The Jurassic Coast from Exmouth to Dorset may have been named the best summer road trip route for 2022, but the list certainly doesn’t end there. The British Isles are jam-packed with wildflowers, sea views, and rolling meadows to feast your eyes on as you journey across the land. As road tripping makes its well-deserved comeback this year, consider these routes for your next summertime expedition around the Isles.
North Coast 500, Scotland
No list of Great Britain’s best road trip routes would be complete without the North Coast 500 through the famed and beautiful Scottish Highlands. There’s a reason why this route is on everyone’s list in 2022. The winding path leads roadies through 500 miles of ancient green expanses, rugged old mountains and white, sandy beaches on misty shores. Starting at the Northernmost Coast of Scotland, this route carries you all the way through the Black Isle, Sutherland, Caithness and Wester Ross, before finally ending at Inverness, where the famed Inverness Castle awaits you.
On this route, you can expect to see some twisty roads, and maybe even some local wildlife if the weather is warm enough, so be vigilant. And make sure to check your gas regularly. Contrary to popular belief, it does have an expiration date, and you don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for help when you could be enjoying the scenic route.
Norfolk, England
Summertime is the perfect time to visit Norfolk to enjoy its mild sunny beaches and farmlands that stretch as far as the eye can see. An easy route to complete over the course of a weekend, this road trip through Victorian beach towns and seaside villages has got to be on your bucket list for 2022. Starting at Hunstanton, this route takes you through old-fashioned villages, inns, antique shops and beaches until finishing at Sea Palling on the North East Norfolk coast. You’ll see candy-coloured beach huts, golden sandy beaches, and maybe some deer, hares, or even a golden pheasant!
The entire stretch of Norfolk’s route is like a trip into Victorian England, with old buildings and pub restaurants that serve classic dishes like Cromer crab and Eggs Benedict. It’s a short journey crammed with local wildlife and beachgoers who are welcoming and friendly.
Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
The best time to go on an adventure down the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is summer and spring, when the wildflowers are bright and blossoming. This journey alongside Ireland’s wild seas starts at the craggy cliffs of Donegal in the North, moving down all the way to Country Cork.
The scenes you’ll pass on this road trip are some of the most historically beautiful in all of Ireland, such as Port Arthur’s dreamy beach, the whimsical waterside castles of the Atlantic and enough characterful old pubs to last a lifetime.
This summer, you can expect to see volumes of cowslips, red clovers, and brambles in the soft green pastures of Ireland. Proof yet again that the British Isles are in fact one of the world’s most idyllic places to explore by car.
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