8 May 2023
Are you looking for your next adventure? We can help! At Towbar Express, we are the UK’s largest towbar fitting company, so you can imagine we have helped many customers with many stories to tell. So, whether you’re planning a solo or family road trip, we know the places you need to visit if you’re looking for an epic road trip adventure.
Join us in our countdown of the top six adventure road trips in the UK that you can do in a day, weekend, or longer. We have broken down the most scenic spots with a lot to offer enthusiasts of all rural sports and activities. Just remember to pack all the essentials and take your equipment with you in safe and efficient style! We can help with that, too. Get in touch to find out more.
6. The Cotswolds
Perfect for: Families, Bird Watching & Scenic Spots
Sports/Activities: Kayaking & Archery
Kickstarting our list is a quintessentially British road trip adventure perfect for all the family; the Cotswolds! Enjoy the lush countryside on a leisurely road trip that ensures you can enjoy all the sights and take plenty of stops with countless resting places you must see. The Cotswolds are filled with perfectly-preserved villages, which are ideal for you and your family to enjoy a drink, good food and ice cream in the warmer months.
Did you know the Cotswolds region is a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? This makes it a great spot for enjoying scenic views with your loved ones and relishing in the fresh air and outdoors. You can also incorporate bird-watching into your peaceful day with a visit to the Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Or look out for the iconic Cotswold stone walls that line some of the many winding country lanes you can stretch your legs on between trips in the car.
When you’re ready for something a little more action-packed, you can dive into some kayaking and archery at the Cotswold Water Park. Hire or bring your own equipment to participate in several watersport activities and embark on adventures perfect for older kids and big kids alike.
5. Atlantic Highway, South West England
Perfect for: Families, Pro-Cyclers & Coast-Lovers
Sports/Activities: Cycling
Remember, life is a highway, and you can live your next family adventure to the fullest with a road trip to the Atlantic Highway in the South West of England. One of the longest roads in England, the A39 connects Bath to Falmouth and straddles the line between some of Britain's best coast and wild hills. This road trip is ideal for families as it takes you by the Cornish seaside resort of Newquay, which has been voted regularly as the nation’s favourite seaside town.
Incorporate some activity into your scenic drive with a stop at the Adventure Coast in North Devon, and get stuck into the many cycling and walking trails. The popular cycling trails range from peaceful, family-friendly routes to more challenging roads, and you can explore an abundance of cycle trails that showcase the best of the coast and countryside.
We recommend trying your hand at the Tarka Trail, the longest off-road cycle path in the UK! This figure of eight-shaped trails will take you past coastal views, woodlands, moorland and clifftop, among much more. Plus, if you haven’t taken your own bikes with you because you lack a proper vehicle towbar, you can hire a variety of equipment.
4. Yorkshire Moors
Perfect for: Dog-Lovers
Sports/Activities: Trekking & Cycling
Do you want to get away but can’t imagine leaving your pet dogs at home? A road trip through the North York Moors National Park is the perfect option for you. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon out with the family or want a long weekend break away with your partner, you can bring your four-legged friend along for the ride in this picturesque spot.
Grab the dog lead, pull on your walking boots, and take a family stroll through the forests, streams, and across the heather moorland on this road trip adventure. This is the perfect destination for a fun family day out, or stretch it into a weekend away by checking into one of the many local B&Bs.
3. Inverarnan to Fort William, Scotland
Perfect for: Adventure-Seekers, Mountain-Bikers & Trips with Friends
Sports/Activities: Mountain Biking
A beautifully scenic road trip cultivates in the mountain biking mecca that is the shadow of Ben Nevis with this adventure road trip. Call your friends, attach your mountain bikes to your bike rack, and take off for this epic trip. The journey begins close to Loch Lomond in the hamlet of Inverarnan before taking you on the ride of your life down the A82. Every bend presents a beautiful new view, so you might want to take it slow to drink in all the sights. Highlights on the route include waterfalls, Glencoe's valleys, and even iconic filming locations from the blockbuster Bond film Skyfall.
Finally, once you end this glorious road trip, you will find yourselves at the bottom of Scotland’s most iconic mountain, Ben Nevis. Here you’re just a stone’s throw away from the Ride Fort William trail centre, which has the only gondola uplift train in the UK.
2. Isle of Skye, Scotland
Perfect for: Adventure-Seekers, Watersport Enthusiasts & Trips with Friends
Sports/Activities: Stand-Up Paddleboarding
This road trip combines the perfect mix of scenic leisurely driving and action-packed adventure across the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Your final destination on this road trip is Loch Harport, but it will take you a moment to get there. Filled with winding roads with plenty of twists and turns, you will want to take it slow on these roads to stay on track and take in the breathtaking sights around you. In fact, don’t be surprised if you want to stop every fifteen minutes or so to jump out of the car, snap some pictures and take in the beauty in front of you.
Why not stop off at the Old Man of Storr along the way and embark on this famous walk that takes you meandering across the rock? Pose for some photos too, as this is one of the most photographed landscapes in the world.
Once you reach Loch Harpot, get out your paddle boards and enjoy sailing across the water in this picturesque spot. Unfortunately, you must bring your own equipment as there are no rental or hire options nearby. Still, for watersport lovers, you will not want to miss these waters known as the best for stand-up paddleboarding in the country.
1. North Coast 500 (NC500), Scotland
Perfect for: History Lovers, Extreme Sport Enthusiasts
Sports/Activities: Canyoning, Mountaineering, Climbing, Surfing & Diving
If you love the idea of road trips, we want to introduce you to the UK’s answer to Route 66. Scotland's North Coast 500 (NC500) features the best UK scenery and history. From iconic landmarks, the history buffs in your group will want to get a closer look at the castles, highlands and beaches, and this road trip has it all. There are also plenty of idyllic towns where you can rest your head for the night or grab a delicious bite to eat.
Once you’ve had your fill of taking in the beauty of your surroundings, there are plenty of high-energy adventures to be had. Catch a wave and surf the reef breaks in Caithness, or why not try your hand at canyoning? Located in Corrieshalloch Gorge, you can take canyoning lessons for beginners, including climbing, mountaineering and diving.
Please note this road trip is a long route and takes around one week to complete. You must also be mindful of petrol consumption and not underestimate how many miles you will go before filling up again. But it’s worth it as this is also the best spot in the UK to catch sight of the Northern lights!
Enjoy Adventure Road Trips with your Best Equipment
Are you feeling inspired for your next adventure road trip? Whether you’re a newbie or a road trip pro looking for new inspiration, we hope our guide has helped you get excited about your next trip. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how many fantastic opportunities and experiences there are right on our doorstep in the UK.
Now is the time to plan and pack for your next road trip, but do you have everything you need to take your equipment with you?
With a high-quality towbar fitted to your car, you can safely and efficiently take your bike, watersport equipment, trailer, or boat with you on your next adventure. This means you no longer have to rely on costly rental businesses to ensure your family and friends have an amazing time. Plus, you can visit spots off the beaten track that other tourists are yet to discover.
Find out how we can help you with driveway installation of premium quality towbars by contacting us today.
