If you and your friends have been wanting to go on a road trip for a while, but don’t have the time to go too far afield, why not road trip around the UK? Okay, so it might not be hot and you may not get to experience different cultures. But you will get the opportunity to see some fantastic places. And of course, you’ll also get the chance to meet lots of new people and make new friends. It might not seem as exciting as driving around a foreign country, but with a little planning, you can make a UK road trip just as enjoyable.
With so many incredible cities, towns, sites and attractions, it might be a struggle choosing where to go and what to do. To help you ensure that you pick all the best places to visit and plan the most fantastic trip, here are a few tips to take note of.
Decide how long you’ll go for
The first thing that you need to do is decide on the length of your trip. Do you have just a few days to spare, or do you have a little longer. The longer you have to travel, the more places you can see. Work out how long you and your travel buddies have, and then start to plan your trip accordingly.
If you only have a few days, it’s best to visit a couple of places that are no further than two hours from home. Otherwise, you’ll spend most of your time in the car, travelling from place to place. If, however, you have a longer period, you can visit where ever takes your fancy.
Pick the perfect places to visit
The next step is the hardest – choosing where you will visit. The chances are that even though you live in the UK, there are plenty of places that you haven’t seen. Get your travel group together and each write down three places that you want to visit and then choose the best ones. To make it fair, make sure to choose at least once place from each person’s list.
Just in case you’re struggling to come up with ideas, we have put together a few suggestions for you:
If you haven’t explored London properly, this has to be on your list. The capital of the UK deserves, at least, a few days to be explored, as there is just so much to see and do. From museums and art galleries to The London Eye and Trafalgar Square, there are so many different things to see and do. Not to mention all the amazing bars and restaurants dotted around the city that are in need of exploring.
Do you love to surf? If so, you have to visit Newquay in Cornwall. One of the UK’s best surfing spots, Newquay has some amazing beaches to explore. As well as being one of the most amazing surf spots in the UK, Newquay also has some great nightlife on offer. And lots of lovely restaurants and hotels, as well as various other attractions, too.
If you’re thrill seekers, a trip to Blackpool is a must. One of the UK’s best theme parks, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is something that you have to experience. The rest of Blackpool is lovely as well and is home to theatres, restaurants and bars, and various clubs.
Have you been to Scotland before? If the answer is no, Edinburgh in Scotland has to be on your travel list. This capital city is almost as impressive as London and is somewhere that everyone should see at least once. Packed full of shops, restaurants and bars, and various other attractions, Edinburgh has a lot to offer. It’s a fun, vibrant and multicultural city; that’s perfect for a spot of exploring.
Get your route sorted
Once you have chosen all the places that you want to see, the next step is to plan your route. Write down a list of all the places you’re visiting, and use a map to work out where each place is in relation to the other. Aim to make your route as efficient as possible, so that you don’t waste time or money.
Using your map and a satnav, work out what the quickest route would be that includes every location on your list. It’s important to get this sorted beforehand so that you can book your accommodation before you go. While it might be tempting to leave booking your accommodation until you arrive, this isn’t a good idea. You don’t want to be left with nowhere to stay, do you? In the summer accommodation can book up quickly, so it’s always best to book in advance.
Get deals on accommodation
To make your trip as affordable as possible, when it comes to booking your accommodation, look out for deals. You can often get some amazing discounts if you book early, so if you can, book your hotels as soon as possible. That way, you’ll save yourself money. The best sites to book through are Wowcher and Secret Escapes – these both have some fabulous deals on.
If you want to keep your trip as cheap as possible, you could always camp. All you would need would be a tent and a few essentials, and that’s it. Camping is incredibly cheap, especially if you book in advance. Have a look online to find all the best campsites on your route – not all sites are equal, and book suitable ones.
Make it fun
The most important thing about your road trip is that it should be fun. You’ll most probably only travel the UK once, so make sure that you enjoy every minute of it. Don’t let yourself get stressed out by all the planning and organisation, as travelling is meant to be enjoyable. You’ll find that your trip is much calmer and less stressful if you do as much planning in advance as possible.
There you go, everything that you need to know about planning the most amazing road trip around the UK. Take note of these tips, and you can ensure that your road trip is a massive success.