The Lake District has once again been voted the UK’s top road trip location in a new piece of research conducted byleading fuel brand – JET.
1250 UK drivers were asked to rank their favourite UK road trips with just over one-fifth (22%) voting for the Cumbrian national park as their favourite destination with 56% voting it into their top three.
Described by Wordsworth as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath found’ – more than 200 years on, the lakes and breath-taking roads that often hug the water’s edge continue to beguile today’s UK drivers. And while we could be forgiven for thinking that the romantic lure of the Lakes is lost on the young – think again! Gen Z drivers (18-24) were the most enthusiastic about the Lake District road trip with one-quarter voting it into the top spot and an unequivocal 59% voting it into their top three.
The stunning drive from Devon to Cornwall, ranked in second place this year with The Peak District taking third place. Other popular road trip destinations include: the North Coast 500, North Yorkshire Moors/Road to Whitby and The Cotswolds.
And while all drivers, across all age groups were unanimous in their top choice of the Lake District, there was less agreement when it came to other favoured UK road trips. 18–24-year-olds selected Devon to Cornwall as their second choice with The Peak District, Stone Henge/Cotswolds and North Coast 500, as their next most popular locations.
In contrast, the over 65s voted for an arguably more adventurous mix with the North Coast 500 as their second pick, the North Yorkshire Moors in third, Devon to Cornwall fourth and Snowdonia to Anglesey in fifth place.
The UK’s Top Ten Road Trips
The Lake District
Devon to Cornwall
Peak District
North Coast 500
North Yorkshire Moors/Road to Whitby
Cotswolds Roads
Stone Henge/Cotswolds
Snowdonia to Anglesey
Scottish Borders between Northumberland and Edinburgh
Norfolk Coast
Gen Z’s Top Ten Road Trips:
The Lake District
Devon to Cornwall
Peak District
Stone Henge/Cotswolds
North Coast 500
North Yorkshire Moors
The Causeway
A303 down to the West Country
Norfolk Coast
Snowdonia to Anglesey
Top Ten Road Trips 65+:
The Lake District
North Coast 500
North Yorkshire Moors
Devon to Cornwall
Snowdonia to Anglesey
Scottish Borders between Northumberland and Edinburgh
Peak District
The Cotswolds roads
Stone Henge/Cotswolds
The Causeway
JET’s inaugural road trip study was conducted in September 2020.
Rabbie’s Get Out & Help Out 20 per cent discount encourages winter travels and helps support destinations in UK and Ireland
Embrace the cooler months and make the most of the UK’s snowy landscapes on a Rabbie’s tour (www.rabbies.com) this winter. The award-winning small group tour specialist takes guests to gorgeous locations that may just be draped in a blanket of icy white snow, with guaranteed departures.
Over the last few years travel rules have made it difficult to explore during the winter months. To encourage snowy adventures, and to help support UK destinations, Rabbie’s are offering a 20 per cent discount on all UK and Ireland tours departing in February. The Get Out & Help Out is available using the GETOUT20 at www.rabbies.com.
While the rest of the country is huddling inside, pull on your trusty woolly hat and gloves, and give yourself something to look forward to with a trip exploring wide open spaces to experience the rugged British landscape at its most striking.
Guests on Rabbie’s tours are taken on their adventures in luxury 16-seater mini-coaches and enjoy the services and stories of friendly driver-guides. Catch breath-taking views out of the large windows and keep an eye out for winter wildlife and incredible scenery.
Winter tours to brighten your days include:
Windermere, Lancaster & the Lake District
Mountains of literature have been written about this corner of England and a visit during its winter months will show you why.
The stark beauty of the Lakes is truly revealed when snow rests on the peaks and clear blue skies spread out in front of you in all directions. Experience this region’s true serenity at winter during its quietest months.
Departing from Manchester, travel to the popular town of Bowness which sits proudly on the shores of Lake Windermere, take a cruise on the lake or enjoy a delicious coffee and cake in one of the town’s many coffee houses.
Travel towards the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead where cobbled lanes and mediaeval squares are waiting to be explored. Grasmere is next, a place described by William Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”.
The famous Grasmere gingerbread will warm you up before you enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden which sits next to the gentle River Rothy. On your way back to Manchester stop off in the city of Lancaster, where you can admire majestic medieval architecture and the spectacular castle that dominates the surrounding district.
Prices for this one-day tour start at £46 per adult based on a February 2022 departure.
The North Coast 500
This very special route, which snakes around the coast of northern Scotland, has become something of a phenomenon among those who value truly wonderful travel experiences.
This tour sets off from Inverness, and soon towering mountains and crystal-clear lochs give way to the shores of sandy beaches.
Leave wintery beaches behind and head north from Ullapool. If you can predict one thing about the Highlands in winter, it’s that the weather will remain unpredictable! Your driver-guide will choose the locations that best suit the climate, but expect historical delights such as the ruins of Ardvreck Castle or adventures into the deep at Smoo Cave, a hearty lunch in a Highland village is guaranteed no matter the weather!
Thurso is the most northerly town on the British mainline and where your third and final day of adventures begin. You’ll have the opportunity to explore old fishing villages and a view out to the wild North Sea at John O’Groats.
Warm up at a Highland Whisky distillery and enjoy beautiful coastal views as you travel to Dunrobin Castle before heading back to Inverness in the early evening. Prices for this tour start at £129 per adult based on tours departing in February 2022.
Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands
A magical place at the best of times, the land of lochs, peaks, and forests feels a little extra wild in winter.
Journey to the Cairngorms National Park, at this time of year wildlife such as mountain hair and Red Deer prowl its land. Take a brisk walk in the Caledonian forests or pay a visit to world-changing battlefields before warming back up during a visit to a Scottish distillery.
Your one night of accommodation is at Inverness, the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, which blends Victorian architecture with a lively modern culture.
On day two of your highland adventure, continue on to Loch Ness. Be sure to wrap up warm for your boat road and keep an eye out for movement below the icy surface!
The Great Glen, a humongous fault line carved through the Scottish landscape, guides your tour south towards Ben Nevis, which is bound to be dusted in white snow. The return journey continues over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor before returning to Edinburgh.
Prices for this two-day tour start at £95 per adult departing in February 2022.
With many people heading to the North of Scotland this summer, road policing officers are reminding road users to be safe on country roads.
Constable Neil MacDonald of Highlands and Islands Road Policing said: “The scenery in the area attracts people from all over the world. While we welcome the visitors we would like to remind them that some of the roads are different to what they may have encountered before and to be careful and safe while visiting.”
Drivers are reminded to reduce speed on approach to bends and junctions and look out for blind summits and hidden dips.
Many of the roads are single track and only wide enough for one vehicle. In these instances there will be signs for passing places and drivers are asked to use these responsibly and use them to allow vehicles to pass and overtake.
Chair of The Highland Council’s Tourism Committee, Gordon Adam said: “Driving throughout the Highlands is truly unique and the journey is very much part of the experience, however it does come with some challenges; particularly on narrow single track roads.
“We encourage all to drive according to the conditions of the road. Be courteous to other road users – please check your mirrors regularly and pull in and let the traffic behind you pass.
“Others may be carrying out vital deliveries or travelling to work, if you see a vehicle flashing headlights, it maybe someone attending an emergency. Pull in and let them pass. Take extra care when passing cyclists and walkers, particularly on single track roads and look out for livestock and horse riders.”
Drivers are also reminded to put away any distractions and always fasten seatbelts.
Constable Neil MacDonald said: “Following this advice will help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip while helping to play your part in ensuring the smooth and safe running of the roads in the north.”
Trish Robertson, chair of the Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: “The Highland Council fully support Police Scotland’s Road Safety campaign to inform visitors of the challenges of driving in rural locations with single track roads.
“Please make use of the nearest passing place and pull to the left to let traffic pass. You may have to reverse to let a vehicle pass. If you see a large vehicle approaching in the distance, be prepared to stop in the next passing place and wait for them to go by you.
“Follow the guidance provided by Police Scotland to ensure that you and other road users can safely enjoy the beautiful Highland scenery.”
Police Scotland have released a new leaflet with advice on Road Safety on Country Roads. The public are asked to share the leaflet:-
In the North of Scotland we are fortunate to be surrounded by stunning scenery, with a road network that enhances the natural beauty of the landscape.
However these roads may be different to what you have encountered before and while we welcome and encourage you to enjoy this beautiful part of the country, we want you to be safe.
Please read and follow these useful pointers to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip, and which should help you to play your part in ensuring the smooth running of our roads on and near the North Coast 500 route:
» Please take extra care on rural roads and reduce your speed on approach to a bend – it may be sharper than it appears and you never know what could be round the corner. Also take care when approaching minor junctions and turnings which may be partially hidden. Drive at a speed that doesn’t affect your decision-making ability – this could be well below the speed limit.
» Look out for blind summits and hidden dips. Keep an eye on road signs and slow down as you approach.
» Single-track roads – these are only wide enough for one vehicle and you will see signs for ‘passing places’. If you observe a vehicle travelling towards you – or the driver behind wants to overtake – pull into a passing place on your left or wait opposite a passing place on your right. Do not park in passing places.
» Give way to vehicles coming uphill whenever you can. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass.
» Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, or farm livestock or wild animals moving from one side of the road to the other. Allow yourself enough time and space to move either into a passing place or off the road.
» Always reduce your speed on the approach to built-up areas.
» Belt up – it could make a crucial difference to you and your passengers in the event of a crash.
» Prepare for the unexpected – you might know the road like the back of your hand, but conditions and other traffic are always changing.
» Put away any distractions. Ignore your phone and do not attempt to set your Sat-Nav while driving.
