If you’re after the best driving roads in the UK, I’d recommend you head to Wales.  I can’t believe how little people are visiting Wales and let me say it out loud; what a shame!  Wales was instantly beautiful.  As soon as we crossed the border, we could feel and see the difference. 

Why are people only thinking of London? There are other places to visit in the UK.  Wales is one of them.  What about Scotland? What about Yorkshire?  (Just to name a few…)  Okay, I haven’t been there yet, because we’re waiting for the summer to hit the British roads again, but I seriously doubt a true summer exists here.

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If you are wondering where Wales is, it’s border runs along the West side of England.  And, remember; the UK is tiny, so it shouldn’t be a problem.  You have no excuse to skip it!

I thought you might need proof… so, off you go.

Best Of Wales Road Trip

There are three things to keep in mind while you hit the road in Wales; the sheep, the coast, and Snowdonia National Park. Imagine, you could be staying in one of these cute Wales holiday cottages! Personally, I think you can skip the cities.  The best of Wales is found in nature.  But, if you’re a city-kind-of-person, feel free to visit Cardiff, which is the Welsh capital.

The Hills & The Sheep

I’d suggest you start in the South.  That way you make sure to keep the best for last.  You can’t go to Wales without appreciating the little hills – which is the British version of New Zealand’s North Island.  A bunch of hills, many cute roads and lots of sheep. Don’t forget to drive across the Brecon Beacons.

Things To Do in Wales - The Perfect UK Road Trip | Best of Wales | Places to see in Wales

Things To Do in Wales - The Perfect UK Road Trip | Best of Wales | Places to see in Wales

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The Coast

Then, you head North via the coast.  Everybody needs vitamin sea, especially during the winter.  The blues were quite spectacular!

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The Mountains

As you kept the best for last, enjoy dramatic jaw-dropping scenes in Snowdonia National Park.  Hiking lovers, you might want to walk your way around while you’re there.  There are many roads where you should get lost.  It doesn’t get any better, believe me. Make sure you head along the A470 from Machynlleth to Betws-y-Coed (taking a detour via Lake Bala). From Betws-y-Coed follow the A5 north and head to Capel Curig. From here, turn left onto the A4086 and follow signs for Llanberis. This is probably one of the best driving roads in the UK as it makes its way around Mount Snowdon. You won’t regret it!

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

The best of Wales - Perfect UK road trip

Where to stay in Wales

We stayed at Travelodge during our road trip which is affordable, well located and extremely convenient.

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.

She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.


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☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

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☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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