The route from Kendal to Keswick in the Lake District has been voted Britain’s most beautiful drive, beating journeys through the Scottish Highlands and along the Welsh coastline, according to research from Isuzu UK.
The survey found that 92% of people believe the UK offers some of the best road trips in the world, with almost two-thirds saying domestic trips can be as enjoyable, or more enjoyable, than travelling abroad.
The poll of 2,000 people crowned the Kendal to Keswick drive (30%) as the favourite, narrowly ahead of Loch Lomond to Glencoe (29%) in the Scottish Highlands.
The 30-mile A591 route includes views of Lakeland fells and the banks of Windermere, while the Highland journey features Argyll Forest Park, Loch Tulla and Loch Ba.
The Coastal Way in Wales took third place (23%), followed by Cheddar Gorge in Somerset (21%) and the New Forest in Hampshire (20%). The Western Loop in the Lake District ranked sixth (18%), offering quieter routes through Eskdale, Wast Water and Buttermere.
Other routes to feature in the top 10 included Snake Pass in the Pennines (18%), the Yorkshire Dales Circular (18%), the Cotswolds Romantic Road (15%), and Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia (15%). Dartmoor National Park, the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland and Scotland’s North Coast 500 were also among the top choices.
The research highlighted the UK’s enthusiasm for driving breaks, with the average person taking seven road trips a year, covering around 93 miles each time.
Partners were the most common driving companions (63%), followed by children (34%) and friends (20%). Nearly nine in 10 people said they wanted to take even more trips.
However, obstacles included lack of time (44%), fuel costs (42%), family members preferring to travel abroad (21%) and uncertainty about where to go (14%). Vehicle limitations were also a factor, with one in 10 saying their car was not big enough or not reliable enough for long journeys.
George Wallis, head of marketing at Isuzu UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see just how much Brits appreciate the incredible scenery that we have in the UK, with routes like Kendal to Keswick and Loch Lomond to Glencoe topping the list.
“With 92% saying the UK has some of the world’s best road trips, and two-thirds believing they can be just as enjoyable as going abroad. Of course, having the right vehicle makes all the difference, and the dependable 4×4 Isuzu D-Max, with its go-anywhere capability, is built to help drivers tackle these stunning routes with ease.
“Whether it’s winding through Cheddar Gorge or climbing Llanberis Pass, the Isuzu D-Max ensures you pick-up amazing memories, one scenic stop at a time.”
The study also looked at road trip essentials. Bottled water and fully charged mobile phones were top of the list (60% each), followed by crisps (46%), homemade sandwiches (44%), travel sweets (39%) and a flask of tea or coffee (39%). Four in 10 said plotting service station stops was essential, while 38% would not travel without a dedicated playlist.
Other must-haves included chocolate (36%), blankets (35%), wet wipes (32%), pillows (29%), jelly sweets (29%) and fruit (27%).
The research was commissioned by Isuzu UK and carried out by Perspectus Global in March 2025.
