The best UK road trips for families

Family road trips worth the drive

As a child, the summer holidays were a thing of beauty. Six whole weeks with no school? A thing of dreams.

As a parent, however, the notion is slightly different.

Combatting boredom, battling with traffic and extortionate prices as venues compete to lure in tourists can be frustrating.

The holy grail of holidays, particularly in a post-pandemic world, remains the staycation. A road trip to somewhere new offers ample opportunity to explore the hidden gems of the nation.

The UK's got some of the most stunning countryside you'll find anywhere. Dramatic coastlines that'll have you pulling over for photos, rugged moorland perfect for adventure, chocolate-box villages that look like they've stepped out of a storybook, and bustling cities packed with excitement – there really is something for everyone.

So, let's dive into our top five destinations for your next staycation road trip.

Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Located in Northwest Wales, Snowdonia is the largest national park in Wales, concentrated around glacial landforms, mountains and over 100 lakes. The area offers stunning views and activities to suit every taste.

Adrenaline seekers can hit Wales's very own rocky mountain range, which boasts 14 peaks over 3,000ft – known as the Welsh super-mountains.

Possibly the most well-known is the formidable Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, which stands 1,085 feet above sea level and is the highest peak of the British Isles outside of the Scottish Highlands.

Of the six main paths to the summit of Snowdon, the easiest is the Llanberis Path. Although those with young children may find it a challenge to complete the full walk – it's a strenuous 9-mile round trip with an ascent of 3,199 feet and takes, on average, 6 hours to walk there and back.

If that sounds a bit too active for your family, don't fret.

Snowdonia isn't just about the mountains.

Au contraire, it's also home to some of the country's most stunning coastlines too.

The area has some of the sandiest stretches of beach in Britain with the northern arc of Cardigan Bay, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Culture vultures will enjoy a visit to the Llyn Peninsula – otherwise known as Snowdon's Arm. It can be experienced by walking the Wales Coast Path and in doing so you can expect to take in oodles of culture and heritage, traditional farmsteads, quaint ports, beaches, bays, and sea cliffs that are utterly breathtaking.

For those wanting to experience the beauty from the comfort of their car, there's the option to take a scenic drive from Trevor along the A5 towards Llangollen, where you can drink in the scenery and even get a glimpse of the Castell Dinas Bran.

The Jurassic Coast, South West England

Stretching from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, the Jurassic Coast is 96 miles of pure, unadulterated coastal beauty. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2001 and anyone who's been lucky enough to visit will know why.

For budding geologists, the area is rich with natural geological evidence from the Jurassic period – though there are also rocks from the Triassic and Cretaceous periods aplenty.

Children and adults will love a fossil hunting trip to Lyme Regis, where the beaches are littered with ammonites.

Potential treasure seekers can join a guided fossil finding tour under the eye of an expert or you can go it alone, Indiana Jones style.

Beach lovers are spoilt for choice with Exmouth, Sidmouth, Beer, Seaton, Charmouth and Chesil Beach all immensely popular seaside destinations.

As well as stunning coastlines, visitors can expect idyllic seaside towns that wouldn't be out of place in an Enid Blyton book.

Nature lovers should definitely visit the Undercliffs Nature Reserve – one of the great wilderness areas of Southern England.

The Undercliffs were formed from sandstone and chalk slipping over clay and limestone, leaving a beautifully ragged coastline. The landscape is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife and plant life.

Who could forget Durdle Door?

One of the most iconic coastal landscapes in the country, the natural limestone arch protrudes almost vertically from the sea. It stands at the foot of a steep path followed by a set of wooden steps.

It's best to park above in the designated car park and pick your way down – which takes around 15 minutes.

The Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

Brimming with history and stunningly beautiful, the Lizard is one of the most visited areas in the country, and for good reason.

Rather than a homage to our scaly reptilian friends, the name is thought to be a corruption of the Cornish 'Lys Ardh' meaning high court. Although coincidentally the peninsula is mostly made up of serpentinite bearing rock, which has a scaly appearance that's reminiscent of snakeskin.

The site of numerous shipwrecks, a WW1 Naval Air Station at Bonython and home to RNAS Culdrose (the home of Europe's largest helicopter base), the Lizard is rich in naval and aviation history – a must for seasoned travellers and history buffs alike.

Famous for its crowd-drawing beaches such as Kynance Cove, Poldhu and Mullion, the Lizard is the ultimate spot to head to with teenagers for sun-worshipping, water sports and Instagrammable sunsets.

Hop back in the car and treat yourself to a trip to the most southerly point and visit the Lizard Lighthouse Heritage Centre in Helston. With its distinctive two towers, the landmark is still in operation and has been since 1752.

In terms of nature, the Lizard is home to over 600 species of flowering plants, which accounts for nearly a quarter of all UK species. The mild microclimate is positively tropical in the summer, but winter months are prone to gales and salt winds, so pack accordingly.

Bath, Somerset

The perfect city break. Brilliant for those with an interest in Georgian architecture, Ancient Rome, wellbeing, shopping and good food.

Bath is a fantastic place for a trip, whatever your age. Get behind the wheel and drive to the city via the rolling hills of the Cotswolds for a real visual treat.

Once you arrive in the city, you'll be spoilt for choice with things to do.

Luxury lovers should definitely take a dip in the Ancient Roman baths – hot public baths or thermae that are fed from rainfall in the nearby Mendip Hills. They're the only natural thermal hot springs that you can bathe in in Britain.

Packed with picturesque, cobbled streets and teeming with history, Bath is a glorious place just to wander around and soak up the culture. With acres of green parkland, you could easily park up, pack up a picnic and spend the day mooching.

Places worth highlighting include The Circus, Royal Crescent and the looming beauty of Bath Abbey.

Bath is awash with all the shops from high street stalwarts to independent boutiques – it's a veritable paradise for gift hunting.

If all that shopping takes its toll, the same logic applies to the plethora of cafes, restaurants and bars that Bath has to offer. Including (but not limited to) the wonderful Sally Lunn's Eating House.

Situated in one of the oldest houses in Bath, Sally Lunn's dates back to 1689, where the eponymous baker fed the elite of Bath with her buns.

Still made to the original recipe today, the Sally Lunn bun is a type of large bun or tea cake made with yeast dough, cream and eggs. It's similar in taste and texture to the French brioche and is served with a number of fillings.

All of their dishes are based on historical fodder, and their specialty, a 'Trencher', replaces the traditional plate with a bread-based alternative, which soaks up the flavours of the meal and is to be eaten alongside.

The Lake District, Cumbria

England's largest National Park is a gem of a place to visit, with over 16 million visitors each year flocking to its breathtaking lakes, soaring fells and picturesque valleys.

For families who love the great outdoors, the Lake District offers adventures to suit every energy level. Navigate the winding roads between charming villages and stunning viewpoints – just be prepared for some narrow lanes that'll put your driving skills to the test.

Windermere, England's largest lake, is a fantastic starting point.

The bustling town of Bowness offers boat trips across the water, ice cream parlours galore, and the enchanting World of Beatrix Potter attraction – a guaranteed hit with younger children.

For an easy family walk, Buttermere offers a gentle 4.5-mile circular route around one of the District's most picturesque lakes. The relatively flat path means it's doable with the family, and the views are straight out of a fairy tale.

Don't miss charming Grasmere village, once home to William Wordsworth and now famous for its gingerbread. The tiny Grasmere Gingerbread Shop sells what might be the most delicious sweet treat in England – definitely worth the queue that often forms outside.

For a rainy day option (because, let's face it, this is England), the Rheged Centre near Penrith offers cinema screens, craft activities, and exhibitions that'll keep everyone entertained while the weather passes.

The best bit? Some of the most spectacular scenery can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car. The Kirkstone Pass between Ambleside and Patterdale offers jaw-dropping views that'll have you pulling over for that perfect family photo.

Ready to hit the road?

From the dramatic peaks of Snowdonia to the fossil-filled beaches of the Jurassic Coast, the UK's packed with incredible destinations just waiting to be explored.

Whether you're after mountain adventures, coastal walks, city culture, or simply a good old-fashioned day out, these five spots have got you covered.

The best part? They're all easily accessible by car, perfect for those spontaneous weekend escapes or longer family holidays.

Pack up the snacks, queue up the playlist, and get ready to create some proper memories.