England's 'best' road trip home to the most beautiful beaches you'll ever see
Spend a few days along Britain's best road trip taking in miles of scenic coastal stretches.
The North East is home to England’s best road trip, according to one travel blogger.
Paul McDougal says the Northumberland Coastal Route “isn’t the biggest, the most famous, or most dramatic road trip in England, but it’s absolutely my favourite”.
The travel guru admits however that he “might be a bit biased” as he is from the area himself.
He recommends driving from Tynemouth and “hugging the coast as closely as you can”.
Setting out from Tynemouth, just outside of Newcastle, it is only a 10-minute journey from Whitley Bay. Complete with a one-mile strip of Blue Flag beach, the seaside town is crammed with traditional pubs and independent shops.
Thirty minutes from the bay lies Cresswell, a coastal village whose sandy beach has been described by Visit Northumberland as “one of the best on the Northumberland coast for dog walkers and families looking for a day at the beach”.
Just under an hour further up the coat, Craster, a fishing village, is part of the Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This make the area one of England’s 34 sites marked out for conservation under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Visit Craster says of the village: “It is a popular destination for those seeking peace and quiet in a spectacular setting.”
Just a stone’s throw away is Alnwick Gardens, planted by the Duchess of Northumberland in 1996. Open to the public, the grounds, which feature an enclosed “poison garden” of around 100 deadly and dangerous plants, cost £18.95 to visit with a standard adult ticket.
From Craster, Berwick-upon-Tweed is only a 50 minute drive north, and the final stop of the trip. The town was named the Guardian’s “happiest place to live in Britain” in 2025, and was once described by the author, filmmaker, and Monty Python star Michael Palin as: “It feels like somewhere where stories happen and where stories are told.”
It's recommended to take your time along the route so you can spend a decent amount of time in lots of the stops, getting to know the area famous for its friendly people.
