No Place Like Home – Five Essential UK and Ireland Road Trips

Having pulled back the curtains this morning only to be greeted by truly miserable weather coupled with the unceasingly sad sight of the car on axle stands we thought we’d cheer ourselves up by planning some more jovial jaunts. Someone once said that the key to happiness is to always have at least one trip planned so that you consistently have something to look forward to, and do you know what, we think they were on to something. That doesn’t mean it has to be some epic adventure across the other side of the world costing thousands of pounds, however. Far from it. There are plenty of amazing places to visit on these fair isles we call home and seeing as how this is Car & Classic we thought we’d list five of the best road trips to devour right here in the UK and Ireland. So whether it be by four wheels or two, grab some mates and get planning!

1) NC500

Kicking things off is the North Coast 500 in Scotland. This route is often included in great road trip lists and for good reason. Named for its length the NC500 covers just over 500 miles (516 to be exact) of breathtaking rugged coastline in the North Highlands of Scotland. Passing through Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-shire, each region offers its own unique scenery and experiences. Using any of the myriad towns and villages along the way as a base the NC500 is not only an amazing route but also a great way to get off the beaten track and explore more of beautiful rural Scotland.

Starting and ending in Inverness we would recommend allowing at least five days to properly take everything in. Whether you decide to go clockwise or anti-clockwise is entirely up to you, the important thing is to take your time and enjoy it. Yes you could blast it out in a fraction of the time but this isn’t Cadwell Park and to do so would completely miss the whole point. Summer is obviously far busier and the scourge of caravans and campers can be an issue but the NC500 can be enjoyed year round. There are myriad sites and forums discussing the route in detail, including the official website so do your research and then pick some dates.

C&C highlight: the stunning Applecross Peninsula in Wester Ross

2) Ring of Kerry

Heading to Ireland for the second in our list of road trips finds us taking in the gorgeous Ring of Kerry. Typically beginning in Killarney you can drive in either direction, much like the NC500 above. Drink in the stunning views (and maybe a Guinness or two) of this 111mile route that includes picturesque fields, ancient castles and brilliant lakes as it winds past beautiful beaches and awe-inspiring cliffs.

Again, like the NC500 the Ring of Kerry will be busier during the summer months but a bit of extra traffic is worth it in our opinion in order to enjoy the route at its beautiful best. The myriad stops you’ll be making along the way to simply bask in the views will be much more enjoyable with the sun on your face. With that said, we would recommend two days with an overnight stay half way round on the coast to experience everything the route has to offer. We flew from the UK and ended up driving it in a Nissan Note hire car and whilst we did still very much enjoy the drive the entire experience would have been just that little bit more special had we been in a classic. Don’t make the same mistake. Get the ferry and take your own car or bike.

C&C highlight: Torc Waterfall, Killarney National Park

3) Atlantic Highway

Evoking images of the Pacific Coast Highway in America, if by name only, the Atlantic Highway is much closer to home but still incredibly rewarding as far as road trips go. Taking you on a coastal journey through south west England this is basically the A39, but that sounds rubbish. The Atlantic Highway is far more romantic and a much more fitting moniker for this bewitching and storied stretch of tarmac. Running from Bath to the south Cornish coast at Falmouth you can drive the entire road, or hop off at Wadebridge and continue to hug the coast all the way to Land’s End.

Winding through Somerset, Devon and Cornwall the Atlantic Highway takes in some of the best beaches in the country, not to mention rolling hills, breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the wonderful Exmoor National Park. With that in mind we would treat this drive as more of a holiday and take a week off to fully explore the various highlights of the route, from Bude beach and Newquay to all of the hiking and cycling trails and picturesque villages along the way.

C&C highlight: watching the sun set in Newquay with a fish and chip supper.

4) Black Mountain Pass

Wales is a petrolhead playground for any discerning driver and there are many routes to enjoy, from the Snowdonia National Park to coastal adventures but for this list we’re concentrating on the Black Mountain Pass in the Brecon Beacons. To give it its official, rather boring name, the A4069 connects Llandovery with Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, crossing over the Black Mountain range in the process.

At only 23 miles long it’s the shortest drive in the list but we would recommend incorporating it into a wider Welsh adventure and enjoying more of what this beautiful and charming country has to offer. Popularised by the Top Gear gang it has become a must visit destination for many a driving enthusiast and the general consensus is to start in the north and work your way south. It can be a challenge with steep climbs, thrilling descents and switchback corners but the rewards are worth it. Oh, and stay alert for wandering sheep!

C&C highlight: Herbert’s Pass for the incredible views and ubiquitous Instagram photos.

5) Snake Pass

Up there with the Lake District as one of the UK’s most beloved National Parks the Peak District is a heavy hitter when it comes to road trips and driving roads, not least of which is the Snake Pass. Connecting Manchester and Sheffield the A57 rises over 500m above sea level as it winds its way across the Pennines.

This 26 mile long stretch of tarmac is another challenging drive with myriad bends, elevation changes, adverse cambers and blind summits so if you’re not too confident behind the wheel then save this particular jaunt for the dry summer months. With incredible scenery and superb views it’s a highlight of the Peak District for us but again, like some of the other routes on this list, it would make a great excursion as part of a more in depth adventure into the Peak District. Speaking of which, it would be rude not to take in other top sights such as the Derwent Dam and reservoir nearby so start from Glossop and head East over the pass.

C&C highlight: nearby Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District, offering jaw-dropping views.

With so many excellent road trips in the UK and Ireland you don’t have to travel far or spend all of your pocket money to enjoy a great drive on these shores of ours. This short list is a mere drop in the ocean so get out there and explore this beautiful part of the world that we’re all lucky to call home, just make sure your classic is up to the task. And if you need a suitable steed for your trip then look no further than Car & Classic. We’ve got you covered.