One of the joys of owning a classic car is getting out on the open road. Whether you own a 1960s Morris Minor or something racier like an MG, picking scenic routes to test yourself out on is all part and parcel of owning a vintage vehicle.
We asked some of our vintage car-owning customers which road trips they found most memorable. These are the five they loved the most.
Talk to any classic car driver and ask them where they like to take their car and the Lake District more often than not figures in their answer. Located in the North of England, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has many different roads and trails and you can spend a lifetime exploring them.
There are some beautiful villages like Nether Wasdale to explore and England’s biggest body of water, Windermere. While it can be fairly busy during the spring, summer and autumn, one of the best times to drive around the area is the winter. With stunning views and plenty of places to stay, it’s the kind of road trip holiday you’ll revisit again and again.
Check out these 7 scenic drives in the Lake District.
For our next road trip classic, we’re heading further north to Scotland and the almost gothic North Coast. Again, this is another location to visit during the winter, weather permitting, because of the stunning landscape and the surrounding mountains. It’s called the 500 because that’s how many miles you have to cover to complete it all.
You’ll pass through iconic locations such as Loch Ness and Kyle of Lochalsh. There’s even a bridge over to the Isle of Skye. Driving a classic car around this region can truly transport you back in time to when your vehicle was first on the road and give you a real sense of history. Not only that, there are some excellent places to stay and a few good watering holes along the way.
Check out this North Coast 500 planning guide.
Like the Lake District, the Cotswolds is another favourite with classic car drivers from all around the UK. Best visited in the Spring or Autumn when it’s slightly less busy, this is a great place to stay for a weekend or longer. Travelling through small, rustic villages you again get the chance to be transported back through the ages and experience the world as it was meant to be for your classic car.
With thatched-roof pubs, beautiful scenery and a host of farm shops to visit along the way, there are several different routes to enjoy here. The five best places to have a pit stop during your journey around the hills are Burford, Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold, Chipping Camden and Winchcombe.
If you love mountainous landscapes and amazing lakes, along with twisty roads that challenge your driving skills, Snowdonia in Wales has it all. The area is popular with classic car drivers and you’ll often find them meeting up in places like the promenade in Colwyn Bay, usually over the weekend.
Snowdon itself is a spectacular place to take a road trip and it’s sensational at any time of the year. If you don’t like the crowds, avoid the weekends. During weekdays the traffic is fairly manageable and there are plenty of backroads to test your driving skills. Places to visit include Snowdon itself, Beddgelert, Betws y Coed and Llanberis all of which have thriving tourist industries and great pubs and restaurants.
If you don’t mind the cold weather it’s an awesome place to drive when there is snow on the mountains and some of the lakes have frozen over.
Finally, you don’t have to stay in Great Britain for a brilliant road trip. Hop on the ferry and travel over to Ireland to explore the Wild Atlantic Way and you’ll find it a memorable experience. This takes about a week to explore properly and the best time is usually in spring when the flowers and hillsides are just starting to bloom with magnificent colour.
Visit the craggy cliffsides of Donegal and the beautiful towns of County Cork, there are plenty of winding roads that are perfect for sporty classic cars of all ages. You’ll get a warm welcome here and plenty of fresh Guinness when you’ve finished driving around for the day.
If you’re planning a road trip in your classic car, it’s always best to get a service and tune-up before you head out to your destination. At White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex, we have an expert team on hand who can quickly make sure that your classic car is in tip-top condition.
Contact us today on 01273 933633 to book in your car.
