7 Must-See Stops on a Land’s End to John O’Groats Road Trip

At the wild borderlands of Somerset and Devon, Exmoor’s valleys slope steeply and its moorlands range. Interspersed by the occasional gnarled tree or solitary buck, the national park stretches out to the sea, offering you a variety of landscapes to explore within the park bounds. It’s also scored by a network of paths and bridleways where you can stop and stretch your legs towards the rushing sea.

Before getting back on the road, spend the night in one of many cobblestoned villages, where fireplaces blaze in traditional pubs and cafés serve local cheeses, or make time to stargaze in these dark night skies.

Related: 11 of the Best Places To Go Stargazing in the UK and Ireland

Heading eastwards, keep an eye out for grazing sheep, Tudor-style towns, and centuries-old churches before you make it to one of Britain’s oldest and most mysterious historic sites—Stonehenge. Pick up an admission ticket and an audio guide to fully immerse yourself in the curious world of ancient druids. Another 1.5 hours from there, you’ll reach the spindling spires of Oxford, home to the eponymous university, the oldest in the English-speaking world. Take a tour of the campus, or join a sightseeing cruise to roam the picturesque city from the comfort of the canal.

The UK’s oldest national park has two faces—muted northern moorlands and southern hills contoured by pale limestone ridges. Clearly indicated trails weave between their peaks and crags, guiding travelers along miles distinguished by baying sheep and wildflower clusters. Hike between stately homes plucked straight from a period drama and quaint riverfront village pubs, or delve underground on a self-guided tour of the curious Treak Cliff Cavern.

Once a fortress of Viking warriors and Roman legions, Norman lords, and Parliamentarian rebels, today York offers narrow streets lined with quaint stores. Join a history walking tour to learn as much as possible about its past, or, for a self-guided tour, grab a York Pass and start at York Minster, the largest medieval cathedral in Europe. Walking to the City Walls, you’ll pass the remnants of Roman and Norman settlements before reaching the city’s 13th-century circular boundary, where you can and should pause for scenic views. It’s also possible to take a private tour of the walls leading up to York Castle.

Every year, roadtrippers flock to England’s largest and arguably best-known national park, the Lake District. It’s made up of a network of flower-flecked valleys, glacial lakes, and mountain ridges, traversable by trail or by cruise. Hikers will want to trace the routes of some of Britain’s most acclaimed poets and painters, following the marked trails between 10 expansive lakes—or, paddle out onto the lakes through the low morning mist. For a deeper dive, take a tour of the park’s natural and historical highlights, or visit the quaint villages located within its boundaries, such as Keswick and Grasmere.

Your next stop is Glasgow, a Scottish city that’s increasingly popular for its youthful energy and flourishing hospitality scene. Visit the revitalized shipyard to check out high-end restaurants and lively bars serving locally sourced Scottish brews (best enjoyed after seeing your drink brewed up close). The city also makes an ideal base for exploring Scotland’s highlights. You can take tours to spot the scenic steam train of Harry Potter fame, try to spot the monster that lurks under scenic Loch Ness, or even whip around the very best of the Highlands and islands on a private, curated tour.

For the final stretch of your road trip, take in views of the uppermost ring of Scotland’s coast as you drive the western portion of the North Coast 500. On this portion of the 500-mile (805-kilometer) circular road, you’ll wind along gorgeous, remote coastlines, passing by the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, before finally reaching the quaint seaside village of John O’Groats, the northernmost point in the UK. After you’ve explored its colorful buildings and quiet charms, take a cruise to view sea life and dramatic cliffs before heading back down south.