If you like travelling and exploring the world, you don’t have to travel half way across the world to discover new and exciting places. The UK, for example, has many great holiday destinations. This article explores some of the UK’s best adventure driving locations. Whether you’re looking for staycation UK ideas for the whole family, or you’re going solo. One fun way of exploring is by going on a trusty road trip. Whether you’re going by car, or you’ve rented a luxurious 5 berth caravan to take you on the road trip of your life. Cars are great fun to ride around in and are more nimble than a caravan. However, wouldn’t it be great to hire a caravan, a place to call home for your trip. That way you can take everything with you! Here are some of out top UK staycation ideas…
Below are a few great regions in the UK for you to go and visit on your next staycation. Remember, it’s not just about the quality of the roads. It’s also about the spectacular views, places to go and explore and the adventures you can have along the way…
UK Staycation Ideas
Scottish Highlands
One of my parents favourite adventure destinations – The Scottish Highlands, which is also one of Europe’s most fascinating landscapes. It’s composed of extensive moorlands and heathlands with deep lakes and broad valleys that provide spectacular views. Driving here can be both adventurous and challenging; the rugged mountains, wild rivers and rocky shores where countless seabirds live, each has something unique to offer.
You can discover three different regions on your driving trip in the Highlands. Start in the east and visit the Cairngorms National Park, which is a fascinating, arctic high plateau. Afterwards, drive westwards towards the rough and wild mountains, rivers and coasts of Skye before you make a day trip to Eigg. This small, little-known town charming town, with its desolate, original landscape, is rich in different species of birds.
Cornwall
Beaches for as far as the eye can see! Located in the South West, Cornwall hangs like a knee-high boot on the very edge of the UK. A very picturesque region where the large deepwater port attracts yacht owners. Travellers can explore the narrow streets.
Every summer, vast numbers of surfers from all over the world flock to the shores of Cornwall to catch some waves. So don’t forget to pack load a wetsuit and a surfboard. Bear in mind that it can also get very wet and muddy down there!
Lake District
I’m pretty sure The Lake District was the setting for the book Swallows & Amazons. My parents took us here when we were younger and we hired a boat. It was an amazing holiday, and although it was about 20 years ago, I can still remember the little cottage we stayed in. A tiny stream ran past which my brothers and I used to play in. Oh and the cottage owners had a gorgeous Labrador called Ziggy. He only had one eye and limped quite a bit.
The Lake District is one of the most stunning regions in Northern England. The lakes here reflect some of the highest peaks in England. On a still day it almost looks as though you’re looking in a mirror at the reflections of the mountains rising up around them. It’s also a lovely rural and natural area where several classic poets chose as a place of residence.
When driving on the wide country roads, the first thing you’ll notice is that it’s a sparsely populated region. Often, the sheep are the only animals you can see. What makes the lakes and rivers of this region exceptional, is that they’re pure and fresh. The level of nutrients in these waters is optimum for human consumption. Which makes sense as most bottled water in the UK comes from this region. Without a doubt, this is an excellent habitat for wildlife and a beautiful place to spend a beautiful holiday.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds as actually where I live so I know the area like the back of my hand. Even though I live here, my husband and I are always going off to try and find new places neither of us have been before to go exploring. We recently came across this great little walk along an old tow path near to Bourton-On-The_Water. We’ve both been to Bourton before but not really explored around it so much. I’ve lived here all my life and I love that there are still places that are new to me. It’s a place I often recommend to out of town folk to come and visit; whether they want to do some shopping, visit old castles and monuments or simply drive around looking at the incredible views.
Towards Cheltenham there are some stunning views across Cheltenham, out to the Malvern Hills, where on a sunny day looks just like a postcard. Patchwork fields as far as you can see with hills rising up in the distance. On some days, you can even see as far as Wales! There are some great places to stay, both hotels and inns as well as campsites and holiday homes.
Did you know one holiday village out towards Lechlade, is actually where celebrities such as Elle Macpherson, Jade Jagger and Mark Owen all have holiday homes. Mark Owen is often seen bumbling around Lechlade popping in and out of the shops! Oh and Prince William and Harry are often up at the Polo Fields in Cirencester – The Cotswolds really does have it all!
Norfolk
To some, a long-distance path has about as much appeal as long-distance car journey on the motorway, but at just 39 miles the classic Hunstanton to Cromer Pier section of the Norfolk Coast Path is the perfect starter point for newbie walkers. It’s fairly flat along the majority of the route and offers you the chance for a well earned dip in the sea en route.
Plus, there are also other places to stop as you go, including the many fish and chip shops, pubs and tearooms, all of which offering you fantastic views across the cliff tops and out to sea. The excellent and regular Coast hopper Bus means that your basecamp can be set up at the Burnham Deepdale campsite, approx £7 per night for a tent, but where they also have spots for caravans.
It also gives you the option to easily skip sections of the walk or finish early if you need or decide to go on elsewhere. For a longer walk, there’s a new extension from Cromer to Sea Palling which is a bit of a trek but has great views and really is worth the extra hike. However, if you don’t fancy walking along the cliffs, there are many coastal roads you can enjoy and meander your way along if you are all about the road trip!
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has given you some inspiration for your next UK staycation road trip adventure of a lifetime. Create memories with your friends/family like we did all those years ago, memories that you can talk about in years to come with the next generation. What are some of your best uk staycation ideas?
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