further north on Skye’s A855, the sense of remoteness only increases. You’ll drive through scattered settlements like Staffin and Flodigarry (pictured from above), feeling like you’ve not only left the UK behind but – thanks to an otherworldly landform known as the Quiraing – quite possibly Earth too. Park up at every possible opportunity to take pictures and soak up the views. The road bends round the island’s northerly tip, with many drivers choosing to stop at Rubha Hunish to enjoy the sights from the cosy Lookout bothy.
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