10 Best Coastal Drives in the UK

FOR YOUR INNER POET

Through the Valley of the Rocks, North Devon
The spectacular geology of the Valley of the Rocks was a wow with the Romantic poets – Robert Southey marvelled at ‘rock reeling upon rock, stone piled upon stone’ – and it sets the tone for this drive along the northern edge of the Exmoor National Park. You go through the Lee Valley estate and some steep ups and downs before the descent to the village of Combe Martin, with the longest high street, at two miles, in England, and an eccentric inn, the Pack o’ Cards (packocards.co.uk). Route: 12 miles. From Lynton, follow signs for Valley of the Rocks and continue through Martinhoe (northdevon.com).

FOR TOWERING SEA CLIFFS

From Robin Hood’s Bay to Flamborough Head, North and East Yorkshire
This drive is bookended by one of Britain’s most picturesque coastal villages and Flamborough’s sheer chalk cliffs. From Robin Hood’s Bay, drive across moorland and along Scarborough seafront with its Victorian spa complex and the gloriously kitsch Harbour Bar ice-cream parlour. Route: 36 miles. Take minor road south-west to the A171, then A165, B1229 (discoveryorkshirecoast.com).

FOR UNDILUTED NOSTALGIA

Along the ‘Back of the Wight’, Isle of Wight
The cavalcade of classic cars that plies this route, known as ‘The Military Road’, at weekends is, like Wight itself, a throwback to a bygone era. This is the least populous part of the island, characterised by rolling chalk downs, sparkling seas, tremendous views of the Dorset coast and lovely old villages of thatched stone cottages, tearooms and cosy pubs. The pick of the bunch is the Red Lion at Freshwater (01983 754925), which awaits you at the westerly end with real ales and the best pub grub on the island. Route: 19 miles. Take the A3055 from Ventnor to Totland (visitisleofwight.co.uk).

FOR THE WILD AT HEART

Round the Assynt Peninsula, Scottish Highlands
Is there a more remote road than this on mainland Britain? On Scotland’s west coast, this single-track road circles the headland north of Lochinver alongside mountainous peaks, dramatic seascapes and countless lochs. Treat yourself at the Albannach Hotel (thealbannach.co.uk) in Lochinver before setting out – the restaurant has a Michelin star – and look out for beaches at Clachtoll and Clashnessie. Route: 25 miles. Take the B869 north from Lochinver to Kylesku (discoverassynt.co.uk).

FOR SUNSETS OVER THE SEA

From Machynlleth to Dolgellau, North Wales
Chances are you’ll be pursued by a train on this route on the edge of Cardigan Bay, as the road follows the course of the Cambrian Coast Railway. Leaving the River Dovey estuary, railway and road loop north through Llwyngwril to the wooden viaduct of Barmouth Bridge. Inland, the peak of Cader Idris dominates, while the evening sky turns fiery shades of red over the sea. Unwind at the Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel (penhall.co.uk). Route: 35 miles. A493 all the way (visitwales.co.uk).

FOR PAGAN SPIRITS

From St Ives to Land’s End, Cornwall
The megalithic tombs and Celtic field systems of England’s most westerly tip lend the landscape a mystical air and this road offers a grandstand view. As you skirt the sea and cross moorland strewn with granite boulders, you also drive over a labyrinth of disused mine shafts. Here, the twin faces of Cornwall – scenic and industrial – are captured, and there’s a cracking pub, the Tinner’s Arms at Zennor (tinnersarms.com), along the way. Route: 19 miles. B3306/A30 (visitcornwall.com).

FOR A MYTHICAL LANDMARK

Causeway and Antrim Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
They say a giant, Finn McCool, built the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway so he could step across to Scotland, and you almost believe it when you see this natural wonder. There is plenty more to see on the drive from Larne, north of Belfast, to Finn’s well-laid patio – views of the Antrim Hills and the Mull of Kintyre, the villages of Glenarm and Cushendun, the Bushmills Inn (bushmillsinn.com) and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Route: 53 miles. A2 all the way (causewaycoastandglens.com).

FOR CASTLES AND BEACHES

From Alnmouth to Bamburgh, Northumberland
This drive runs parallel to beaches of white sand so unspoilt and rich in flora and fauna that they are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way are castles at Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh, gardens at Howick Hall and the best kippers at Craster. Get a fresh fish lunch at the Ship Inn (shipinnnewton.co.uk). Route: 24 miles. Unnamed road to Boulmer and Longhoughton, B1339/B1340, then to coast (visitnorthumberland.com).

FOR COASTAL CREEKS

From Manningtree to Frinton, Essex
Perhaps surprisingly, Essex has some of the longest coastline in the country, courtesy of its finely fretted estuaries and coastal creeks. This drive takes you from the waterside town of Manningtree along the Stour Estuary to the old port of Harwich, then round the tidal salt marsh of Horsey Island to the towns of Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton, with their golden sands and Edwardian airs. Route: 28 miles. B1352/ B1414/B1033/B1034 (visitessex.com).

FOR OLDE-WORLDE CHARM

From Hunstanton to Cromer, Norfolk
Don’t be impatient if you get wedged behind a Morris Minor – enjoy the slow pace in this delightful backwater. From Hunstanton, through old-fashioned resorts such as Wells-next-the-Sea, this is the English seaside as it used to be. Local hero Admiral Lord Nelson was born here, in Burnham Thorpe. The Lord Nelson pub (nelsonslocal.com) has lots of memorabilia. Route: 38 miles. A149 all the way (visitnorthnorfolk.com)

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