England Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries

Explore 17 self-drive trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to England.
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Durations: 12 days · 13 days · 15 days
Your outdoor adventures start in the heart of England's spectacular Lake District
Map of Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 11 Days
Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 11 Days

Make your UK holiday an outdoor adventure as you explore the unspoiled Lake District and ruggedly beautiful Scottish Highlands over 11 packed days. You'll arrive in Cumbria, in England's north, to discover the county's famed woodlands and lakes on foot, horseback, and in a canoe. Then, hit the road toward Scotland to kayak across the Great Glen, go mountain biking on the slopes of Ben Nevis, and follow a"whisky trail" across the Isle of Skye.

Your outdoor adventures kick off in England's gloriously scenic Lake District
Map of Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 13 Days
Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 13 Days

Go beyond the UK's big cities and embrace the great outdoors as you explore the unspoiled beauty of England's Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. Your 13-day adventure starts in Ambleside as you discover Cumbria's pristine wilderness on foot, by canoe, and even on a pony trek. Cross into Scotland to enjoy a raucous dinner and folk music in Glasgow before kayaking across the Great Glen, mountain biking on the slopes of Ben Nevis, and following the "whisky trail" across the Isle of Skye.

The first leg of your journey takes your from London to the Cotswolds, where you'll stop by Blenheim Palace for tea
Map of Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 12 Days
Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 12 Days

Spend 12 days on a self-drive journey through some of the most famous cities and countryside attractions in the UK and Ireland. It begins in London, where you'll hit the highlights before heading to the honey-colored villages and rolling hills of the Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cross into Wales for historic castles and seaside towns, then hop a ferry to Ireland for literary adventures in Dublin and a scenic road trip through County Cork and the Ring of Kerry.

Have fun browsing the artisan stalls at London's foodie heaven, Borough Market
Map of England for Foodies: A Self-Drive Adventure from London to Manchester - 8 Days
England for Foodies: A Self-Drive Adventure from London to Manchester - 8 Days

Bring your appetite along on this eight-day tour that combines gastronomy, history, and a self-drive adventure. Kick things off with afternoon tea at London's legendary Savoy Hotel and a food tour through the capital's backstreets and alleyways. Then, pick up your rental car and embark on a glorious road trip through Oxford, the Cotswolds, and Shakespearean Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll finish with a craft beer tasting in Chester before soaking up Manchester's dazzling food and drink scene.

It's not a food tour of England without an afternoon tea with scones, jam, and cream
Map of England & Scotland for Foodies: London to the Highlands via Gourmet Tours & Whisky Tastings - 13 Days
England & Scotland for Foodies: London to the Highlands via Gourmet Tours & Whisky Tastings - 13 Days

Tantalize your taste buds as you explore England and Scotland with this 13-day trip perfect for curious foodies, craft beer lovers, and whisky connoisseurs. Sample London's formidable gastronomy scene with a tour of Borough Market and admire the Cotswolds' countryside as you drive from Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon. Get a taste of northern traditions with brewery and food tours of Cheshire and Manchester, then fly to Edinburgh for a road trip between Highland distilleries and historic castles.

Your road trip kicks off with a drive from London to the charming Cotswolds
Map of Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 11 Days
Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 11 Days

Get a glimpse of three different countries in just 11 days with this self-drive journey across the UK and Ireland. It starts with a city tour of London, after which you'll hit the road toward Oxford and the Cotswolds, stopping for tea at Blenheim Palace along the way. Trade the English countryside for the dazzling Welsh coast, then hop over to Dublin, where you'll follow in the footsteps of James Joyce at Temple Bar and Trinity College and finish with a scenic road trip toward Kilkenny and Limerick.

Your trip begins in London, with a whirlwind tour of the city's most iconic landmarks, like the Tower of London
Map of Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 13 Days
Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 13 Days

Get behind the wheel on a self-drive adventure that takes you west across the UK, from dynamic London to enchanted Cotswold villages and the wild, castle-studded coastline of northern Wales. But the fun doesn't end there—it's off to the Emerald Isle next to enjoy Dublin's literary heritage and discover the medieval charms of Kilkenny. Your road trip wraps up with a sailing cruise along the Cork coast and an epic drive around the glorious scenery of the Ring of Kerry.

You'll find all manner of breads and baked goods at London's  Borough Market
Map of England & Scotland for Foodies: London to the Highlands via Gourmet Tours & Whisky Tastings- 12 Days
England & Scotland for Foodies: London to the Highlands via Gourmet Tours & Whisky Tastings- 12 Days

Sample the best of England and Scotland's food and drink offerings on this 12-day self-drive trip, which starts by ticking off two unbeatable culinary experiences in London: afternoon tea at The Savoy and a tour of Borough Market. Season a journey through Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon with craft beer and food tours in Chester and Manchester. Then touch down in Scotland for castles, whiskies, and more as you drive from Edinburgh to the Highlands.

Tunworth cheeses at Borough Market, London's vast foodie heaven
Map of England & Scotland for Foodies: Afternoon Teas, Craft Beer Tours & Whisky Tastings - 15 Days
England & Scotland for Foodies: Afternoon Teas, Craft Beer Tours & Whisky Tastings - 15 Days

This gastronomy-focused highlights tour of England and Scotland starts in London, where you'll wind through historic streets and sample international and local eats. Then, pick up your rental car for a voyage through whimsical Oxford and the Cotswolds en route to the buzzing foodie cities of Chester and Manchester. Fly to Scotland, and you'll hit the road once more as you drive east to west through the Highlands for whisky tastings, artisanal chocolate, and plenty of Scottish history.

Admire quintessential English countryside as you drive through the Cotswolds
Map of English Cities, Culture & Countryside - 12 Days
English Cities, Culture & Countryside - 12 Days

Embark on the road trip of a lifetime as you travel across England, from London to the Lake District. Marvel at highlights like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, then hit the road through the famous Cotswolds countryside, stopping in Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford. After enjoying a bit of Beatles history in Liverpool, continue north to the Lake District for adventures on the UK's largest lake, Windermere, before winding down in Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

England's Lake District, in the county of Cumbria, is renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor adventures
Map of Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 12 Days
Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 12 Days

Embark on a thrilling expedition through the UK's glorious north, from the fells of England's Lake District to the glens of the Scottish Highlands. Hike around scenic lakeshores and go canoeing before hitting the road to Scotland. Take a break for some city fun in Glasgow, then head up to famous lochs and the wilds of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park on a journey that culminates with whisky tours and cycling around Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak.

Taste the best of the UK's craft beer scene in the pubs and distilleries of Chester and Edinburgh
Map of England & Scotland for Foodies: Afternoon Teas, Craft Beer Tours & Whisky Tastings - 14 Days
England & Scotland for Foodies: Afternoon Teas, Craft Beer Tours & Whisky Tastings - 14 Days

From the East End of London to the Highlands of Scotland, you'll discover the best of the UK's gastronomy on this two-week, self-drive tour. Graze your way through the capital's Borough Market, picnic on the riverbanks of Oxford, and see the birthplace of the Bard in Stratford. Sip stouts at a Chester brewery and explore Manchester's multicultural history through its cuisine, then you're off to Scotland for whisky tours and Highland history as you road trip from Edinburgh to Inverness.

A sign advertising Welsh cakes, which you'll taste on a gourmet tour of Cardiff
Map of Food, History & Culture Across England & Wales - 15 Days
Food, History & Culture Across England & Wales - 15 Days

Spend just over two weeks feasting your way from the streets of London to the rugged coasts of North Wales with this 15-day trip that weaves together food tours, history, and culture. You'll start with elegant afternoon tea at The Savoy before seeing royal sights and getting to grips with the capital's pub culture. Then, grab your car keys and explore the Cotswolds and Shakespeare's birthplace before descending upon the northwest for the best in local food and drink.

See a slice of England in 15 days, from the Beatles' Liverpool haunts to the wilds of the Lake District
Map of England's Cities, Culture & Countryside: London to the Lake District - 15 Days
England's Cities, Culture & Countryside: London to the Lake District - 15 Days

This scenic trip across England takes you from London to the Lake District in 15 eventful days. It kicks off with tea service and e-scooter rides around the capital, followed by a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and a spin around the glorious Cotswolds countryside. Then it's off to the north for a week of outdoor adventures in Lake District National Park sandwiched between city tours of Liverpool and Manchester.

This self-drive adventure takes you from London to the country lanes of the Lake District
Map of English Cities, Culture & Countryside: London to the Lake District - 13 Days
English Cities, Culture & Countryside: London to the Lake District - 13 Days

Hit the open road on a self-drive adventure across England, from historic cities to the wilds of the far north. Visit the highlights of London, like Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, then head to Stratford to see a Shakespeare performance in the birthplace of the Bard. After hopping around Cotswolds villages and visiting Liverpool, you'll spend a few relaxing days enjoying outdoor activities in Lake District National Park before finishing up with culture and food tours in Manchester.

Some of England's most dramatic landscapes are found in the Lake District
Map of Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 14 Days
Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 14 Days

The UK is famous for its historic cities, but equally dazzling is its unspoiled countryside. This two-week outdoor adventure starts in northern England, with hiking and kayaking in the glorious Lake District (home to the country's largest lakes). After walking in the footsteps of rock history in Glasgow, you'll venture into the rugged Scottish Highlands for horseback riding in national parks, whisky tours on the Isle of Skye, a cruise on Loch Linnhe, and mountain biking down the trails of Ben Nevis.

Drop into some of London's most historic pubs for a classic pint and plenty of atmosphere
Map of Food, History & Culture Across England & Wales - 13 Days
Food, History & Culture Across England & Wales - 13 Days

Weave your way across 2,000 years of British history and culinary customs—from the elegance of afternoon tea to the centuries-old tradition of catching up over a pint in the pub. Your 13-day adventure starts in the capital, where, over four days, you'll see royal landmarks and sample delicacies at the famous Borough Market. A foodie sojourn to North Wales completes the experience, but not before you've sipped fizz at Blenheim Palace and learned about craft beers in the Roman city of Chester.

Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard your way across the glassy lakes of Lake District National Park
Map of  Nature & Adventure in England's Lake District - 10 Days
Nature & Adventure in England's Lake District - 10 Days

Experience the glory of England's north as you adventure your way through the fabled landscapes of the Lake District. This 10-day itinerary begins on the historic streets of Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and continues up into the unspoiled wilds of Lake District National Park. There, you'll hike, kayak, and cycle around famous landmarks like Windermere (the largest lake in the UK), capping the journey with a hike along the ancient Roman ruins of Hadrian's Wall.

Spend your adventure with four days days of canoeing, paddleboarding, hiking, and horseback riding around England's Lake District
Map of Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 15 Days
Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 15 Days

Scotland and the north of England are packed with wonders, both human-made and natural, and you'll spend just over two weeks discovering them with this outdoor-oriented adventure that begins with canoeing and horseback riding around the unspoiled Lake District. After hiking along the ancient Roman landmark of Hadrian's Wall, you'll head into Scotland to e-bike your way through the Highlands, kayak on famous lochs, sip whisky on the Isle of Skye, and more.

Conwy in Wales is know for its local produce, especially its excellent seafood
Map of England & Wales for Foodies: Pubs, Markets & Seafood - 14 Days
England & Wales for Foodies: Pubs, Markets & Seafood - 14 Days

This fortnight of gastronomy-focused adventures starts with an in-depth tour of London's culinary hotspots and gathers pace as you hit the road west into the classic English countryside for Champagne afternoon teas and Shakespeare's Stratford. Five nights in Wales have you touring the Brecon Beacons and discovering Welsh delicacies in Snowdonia, before sipping on craft beers in Chester and descending upon the northern powerhouse of Manchester for a foodie finale.