Where Vehicle Hire Could Take You: The UK’s Greatest Road Trips

The UK is arguably one of the greatest places to explore by car, with lots of incredible landscapes, historical monuments and lively cities to be found around every corner. Even the UK’s motorways offer plenty of opportunity for sightseeing, with lots of interesting sculptures (such as the Heavy Horse and the Angel of the North) visible from the road.

Even better, embarking on a great road trip has never been easier with vehicle hire services. If you don’t own a car yourself, but want nothing more than to take off along an open road, you can hire a vehicle suited to your needs. From stylish cars to family-friendly minibuses, there are lots of options available for groups of all sizes, making vehicle rental a great option for all UK road trips.

Below, we list some of the most amazing road trips to embark upon throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. But first, let’s answer the question: what are the benefits of vehicle hire?

If you don’t own a vehicle, the answer to this question is easy! Renting a vehicle gives you access to a well-maintained car for a couple of days, weeks or months, giving you the option to explore the UK on wheels without relying on public transport. 

However, even if you own a car, there are myriad benefits to renting one from a vehicle hire company. Here are some of the best reasons to do so:

Your tiny car may be perfect for your daily commute, but trying to fit your entire group of friends inside, including their luggage, may be an impossible task. To make life easier for yourself, and the drive much more comfortable for your passengers, consider searching for vehicle rental near you. 

With a trusted vehicle hire company, you’ll be able to rent a car, van or motorhome to suit your needs. Enjoy extra legroom and luggage space with a spacious vehicle. 

If the thought of driving hundreds of miles in your car seems impossible, it’s time to reconsider your options. Making sure your car is safe and roadworthy is the first step towards planning a great road trip, and if you’re not convinced that your vehicle will get you from A to B safely, put your mind at rest and hire a rental car instead.

When you rent a vehicle through a well-established hire company, you’ll have total peace of mind that it’s been maintained to the highest of standards. Every rental vehicle goes through comprehensive inspections regularly, so you don’t have to worry about the car compromising your safety. 

By renting a modern car which has been maintained to the highest standards, you and your passengers could save money in the long-term. This is especially true for people who don’t own a car; without a vehicle, you could find yourself paying hundreds for train journeys, coach tickets and much more to get around the UK. With cost-effective car rental services, you can drive these costs down significantly.

Additionally, you’ll often pay less in fuel costs when driving a modern car. Instead of burning through fuel at a speedy rate, you can drive further for less - something every driver wants to hear!

Once you’ve rented your vehicle, the world is your oyster! There are many great road trips to take throughout the UK, but here are some of the most famous:

This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. This 516-mile coastal drive takes you through some of the most picturesque and scenic parts of northern Scotland, in a big loop that starts and finishes at the historic Inverness Castle. Typically, this route takes between 7-10 days, however it all depends on how long you would like to spend in each place. If you’re short on time, you can drive the entire route in four days, but this doesn’t leave you much time for exploration.

During this trip, you’ll enjoy some of the most incredible views of the Scottish coast - but that’s not all. You’ll drive past archaeological remains and through mesmerising landscapes, with plenty of opportunities to visit gorgeous beaches, lochs, harbours, castles and much more. 

Like Scotland, Wales has its fair share of scenery to marvel at. From rugged mountainous terrain to verdant green fields, there’s plenty to embrace - and what better way to do so than by driving the Black Mountain Pass? This 23-mile A road, popularised in recent years by Top Gear, snakes through the Brecon Beacons National Park and across the formidable Black Mountain. 

With impressive valleys, gushing rivers and hairpin turns, this is one of the most exciting road trips in the UK. As the Black Mountain Pass (A4069) is approximately 23 miles long, this journey can be completed in a day, however, that’s not to say you can’t extend it! There are plenty of incredible places to visit in the local area, including Pen y Fan and the mystical Four Falls walk. 

When the sun is shining, the south west of England is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Driving along the English coast is a great way to take in all of the delights on offer and is also one of the most accessible ways to get around. As major cities are few and far between in this area, relying on public transport isn’t always ideal.

The best part of this road trip is that it can be as short or as long as you like. There are lots of beautiful towns and villages stretching in a loop from the golden sands of Croyde, all the way through to Newquay, Perranporth, Porthcurno, Polperro and beyond. Whether you’re travelling with your family or you’re a keen surfer, this road trip is sure to make you fall in love with the coast.

The Irish coast is one of the most unique in the world, with fascinating rock formations and choppy seas offering ethereal views. Enjoy the sights and delights of Northern Ireland from your car window as you take on the Causeway Coastal drive, a 200-mile route which takes approximately one day to complete. With so much to see, you could easily take your time and complete the drive over the course of a few days.

To begin, start in the bustling city of Belfast and head towards the Antrim coast. Here, you’ll have the chance to walk across the Gobbins cliff path, wander through the Glens of Antrim, mimic a scene from Game of Thrones under the Dark Hedges, and hop across the stones of the Giant’s Causeway. 

To fully appreciate the beauty of the Lake District, take your car for a spin along the A591, also known as Britain’s favourite road! The road, which weaves and turns through Cumbria’s world-famous national park, stretches from Brigsteer to Castlerigg, two quaint villages in the Lake District. Along the way, you’ll be treated to unspoiled views of Windermere Lake and Grasmere Lake, in addition to rolling hills and verdant woodland areas.

There are also plenty of great places to stop during the drive, with some of the most spectacular including Stock Ghyll Force, Rydal Mount & Gardens and Castlerigg Stone Circle. 

If you’re feeling inspired, get road trip ready with car hire services from Chief Rentals. With branches in Birmingham and Torbay, we’re proud to offer vehicle hire and self-drive car rental services throughout the Midlands and the South West. Whether you’re looking for a car, minibus, van, truck or motorhome, we’re the go-to vehicle rental company in the Birmingham area.

With a well-maintained fleet of vehicles for rent and highly competitive prices, look no further for cost-effective car hire for domestic and commercial customers. For more information about our range of services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Chief Rentals today.