Planning a winter street 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 well-liked areas like Cornwall or the Lake District? We’ve lined the perfect routes that will help you select your excellent UK winter street journey.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE street journey planner beneath to assist hold you organised.
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Why do a winter street journey within the UK?
Most individuals assume which you could’t go winter motorhoming or get pleasure from a street journey throughout a UK winter. Nevertheless it’s really among the best instances to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unimaginable surroundings and easy accessibility to lots of the stunning Nationwide Parks we have now on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have lowered costs, as do many high sights, so it actually is a superb time to discover.
All you might want to do is be sure that your automobile is appropriate for winter street journeys, gown up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
One of the best UK winter street journey routes you possibly can’t miss
All of us have completely different priorities. That’s one of many issues I really like a lot about street trips- the liberty to benefit from the belongings you like.
Even higher, the UK has LOADS to get pleasure from throughout winter, together with world-class Christmas markets, winter festivals, meals festivals, snow sports activities and implausible strolling over moors and hills.
We’ve chosen a wide range of winter street journey concepts that will help you select the proper choice for you. After all, you possibly can decide and select or mix ones to create your excellent winter getaway.
Suggestions for driving in winter
In case you’re planning a winter street journey, there’s not a lot distinction from planning a UK street journey at every other time of the yr, however you do want to ensure of some issues.
- Make certain your automobile has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- In case you’re travelling in a van, be sure that your motorhome heating is working.
- Make certain your tyres are protected and appropriate for the roads. Even when there’s no snow, you possibly can anticipate to drive in heavy rain in some unspecified time in the future in your journey
- Test windscreen wipers and screenwash ranges
- Carry drink and snacks with you
- In case you’re not planning a motorhome journey, you should definitely 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.
- Make certain your telephones are charged and ideally use a correct sat-nav with visitors updates so you possibly can see if a street turns into blocked or closed.
One of the best winter street journey to see the Northern Lights
The most effective-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is which you could typically see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Certain, they’re not as constant as a number of the different greatest locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but when they’re in your bucket record, it’s time to go north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 516 miles
Beneficial No. of Days: 4-5 days
Greatest time to go to: December, January, February
For the perfect likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll need to go as far north as attainable. The additional north you may get in your winter street journey, the higher.
In case you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, chances are you’ll need 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 need to get even additional north. Orkney is well accessible on a street journey, even when you simply go to for a few days.
One of the best time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. In case you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or a number of the northern Isles, November to February is your greatest wager. Simply be sure that to wrap up warmly- the perfect nights to see them are clear and chilly!
In case you’re in a motorhome or campervan, these are the North Coast 500 campsites open all yr.
In case you’d prefer to discover extra , right here’s the one NC500 itinerary and route planner you want.
In case you’re up in Scotland, you too can go to the Cairngorms, dwelling to Aviemore- the UK’s greatest ski and snowboarding resort
One of the best UK winter street journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a respectable Christmas Market in nearly each large UK city or metropolis.
Moderately than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Almost 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 street journey.
Most UK Christmas Markets are open from final November, however some don’t open till mid-December, so you should definitely verify earlier than you begin your winter street journey.
Three UK street journey routes to see Christmas Markets
SOUTH CENTRAL
- Begin in Winchester (the Winchester Christmas Market is among the greatest in England) and luxuriate in exploring town.
- Then head to Salisbury, the place you’ll discover one other implausible Christmas Market
- From right here, you possibly can head to the Cotswolds, that are a number of the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you possibly can go to Tub, which is wonderful at any time however particularly good at Christmas.
MIDLANDS
- Begin on the Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is among the largest Christmas markets within the UK and the largest genuine German market outdoors of Austria or Germany. Don’t overlook your skates so you possibly can ice skate on one of many rinks within the metropolis.
- From right here, proceed your England street journey and head to Stratford upon Avon, Warwick or Royal Leamington Spa for extra conventional Christmas celebrations, or head to Lincoln, dwelling of the oldest Christmas Market within the UK.
NORTHERN
- Edinburgh is among the greatest cities to go to round Christmas time- the markets listed here are legendary.
- Though this can be a excellent spot to cease on a Scotland street journey, you could possibly additionally use it because the northern level of your winter street journey route, and head south to Newcastle or Durham.
- After exploring these great cities, head to Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool for extra big festivities.
After all, you could possibly simply spend a weekend street journey simply in London, exploring the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park and all of the smaller Christmas Markets across the metropolis.
Greatest Winter street journeys for climbing and open air
The UK has some fabulous Nationwide Parks, that are open all yr. Throughout summer season months, they’ll get very crowded, however throughout winter you possibly can typically have locations all to your self!
In case you’re dwelling in a van over winter, don’t overlook that many Nationwide Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so you should definitely observe these. Right here’s easy methods to discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Eire
Northern Eire Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 220 miles
Beneficial No. of Days: 2-3 days
Greatest time to go to: November, December, January, February, March
The Causeway Coastal Route is among the greatest winter street journeys in Northern Eire. Highlights embody:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Citadel
- Darkish Hedges
Winter street journey route concept
- Begin your Eire street journey by visiting the well-known Giants Causeway. It’s a few 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 season the queues could be prolonged, however in winter you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy.
- One other distinctive cease is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Citadel which dangle above the ocean beneath.
- Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This street options in Sport 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 case you’re motorhoming in Eire you possibly can’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 possibly can comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You possibly can really do it in a day when you actually push. Don’t miss the Titanic museum in Belfast- it’s unimaginable.
Wish to go to southern Eire? See concepts for the perfect winter street journeys in Europe
Yorkshire Moors
Yorkshire is the proper winter street journey vacation spot. The moors look magical lined in snow however there are nonetheless loads of locations open all yr.
Highlights of a Yorkshire street journey embody:
- Hardraw Drive- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or no less than the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Quite a few castles and ruins
Yorkshire Street Journey Itinerary concepts
Begin your street journey within the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Citadel 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 possibly can go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in someday! 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 motion pictures.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historical pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
In case you’re in search of a weekend UK street 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 Manner driving routes– North and Cambrian and it’s simple to see why.
Just about all the things in Snowdonia includes being open air, so be sure you convey applicable clothes for the time of yr. In winter, you’re prone 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 Manner street journey routes, together with:
- recommended routes round Wales
- greatest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the best way
- and different ideas for touring Wales
One of the best winter street journey routes for well-liked UK locations
Winter is the proper time to go to locations that are often loopy busy.
Locations like Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District and the Cotswolds are a lot quieter and simpler to discover on the street journey.
Listed below are our favorite street journey concepts:
Cornwall
Cornwall is considered one of our favorite locations to street journey in England. I spent 2 years dwelling there while I used to be within the Navy, and have been again many instances since. There are many issues to do in Cornwall, however there are some necessary ideas you might want to know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall among the best England street journeys?
If you need cute villages, unimaginable seashores and extra historical past than you possibly can shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Though some locations do shut in winter, lots of the fundamental sights stay open all yr, and the dearth of crowds makes it even higher.
How lengthy must you spend roadtripping Cornwall?
How lengthy is a chunk of string!! However, as you possibly can see on our Cornish street journey itinerary, we suggest 7-10 days minimal to see all the perfect locations.
The place are the perfect locations to go to in Cornwall on a street journey?
A few of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embody:
For a full record of the perfect locations to go to on a Cornwall street journey, go to our Cornwall Street Journey Itinerary & Information
Devon
Even in Winter, Devon is a implausible street journey vacation spot. It’s nonetheless filled with cute villages, stunning hills and seashores and loads of cafes!
Highlights and greatest locations to go to in Devon
My dad and mom stay right here, so I’ve spent numerous time exploring the county. A few of my favorite embody:
- Dartmouth- among the best cities within the county. Rent a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seashore with the crimson 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 complete record of my favorite Devon street journey concepts right here.
Lake District
The Lake District Nationwide Park is an ideal UK winter street journey concept. It has a number of the worlds greatest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Go and Kirkstone Go are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they might be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can also be price a cease, as are the beautiful cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
Within the South Lakes, Grasmere (dwelling of William Wordsworth) is price visiting and when you love Beatrix Potter, you possibly can go to her dwelling in Hawkshead. There’s additionally Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.Â
Another highlights for winter street journeys embody:
- 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 street journey
The Cotswolds is the biggest Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB) in England and Wales and it seems to be 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 considered one of my private favourites)
- go to the historic metropolis of Tub
- marvel on the mysterious historical stones of Stonehenge
- cease on the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.
Wiltshire & Cotswolds winter street journey itinerary
- Ideally, spend 3-4 days exploring as many beautiful little cities and villages of the Cotswolds as you want to. A number of the prettiest villages embody Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Decrease Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Citadel Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Tub is simply a 30-minute drive from the village of Citadel Combe- properly price a go to. Don’t miss visiting the Roman baths and having a cream tea within the tea rooms there.
- When you’ve got time, head East to Stonehenge. In case you’re in a motorhome or camper, you possibly can camp in a single day at Stonehenge (That is the place we noticed probably the most INCREDIBLE dawn we’ve EVER seen. (Significantly, watch the video. It’s breathtaking)
- From Stonehenge, it’s solely a 20-minute drive into the medieval city of Salisbury, the place you possibly can discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
In case you’re planning a UK street journey, you may discover these posts useful:
