There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road in the UK. From historic cities to dramatic highlands, cozy villages to coastal drives, this road trip through England and Scotland offers a perfect balance of culture, landscapes, and adventure. Over one week, we explored York, Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Bath, Stonehenge and Windsor, and came away with stories, tips, and plenty of inspiration to share.

Day 1: London ➝ York

The journey began leaving the big city buzz of London behind and heading north to York, one of England’s most charming medieval cities. Much of the drive is spent on motorways, but once you arrive in York you begin to get a taste of what’s to come. From here on in, the roads reward you with England’s countryside, rolling green fields, hedgerows, and patchwork farmland dotted with stone cottages and church spires. It’s a shift from the fast pace of the motorway to the gentle rhythm of rural England.

• Driving Distance – Approximatey 340km’s
• Highlights: Walking along the old city walls, visiting the York Minster, and strolling The Shambles (a Harry Potter-esque street).
• Travel Tip: Arrive in the evening and enjoy York when it’s quieter, walking through The Shambles feels like stepping back in time and in the morning before you leave visit The Shambles market.

Day 2: Edinburgh, Scotland

Crossing the border into Scotland, we spent time in Edinburgh, a city that blends Gothic drama with Scottish warmth. Edinburgh in August is host to the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (the world’s largest arts festival), the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, among others. These events create a vibrant and packed cultural atmosphere across the city, with a wide variety of performances, shows, and literary events taking place. We only had a day in Edinburgh but if time permits I suggest you need at least two nights here.

• Driving Distance – Approximately 330Km’s
• Highlights: Exploring the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and hiking up Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city.
• Travel Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, the cobbled streets and hills are steep but worth it. If you’re visiting during peak festival season, book accommodation early and be prepared for higher prices. We didn’t, so had to stay outside of Edinburgh. Ditch the car at Castle Terrace Car Park at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, we spent almost 45 mintues trying to find a park and ended up miles away from the city centre.

Day 3: The Scottish Highlands

This was one of the most breathtaking parts of the trip. Driving through the Highlands felt like entering another world. On the way north, we stopped at St Andrews, exploring the castle ruins, the abbey remains, and of course the famous golf course. The famous bridge on the St Andrews golf course is the Swilcan Bridge, it has become one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the sport of golf, appearing in countless photographs and magazines. The bridge is now an iconic symbol of golf and a popular spot for photos.  Continuing the journey, we made a quick stop in Pitlochry, a charming little town that’s perfect for a coffee break or lunch and a wander. The day finished at Inverness, where the scenery was as mysterious and beautiful as the legend itself.

• Driving Distance – Edinburgh to St Andrews 80km’s & St Andrews to Inverness 270Km’s
• Highlights: St Andrews, Loch Ness, Glencoe Valley, and endless winding roads with dramatic scenery.
• Travel Tip: Take your time. Stop often. The best photos and memories come from spontaneous pull-overs along the route. A lot of time was wasted again finding a park in St Andrews. Have coins for the ticket machines they dont take card here and we had trouble downloading the app to pay for parking when exploring the castle and abbey ruins. The best place to park and explore the 1st and 18th hole at the golf course is a car park called the Bruce Embankment Car Park.

Day 4: Lake District, England

Leaving Inverness we followed the A82 southwards along the shores of Loch Ness, a road that winds through some of the most atmospheric scenery in Scotland. The drive to Fort Augustus was unforgettable, with constant views of the water and mountains that made it hard not to pull over every few minutes. Crossing back into England, we ventured into the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its natural beauty. It was a big day of driving and we arrived late into Windermere where we stayed the night before exploring the area the following day.

• Driving Distance – Approximately 490KM’s
• Highlights: Lake Windermere, and charming villages like Ambleside. If you are a Beatrix Potter fan don’t miss The World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere.
• Travel Tip: If you’re planning to visit Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, tickets must be purchased from the information centre in advance and are allocated by time slots so plan ahead to secure your visit. We had a two hour wait before the next time slot and if we wanted to leave the car and walk to the castle it was approximately 40 minutes one way. There is no where to stop and take a quick photo, and if you blink you will miss it as you drive past.

Day 5: The Cotswolds

From lakes to limestone villages, the Cotswolds offer the quintessential English countryside experience. We based ourselves in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, which makes a fantastic hub for exploring the region. Here you can visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, stroll along the River Avon and visit Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried. The town itself has a historic charm with timber-framed houses and plenty of cafés and pubs to relax in.

• Driving Distance – Approximately 305KM’s
• Highlights: Shakespeare’s heritage in Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Travel Tip: Plan to meander, half the fun here is wandering through villages and stumbling upon hidden gems. Don’t make the mistake we made trying to find Shakespeares grave outside the Holy Trinty Church, it is inside the Church itself.

Day 6: Bath

Our next stop was Bath, a city steeped in Roman history and Georgian elegance. We stayed overnight here, which gave us plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere. Bath is best enjoyed slowly, wandering the Georgian crescents and lingering in its many cafés and tearooms. In the evening, the city feels especially magical with its golden stone buildings lit up.

• Travel Distance – Approximately 135KM’s
• Highlights: The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and simply walking the Georgian crescents.
• Travel Tip: Book tickets in advance for the Roman Baths to avoid queues.

Day 7: Stonehenge & Windsor

Our final stop on this epic road trip was in Windsor with a visit to Stonehenge on the way. At Stonehenge, the mysterious stone circle rises out of the Salisbury Plain, a place that’s as atmospheric as it is iconic. Walking around the stones and reflecting on their history is a must for any UK road trip. Next was Windsor, home to Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the King. The town itself is lively with shops and cafés, and the castle tour gives a fascinating glimpse into royal history. This is a great place to stop before returning the car to London the next day, the drive is only 35KM’s and a fifty minute drive.

• Travel Distance – Bath to Stonehenge approximately 55Km’s & Stonehenge to Windsor approximately 110KM’s.
• Highlights: Stonehenge and exploring Windsor Castle and the town’s riverside charm.
• Travel Tip: Book Stonehenge tickets ahead of time, especially in summer. The car park is about a 30 minute walk to the site itself but there are shuttle buses available which come every few minutes and included in the price of your ticket. We saw a lot of people walking to the site and taking photos from a fence that divided those who had paid and those who were happy to observe from a distance. If you dont mind people in front of your photos then you can save some money doing it this way. For Windsor, aim to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and allow enough time for the castle tour. Despite having avoid tolls on our SatNav we did end up on the M6 toll road but there was a toll plaza you drive through to tap your card and pay, so no need to go online and find out how to pay.

Practical Tips for a UK Road Trip

• Car Rental: Book early, especially in summer, and consider a smaller car for narrow village roads. If you choose a Hybrid vechile just confirm it is not a plug in Hybrid so you dont have to look for charging stations.
• Navigation: Put in your SatNav avoid tolls, particullary when leaving London because there is a congestion fee if you drive in certain areas in Cental London.
• Packing: Layers are essential — the weather can change quickly.
• Driving: It’s no different to driving in Australia, I felt pretty relaxed the whole time, but be prepared for roundabouts.

Final Thoughts

In just one week, this road trip took us from medieval streets to mountain peaks, tranquil lakes to Roman baths. The contrast between England’s gentle countryside and Scotland’s rugged highlands makes for a journey that feels like several trips in one.

Would I do it again? Absolutely, but next time, I’d give myself even more time in Edinburgh and the Highlands.

If you’re planning your own adventure, this itinerary gives you a taste of the best of both worlds: England’s charm and Scotland’s wild beauty. A Sense of Adventure is all that is required to make your own unforgettable memories on a road trip just like this one…..