Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Seven days · England

Seven days driving in England

The Lakes, the Peaks, the Dales and the Moors, all reachable from most of the country in a morning.

A week is enough to link two regions or to loop one properly with two nights in the best base. Keep at least one rest day in the plan.

Days

7 days, 6 nights

Rough distance

1391.9 mi

Daily average

198.8 mi

Best months

April to October, with the Lakes best midweek

Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk

Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Daily distances are set for enjoyable driving rather than maximum ground covered. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 8 June 2026

Day by day

How the trip breaks up

Day 1

Hardknott Pass and Honister Pass

  • Hardknott Pass · 3.1 mi · 9.5 / 10. England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.
  • Honister Pass · 4 mi · 9.3 / 10. A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 46 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 2

Wrynose Pass and Buttertubs Pass

  • Wrynose Pass · 4 mi · 9.1 / 10. Narrow single track linking Langdale to Duddon Valley over the ancient Three Shire Stone.
  • Buttertubs Pass · 6.8 mi · 9.1 / 10. Tour de France famous climb past limestone potholes between two classic dale villages.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 52 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 3

Hartside Pass and Snake Pass

  • Hartside Pass · 8.1 mi · 9.1 / 10. A biker's classic with wide open views across the Eden Valley to the Lakeland fells.
  • Snake Pass · 9.9 mi · 8.9 / 10. Sweeping moorland A road that rolls and dips across the wild Pennine spine.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 57 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 4

Cat and Fiddle Road and Trough of Bowland

  • Cat and Fiddle Road · 7.1 mi · 8.9 / 10. A biker and driver favourite of fast open curves past England's second highest pub.
  • Trough of Bowland · 6.2 mi · 8.9 / 10. A ribbon of tarmac threading heather fells said to mark the centre of Britain.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 53 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 5

Kirkstone Pass and Long Preston to Slaidburn

  • Kirkstone Pass · 6.8 mi · 8.7 / 10. The highest road pass in the Lakes open to through traffic, with sweeping fell views.
  • Long Preston to Slaidburn · 8.7 mi · 8.3 / 10. An overlooked back road across rolling limestone fells with almost no traffic.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 51 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 6

Military Road and Goyt Valley Road

  • Military Road · 19.9 mi · 8.3 / 10. An arrow straight Roman era road that rolls dramatically beside Hadrian's Wall.
  • Goyt Valley Road · 5 mi · 8.2 / 10. A quiet forested run past reservoirs favoured by locals over the busier Cat and Fiddle.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 47 min behind the wheel including transit.

Practical

Where to start and what it costs

Base yourself

Manchester, Kendal or Sheffield

Nights to book

6 nights. On anything longer than five days, book two nights in the best base rather than moving hotel every evening.

Fuel and tolls

Budget for roughly 1391.9 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.

Other lengths

More time, or less, in England