Described as the land of lands by its current Prime Minister, Britain offers a wide range of beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures and unexpected roads to discover. Venture into the heart of Wales, England, Scotland, and discover the treasures ancient or modern, world-famous or more secret, that await you along the way. And don’t forget to drive on the left!
Cardiff, Wales
Start your trip by heading to Cardiff, the capital of Wales . Rather than brave the famous Welsh rain, take a stroll past Cardiff Castle and along the River Taf, past the Principality Stadium and stop at Cardiff Bay, to the south of the city, where you’ll find some of the most beautiful scenery, architecture and monuments in all of Wales.
The Millennium Centre of Wales and the Senedd (the building housing the Welsh National Assembly) both overlook the confluence of the Rivers Taf and Ely and are sights you can’t miss. Enjoy lunch on the harbour before closing the Welsh chapter of your journey and heading east to your next stop: Oxford. Wish the Welsh “hwyl fawr” [Hello] as night falls and take the Grade II listed Severn Bridge across the Rivers Severn and Wye to Bristol, England, where you can watch the sun set majestically over the Severn Estuary
Oxfordshire, England
About three hours later, you’ll arrive in the home county of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Oxfordshire will certainly fit the stereotypes many have of England, with its idyllic landscapes and picturesque rural lands. Prepare to discover a place frozen in time when you enter the city. Oxford is a charming city that could almost be described as quaint.
Have a hearty English breakfast and before you set off again, try your hand at punting, Oxford’s answer to the Venetian gondolas. Then, fasten your seatbelts, pack a picnic, hope against all odds that the British weather will be kind to you and head to the eastern part of the Cotswolds. Words can’t quite describe the beauty of the landscape here, and when the weather is nice there’s nothing more relaxing than driving through the English countryside with the windows down (or the roof down, if you have a convertible). Park near Woodstock and have a picnic in front of the impressive Blenheim Palace. Take any of the roads, they’re all beautiful in this part of England, and head back into the city for a drink at the popular but well-hidden Turf Tavern. Its occupants are mainly young students, but it is also here that Bill Clinton committed his famous misdeeds and where former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke finished a pint of beer in 11 seconds, thus entering the Guinness World Record. Perhaps pass on the pints of beer, and continue on to your next stop, the Lake District
The Lake District: Cumbria, England
The drive further north to Cumbria is certainly not the most exciting: the motorway stretches on, endless and constant, passing the major towns dotted along the route. But you won’t regret it.
The Lake District will break up this monotony by pushing the horizon skyward, offering your view of rolling hills and greenery as far as the eye can see. The Lake District is England’s largest national park (among other superlatives) at 885 square miles. England’s highest mountain (Scafell Peak), deepest lake (Wastwater), and longest lake (Windermere) are also found here, making for a spectacular collection of landscapes. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If that’s not enough for you, there are a number of gorgeous restaurants, pubs, and hotels, each with their own view of Cumbria, where you can stop to stretch your legs and snap a selfie or two. If you have time, take a drive around the Cartmel Peninsula and Lake Windmere for a breathtaking walk, and stop off at the towns of Kendal and Bowness, which are worth visiting for their historic houses. Drive to the Eden Valley and Penrith, and enjoy views of sandstone villages and prehistoric monuments. When you feel like leaving the splendour of Cumbria behind, head north and cross the Scottish border.
The West Coast of Scotland
Head north through Glasgow and follow the A82 to Glencoe. This route passes through much of the Trossachs National Park and runs alongside Loch Lomond for almost half the journey. Needless to say, most of the journey will be spent marvelling at the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape. You’ll admire the cottages dotting the banks of the loch from the song “Bonnie banks” and the vivid shadows of the surrounding foliage.