Research has revealed the country’s most awe-inspiring, breathtaking and peaceful routes to experience by car.
According to the study by Drivalia, the glorious views from Kendal to Keswick (22 percent) topped the poll, just beating Loch Lomond to Glencoe (22 percent) in the Scottish Highlands into second place.
Following the A591 and stretching for 30 miles, Kendal to Keswick takes in some exceptional scenery including views of Lakeland fells and the banks of Windermere, while the scenic route from Loch Lomond to Glencoe takes in the stunning Argyll Forest Park, Loch Tulla and Loch Ba.
The historic Coastal Way in Wales came in third place (20 percent), with Snake Pass in the Pennines (19 percent), the winding road through Cheddar Gorge (19 percent) and the journey around the New Forest (18 percent) – which known for its peaceful scenery – also making the final list.
Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia, Wales (13 percent) – which weaves between the mountain ranges of the Glyderau and the Snowdon massif – makes an appearance alongside The Causeway Coastal route in Northern Ireland (11 percent) which provided the backdrop for Games of Thrones.
One in ten (10 percent) thought the 28-mile-long Grade II* listed Ribblehead Viaduct in the Ribble Valley in North Yorkshire was a slice of calming heaven, while seven percent loved the rugged scenery from Cambridge to Hunstanton Cliffs.
Three quarters (74 percent) of those surveyed agreed that the UK is home to scenic and beautiful driving routes with two thirds (61 percent) saying that driving is one of the best ways to explore the country. Three in four (74 percent) feel calm and relaxed when driving through beautiful scenery.
Over half of the respondents (59 percent) would prefer to take a scenic route to their destination over a boring motorway, even if it meant travelling further.
A spokesperson for Drivalia:
“The UK is an amazing place to travel with so many beautiful driving routes on our doorstep. From the amazing rugged beauty of Scotland, the outstanding vistas of Wales, iconic backdrops in Northern Ireland and the wonderful journeys that stretch across the rolling scenery of England, the research shows that there are an abundance of beautiful places to stop, take a breath and enjoy the wonderful peace when driving around the country.
“Travelling by car is one of the best ways to explore the country and with Drivalia, which has prime car rental locations nationwide, customers can choose from a huge range of first class vehicles to meet the needs of their journey.”
BRITAIN’S MOST BEAUTIFUL DRIVES, ACCORDING TO THE NATION
Kendal to Keswick in the Lake District, England 22%
Loch Lomond to Glencoe, Scotland 22%
The Coastal Way, Wales 20%
Snake Pass – the Pennines, England 19%
The winding road through Cheddar Gorge 19%
Journey around the New Forest, England 18%
Loch Lomond to Lochgilphead, Scotland 17%
B3306 – St Ives to St Just, Cornwall, England 16%
Edinburgh to Cairngorms National Park, Scotland 15%
London to Stonehenge, England 15%
Black Mountain Road, the Brecon Beacons, Wales 15%
Hardknott Pass in the Lake District, England 14%
The North Coast 500, Scotland 14%
Llanberis Pass, Wales 13%
Liverpool to Lake Windermere, England 12%
Cheddar to Ashwick, Somerset, England 12%
The Cat and Fiddle (Buxton to Macclesfield), the Peak District, England 12%
The Causeway Coastal route, Northern Ireland 11%
Buttertubs Pass, Yorkshire Dales, England 11%
Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England 10%
Dundee to Loch Fyne, Scotland 10%
The Road to the Isles (Fort William to Mallaig), England 9%
Leeds to Haworth (Brontë Country), England 9%
Norwich to Cromer, Norfolk, England 9%
Edinburgh to Pettycur Bay, Scotland 8%
The Atlantic Highway (Barnstaple to Newquay), England 8%
Military Road, Isle of Wight 8%
Cardiff to Marloes Sand, Wales 8%
Alnmouth to Lindisfarne, Northumberland, England 7%
Wrynose and Hardknott Pass, Cumbria, England 7%
Manchester to Edale, England 7%
Cambridge to Hunstanton Cliffs, England 7%
Bristol to Blackpool Sands, England 6%
Birmingham to Harlech Beach, England 6%
Belfast to The Gobbins, Northern Ireland 6%
This research of 2,000 Britons was commissioned by Drivalia and conducted by Perspectus Global in December 2022.
