Driving the UK’s standout countryside routes
The UK is packed with a wide variety of picturesque sights that need to be seen to be admired. To ensure you see the best that the country has to offer, take a look at this guide of the UK’s standout countryside routes, compiled by luxurious Audi dealership Vindis:
Buttertubs Pass
Area of the UK: Yorkshire Dales
Starting point: Cloggerby Rigg, Richmond
Finishing point: Penn Lane, Hawes
Distance covered: 6.9 miles
Highlights of the route:
- It begins with a steep climb along Cliff Gate Road, followed by a series of fast descents and tight corners.
- The route goes past the deep limestone potholes of Buttertubs.
- The route can often be completed within 15 minutes.
Views of the Lake District
Area of the UK: Lake District
Starting point: Kendal
Finishing point: Keswick
Distance covered: 38.6 miles
Highlights of the route:
- It offers remarkable views of the Lakeland fells.
- The route passes along the banks of both Lake Windermere and Lake Thirlmere.
- It goes through countryside which served as inspiration for both William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
- It passes through the village of Grasmere, where a pair of Wordsworth’s former houses can be seen.
Winding Roads of the Cotswolds
Area of the UK: The Cotswolds
Starting point: Cheltenham
Finishing point: Stratford-upon-Avon
Distance covered: 32.7 miles
Highlights of the route:
- It finishes in Stratford-upon-Avon — the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
- The route passes through the tranquil green hills of Cotswolds.
- Meadows filled with wildflowers can be seen throughout the route, as well as views of sheep pastures and woodland.
- A series of English villages are visited along the route, not to mention the historic town of Chipping Campden.
Gateway to the Highlands
Area of the UK: Scottish Highlands
Starting point: Glasgow
Finishing point: Fort William
Distance covered: 108 miles
Highlights of the route:
- It can be completed within three hours.
- The route passes along the shores of Loch Lomond, as well as through both Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
- You get to climb into the Black Mountains — views of the beautiful Rannoch Moor can also be seen to the right throughout this part of the route.
- Glen Coe with surrounding volcanic mountain scenery makes up around 12 miles of the route.
- The Three Sisters, Loch Leven and the giant Loch Linnhe are standout moments towards the end of the journey.
- At the end of the route, glimpses of Britain’s tallest mountain Ben Nevis can be taken in.
Castle to Castle
Area of the UK: Northumberland
Starting point: Alnwick
Finishing point: Lindisfarne
Distance covered: 26.4 miles
Highlights of the route:
- As well as starting at Alnwick Castle and finishing at Lindisfarne Castle, the historic Bamburgh Castle can also be viewed along the route.
- The route passes by Lindisfarne Nature Reserve; a paradise for bird lovers.
- 30 minutes should be enough time to complete the route.
- Fishing villages, sandy beaches, rolling hills, rugged moorland and picturesque market towns are all seen throughout the route too.
- The route concludes at Lindisfarne — otherwise known as Holy Island — where Lindisfarne Priory can be explored. This was once the home of St Oswald, as well as the place where Lindisfarne Gospels were created.
The Atlantic Highway
Area of the UK: North Cornwall coast
Starting point: Barnstaple
Finishing point: Newquay
Distance covered: 76.2 miles
Highlights of the route:
- Some of the most breath-taking coastlines of the UK can be seen along this stretch of the north Cornwall coast.
- Constantine Bay and Bedruthan Steps can both be viewed when travelling along the route.
- There’s a private toll road along the route, which can be taken as a detour in order to take in the picture-perfect lighthouse located at Trevose Head.
Slate Country Under Snowdon
Area of the UK: Snowdon National Park, Wales
Starting point: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Finishing point: Llanberis
Distance covered: 27.5 miles
Highlights of the route:
- A landscape of slate slag serves as the first sight to be seen when beginning this route, while the Llechwedd Slate Caverns is another early viewing highlight.
- The route passes very close to Swallow Falls, before working its way along the towering Pen-y-Pass — otherwise known as Llanberis Pass.
- You will be at the foot of Mount Snowdon when you reach the end of this route.
Causeway Coastal Route
Area of the UK: Northern coast of Northern Ireland
Starting point: Londonderry
Finishing point: Belfast
Distance covered: 130 miles
Highlights of the route:
- The route almost exclusively takes place along the magnificent coastal scenery that Northern Ireland is famous for.
- There’s three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to see along the route; the Glens of Antrim, the Causeway Coast and the cliffs of Binevenagh.
- The route also passes through a series of tiny, peaceful villages.
Journey Under the Ribblehead Viaduct
Area of the UK: Yorkshire Dales
Starting point: Hornby
Finishing point: Ribblehead Viaduct
Distance covered: 15.5 miles
Highlights of the route:
- You can wind your way through some of the most magnificent sights that the Yorkshire Dales has to offer.
- The route passes under the 400-metre-high Ribblehead Viaduct; a structure that was constructed in 1870 and has since been listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Movie fans may also recognise the landmark, as it made a cameo appearance during the Harry Potter film series.
Drive Into Cheddar Gorge
Area of the UK: Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Starting point: Bridgwater
Finishing point: Cheddar Gorge
Distance covered: 19.2 miles
Highlights of the route:
- Cheddar Gorge — the UK’s deepest gorge — serves as the finishing point of this route.
- When travelling along the B3135 part of the route, you will have the opportunity to pass 27 magnificent limescale cliffs which are conveniently situated just to the side of the road.
- The tourist village of Cheddar is also ventured through during the closing moments of the route.