Our Top 10 Scenic Drives in the UK

The Cotswolds Discovery Route

Soft rolling hills, honey-coloured villages and sweeping open roads – the Cotswolds are made for a leisurely drive. Meander through Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bibury.

The A429 ‘Fosse Way’ offers one of the straightest scenic stretches in England, following a Roman road through tranquil countryside – ideal for those who prefer a gentler ride.

The Suffolk Heritage Coast

Suffolk’s coastal route from Felixstowe up to Southwold is a calm, refreshing drive with wide, flat roads and soothing sea views.

You’ll pass pastel beach huts, salt marshes and nature reserves, with charming stops in Aldeburgh and Dunwich. It’s peaceful, picturesque and perfect for a slow-paced journey with plenty of fresh air breaks.

Northumberland Coast Road (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONB)

If you want sea views without sharp turns, the Northumberland Coast AONB is your ideal drive. This stretch between Alnmouth and Bamburgh offers wide roads and stunning vistas of beaches and castles.

Pause for a stroll at Warkworth Castle or along the sand dunes of Beadnell Bay – open views and gentle terrain make this a relaxing experience.

Peak District scenic loop

While the Lake District is a tourist magnet, the Peak District can be sadly overlooked. A rewarding drive through England’s first national park takes in rolling hills, limestone dales and gritstone edges, as well as wonderfully quaint villages.

The loop links towns like Bakewell (famous for its tart) and Buxton (famous for its spa), as well as Castleton and Matlock, giving drivers a mix of rural charm. There’s also the grand Chatsworth Estate to check out to the south. The Peak District loop is less extreme than the Lake District or Snowdonia, but expect plenty of bends.

Yorkshire Dales drive

The Yorkshire Dales drive blends quintessential English countryside and breath-taking scenery, showcasing rolling green hills and timeless villages. A loop such as Skipton, Grassington, Hawes and Reeth offers drystone-walled fields and dramatic dales landscapes.

Depending on how you want to approach the drive, you could take in markets and pubs and then there’s the nature – explore the limestone pavement at Malham Cove and the waterfalls at Aysgarth and Hardraw Force.

You could also stop at Wensleydale Creamery for delicious cheese and refreshment and the impressive, medieval Bolton Castle.

Norfolk Coast AONB

The Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) drive is gentler, but no less rewarding than the other road trips in this list. Norfolk’s charm lies in wide skies, salt marshes and expansive sandy beaches. Expect a peaceful and atmospheric drive.

You could include Holkham National Nature Reserve, elegant Holkham Hall, a grand 18th-century estate and pretty coastal villages such as Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, and Cley-next-the-Sea.

The Fife Coastal Route, Scotland

This east coast drive from Kincardine to St Andrews follows wide, relatively flat roads hugging the Firth of Forth. You’ll pass pretty fishing villages like Pittenweem and Anstruther, with calm sea air and plenty of coastal viewpoints.

It’s one of Scotland’s smoothest scenic routes – tranquil, open, and ideal for avoiding travel sickness triggers.

The Coastal Way, Wales

A beautiful Welsh coastal drive that deserves a spot on every traveller’s list – The Coastal Way stretches from Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula all the way to St Davids in Pembrokeshire.

Celebrated as one of the world’s best road trips, this route traces 180 miles of breathtaking coastline, where sea views, sandy coves and peaceful fishing villages create a wonderfully soothing journey.

It’s an ideal drive for those seeking wide horizons and gentle roads – a perfect blend of sea air, scenery and serenity.

The South Downs Scenic Drive

Head through the South Downs National Park via the A27 and A283 for a journey of open chalk hills, wildflower meadows and coastal glimpses.

There are fewer steep inclines than other national parks, and plenty of inviting stops like Arundel, Petworth and Lewes. It’s the perfect mix of ease and elegance.

The New Forest Loop

The New Forest’s smooth, tree-lined roads wind gently through heathland and open glades where ponies wander freely.

Try a loop from Lyndhurst to Brockenhurst and Burley – it’s an easy drive with endless opportunities to stop for picnics and woodland walks.

The Somerset Levels Route

Flat, peaceful and full of character, the Somerset Levels are a dream for gentle driving.

Follow quiet backroads between Glastonbury, Wells and Burrow Mump, surrounded by wetlands and meadows. It’s countryside driving at its calmest – slow, scenic and relaxing.

Travel smart – so you can enjoy the scenery, not the sickness

As we’ve discussed, the UK isn’t short on options when it comes to scenic drives!

Planning makes perfect, of course. Make sure you have what you need to help relieve travel sickness should it occur – we hope our tips help so you can explore some of the UK’s most idyllic and stunning rural escapes and scenery!

*Kwells 300 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for adults and children aged 10+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 microgram. Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for children aged 4+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 150 microgram. Always read the label.