Menu
Magdalen Bridge in Oxford

Self-drive Tours in the UK

Experience the best of England, Scotland and Wales on these UK self-drive tours. Stay in towns and cities brimming with old-world charm and enjoy soaking up the sights along the way. Plus, you’ll have opportunities for afternoon tea, countryside strolls and pub visits. Your dedicated, local travel consultant will arrange your trip, which includes accommodation, car rental and 24/7 support.

24 tours available

Filter By
5 days
25 days

Prices per adult based on bookings for two

899 GBP
5481 GBP
Clear filters
England, Scotland & Wales
Save up to 400 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
12 days / 11 nights
Apr-Oct

Classic Britain

England, Scotland & Wales

2015GBP

1815GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 400 GBP
Best seller
12 days / 11 nights
Apr-Oct

2015GBP

1815GBP

GBP

Close map view
England, Scotland & Wales
Save up to 640 GBP
Self-drive
17 days / 16 nights
Apr-Oct

Complete Britain

England, Scotland & Wales

3026GBP

2706GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 640 GBP
17 days / 16 nights
Apr-Oct

3026GBP

2706GBP

GBP

Close map view
England, Scotland & Wales
Self-drive
10 days / 9 nights
Apr - Oct

Express Britain

England, Scotland & Wales

1737GBP

Eur

View map
10 days / 9 nights
Apr - Oct

1737GBP

GBP

Close map view
England, Scotland & Wales
Save up to 400 GBP
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
Apr-Oct

Classic Britain at Leisure

England, Scotland & Wales

2469GBP

2269GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 400 GBP
14 days / 13 nights
Apr-Oct

2469GBP

2269GBP

GBP

Close map view
England, Scotland & Wales
Save up to 800 GBP
Self-drive
21 days / 20 nights
Apr-Oct

Complete Britain at Leisure

England, Scotland & Wales

3768GBP

3368GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 800 GBP
21 days / 20 nights
Apr-Oct

3768GBP

3368GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Save up to 400 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
10 days / 9 nights
4.8
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland

1963GBP

1763GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 400 GBP
Best seller
10 days / 9 nights
Apr - Oct

1963GBP

1763GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Save up to 160 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
8 days / 7 nights
4.7
Apr - Oct

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye

1639GBP

1559GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 160 GBP
Best seller
8 days / 7 nights
Apr - Oct

1639GBP

1559GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Save up to 640 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
17 days / 16 nights
4.7
Apr - Oct

Grand Tour of Scotland

Scottish Highlands & North Coast 500

3606GBP

3286GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 640 GBP
Best seller
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

3606GBP

3286GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Best seller
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland at Leisure

2640GBP

Eur

View map
Best seller
14 days / 13 nights
Apr - Oct

2640GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Best seller
Self-drive
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

Complete Scotland at Leisure

Scottish Highlands, North Coast 500 & Outer Hebrides

3538GBP

Eur

View map
Best seller
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

3538GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Save up to 400 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
4.8
Apr - Oct

Complete Scotland

Scottish Highlands & North Coast 500

3005GBP

2805GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 400 GBP
Best seller
14 days / 13 nights
Apr - Oct

3005GBP

2805GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
5 days / 4 nights
Apr- Oct

Scenic Scotland - Express

Loch Ness & the Highlands

899GBP

Eur

View map
5 days / 4 nights
Apr- Oct

899GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
7 days / 6 nights
4.9
Apr - Oct

Express Scotland

1367GBP

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
Apr - Oct

1367GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Best seller
Self-drive
12 days / 11 nights
4.6
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland & The Orkney Islands

2431GBP

Eur

View map
Best seller
12 days / 11 nights
Apr - Oct

2431GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
7 days / 6 nights
Apr - Oct

The Outlander Trail

1258GBP

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
Apr - Oct

1258GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland & Ireland
Save up to 640 GBP
Best seller
Self-drive
14 days / 13 nights
4.8
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland & Ireland

3295GBP

2975GBP

Eur

View map
Save up to 640 GBP
Best seller
14 days / 13 nights
Apr - Oct

3295GBP

2975GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland & Ireland
Best seller
Self-drive
12 days / 11 nights
4.8
Apr - Oct

Express Scotland & Ireland

2817GBP

Eur

View map
Best seller
12 days / 11 nights
Apr - Oct

2817GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland & Ireland
Self-drive
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

Complete Scotland & Ireland

3634GBP

Eur

View map
17 days / 16 nights
Apr - Oct

3634GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
8 days / 7 nights
Apr - Oct

Express Scotland & St Andrews

1594GBP

Eur

View map
8 days / 7 nights
Apr - Oct

1594GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
8 days / 7 nights
Nov - Mar

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye - Winter

1372GBP

Eur

View map
8 days / 7 nights
Nov - Mar

1372GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
12 days / 11 nights
Apr - Oct

Classic Scotland & Outer Hebrides

2340GBP

Eur

View map
12 days / 11 nights
Apr - Oct

2340GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland
Self-drive
7 days / 6 nights
Nov - Mar

Express Scotland - Winter

1318GBP

Eur

View map
7 days / 6 nights
Nov - Mar

1318GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland & Ireland
Self-drive
21 days / 20 nights
Apr - Oct

Grand Tour of Scotland & Ireland

Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye & Wild Atlantic Way

4488GBP

Eur

View map
21 days / 20 nights
Apr - Oct

4488GBP

GBP

Close map view
Scotland & Ireland
Self-drive
25 days / 24 nights
Apr - Oct

Ultimate Tour of Scotland & Ireland

Scottish Highlands, North Coast 500 & Wild Atlantic Way

5481GBP

Eur

View map
25 days / 24 nights
Apr - Oct

5481GBP

GBP

Close map view

About British Self-drive Tours

Take the wheel on these carefully curated road trips and you’ll soon be making lifelong memories as you discover the UK. Explore ancient heritage sites, vibrant cities and stunning national parks on your getaway, with help from a UK-based travel consultant who will arrange it all for you.

When you book a driving tour of the UK with Nordic Visitor, you can expect:

• An authentic travel experience operated by a trusted local company
• A dedicated travel consultant to arrange your trip
• A detailed personal itinerary and hand-marked route map
Car rental with unlimited mileage and CDW insurance
Handpicked accommodation for a relaxing stay
24/7 phone support during your travels for peace of mind

To begin your trip with Nordic Visitor, follow these simple steps:

1. Pick your favourite Nordic Visitor package
2. Confirm (or customise) your package
3. Check your confirmation email
4. Book your flights
5. Get ready for your trip

Why Book With Us

Clean grey shield icon

Book With Confidence

Secure your trip your way with Nordic Visitor. Book a tour with as little as 10% deposit. With a 20% deposit or more, you will receive our Cancellation Protection free of charge. You can also pay the full price right away to guarantee today’s exchange rate. Terms & conditions apply.

Book With Confidence

NV trusted logo icon

Trusted local travel experts

Since 2002, Nordic Visitor has been crafting unforgettable trips in Northern Europe. As experienced British tour operators, you can be sure that we have carefully chosen every accommodation, route and attraction. Plus, your personal UK-based expert will have plenty of local knowledge to share with you.

customize tour tools

Car insurance included

Your self-drive tour includes a rental car with our tried-and-tested partner. You also get Collision Damage Waiver insurance and unlimited mileage as standard. So with Nordic Visitor, you can take the wheel with confidence. Plus, you have the freedom to pick the type of rental car you want.

Tripadvisor great reviews icon

Great reviews

Our dedicated teams deliver excellent service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence. We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travelers say they would recommend us to friends and family.

Good hands heart icon

You are in good hands

Embrace your independence on a self-drive tour, where assistance is just a call away. If something unexpected crops up during your trip, contact a travel consultant on our 24/7 helpline. Whether it's an unforeseen event or weather issue, we will update your itinerary while keeping you safe and informed.

Secure payments lock icon

Full financial protection

With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your holiday arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.

Handpicked hotels stars yellow icon

Handpicked hotels

Sleep soundly knowing that we have handpicked every hotel, guesthouse and B&B for its character and high standards of comfort and cleanliness. You’ll also find that each place you stay has easy access to parking and is in a convenient location for sightseeing. And, of course, you’ll get a warm welcome.

Customised tours icon

Flexible tour options

These self-drive tours are designed by our local travel experts, incorporating the best destinations and routes so you’ll get the most out of your time in the UK. And you can amend your itinerary online by adding optional activities or extra nights, and treat yourself by upgrading from Comfort Plus to Superior accommodation.

Reviews for UK Road Trips

These UK self-drive tours are brand new, but you can read feedback from our customers about their road trips in Scotland.

L

LauraUnited States

AMAZING. We stayed in hotels we probably would not have booked on our own and the host were fabulous and told us that... read more

AMAZING. We stayed in hotels we probably would not have booked on our own and the host were fabulous and told us that Annie was a pleasure to work with when booking our stay. All the hotels knew who we were and expected us. When our ferry got cancelled Annie made sure to call the hotel and notify us of a change of plans and gave us a very detailed route and got in contact with our next hotel to notify them that we would be late. We were very impressed!

L

LindaUnited States

We had a very successful trip and I attribute a lot of this to the preparations put into place by Nordic. It was nice... read more

We had a very successful trip and I attribute a lot of this to the preparations put into place by Nordic. It was nice to know everything was laid out for us and a map highlighted with our trip and hotels marked was a great thing to have.  Also, the suggestions of things we might like to see was great!! Once again, thanks for a great trip!

2000+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Certificate of Excellence
See the reviews

Highlights of Your UK Driving Tour

Get ready to discover the best of England, Scotland and Wales on a UK road trip. Embrace the freedom to travel at your own pace and soon you could…

Frequently Asked Questions About
Self-drive UK Tour Packages

You might like to know more before booking your British self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor. Here we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about visiting the UK and travelling with us.

What’s more, choose Nordic Visitor and you can Book With Confidence, safe in the knowledge that your payments are protected. If you want to learn more about our processes and payment details, check out these booking terms and FAQs.

Yes! Thanks to an extensive road network, you’ll find that driving is one of the most convenient ways to explore the UK. Hire a car and you’ll be able to travel around the UK at your own pace, stopping whenever you like along the way.

Depending on where you’re going in the UK, you can expect different types of roads. Most major cities within the UK are connected by motorways or dual carriageways, which are often the quickest way to get from A to B. That said, you’ll usually enjoy a more picturesque journey by getting off these major routes.

When you book with Nordic Visitor, you can leave the route planning to us. Our local experts know the best roads to take around the country for both scenery and ease. You’ll even get a personalised road map that’s hand-marked with the recommended driving route for your trip.

For helpful information on driving in the UK, read our blog filled with travel tips from a local expert. For more inspiration, check out these best road trips in Europe.

You drive on the left-hand side of the road in the UK. This means your rental car will be right-hand drive and you’ll change gears with your left hand.

While many locals drive manual (stick shift) cars, you’ll find that rental companies offer automatic vehicles as well. In fact, if it’s your first time driving on the left-hand side – or if you feel more comfortable driving an automatic – we recommend this.

At its widest point, the UK is around 300 miles (500 kilometres) across. And it’s around 600 miles (1,000 kilometres) long. But you won’t necessarily be driving to all corners of the country, so it depends where exactly you plan on visiting.

While you can drive along motorways to arrive at your next destination more quickly, we suggest that you follow a more meandering route away from these major highways. This way, you’ll get to enjoy scenic views as you journey through the beautiful British countryside. Of course, this means the duration of your trip depends on what you’d like to see and do in the UK.

For a driving tour of England and Scotland, with the chance to see Wales as well, you’ll need at least 7 days. This will give you time to take in some of the top highlights in a short space of time. We do suggest that you stay longer than this, if you can, to have more free days to explore.

With 10 days, you could spend more time at key stops along the way. And with even longer, such as 2-3 weeks, you could delve more deeply into the local culture, enjoy travelling at a leisurely pace, and venture to more destinations and attractions.

Nordic Visitor’s UK travel experts have used their local knowledge to curate a range of itineraries, with various stops and durations. So you can pick the tour package that suits your interests and preferred pace. You can also add extra nights to extend your road trip.

Despite its relatively small size, you’ll find the UK is brimming with variety. So if you want to explore the best highlights, don’t limit yourself to just one region or country.

With so many distinct landscapes, towns and cities to discover, you’ll want to tour around to make the most of your time here. And you don’t need to travel far to do so!

With a rich cultural heritage going back further than Neolithic times, you can visit historic sites through the ages. For instance, you could admire the view from York’s medieval city walls and stroll past elegant Georgian townhouses in Bath and Edinburgh. You’ll also uncover places where the Romans and Vikings left their mark.

You can also add some top literary sites to your UK tour to see where famous authors got their inspiration from. 

The UK’s natural scenery is just as diverse. Venture to Scotland’s west coast and you’ll glimpse sparkling lakes and rugged mountains. Meanwhile, head to the English midlands for gorgeous countryside dotted with pretty market towns. 

Then, be sure to venture north to visit the stunning Lake District, historic Northumberland and post-card perfect Yorkshire. For more inspiration, read these top things to see and do in Northern England.

Here’s a round-up of the top places for you to check out on your UK trip:

Must-see cities:
• London
• Oxford
• Bath
• York
• Edinburgh

Charming small towns:
• Ambleside
• Bakewell
• Portree
• Llandudno
• Prestatyn

Beautiful national parks:
• Lake District
• Peak District
• Yorkshire Dales
• Trossachs
• Snowdonia (Eryri)

Other top spots you won’t want to miss:
• Stonehenge
• Hadrian's Wall
• Loch Ness
• Isle of Skye
• Portmeirion village

If you’re thinking about combining your British escape with an Irish self-drive tour, get inspired by these top spots and the best road trips in Ireland.

You can have an unforgettable British getaway at any time of year. But visit between April and October, and you’ll benefit from longer daylight hours and warmer weather compared to the winter. Plus, while some attractions are open year-round, you’ll find that others will close during the winter months.

So for the best sightseeing experience, we recommend travelling in spring, summer or autumn. Just pick the season that most appeals to you.

Spring – April to May – is often the driest time of year in the UK. But, don’t let this be the main reason you choose to visit in spring, as the weather can be changeable all year. Instead, come for the quieter attractions and blooming flowers.

Summer – June, July and August – is the most popular season for exploring the UK by car. This is because the days are long and temperatures tend to be warm. It’s also the school holidays during this time, so it’s peak time for family trips in the UK.

In British towns and cities, summer brings a vibrant atmosphere and outdoor festivals showcasing food, music and art. Meanwhile, the countryside and coastline come alive with visitors and locals, soaking up nature in the better weather.

Autumn – late September to October – is similar to spring, in that there tends to be fewer visitors around. And as the temperature drops, you’ll see forests turning from green to vibrant shades of yellow and orange.

To find out more about the seasons, read this blog on the best time to visit the UK.

When it comes to planning your dream trip to the UK, you’ll want to consider a few things. For instance, where you’ll visit, what you’ll do along the way, and the route you’ll take around England, Scotland and Wales. You’ll also need to plan your accommodation and rental car.

Instead of doing all the work yourself, why not leave the planning to us? You’ll have a dedicated travel consultant, based here in the UK, to organise your itinerary and make the arrangements for you.

Their insider knowledge means that whatever trip you choose, you’ll get to experience the best the UK has to offer in the time you’ve got. Plus, no matter the itinerary you select, you’ll enjoy a mix of stunning landscapes and captivating towns and cities.

Your personal travel consultant will book your accommodation, car rental, and any excursions before you arrive. With your UK itinerary taken care of, all you need to do is look forward to your trip.

Go for a driving tour of Great Britain with Nordic Visitor and you’ll get car hire with our tried-and-tested partner as standard. What’s more, your car rental package comes with the following:

  • • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
  • • Unlimited mileage
  • • Authorisation for 2 drivers

If you have questions about hiring a car, you can also speak to one of our UK-based travel consultants.

If your national driving licence is valid, in date and recognised in the UK, you don’t need to get an international driving licence (IDP). This will let you drive any small vehicle listed on your licence, including our rental cars.

For England, Scotland and Wales, you can use your driving licence for up to 12 months from the day you enter the country.

Bear in mind that the rules are different in Northern Ireland. Find out more on the government website.

Yes, there are some age requirements for car rental on these UK self-drive tours. And please bear in mind that no matter what age you are, you’ll need a driving licence that’s valid in the UK.

You can hire a vehicle from any of Nordic Visitor’s rental car categories if you’re aged between 25 and 79.

If you are 23 or 24 years old and have held your driving licence for at least 1 year, you can rent a car with a young driver surcharge of £25 per day. You’ll be able to choose from Nordic Visitor car rental categories A, B, C and F.

The minimum age to rent a car in the UK is 21. And you’ll find there are specific rental companies who can organise vehicle hire and insurance for you if you’re 21 or 22. In this case, we’d be happy to arrange the rest of your tour and advise you on where to book your rental car.

If you are aged 80 or over, you can pick a car from any of our rental categories. A doctor’s note is no longer required by our local car hire partner. But you’ll need to let them know of any medical conditions and confirm that you’re acting on your doctor’s guidance.

Yes, you can adjust your package online. Choose from a wide range of optional activities, upgrade your accommodation, and add extra nights in places along your route.

For instance, we recommend spending more time in Oxford at the start of your trip. There’s so much to discover – you could try out a punting boat trip on the River Cherwell and check out the fascinating Bodleian Library. Plus, there’s the pub that’s well-known for being one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s and C.S. Lewis’s favourite places to meet.

London – the iconic cosmopolitan capital – is bursting with things to do and sights to see. Add extra nights here at the end of your trip to soak up as much of it as you can. Use your extra time here to visit world-renowned museums and galleries, grand royal palaces and famous British shops.

What’s more, if you want to immerse yourself in nature, you could extend your stay in places such as Fort William or the Lake District.

Get inspired by these top things to see and do in the Lake District.

Absolutely! Begin your UK self-drive tour whenever you like between April and October. Each tour has an online calendar where you can see up-to-date availability for that trip. Simply choose the date that works best for you.

We recommend holding off on booking flights until you have received a tour confirmation email from your dedicated travel consultant. That said, it’s worth checking to see what flights are available before choosing your trip dates.

Once your tour is confirmed, you can go ahead with making travel arrangements for your UK getaway.

You’ll find that the weather in the UK can be changeable, and varies between different locations. It can be much warmer in the south of England than in the Scottish Highlands, for example. So it’s worth packing for a mix of conditions.

No matter what you’ve got planned for your trip, comfortable shoes are a must. And a combination of warm and light layers will be handy for exploring sights in the city and countryside.

We suggest bringing these key items:

  • Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm, insulated jacket
  • Fleece or woollen jumper
  • Light base layers
  • Lightweight trousers or shorts
  • Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
  • Sunglasses, sun hat and sun cream
  • Rucksack
  • Reusable water bottle
  • UK plug adapter

For evenings out, you might want to bring some smart outfits too.

Contact us

Get in touch with us if you want to know more about these self-drive tours of England, Scotland and Wales. Our Edinburgh-based experts will be happy to answer your questions and help you plan your perfect UK road trip.

Call

Our British phone number is
+44 (0)131 344 4630

Chat

How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?

We are here to help

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

here to help