Planning a winter street journey within the UK? Questioning whether or not it’s best to head for the Northern Lights in Scotland, the snow-capped peaks in Wales, or use the time to go to common places like Cornwall or the Lake District? We’ve lined the perfect routes that will help you select your excellent UK winter street journey.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE street journey planner under to assist preserve you organised.
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Why do a winter street journey within the UK?
Most individuals assume which you could’t go winter motorhoming or take pleasure in a street journey throughout a UK winter. But it surely’s really top-of-the-line occasions to discover the British Isles- quieter roads, unimaginable surroundings and quick access to lots of the lovely Nationwide Parks now we have on our doorstep.
Even higher, many motorhome websites or camp grounds have decreased costs, as do many prime points of interest, so it actually is a good time to discover.
All it is advisable to do is make sure that your automobile is appropriate for winter street journeys, costume up warmly after which head out in your winter journey!
The very best UK winter street journey routes you may’t miss
All of us have totally different priorities. That’s one of many issues I really like a lot about street trips- the liberty to benefit from the belongings you like.
Even higher, the UK has LOADS to take pleasure in throughout winter, together with world-class Christmas markets, winter festivals, meals festivals, snow sports activities and unbelievable strolling over moors and hills.
We’ve chosen a wide range of winter street journey concepts that will help you select the right possibility for you. In fact, you may decide and select or mix ones to create your excellent winter getaway.
Suggestions for driving in winter
In case you’re planning a winter street journey, there’s not a lot distinction from planning a UK street journey at some other time of the 12 months, however you do want to ensure of some issues.
- Be sure your automobile has been checked/ serviced and is able to coping with colder climate
- In case you’re travelling in a van, make sure that your motorhome heating is working.
- Be sure your tyres are protected and appropriate for the roads. Even when there’s no snow, you may anticipate to drive in heavy rain in some unspecified time in the future in your journey
- Test windscreen wipers and screenwash ranges
- Carry drink and snacks with you
- In case you’re not planning a motorhome journey, make sure you carry a thermos of scorching drink or a range and kettle, simply in case you get caught someplace chilly. Additionally, have a few blankets with you too.
- Be sure your telephones are charged and ideally use a correct sat-nav with visitors updates so you may see if a street turns into blocked or closed.
The very best winter street journey to see the Northern Lights
The most effective-kept secrets and techniques in northern UK is which you could usually see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) from up there.
Positive, they’re not as constant as a few of the different greatest locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but when they’re in your bucket checklist, it’s time to move north throughout winter.
Scotland Northern Lights Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 516 miles
Really helpful No. of Days: 4-5 days
Greatest time to go to: December, January, February
For the perfect likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, you’ll wish to go as far north as potential. The additional north you may get in your winter street journey, the higher.
In case you’re driving a motorhome or campervan, it’s possible you’ll wish to mix this with a NC500 motorhome tour which works alongside the northern coast.
Cease at locations like Sango Sands or Dunnet Bay close to John O’Groats, however ideally you’ll wish to get even additional north. Orkney is well accessible on a street journey, even when you simply go to for a few days.
The very best time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March. In case you’re hoping to see them from Scotland or a few of the northern Isles, November to February is your greatest guess. Simply make sure that to wrap up warmly- the perfect nights to see them are clear and chilly!
In case you’re in a motorhome or campervan, these are the North Coast 500 campsites open all 12 months.
In case you’d prefer to discover extra , right here’s the one NC500 itinerary and route planner you want.
In case you’re up in Scotland, you too can go to the Cairngorms, residence to Aviemore- the UK’s greatest ski and snowboarding resort
The very best UK winter street journey concepts for Christmas Markets
We’re fortunate that there’s a respectable Christmas Market in nearly each huge UK city or metropolis.
Slightly than go to your native one once more, why not make a weekend of it and go to some additional afield?
Almost all have a campsite open all 12 months close by for motorhome holidays or campervan excursions, or there are mattress and breakfasts in each place so that you can keep in your street journey.
Most UK Christmas Markets are open from final November, however some don’t open till mid-December, so make sure you examine earlier than you begin your winter street journey.
Three UK street journey routes to see Christmas Markets
SOUTH CENTRAL
- Begin in Winchester (the Winchester Christmas Market is among the greatest in England) and luxuriate in exploring the town.
- Then head to Salisbury, the place you’ll discover one other unbelievable Christmas Market
- From right here, you may head to the Cotswolds, that are a few of the most picturesque villages within the UK, or you may go to Tub, which is wonderful at any time however particularly good at Christmas.
MIDLANDS
- Begin on the Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is among the greatest Christmas markets within the UK and the most important genuine German market outdoors of Austria or Germany. Don’t neglect your skates so you may ice skate on one of many rinks within the metropolis.
- From right here, proceed your England street journey and head to Stratford upon Avon, Warwick or Royal Leamington Spa for extra conventional Christmas celebrations, or head to Lincoln, residence of the oldest Christmas Market within the UK.
NORTHERN
- Edinburgh is among the greatest cities to go to round Christmas time- the markets listed here are legendary.
- Though this can be a good spot to cease on a Scotland street journey, you would additionally use it because the northern level of your winter street journey route, and head south to Newcastle or Durham.
- After exploring these great cities, head to Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool for extra large festivities.
In fact, you would simply spend a weekend street journey simply in London, exploring the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park and all of the smaller Christmas Markets across the metropolis.
Greatest Winter street journeys for climbing and outdoor
The UK has some fabulous Nationwide Parks, that are open all 12 months. Throughout summer season months, they’ll get very crowded, however throughout winter you may usually have locations all to your self!
In case you’re residing in a van over winter, don’t neglect that many Nationwide Parks have in a single day parking restrictions, so make sure you observe these. Right here’s how one can discover locations to remain in a single day.
Northern Eire
Northern Eire Winter Street Journey
Whole Distance: 220 miles
Really helpful No. of Days: 2-3 days
Greatest time to go to: November, December, January, February, March
The Causeway Coastal Route is among the greatest winter street journeys in Northern Eire. Highlights embody:
- Giants Causeway
- Carrick-a-rede rope bridge
- Dunluce Citadel
- Darkish Hedges
Winter street journey route concept
- Begin your Eire street journey by visiting the well-known Giants Causeway. It’s a few 90-minute drive from Belfast and attempt to get there as early as potential.
- Go to close by Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. In summer season the queues will be prolonged, however in winter you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy.
- One other distinctive cease is the clifftop ruins of Dunluce Citadel which grasp above the ocean under.
- Don’t miss the Darkish Hedges. This street options in Recreation of Thrones and is among the most lovely roads in Eire. It was surprisingly badly signposted once we visited, so don’t miss it. In case you’re motorhoming in Eire you may’t drive down it- I’m not even certain you’ll make it in a campervan!
How lengthy does it take to drive the Causeway coastal route?
You’ll be able to comfortably drive the entire route in a single weekend because it’s fairly a brief route- solely 200 miles. You’ll be able to really do it in a day when you actually push. Don’t miss the Titanic museum in Belfast- it’s unimaginable.
Need to go to southern Eire? See concepts for the perfect winter street journeys in Europe
Yorkshire Moors
Yorkshire is the right winter street journey vacation spot. The moors look magical lined in snow however there are nonetheless loads of locations open all 12 months.
Highlights of a Yorkshire street journey embody:
- Hardraw Pressure- England’s highest single-drop waterfall
- The longest present collapse England- White scar
- Ribblehead Viaduct
- Hogsmeade station (or no less than the station which performed it in Harry Potter!)
- Quite a few castles and ruins
Yorkshire Street Journey Itinerary concepts
Begin your street journey within the lovely Yorkshire Dales. Go to the eleventh century Skipton Citadel or go underground to see the formations in White Scar Caves, the longest present collapse England.
Go to the waterfalls of Ingleton, Aysgarth Falls or Hardraw Pressure- England’s highest single-drop waterfall. These are much more spectacular in winter with the elevated rainfall.
Earlier than leaving the Dales, go to the unimaginable monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Fountains Abbey.
Subsequent, head to the town of York. You’ll be able to go to Viking, Roman, Georgian and Victorian websites all in sooner or later! Don’t miss a stroll alongside the cobbled Shambles, which has usually been voted the ‘Greatest Avenue in Britain.’
Lastly, head out onto the moors. Cease at Goathland prepare station (Hogsmeade station within the Harry Potter motion pictures.)
Alternatively, stretch your legs with a hike on the Gap of Horcum, an enormous historical pure amphitheatre.
Snowdonia
In case you’re in search of a weekend UK street journey concept, head to one of many prettiest Nationwide Parks within the UK- Snowdonia in Wales.
Snowdonia is definitely a part of two of the Wales Method driving routes– North and Cambrian and it’s simple to see why.
Just about every little thing in Snowdonia includes being outdoor, so be sure to convey applicable clothes for the time of 12 months. In winter, you’re prone to get rain, chilly and really presumably snow.
There are many nice roads with spectacular surroundings and the celebrities at evening are unreal, particularly on a crisp Winter evening.
Planning a visit to Wales?
Seize your FREE information to the Wales Method street journey routes, together with:
- steered routes round Wales
- greatest locations to see in your journey
- campsites to remain at alongside the way in which
- and different suggestions for touring Wales
The very best winter street journey routes for common UK locations
Winter is the right time to go to locations that are often loopy busy.
Locations like Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District and the Cotswolds are a lot quieter and simpler to discover on the street journey.
Listed below are our favorite street journey concepts:
Cornwall
Cornwall is considered one of our favorite locations to street journey in England. I spent 2 years residing there while I used to be within the Navy, and have been again many occasions since. There are many issues to do in Cornwall, however there are some essential suggestions it is advisable to know earlier than you arrive!
Why is Cornwall top-of-the-line England street journeys?
In order for you cute villages, unimaginable seashores and extra historical past than you may shake a stick at, Cornwall is ideal. Though some locations do shut in winter, lots of the essential points of interest stay open all 12 months, and the shortage of crowds makes it even higher.
How lengthy do you have to spend roadtripping Cornwall?
How lengthy is a chunk of string!! However, as you may see on our Cornish street journey itinerary, we advocate 7-10 days minimal to see all the perfect locations.
The place are the perfect locations to go to in Cornwall on a street journey?
A few of my absolute favorite locations in Cornwall embody:
For a full checklist of the perfect locations to go to on a Cornwall street journey, go to our Cornwall Street Journey Itinerary & Information
Devon
Even in Winter, Devon is a unbelievable street journey vacation spot. It’s nonetheless stuffed with cute villages, lovely hills and seashores and loads of cafes!
Highlights and greatest locations to go to in Devon
My dad and mom stay right here, so I’ve spent a number of time exploring the county. A few of my favorite embody:
- Dartmouth- top-of-the-line cities within the county. Rent a ship and discover the river.
- Paignton- the seashore with the pink sand
- Exmouth with its lovely painted homes
- Dartmoor
- Saunton Sands
- Fish and Chips from Squires in Braunton
- Salcombe Harbour
- Dulverton- head to the Copper Kettle tea room; you received’t remorse it!
See the total checklist of my favorite Devon street journey concepts right here.
Lake District
The Lake District Nationwide Park is an ideal UK winter street journey concept. It has a few of the worlds greatest scenic drives and a visit alongside the Honister Move and Kirkstone Move are a must- though if it’s snowed closely they might be closed.
The Castlerigg stone circle can also be value a cease, as are the beautiful cities of Keswick and Cockermouth.
Within the South Lakes, Grasmere (residence of William Wordsworth) is value visiting and when you love Beatrix Potter, you may go to her residence in Hawkshead. There may be additionally Beatrix Potter World in Bowness- on- Windermere.
Another highlights for winter street journeys embody:
- The most important pure lake within the UK, Lake Windermere. Some boat excursions run all 12 months however wrap up warmly
- The Punch Bowl Inn in Crosthwaite.
- Aira Pressure Waterfall
- The views at Derwentwater
Cotswolds – a magical UK winter street journey
The Cotswolds is the most important Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB) in England and Wales and it appears to be like SPECTACULAR in winter.
Highlights & Greatest locations to go to within the Cotswolds and surrounding space
- The gorgeous stone villages of the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water is considered one of my private favourites)
- go to the historic metropolis of Tub
- marvel on the mysterious historical stones of Stonehenge
- cease on the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.
Wiltshire & Cotswolds winter street journey itinerary
- Ideally, spend 3-4 days exploring as many beautiful little cities and villages of the Cotswolds as you want to. Among the prettiest villages embody Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Decrease Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Citadel Combe.
- The historic metropolis of Tub is simply a 30-minute drive from the village of Citadel Combe- properly value a go to. Don’t miss visiting the Roman baths and having a cream tea within the tea rooms there.
- When you’ve got time, head East to Stonehenge. In case you’re in a motorhome or camper, you may camp in a single day at Stonehenge (That is the place we noticed probably the most INCREDIBLE dawn we’ve EVER seen. (Significantly, watch the video. It’s breathtaking)
- From Stonehenge, it’s solely a 20-minute drive into the medieval city of Salisbury, the place you may discover Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest spire in all of Britain!
In case you’re planning a UK street journey, you may discover these posts useful:
