There is a moment every August Bank Holiday weekend when the collective British urge to hit the road runs headfirst into reality. Highways choke, seaside town car parks declare defeat by 10 AM, and the dream of a breezy late-summer escape begins to feel like an exercise in patience.
At Drivalia UK, we spend all year tracking how people move across the country. The truth is simple: the issue is rarely that everyone leaves, but that everyone heads to the exact same five places.
If you want to rescue your long weekend and give the family an escape worth remembering, the solution is not staying home, it is choosing a different route. By shifting your gaze just a few miles off the standard tourist trail, you unlock a side of the UK that feels open, easy, and wonderfully uncrowded.
1. Swap Packed Beaches for the Forest Canopies of the Forest of Dean
While coastal routes grind to a halt, the ancient woodlands on the Gloucestershire border offer cool shade, open roads, and endless space. Drive deep into the Forest of Dean for sculpture trails, family-friendly off-road cycling, and quiet picnic spots along the River Wye.
2. Trade the Highway for the Shropshire Hills
Skip the motorway crawl toward the coast and set your satnav for the Shropshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Winding backcountry lanes take you past dramatic ridges like the Long Mynd, historic market towns like Ludlow, and quiet valley farm shops packed with local produce.
3. Discover the Secret Waterways of the Shropshire Union Canal
Instead of battling crowds at major lake destinations, take a driving route along the historic canal paths near Beeston and Nantwich. You will find peaceful towpath walks, traditional canalside pubs, and plenty of room for children to burn off energy while watching classic narrowboats glide past.
This corner of Cheshire sits right on the doorstep of our local branch, so picking up your car hire in Winsford with Drivalia puts you within a short drive of the canal and the Shropshire Hills beyond, ready to explore the backroads at your own pace.
4. Experience High-Altitude Magic in the North Pennines
For families willing to venture further north, the North Pennines offer some of the most dramatic, wide-open driving terrain in England. Expansive moorlands, roaring cascades like High Force waterfall, and remarkably quiet roads make it a paradise for those who prefer scenic horizons over bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The Road Ahead
If you are packing a boot full of outdoor kit or picking up a pristine, fuel-efficient hire car for a comfortable long-distance ride, the August Bank Holiday is what you make of it. Keep the satnav set to “avoid highways,” pack a generous picnic, and let the backroads lead the way.
Here is to smooth journeys and a brilliant Bank Holiday weekend.
Written by Danny Green, Marketing Manager