Your Perfect South England Road Trip Itinerary – 7 Days
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Are you looking for the perfect road trip itinerary to spend 7 days in South England?
Then you’re in the right place! I’ve created an amazing itinerary for you to explore the beautiful area that is called South England.
Road trips are a perfect way to explore a larger area without the need for company. I love a road trip. I just hire a car and drive where I want to go and the best thing about doing it alone is, that I don’t have to consider anyone else.
No one is saying we need to make a food stop or natural break stop but myself.
This post will give you an example of a wonderful itinerary that can be done on your own for a week in South England.
Southern England is not a small area, so a lot of driving will be involved but with this itinerary, you will tick off most of the must-see attractions here.
The few that can’t be reached within this time frame mean that you have to come back once more 😉 But I assure you that you will be satisfied with what you’ve seen during these 7 days.
On another note, London is not included in this road trip as you don’t need a car to explore it. If you haven’t visited London yet, then this itinerary might be for you The Best 5-Day England Itinerary.
Driving in England
England is one of those rather weird countries where you drive on the wrong, I mean, left side of the road. This is sometimes a hurdle, especially when it comes to some of the narrow roads here.
Be careful while driving and I recommend taking out comprehensive insurance for your rental car – if you’re driving one and are not using your own.
You can look for good rental car deals here: Discover Cars Website
Day 1 – Eastbourne & Brighton
Day one starts in the lovely South East England. In Eastbourne to be exact. It’s a quintessentially British seaside resort with a pier and many food stalls.
Eastbourne is a quiet start to the journey, although it can get busy in the high season. It’s located in the county of East Sussex.
There is plenty of parking near the promenade, so just leave your car there and take a stroll to the pier and up to the Western Lawns. You’ll have a stunning view over Eastbourne’s beach from there.
After a few hours in Eastbourne, you’ll drive on one of my favourite roads in this country. Along the south and the sea to Brighton. It’s about a 45-minute drive without traffic through the villages of Peacehaven and Saltdean.
The views are spectacular. If you didn’t spend too much time in Eastbourne, then you can even stop at the Seven Sisters Country Park.
From there you can walk for 30 minutes to get to the Seven Sisters Cliffs. Just like the White Cliffs of Dover, a beautiful formation of white cliffs. You have an incredible view of the coastline from here.
There is a circular walk from the country park, and if you’re not on a time-limited road trip, then I would definitely recommend going on it. If you continue this itinerary, then I would return to the car after a quick dip in the water – be warned, it’s not very warm.
After your little detour, you’ll arrive in Brighton. Another famous seaside town on the South Coast. And compared to Eastbourne a lot busier.
If you’re into partying, then this is your stop for the night. There are many bars and discos to spend the night.
Other attractions in Brighton include the Grand Pier. It’s such an amazing sight. And even though I’ve visited it many times, I’m still speechless when I see the little amusement park at the end of it.
Brighton also has a special museum, the Royal Pavilion. It looks like it should be standing in India rather than in Brighton.
Stay the night in Brighton. Or if you like it a bit quieter then one of the seaside resorts between Portsmouth and Brighton is also worth staying there.
Day 2 – Portsmouth & The Isle of Wight
Day two begins with an early start and a drive to Portsmouth. The drive without traffic takes about 1.25 hours from Brighton.
Portsmouth is a historic maritime city located on the South Coast of England. It has a rich naval heritage. If you’re lucky, you might even see one of the British aircraft carriers there. They are quite an impressive sight.
If you like maritime history, then you should visit the Historic Dockyard, a great maritime museum complex where iconic vessels like the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose can be found. There is plenty of parking nearby.
The entry isn’t cheap at £34 for an adult ticket for one attraction. But the audio tour was pretty spectacular and there are lots of other things to see.
You can also buy a ticket for £44 per adult and visit three attractions in the dockyard.
Portsmouth waterfront is also a sight to behold, especially the Spinnaker. There are plenty of restaurants or pubs to enjoy the view.
If you fancy a bit of shopping on the day, then the Gunwharf Quays have plenty of brand stores for you to visit.
After you’ve explored Portsmouth, it’s time for the next stop which is fairly close by. You can already see it from Portsmouth. It’s the Isle of Wight.
There are several routes and ways to get to Isle, all of which include crossing the Solent. The Solent is a strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.
If you weren’t travelling by car, then I’d recommend taking the Hovercraft that flies over the water in just 10 minutes. It’s such a fun way to get to the Isle of Wight. You feel like you’re in a bouncy castle.
However, the hovercraft only takes foot passengers, so a normal ferry is the only option. There are several routes the Wightlink ferry takes. I recommend the route Portsmouth to Fishbourne.
The crossing takes about 45 minutes. You need to be at the ferry port between 1 hour to 30 minutes before the crossing. I was late once, and they just put me on the next ferry, but I wouldn’t risk it.
Once you arrive in Fishbourne, the Isle of Wight is your oyster. Literally, because the island is pretty small. It’s approximately 23 miles x 13 miles (37 km x 21 km) in dimensions. You could almost walk it.
There are many great attractions to visit, some of my favourites are:
The Needles, a rock formation in the water. I recommend taking the slow boats tour to have a great view of the formation and the different coloured sand of the beach.
If you have an English Heritage membership, then access to Osborne House is included. If you don’t then it costs from £20 per person. Prices depend on the season, so check their website for the best price.
English Heritage Osborne Website
Another gem on the island is the Garlic Farm. If you like garlic (I love it!), then you’ll be very happy here. They even have their own garlic beer.
Freshwater Bay invites you to a lovely walk along the coast. And you can see thatched roof tearooms in Shanklin Old Village.
I believe it’s very difficult to complete all these attractions in one day, so you have to decide what is most appealing to you. The Needles are a must-see though, in my opinion.
To get an early start, I would take one of the late ferries back to Portsmouth. They run at least every hour until 11 PM and then stay the night in Portsmouth.
However, I believe that accommodation on the Isle of Wight is cheaper, so if that is a concern you might want to stay the night and have an early start. The ferries start fairly early in the morning all year round.
Day 3 – Durdle Door, Dartmoor National Park & Plymouth
A National Park that is not to be missed in the South of England is Dartmoor National Park.
It is known for its rugged moorland, granite tors, and ancient woodlands. And their awesome wild ponies that you can stroke in various parking lots.
So on day three start the day by driving from Portsmouth to Dartmoor National Park which takes about 3.5 hours without traffic, depending on where exactly you’re going and the traffic.
However, on the way there, you should stop by an incredible rock formation called Durdle Door. I would recommend going there for the name alone already. I just love saying it. It is one of the best places along the South West coast.
Durdle Door is part of the Jurassic Coast which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a car park and afterwards, it’s a 15-minute walk to the coast. The path is steep, so wear good footwear.
If you’re up for a little walk, then there is a footpath from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove which only takes 30 minutes, but offers incredible sights of the British Coast.
After your quick visit to Durdle Door, the next stop is Dartmoor National Park. The National Park offers a large number of beautiful hiking trails. You can find hiking trails with AllTrails and Komoot.
If you like trains, then Dartmoor National Park offers the South Devon Railway. It is the longest-established steam railway in the South West.
It runs along the River Dart, taking passengers on a scenic voyage from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. You can visit animal attractions on either side of the track.
There is the Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary. It might be an unusual combination but one that’s worth seeing. Tickets for an adult cost £10.95.
On the other side of the railway, you have the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm. The farm is a family-run attraction that is all about the conservation of rare breeds like Welsh Mountain Sheep, Golden Guernsey Goats, and chickens. It is very interactive.
Tickets for the farm cost £9.70 for an adult. Please be aware that they close during the winter, so check their website first.
Totnes Rare Breeds Farm Website
There is also a small zoo near Plymouth which can be visited on the way to the city. Plymouth is another city that has a rich maritime history and is the next stop on this road trip around Southern England.
The city is home to the historic Barbican, a cobbled-street area lined with historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. The Mayflower Steps, marking the departure point of the Pilgrims in 1620, show the connection between England and the United States of America.
There is also the Royal Citadel, a 17th-century fortress, overlooking Plymouth Sound, and the Hoe, a large public space and promenade, with its Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse.
Just walking around Plymouth is already a wonderful time spent. You can see the above-mentioned Mayfair Steps and the lighthouse. Walk around this historic city and enjoy the views.
If you’re going to Plymouth in the summer (between the end of May and mid-September), then you can go to one of the most stunning pools in the UK, the Tinside Lido.
The Tinside Lido is an art-deco style outdoor located at the tip of Plymouth Hoe overlooking the sea. It’s truly fascinating sitting in the pool feeling like you’re in the sea.
Another attraction that I can recommend is the Plymouth Gin Distillery tour. I love looking behind the scenes at companies, and the distillery tour is another great example of that.
Plymouth Gin Distillery is the oldest operating distillery in Britain. A ticket for the general tour costs £15 per adult. If you’re a gin aficionado, then they also offer the “Gin Connoisseur’s Tour” where you can sample 7 different gins (£35 per adult).
And if you even want to create your own gin, then they have the “Master Distiller’s Tour” (£55 per adult).
The last tour starts at 4.30 PM, so you have to see whether you’d want to do this first and walk around Plymouth afterwards.
Plymouth Gin Distillery Website
Plymouth is also the home of the largest aquarium in the UK, the National Marine Aquarium. An adult ticket costs £22.50.
To avoid another drive on this day, you can stay the night in Plymouth and end the day with a beer or soft drink overlooking this beautiful city.
Day 4 – Looe & Lynmouth
Day four starts with an unusually short drive from Plymouth to Looe which takes around 40 minutes. Looe is a Cornish coastal town with wonderful sandy beaches.
The east side of the town has many restaurants and independent shops – perfect for a nice breakfast.
After your stop in Looe, you make your way to the north of Southern England, to Lynmouth in the North of Devon. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive.
Lynmouth is sometimes dubbed the “Little Switzerland of England” due to its stunning scenery of wooded cliffs, lush green valleys, and cascading waterfalls.
One of the main attractions in Lynmouth is the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway. A water-powered funicular railway that connects Lynmouth with the cliff-top town of Lynton.
A one-way adult ticket costs £3.50. They close from November to February, so check their opening times before your visit.
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway Website
To make the most out of the next day, drive to Glastonbury to stay there overnight. It’s about a 2-hour drive.
Day 5 – Glastonbury, Wells & Bristol
Glastonbury is once a year the location of the Glastonbury Festival. I’m not saying you should make it part of your South England road trip itinerary but if you can make it work, then kudos.
The rest of the year, Glastonbury offers the Glastonbury Abbey. A stunning ruin which is rumoured to be where King Arthur and Queen Guinevere graves are.
Adult tickets to the Abbey cost £11. Try to participate in one of their guided tours to make the most of it.
There is also Glastonbury Tor. It’s a prominent hill rising dramatically from the Somerset Levels in southwest England, a site of historical, spiritual, and mythological significance.
On top of the tor stands the St. Michael’s Tower, a medieval structure, which is the remnant of a 14th-century church.
You can park near the tor and then have to walk for about 10 minutes to get to the hill. You’ll have a wonderful view of Glastonbury and the countryside.
Once you’ve enjoyed Glastonbury, make your way to Wells, the smallest city in England.
A must-see is Wells Cathedral. One of the most impressive cathedrals in the country. Admission is by donation and it’s asked to donate £8 per person. They offer hourly guided tours which you should try to make.
Wells is such a wonderful place to walk around in. So much history in such a small space. Be sure to visit the Vicar’s Close next to Wells Cathedral.
After you’ve explored Wells, the last and final stop for the day is Bristol. It is a vibrant city where the old meets the new.
This is where I suggest to spend the night. Preferably near the city centre. The drive takes about 45 minutes from Wells, depending on traffic.
There are many bars and restaurants near the harbourside and it’s worth to walk around there.
If you like boats, then Bristol has the SS Great Britain moored in the harbour area. The SS Great Britain was the largest passenger ship in the world from 1845 to 1854. However, a ticket isn’t cheap at £22 per adult.
Another place to visit in Bristol is Clifton. There is a beautiful green park there and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. You can overlook the River Avon from there.
Day 6 – Bath & Castle Combe (Cotswolds)
You either start your day directly with a drive to Bath which takes about 35 minutes or you look at one or two things that weren’t open anymore the day before.
Once you get to Bath, you’ll see what a beautiful city it is. Bath is known for its Roman-built baths and Georgian architecture. It’s a pleasure walking around there.
If you’d like to know more about the Roman Baths, then you can visit them. The ticket for an adult at £20.50 isn’t cheap though.
In case you just want to take a dip in a hot thermal spa, then Bath has the Thermae Bath Spa. You can relax in a rooftop pool overlooking Bath. These tickets cost £40 per adult on a weekday, and £45 per adult on the weekend for two hours.
It’s not the cheapest attraction but if you need some relaxation and a view, then it’s worth the fee.
Close to the Roman Baths is Bath Abbey. A stunning abbey that is still being used. The entry ticket costs £6.50. They also offer tours at an extra charge.
After you’ve explored Bath, it’s time to explore the wonderful Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is a picturesque region in southwestern England known for its charming villages, rolling hills, and quintessential English countryside. It has been declared an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).
My favourite Cotswolds village is Castle Combe. It is a typically British Cotswold village. The drive to Castle Combe takes about 30 minutes.
Once you arrive there, you feel like you’re in a movie set. It’s all just so beautiful. There are a few lovely walks that start from here.
My insider tip is to buy one of the cakes that are being offered in front of houses. It’s based on an honour system. I’ve had very delicious cakes from there.
You can spend the night here or in one of the other beautiful Cotswolds villages.
Day 7 – Stonehenge & Salisbury
On the final day, day 7, I suggest visiting an attraction that is known worldwide – Stonehenge. I have to warn you, it can be a bit underwhelming (that’s at least how I felt) but it’s still worth a visit and then you can check it off your bucket list.
The drive from Castle Combe takes just over an hour.
If you are a member of English Heritage, then entry is free, otherwise, prices start at £20.90 depending on the season.
English Heritage Stonehenge Website
There is also a small museum explaining Stonehenge, but it won’t take too much time to have a look around there.
The next stop is Salisbury. Another city, another cathedral. Just like Bath and many of the other stops, Salisbury is a delight to walk around in.
I recommend you stop by the cathedral to have a look. It’s absolutely stunning. The tickets cost £9 per adult if you book in advance, and £11 on the day.
With all these attractions, I recommend booking in advance when you know you will make it.
Salisbury Cathedral offers free tours which you take advantage of.
Fun fact: Salisbury Cathedral is home to one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta, a historic document signed in 1215 that laid the foundation for principles of justice and human rights.
This marks the end of this Southern England road trip itinerary.
Conclusion – The Perfect South England Road Trip
I hope you liked the ultimate South England road trip itinerary! Over the course of seven days, you’ve embarked on a captivating journey through Southern England’s diverse landscapes, seamlessly blending coastal allure, historic charm, and natural wonders.
This itinerary covers how you can get a blend of cultural exploration, outdoor escapes, and moments of pure relaxation.
While the route covers considerable ground, it serves as a gateway to a large number of must-see attractions, unveiling the rich historical tapestry, breathtaking scenery, and distinctive experiences that define Southern England.
From the iconic Brighton Pier to the enigmatic Glastonbury Tor, from the South East of England to South West England, each stop contributes to the narrative of your road trip adventure.
Driving on the left side of the road might be a novel experience, but the enchanting roads and quaint villages along the way make every twist and turn worthwhile.
Safety remains a priority, so ensuring comprehensive insurance for your rental car adds an extra layer of assurance to your journey.
Whether you find yourself meandering along Brighton’s sandy shores, navigating the historic streets of Bath, or immersing in the natural wonders of Dartmoor National Park, each day unfolds a fresh chapter of exploration.
I know I haven’t included any recommendations for a pub or restaurant, but I believe tastes are so different that it’s difficult to recommend anything on this scale.
I love road trips, so I believe this is one of the best ways to experience the south of England. In my opinion, this is an epic UK road trip that won’t be quickly forgotten.
If you want more inspiration for a trip to London, then check out the Itinerary for 7 days in London – the perfect week.