From Sussex to Scotland, my road trip through four centuries of British holidays

A travel writer recently completed a 1,600-mile road trip across Britain to research the history of British holidays spanning four centuries. Starting from Sussex, the journey took her north through Snowdonia, Lancashire, the Lake District, and Yorkshire before reaching Scotland's wild peaks.

The route deliberately traced the evolution of British leisure travel. Key stops included Llandudno's Victorian promenade in North Wales and the bright lights of Blackpool in Lancashire, both pivotal destinations in Britain's holiday heritage. The Lake District and Yorkshire moorlands rounded out the itinerary.

For this southern England-based writer, the research expedition revealed unfamiliar territory in Britain's north. Despite living in the UK, she discovered her homeland contained landscapes and destinations largely unknown to her. The two-week solo drive formed part of broader research for a book examining how British holiday culture developed over 400 years.

The journey highlights a travel trend among British audiences: rediscovering domestic destinations. Rather than international flights, more travellers explore Britain's regional attractions and historical sites. This particularly applies to England's north, which offers dramatic scenery, Victorian-era seaside towns, and cultural heritage often overlooked by southern residents.

The road trip structure itself reflects contemporary travel preferences. Self-drive holidays across Britain appeal to those seeking flexible itineraries and the ability to pause at smaller towns and historical markers. Blackpool and Llandudno specifically showcase how Victorian and Edwardian seaside culture shaped British leisure traditions.

This expedition demonstrates that comprehensive British holidays need not involve expensive overseas travel. Regional exploration across distinct landscapes, from Welsh mountains to Scottish highlands, delivers both discovery and historical context. The route covers some of Britain's most dramatic terrain and culturally significant holiday destinations, making it accessible for domestic travellers planning similar multi-region journeys.