For road trippers, England is a great choice if you’re keen to combine your love of scenic driving with a passion for automobiles of every kind. This is a country with a great range of pretty rural and coastal roads. It also has well organized stretches of motorway that cover miles and will get you from A to B with ease.
Wherever the road takes you, you can happily tick off the most visited places in England or plan your journey to include must-see motor museums and vintage car events. Alternatively, you might prefer regular stop-offs or the chance to relax and enjoy memorable driving experiences along the way.
So, whether you’re into classic motors or simply crave beautiful driving conditions, these carefully chosen routes offer something for anyone crazy about cars.
Route Planners and Historic Highlights
To kick off your road trip, England has 48 counties interlinked with great roads of various types that allow drivers to travel from North to South and everywhere in between with no problem. Driving holidays can follow Route Planner directions and are a fantastic way to see many iconic landmarks, areas of natural beauty, and historic sights, such as:
The Cotswolds Circuit
Distance: 75 miles | Duration: 1-2 days Begin this charming journey in Cheltenham, winding through honey-colored villages and rolling hills. The route takes you through Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water, passing ancient churches and traditional English pubs. Don’t miss the Arlington Row in Bibury, described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England.”
The Atlantic Highway (North Devon and Cornwall)
Distance: 135 miles | Duration: 2-3 days Starting in Barnstaple, Devon, this stunning coastal route (A39) hugs the dramatic Atlantic coastline. Pass through the surfing haven of Bude, visit Tintagel Castle’s mysterious ruins, and continue to the artistic hub of St. Ives. The route offers spectacular ocean views and access to hidden beaches.
Peak District Heritage Trail
Distance: 90 miles | Duration: 1-2 days Beginning in Buxton, this route winds through the UK’s first national park. Visit Chatsworth House, explore the caverns at Castleton, and drive the famous Snake Pass. The route includes both challenging mountain roads and serene valley drives, particularly beautiful during autumn.
Norfolk Coast and Broads
Distance: 125 miles | Duration: 2 days Starting in King’s Lynn, follow the coastal road through Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer, before heading inland to explore the Norfolk Broads. This route combines seaside charm with Britain’s largest protected wetland, passing historic windmills and offering numerous bird-watching opportunities.
Yorkshire Moors and Dales Circuit
Distance: 150 miles | Duration: 2-3 days Beginning in York, this route encompasses two national parks. Drive through Helmsley, across the North York Moors, visit Whitby Abbey, then head west to the Yorkshire Dales, passing through charming villages like Grassington and Hawes. The route includes the famous Buttertubs Pass, a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Rich Heritage Drives
For history buffs, you might prefer to plan your driving journey to take in Roman Britain following the ancient Roman roads from London to Bath.
London to Bath
Covering a distance of 110 miles, in about two days you can plan your trip to incorporate key stops at England’s unmissable Roman sites. Combining rich heritage with stunning countryside, this exceptional drive takes you to Silchester’s Roman walls along the infamous Fosse Way from Exeter to Lincoln. You’ll end up in Bath, where you won’t fail to be impressed by its famous baths and impressive architecture.
Cathedral Drive
Likewise, spanning 180 miles, this route connects England’s greatest cathedral cities, starting at Canterbury, moving through Winchester, Salisbury, and ending in Wells. This route passes through medieval towns and offers insights into England’s ecclesiastical heritage.
Read More: Scenic Walking Tour Through The Best Churches in London
Shakespeare’s Way
Meanwhile, your trip to England is not complete without experiencing ‘Shakespeare’s England’ on route. Across just 45 miles, Explore Warwickshire’s Shakespeare Country, starting in Stratford-upon-Avon, visiting Mary Arden’s Farm, and continuing through the Forest of Arden. This compact route offers rich literary history alongside beautiful Tudor architecture.
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Coastal Drives
If your preference is for coastal driving, England has an awesome mix of pebble beaches, rugged rocky areas, and dramatic cliffs to see. Here are a few to choose from:
Suffolk Shores
One outstanding 50-mile route will be a roadside discovery of the impressive Suffolk coast. Beginning in Felixstowe, you’ll steer through pretty areas of Aldeburgh, Southwold, and Dunwich before reaching Benjamin Britten’s Red House which opens in spring 2025.
Once here, take the rare opportunity to visit the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch, explore abandoned WWII airfields, and end at the curious “House in the Clouds” in Thorpeness.
Jurassic Coast
Or, follow Dorset’s UNESCO World Heritage coastline from Poole to Exeter to check out the Jurassic Coast on your road trip. Stop at Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, and West Bay, with opportunities for fossil hunting and coastal walks.
Northumberland and the Dark Sky Park
Another epic drive in Northumberland follows the coastal route from Newcastle to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Along this route, you’ll spot some incredible castles, such as Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh, and can head across to Holy Island if the tide permits.
A more tranquil version starts from Rothbury and takes drivers to England’s least populated region, passing through the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. This is perfect for an unusual night-time drive under starlit skies.
Lake District Loop
Arguably, one of the country’s most dramatic and beautiful routes is the 85-miles Lake District Loop that encircles England’s largest national park. Starting in Kendal, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the charming market towns of Ambleside, Keswick, and Ullswater with challenging passes like Kirkstone and Honister.
Vintage Car Events
Despite one in four cars now being electric, there’s still a lot of interest for vintage motors as well as a number of annual vintage car events in 2025.
Welcoming like-minded enthusiasts, they make a great day out if you enjoy seeing restored classics, private collections, and rare models. These shows attract many visitors from home and abroad each year, with some of the best being:
- The Great British Car Collection (Peak District): Hidden in an unmarked warehouse near Buxton, this private collection of British vehicles is open by appointment only. Features rare prototypes and experimental models never put into production.
- The Motorcycle Graveyard (Norfolk): A fascinating private collection of over 1,000 abandoned motorcycles in various states of decay, arranged in artistic formations. Access is by special permission only, making it a unique photo opportunity for automotive enthusiasts.
- Goodwood Revival, West Sussex (September 2025).
- London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (November 2025).
- Classic Motor Show at NEC Birmingham (November 2025).
Top Motor Museums
If you’re purely on a road trip to England to tick off car museums, you won’t be disappointed as there are many that give visitors fascinating insights into the country’s automotive history. With a window into the world of classic and modern cars, here are a selection:
- Haynes International Motor Museum, Somerset: Over 400 cars and motorcycles. In 2025, there will be a signature car show, The John Haynes Classic, taking place on Sunday 7 September 2025 will feature the Haynes Manual Display – a curated collection of cars and motorcycles immortalised in the famous Haynes Manuals, which have guided countless DIY enthusiasts around the world.
- Brooklands Museum, Surrey: The world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit and a large display of British built vehicles, from the pre-war Alvis, Norton and Sunbeam right through to the latest Jaguar models.
- National Motor Museum, Beaulieu: From the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, the world-famous National Motor Museum has one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia in the world. Over 250 vehicles and famous TV/film cars.
Aside from the most famous, there are some lesser-known motor museums that might pique your interest. The following are perfect for roadtrippers seeking experiences beyond the usual tourist trail, and include:
- The Bubble Car Museum (Lincolnshire): Tucked away in Boston, Lincolnshire, this eccentric museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of micro-cars and bubble cars from the 1950s and ’60s. Visitors can explore rare models like the Heinkel Kabine and Isetta, offering a glimpse into post-war European automotive innovation.
- The Radar Museum (Norfolk): Home to the world’s first radar-guided automatic car park from the 1950s. While the system is no longer operational, the original equipment and plans are on display.
Regarding road rules and safety, remember that driving is on the left side of the road across the UK, and the maximum speed limit on motorways is 70 mph, with variable signs that you need to be aware of. You’ll also likely encounter narrow rural, village, and coastal roads where you’ll need to use designated passing places to allow for two-way traffic.
If you’re planning a trip to England in 2025, March through to October are the best times of year to visit with ideal driving conditions for your journey, and Guidester can help create your perfect road trip itinerary!
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