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My Pride, Prejudice & Panic Attack Road Trip
You know those trips that are a little chaotic, a little misty, a little magical, and everything you hoped for, even when it wasn’t going to plan? That’s what this 9 day UK road trip (not counting travel to and from the UK) turned out to be. From misty gardens to medieval halls, traffic circles to towering castles, this was a whirlwind of countryside charm, historic homes, and some truly nerve-wracking driving.
9 day UK Road Trip Itinerary
- Day 1: London Landing
- Day 2: London → Cotswolds
- Day 3: Exploring the Cotswolds
- Day 4: Cotswolds → Peak District
- Day 5: Last Stop in England – Bakewell and Haddon Hall
- Day 6: Welcome to Scotland
- Day 7: Castles & Highland Vibes
- Day 8: Glencoe → Edinburgh
- Day 9: Edinburgh in All Its Weather
Day 1: London Landing
London made the perfect starting point for my 9 day UK orad trip- mostly because nearly every international flight lands there, and the city itself is worth a day or two before heading out. After a long overnight flight, I followed the advice of my airplane seatmate (a kind local) and hopped on the Elizabeth Line straight into the city. What a gem of a guy.
Even running on little sleep, London was energizing. I spent the afternoon wandering the V&A Museum, catching a glimpse of Big Ben, strolling through Mayfair and Grosvenor Square, and finally crashing at an IBIS hotel for the night. Just enough time to soak up some art and architecture and walk the same streets that show up in every great historical romance set in London. It was a solid welcome to the UK- busy, beautiful, and full of history- and the perfect launch point for the quieter countryside days ahead. I will come back to visit London more fully on a later trip.
Day 2: London → Cotswolds
England turned on the charm and the fog for these second day of the UK road trip. I picked up my rental car (a decision I now have mixed feelings about) and headed toward the countryside. Stonehenge made a blurry cameo from the highway- there was no way I was hiking through the cold mist or mud to see it up close.
The real highlight? Stourhead Gardens, where Mr. Darcy proposed to Elizabeth in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice. I’m not saying I teared up or anything, but I did a happy dance.
I also made a quick stop in Lacock, a village straight out of a film set because, well, it literally is one (Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, to name a few).
Let’s pause here: driving in the UK is not for the faint of heart. I’ve tackled the Amalfi Coast and thought I could handle it. But y’all, the brain gymnastics required to stay on the left side of the road, in the right side of the car, while navigating mini-lanes and stone hedges is something else. If you’re a confident driver, go for it- but be warned. I was sweating through my coat.
I ended the day in Bourton-on-the-Water, a picture-perfect village that felt like something out of a snow globe. Worth every near-death moment on the road. CHARMING!
Day 3: Cotswolds
This might have been my favorite day. I traveled through the Cotswolds, and every village was equally gorgeous as the next. Seriously, the drive there is half the fun because everything is picturesque! I went to Burford, Castle Combe, and finished back at Bourton-on-the-Water for my second night stay!
Beautiful Wiltshire.
Castle Combe
Castle Combe is often called the prettiest village in England- and it absolutely earns the title. I saw it on TikTok and knew I had to add it to my UK road trip itinerary. Tucked into the Wiltshire countryside, this tiny hamlet feels like it’s frozen in time. With its honey-colored stone cottages, quiet streets, and old stone bridge over a gentle stream, Castle Combe looks like something out of a storybook. There are no streetlights, no modern signage, and barely a trace of anything contemporary, which only adds to its charm. It’s the kind of place where you slow down for a pot of tea and just enjoy everything without even trying.
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Day 4: Cotswolds → Peak District
I visited Chatsworth House, which Austen fans will recognize as Mr. Darcy’s from the 2005 Pride & Prejudice movie. I sat on the lawn, read Pride & Prejudice, and tried to wrap my head around the grandeur. It’s hard to overstate how massive and ornate it is and the kind of wealth it represented, especially back in the 1700s-1800s. Even though I am not a big fan of generational wealth like this, I am glad I added it to my UK road trip itinerary.
That night, I stayed in the historic Riber Hall, which is now a B&B. It was seriously the best stay with the location, the history (apparently, Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed for two days), and the breakfast. I ended the day on a walk through the countryside near Riber and found a castle and a public field path, as one does in England.
Day 5: Last Stop in England in Bakewell & Haddon Hall
I kicked things off with a great breakfast at my B&B. Food in the UK is questionable at best to my American tastes, but I loved this breakfast that was prepared for me.
At my B&B owner’s recommendation, I went to the Bakewell farmer’s market for cheese and people-watching. Seriously, if your UK road trip coincides with the market schedule, be sure to stop! It was worth it for the cheese alone!
From there, I visited Haddon Hall, a medieval estate that stood in stark (and refreshing) contrast to Chatsworth’s flash. I enjoyed the seeing the crenellations of the castle, the lovely English gardens, and the interior molding.
Then came a very long drive north- what should’ve been 3.5 hours stretched to nearly 5 thanks to traffic. But with the right playlist, even bumper-to-bumper in a tiny UK town isn’t too bad.
Day 6: Welcome to Scotland
The UK road trip crossed into Scotland! After I made a quick stop at the Gretna Green gas station—because how could I not visit the famously romantic town from all those historical novels I read as a teenager – I headed through Glencoe with no agenda, just a route from point A to B. I expected it to feel a bit aimless, but it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable days of the trip. Sometimes, having no plan really is the best plan. Stopping wherever and whenever I wanted made for a magical day in the Scottish Highlands. Definitely try to add a day of meandering to your UK road trip itinerary.
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Day 7: Castles & Highland Vibes
Checked another castle off my list- Eilean Donan, and wow, it did not disappoint. Perched on a small tidal island where three lochs meet, it looks like something straight out of a movie (and actually has been in several). The stone bridge, the misty hills behind it, the way it reflects off the water- it’s pure magic. If you’re anywhere near the Highlands, this one is a must-see for your UK road trip itinerary. Scotland just kept raising the bar with its wild, dramatic landscapes.
Day 8: Glencoe → Edinburgh
One more peek at the Highlands as I head out, and it somehow beat my first day if that was even possible. The rain and the sun created the most epic rainbow, and if I expressed emotions like a normal person, I might have cried. I cannot fully express how I felt that day witnessing this landscape.
But it was back to reality and I had to leave the loveliness of the Scottish Highlands and head to the final stop of the UK road trip. Onward to Edinburgh I went, where I finally ditched the car and sighed a huge breath of relief. This was my final day with the rental car, and I was more than ready to hand over those keys.
A few takeaways from UK road trip driving:
- Roundabouts: Genius. We need more of them in the U.S.
- Motorway manners: So courteous! Everyone moves over to let you pass. It was weirdly wholesome.
- Country roads: Terrifying. The hedges and stone walls literally right next to the road feel like they are practically in the road.
- Fuel prices: Painful. I spent a small fortune just getting around.
Still- no regrets. Seeing places off the tourist path was worth the panic.
I was reaching the point of my UK road trip where my energy was waning, so I spent a chill night at my Airbnb apartment that was in a residential part of the city. I went to a nearby grocery store and became one with the couch and my Kindle. I knew I would have to rally for one more full day, and I am glad I rested.
Day 9: Edinburgh in All Its Weather
If you don’t like the weather in Scotland, just wait 30 minutes. It poured. Then the sun came out. Then it poured again. It was absolutely perfect for my visit to Edinburgh. I explored the city mostly on foot and honestly wish I had more time here. But I firmly believe in leaving a place with a reason to come back and I just think Edinburgh has lots of reasons to come back.
Day 10: Headed Home
Back to Georgia with a camera roll full of castles, gardens, and very narrow roads. I missed my people, my dog, and Mexican food- though not necessarily in that order. This trip reminded me why I love traveling: it forces you out of your comfort zone and right into the kind of moments that stay with you forever.
Would I recommend a UK road trip? Absolutely- especially if you have even a passing love for Jane Austen, rolling countryside, charming villages, and historic stops at every turn. Nine days felt like the perfect amount of time: enough to settle into the rhythm of driving on the left, see a variety of regions, and not feel rushed. I wandered through the Cotswolds, explored nearby ancient castles, walked cobbled streets in towns older than anything back home, and stopped often just to take in the views.
The UK is especially great for road trips because the drives themselves are part of the experience- scenic, manageable distances, and always dotted with something interesting, whether it’s a tea shop, a sheep-covered hill, or a crumbling abbey. Bonus points if you’ve got someone else to handle the roundabouts and country lanes, but even with the learning curve, it was unforgettable. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
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The cool aunt. Plant novice who loves to travel to cool places, eat unadventurous food, and take pretty photos.
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