Greetings, fellow wanderers! Today, I’d like to share a journey that my wife and I embarked upon recently – a 12-day road trip adventure through the enchanting landscapes of England and Wales. This itinerary is perfect for road trip enthusiasts who don’t mind long drives and have an appetite for diverse experiences. We embarked on our journey in mid-May, hoping for mild weather, and luck was on our side – we didn’t encounter a single raindrop! But remember, when in the UK, always pack a raincoat, no matter the time of year.
Table of Contents
- Tips and Recommendations
- Day 1: Touchdown in London
- Day 2: London to Oxford to Bath to Trowbridge
- Day 3: Trowbridge to Stonehenge to Glastonbury to Newport
- Day 4: Newport to Cardiff to Brecon Beacons to Innsworth
- Day 5: Innsworth to The Cotswolds to Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Day 6: Stratford-Upon-Avon to Whitley Courts & Gardens to Bethesda
- Day 7: Bethesda to Snowdon to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll to Conwy to Liverpool
- Day 8: Liverpool to The Lake District
- Day 9: Kendal to Ambleside to York
- Day 10: York to London
- Day 11-12: Exploring London
- Day 13: Goodbye, UK
Tips and Recommendations
Rental Vehicle
We got a hatchback for our road trip just because it is easier to drive on the narrow country roads of the UK. Also, if you are comfortable driving a manual car then go for it, that will save you some money. We reserved about 5 months ahead of time through Enterprise Rental and the process of very smooth. Make sure you take your time while inspecting the car before driving off the rental place. I found a long scratch at one spot which I luckily noticed and made them mention it on the contract.
Driving & Navigation
Driving in the UK can be tricky if you are coming from a country that drives on the other side (USA, Canada). Take your time to get adjusted to the driving style for the first day or two. Do not solely rely on your phone GPS when driving in the countryside as the network can be a little patchy at some places. Download offline maps as a backup and try to get the rental car that has SatNav (GPS). This will give you sufficient number of backups while you are on the road.
There are a lot of speed cameras in the UK on all the major roads. Driving in the speed limit will prevent any unexpected traffic charges in the email later. If you are caught by the speeding camera, the authorities will contact the rental company, which will then reach out to you (most likely via email) notifying of the violation. Rental companies usually charge their own administrative fee when their is traffic violation. So be prepared for that in case it ever happens.
Accommodation
We booked all our accommodations through Airbnb from anywhere between 6 months and 3 months before our trip. All our hosts were great and we had no issues at any place. We made sure that each place had parking facility, on premesis or on the street, for our car.
English Heritage Overseas Pass
We purchased the English Heritage Overseas Pass for 16 days. It includes many historical sites that you can visit free of cost like Stonehenge, Dover Castle, Whitley Courts & Gardens etc. It’s worth the price if you are planning to visit more than 4 sites in 16 consecutive days. If you want to follow our itinerary, then you don’t need it. We couldn’t visit enough heritage sites to cover the cost.
Note: They claim reduced admission price for certain sites that are not covered in English Heritage pass. These sites are mostly the ones located outside England. When we went to the Conwy Castle in Wales, they told us that the overseas visitor pass is not eligible for reduced admission prices, and it is only valid for people with membership. So, if you are planning to visit heritage sites in Wales or Scotland, then stay away from English Heritage Overseas Pass.
Cash
No matter how much you hate carrying cash, its always a good idea to have it handy. Mostly we tried to use our no foreign exchange fee credit card where possible, and saved the cash where it would save us a few pounds or we had no other choice. There were certain stores in the country side that charged a fee for credit cards, so it made sense to pay by cash. Other places where we found cash helpful were parking spots and laundromats. I would suggest taking anywhere between 50-100 pounds for 2 weeks for 2 people.
Day 1: Touchdown in London
We hit the ground running after landing in London, taking the day to shake off jet lag, pick up our rental car, and stock up on road trip snacks. We found Tesco Extra to be the best store to pick up all the snacks and essentials. Although we were excited to hit the road, we knew that a day of rest was essential to get ourselves geared up for the journey ahead.
Day 2: London to Oxford to Bath to Trowbridge
Driving Distance ~150 miles or 240 km
An early start at 7 am took us first to Oxford where we strolled through the historic university grounds with a self-guided tour till 11 am. Then, we headed to Bath which was 2 hours drive from Oxford, spending the day exploring its ancient streets and architecture. We stayed overnight in nearby Trowbridge, already enamoured by our experiences.
Day 3: Trowbridge to Stonehenge to Glastonbury to Newport
Driving Distance ~135 miles or 215 km
Day 3 began with a drive to the mysterious Stonehenge, arriving before 10 am to beat the crowds. 2 hours was good enough to spend at Stonehenge. Next, we drove to Glastonbury and hiked the Glastonbury Tor, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The day ended in Newport, Wales, where we spent the night. On our way we passed through the smallest city in England, Wells.
Day 4: Newport to Cardiff to Brecon Beacons to Innsworth
Driving Distance ~120 miles or 190 km
Our fourth day started with a delicious traditional English breakfast in Cardiff, following which we journeyed to the Brecon Beacons National Park. After 3-4 hours of hiking the stunning Pen y Fan, we drove to Innsworth in Gloucester for the night.
Day 5: Innsworth to The Cotswolds to Stratford-Upon-Avon
Driving Distance ~65 miles or 105 km
Day 5 was all about the charming villages of the Cotswolds. We started in Cirencester, explored local markets, and visited Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Chipping Campden, each with its unique charm. The day ended in the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Day 6: Stratford-Upon-Avon to Whitley Courts & Gardens to Bethesda
Driving Distance ~65 miles or 105 km
Day 6 began with a half-day exploration of Stratford-Upon-Avon, following which we embarked on a very long drive towards Bethesda in Snowdonia National Park, stopping en route at the stunning 19th Century ruin, Whitley Courts & Gardens.
Day 7: Bethesda to Snowdon to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll to Conwy to Liverpool
Driving Distance ~100 miles or 160 km
On Day 7, we took a train from Llanberis to Cogwyn station with Snowdon Railway, soaking in the vistas of Mt. Snowdon. We then visited the town with the longest name in the world, popped into Conwy Castle, and finally drove to Liverpool for the night.
Day 8: Liverpool to The Lake District
Driving Distance ~80 miles or 130 km
In Liverpool, we explored Bold Street where we indulged our taste buds to a variety of world foods. From there we visited the famous Liverpool Cathedral, and joined a history tour with a local professor. By afternoon, we were off to our next destination, the serene Lake District where we stayed the night in a small town named Kendal.
Day 9: Kendal to Ambleside to York
Driving Distance ~130 miles or 210 km
Starting the day early, we drove to Ambleside where we spent Day 9 hiking up the Wansfell Pike in the Lake District, taking in mesmerising views of the lakes. If you have more days to spare, it is worth to spend at least 2 fulls days in the Lake District to soak in the real beauty that it has to offer. Tired yet satisfied, we then headed to York for the night.
Day 10: York to London
Driving Distance ~220 miles or 355 km
York, although a pit stop, proved a gem with its rich history and vibrant market. We also visited the National Railway Museum, where we got to see the train coaches from the history, including Flying Scotsman. Midday, we embarked on the final leg of our road journey, driving back to the cosmopolitan city of London.
Day 11-12: Exploring London
Returning our rental car, we dedicated the last two days to exploring London on foot, hopping on and off the tube as we visited various city attractions. We left no stone unturned, soaking in as much of London as we could.
Day 13: Goodbye, UK
We flew out of London on Day 13, carrying back a bag full of cherished memories from our self-drive adventure through England and Wales.
We drove over a thousand miles in total, each mile unravelling a different story. If you’re planning a road trip in the UK and love to drive, we hope our itinerary offers you some inspiration. Next up, we’ll delve deeper into each day’s experiences, the places we visited, the food we ate, and the stories we heard. So, stay tuned!
Remember, the joy of travel is as much in the journey as in the destination. So, buckle up, hit the road, and make every mile count!
