Road-Tripping: 7 Scenic Destinations To Drive To Post-Lockdown

Grantley Hall, Yorkshire Dales

How about exploring Yorkshire’s spectacular scenery by car post-lockdown? Grantley Hall is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with World Heritage site and National Trust-run Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal right on the doorstep. From behind the wheel you’ll be able to check out The Buttertubs pass from Hawes to Swaledale, Masham via the moors and Castle Howard or North York Moors National Park. And the only way to cap off a day’s exploring? With a fine-dining experience with highly acclaimed British chef, Shaun Rankin.

How?

Double rooms start from £340 including breakfast | grantleyhall.co.uk

Country Kids, France

If you’re taking the kids, this is the ultimate road-trip destination. Formally a Roquefort Dairy in the 1800s, the beautiful Le Mas Pandit estate comprises four three-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment in The Old Dairy, a five-bedroom farmhouse and a cosy two-bedroom cottage. All feature rustic French country interiors, plus a host of toys to keep little ones happy. Near Octon, in the stunning Occitanie countryside, arriving by car is a must (bring nerves of steel for the narrow mountain roads) to explore the surrounding area, from sleepy church villages with winding, rose-lined alleyways, to the beautiful Lac du Salagou, perfect for picnics. Once there, children from three months and up will be kept entertained for as much or as little of your stay as you desire. The day starts at 9.30am feeding the animals on the farm with owner Sylvain (whom your children will adore) after which activities include bug safaris, pizza making, mini golf, trampolining, soft play and even overnight camping adventures for the older guests.

HOW?

Book at country-kids.fr | Travel via Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which takes 35 just minutes from England.

Loch Lomond Manor, Scotland

Pass beautiful mountain landscapes and sparkling lochs on your journey to Oliver’s Travels’ Loch Lomond Manor, which is the perfect base from which to explore the Argyll Coastal Route, one of Scotland’s most scenic drives. With gorgeous views over the Clyde and Argyll, this turreted property sleeps 12 guests across six bedrooms with extensive gardens, a tree swing and a wood burning stove, so you can take the whole family.

HOW?

Late 2020/2021 rates from £4,224 for a seven-night stay. To book, visit oliverstravels.com or call 0800 133 7999.

Tuscany, Italy

Famed for its beautiful driving routes, there are countless ways to explore this Italian region on four wheels, from a Leonardo Da Vinci art-focused tour, to the ‘Ferraris and Formaggio’ trip that involves a series of gourmet tastings navigated via sports car. For a classic tour of the area pick the Chiantigiana Route that runs through the famed Chianti Classico wine area from Florence to Siena.

HOW?

For more information about the tours visit visittuscany.com/. Stay at Villa Caprolo or I Corbezzoli along the way.

Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

How about checking out The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland, a 120-mile trail of scenic drives encompassing patchwork hills, mountain streams, waterfalls and enticing coastal roads. As well as stopping off at golden sandy beaches, you can also stop off at the Giant’s Causeway, where 40,000 basalt columns jut out into the ocean.

HOW?

Stay at Hastings Hotels along the way such as Ballygally Castle, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast and The Culloden Estate & Spa

Pictured: Ballygally Castle

Lake Como to Florence, Italy

If you can face an all-day drive, the journey from the UK via Calais to the Italian riviera takes approximately 11 hours via France and Switzerland. Once there, head for Villa d’Este on Lake Como, once a former residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio and now a favourite haunt of Hollywood icons, musicians, writers and more. As well as being home to the first floating pool on the lake for the ultimate in relaxation, Villa d’Este can also arrange the rental of exclusive, luxury cars for guests during their stay including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati and Mercedes, so you can trade up your road trip vehicle temporarily to explore the area.

From here, it’s another five-hour drive to Tuscany along the River Arno and through the Chianti region and on to Villa La Massa, just a few miles from the centre of Florence. Stay in a private villa onsite and enjoy the hearty Tuscan cuisine, delicious local wines and relax in the on-site spa.

HOW?

villadeste.com | villalamassa.com

Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland

How about a coastal road-trip up to St Andrews, Scotland? Once there, the Fairmont St Andrews is set within a 520-acre estate with beautiful surroundings, access to low cliffs and rocky bays and the Fife Coastal Path to explore. There is even the opportunity to get closer to nature with the 20,000 dark native Scottish honeybees and wild flower meadow as a bee sanctuary, introduced as part of the hotel’s ongoing commitment to green tourism.

HOW?

fairmont.com/st-andrews-scotland

Photo by Laila Gebhard on Unsplash