Britons are swapping airport queues and expensive flights for the open road this summer, as more holidaymakers choose to explore the UK's coastlines, countryside and historic towns instead of heading overseas.New research has revealed the nation's favourite road trips, with the Lake District Scenic Loop crowned Britain's top driving route, ahead of Scotland's North Coast 500 and the Atlantic Highway through Devon.The ranking comes as research commissioned by Santander found more than two-thirds of Britons are planning a staycation this year, driven by rising travel costs, easier planning and the chance to discover hidden gems closer to home.The staycation trend also shows little sign of slowing. More than half of respondents said they've explored more of Britain since 2020 than they did during the previous decade, while almost seven in ten believe the UK's scenery rivals destinations abroad.From spectacular coastlines and mountain passes to ancient castles and picturesque market towns, these are the road trips Britons rate among the country's very best.LAKE DISTRICT SCENIC LOOP, ENGLANDIt’s easy to see why this picturesque route was voted the best for a road trip. While there are many options, the Keswick Loop via Buttermere and Borrowdale is a classic 23- to 28-mile option, promising fantastic views along the way.Starting in the historic market town of Keswick, the circular trip takes in some of the Lake District’s most breathtaking scenery, from the ancient woodlands of the Borrowdale Valley to the peaceful lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water.One of the highlights is Honister Pass, where you can climb the steep, dramatic mountain road to find incredible views of the slate quarries and fells. The expansive views and pretty towns of the Lake District make for a scenic road trip around CumbriaNORTH COAST 500, SCOTLANDOften described as Scotland's answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 offers one of Britain’s greatest adventures on the road. Stretching 516 miles, the route begins and ends in Inverness, looping around the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.Along the way you’ll pass white sand beaches, towering sea cliffs and local whisky distilleries.Dunrobin Castle in Golspie is well worth a visit, with its fairytale-like turrets and regal gardens, while the villages of John o’ Groats and Dunnet Head are great locations for spotting puffins, guillemots and taking in views of the Orkney Islands. With fairytale turrets and impressive, regal gardens, Dunrobin Castle in Scotland's Golspie makes for an excellent stop on a road trip through CaledoniaATLANTIC HIGHWAY, SOUTH WEST ENGLANDRunning between Barnstaple and Newquay, the Atlantic Highway is another one of England’s most scenic coastal drives.The 70-mile stretch can be driven in a couple of hours, but it's worth allowing a few days to make the most of the dramatic coastal cliffs, historic villages and world-class surf beaches.Along the way, you can stop at Morwenstow, home to Hawker’s Hut – the smallest building owned by the National Trust – or head to Tintagel Castle to follow in the legendary footsteps of King Arthur, exploring Merlin’s Cave and King Arthur’s Hall. The Atlantic Highway in South West England is home to the Hawker's Hut - the smallest building owned by the National TrustTHE COASTAL WAY, WALESStretching from Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula to St. Davids in Pembrokeshire, this 180-mile route traces the length of Cardigan Bay and makes for a road trip of epic proportions, taking in towering cliffs, sweeping sea views and wide swathes of golden beaches.Peppered with fishing villages, hidden coves and harbour towns, The Coastal Way takes about a week to complete – although there are shorter loops available for briefer breaks.Try the Llyn Peninsula for pretty beach spots and watersports galore, or the coastline around Aberystwyth for spectacular sea views and wildlife. Tracing the entire length of Cardigan Bay, the 180-miles of Wales' Coastal Way make for a road trip of epic proportions - with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting along the wayYORKSHIRE DALES SCENIC DRIVE, ENGLANDRenowned for its rolling hills, picturesque villages and scenic valleys, the Yorkshire Dales are full of fantastic routes for road trippers.The best route starts and ends in Grassington, heading north through Pateley Bridge, over Buttertubs Pass and then back via Swaledale.Make sure to check out Malham Cove, a spectacular limestone cliff that inspired the dramatic backdrops of the Harry Potter series.But if there’s one road that defines this drive, it is Buttertubs Pass, which Jeremy Clarkson famously called England’s 'only truly spectacular road'. Short and steep, it makes for an incredible journey. With rugged valleys, dry-stone walls and wild meadows, a romantic road trip around Yorkshire's spectacular dales would be enough to make any Brontë sister blushJURASSIC COAST ROAD TRIP, SOUTH COAST ENGLANDPerfect for coastal explorers and geology lovers, this spectacular 95-mile route runs from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset.As England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, this drive traces 185 million years of history with its breathtaking cliffs, hidden coves and fossil-hunting spots.Lulworth Cove is the perfect place to park up and enjoy a swim on the pebble beach, followed by a trip to a traditional stone-built pub and then a short one-mile walk along the cliffs to Durdle Door. The pebbled beach of Lulworth Cove makes for a picturesque stop off along the Jurassic Coast road tripCAUSEWAY COASTAL ROUTE, NORTHERN IRELANDLinking Belfast to Londonderry, the Causeway Coastal Route packs some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular scenery and history into 120 miles.Allow three or four days to explore dramatic cliffs, medieval castles and sandy beaches on offer in this picturesque corner of the country.The world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway, remains the route’s biggest attraction, with its extraordinary basalt columns and legendary links to the myth of the giant Finn McCool.Another must-see is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Suspended almost 100ft above the Atlantic Ocean, this iconic landmark offers staggering views of Rathlin Island and the rugged Antrim coast. The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is world famous, with basalt columns and mythic linksDARTMOOR EXPLORER ROUTE, DEVONThis is a breathtaking coast-to-coast scenic drive across Dartmoor National Park, tracing the B3212 and B3357 roads from Exeter in the east, to Tavistock in the west.Make sure to check out Grimspound, the haunting Bronze Age settlement believed to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, as well as Dartmeet, where the East and West Dart rivers meet beneath an elegant stone bridge.With grazing ponies, granite tors and endless views, it’s one of Devon’s most rewarding road trips. You'll find Grimspound along the Dartmoor Explorer Way, an ancient Bronze Age settlement thought to have been the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the BaskervillesPEMBROKESHIRE COASTAL DRIVE, WALESSpanning 200 miles of dramatic scenery, this winding coastal drive is a fantastic way to explore the castles, abbeys and fishing villages dotted around Pembrokeshire.Stop by Laugharne for a cup of tea, or tootle along to the buzzy seaside town Tenby, ringed by pastel-coloured houses and charming independent shops and bistros. Popular fishing town Tenby makes for a great beach day out while traversing the scenic Pembrokeshire Coastal DriveHADRIAN’S WALL ROUTE, NORTHUMBERLANDBoth history and spectacular scenery come together on this drive, which follows the line of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England.Covering around 84 miles, the route follows the Military Road and A69, linking ancient Roman forts.Start in the historic market town of Hexham, before exploring Kielder Water and Forest Park, England’s largest woodland and home to an abundance of wildlife, charming forest paths and some of the country’s clearest skies.Round off the trip with a visit to Bamburgh Castle or the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Both history and spectacular scenery come together on this drive, which follows the line of Hadrian’s Wall in northern EnglandWant to holiday like a travel expert? 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