It’s that time of year again, with summer only a few months away it’s time to start planning that getaway, and no doubt your newsfeed is being flooded with thousands of pictures of beaches and pools in far distant places. But after a quick look at your bank statement, thoughts of sunning yourself and sipping cocktails in Fiji seem less and less likely. Don’t despair though, because there is a solution: road trip anyone? Ok, before you walk away thinking of those dreadful summer trips you made with your parents to go and see aunty Joan, take a breath and think about what it would actually be like. What could be more fun than going on a road trip to some of the most amazing places with your mates, and stay well within budget?
The joys of taking a road trip
And actually, it’s not such an alien idea. According to research carried out by The Camping and Caravanning Club, 89% of campers say connecting with nature relieves the stress of the modern day world. And after a month of exams – that’s what we want! You can understand why though, with breathtaking views, iconic landmarks, and ragged countryside – the UK is the best place to get those perfect insta snaps.
The best places to visit in the UK
Almost convinced? Well once you have decided on who will be car DJ, navigator, and chief snack provider, it’s time to start planning where to go. Here are the top 5 in the UK which are worth a visit:
Stonehenge
One of the pillars of our heritage, the aptly named ‘stone circle’ lies not too far from London in Salisbury. This iconic landmark of Britain means different things to many different people, and no one really knows how it got there or was created. Its history goes back 4,500 years and it is definitely worth a quick pit stop and a couple of snaps. It is a wonder of the world after all!
Hadrian’s Wall
Now this gem of our heritage is just about as old as you can get. Construction for what is also known as the Roman Wall started as far back as AD 122 and it’s estimated that it took around 6 years to build. On a more recent note, however, the National Trust developed ‘The Hadrian’s Wall Path’ which runs from the east coast of England to the west. It’s easily accessible from Newcastle and Carlisle so head on up north to check it out.
Snake Pass – The Peak District
The Snake Pass is a hill pass in the Peak District which, weather providing, will provide you with stunning views which are second to none. The route is quite fun to drive, though be careful of reckless drivers as you will encounter countless snug corners. It’s also a hot spot for cyclists － so if any of you are bike enthusiasts then get ready for a fantastic ride through the spectacular views of the midlands.
The White Cliffs of Dover
This is one for the keen photographers among you. The White Cliffs of Dover are one of the nation’s most beautiful and natural landmarks. Stretching for as far as the eye can see, looking out over the English Channel, these cliffs were a sign of hope and freedom for thousands of people. You can park your car, grab your camera, and walk along the dramatic cliff tops to truly experience the beauty of them.
Cornwall
For those of you who have read all this and are still dreaming of lying on the beach somewhere don’t worry – I have saved the best for last: Cornwall. With its north, south, and west facing beaches there is plenty choose from. If you want nights out then head to Newquay, if you want culture then head to Padstow and if you just want to relax, then St Austell is calling you.
A final word of advice
Just remember that we want to make your road trip the best it can possibly be. So here’s a little bit of extra advice in case you don’t own a car. There’s plenty of options to get one for your trip — renting, for example, is a really effective and easy way to go. If you do rent, or even if you just borrow a car from friends or family, make sure you’ve got the relevant insurance sorted! That little bit extra peace of mind can make all the difference to the sheer enjoyment of driving.
So there you go, you don’t need to spend huge amounts of money and a passport to find the perfect holiday for you. So grab your mates, grab the essentials, make a cheesy music playlist, and hit the road.
