The UK Road Trip: From London to the Open Road

A Journey That Started Closer to Home

Leaving Hackney Wick for a 6-month UK road trip felt both surreal and simple. One minute we were walking the same canal route we’d strolled for years, and the next we were in a packed car, snacks in the glove box, Roly’s harness on the passenger seat, and a route scribbled in a notebook titled The Next Route.

There was no master plan. Just a rough loop of the UK and a desire to live slower, explore deeper, and let each place leave its mark.

Why We Hit the Road

This wasn’t a gap year or a “finding myself” cliché. It was a choice to do life a little differently, to work remotely, travel with intention, and give my dog Roly the kind of year most humans would envy. No flights. No chaos. Just scenic drives, dog-friendly stays, and a flexible lifestyle that made room for spontaneity.

The Route: A 6-Month UK Road Trip Itinerary

Here’s the journey we took, from buzzing cities to peaceful cliffsides. Every stop was dog-friendly, remote-workable, and full of local flavour.

1. Cardiff: Green Space, Arcades & Easy Calm

Base: Neighbourhood Kitchen & Cocktails, Cathedral Road (near Pontcanna)

Read the full Cardiff blog here ->

Highlights:

• Bute Park & the River Taff Trail (perfect for long walks)
• Cardiff Bay Trail via the Aqua Ride
• Dog-friendly cafes like The Wyndham Cafeteria and Brava Cafe
• Kings Road Yard farmers market in Pontcanna & Cardiff's vintage arcades

Vibe: Laid-back city energy with tons of green space and friendly locals. An easy, balanced start to life on the road.

2. Bristol: Colours, Art & Canals

Base: Ashton Court

Read the full Bristol blog here ->

Highlights:

• Morning walks in Ashton Court Estate with beautiful nature views
• Clifton Suspension Bridge and colourful houses
• Stokes Croft and Bansky graffiti
• Harbourside hangouts and cafes like Society Cafe
  

Vibe: Creative and full of character. Bristol has colour, culture, and community running through every street.

3. Devon: Sea Air & Slow Living

Base: Brixham, Torquay & Dartmoor

Read the full Devon blog here ->

Highlights:

• Broadsands Beach walks and Berry Head coastal views
• Hikes to Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor in Dartmoor
• Cream tea at The Rugglestone Inn in Widecombe-in-the-Moor
• Fresh seafood at Rockfish Brixham, The Oyster Shack and The Crab Shed in Salcombe

Vibe: Sea breeze, winding roads, and the kind of calm that lingers. Devon is slow living at its best.

4. Cornwall: Cliffs, Surf, Sunsets & Coastal Magic

Base: Perranporth & Newquay

Read the full Cornwall blog here ->

Highlights:

• 8km walks along Perranporth Beach at low tide, often shared with surfers, swimmers, and horses at sunrise
• Clifftop trails at St Agnes Head & Wheal Coates, with rust-red mine ruins against the Atlantic
• Cosy roasts at The Driftwood Spars & The Peterville Inn in St Agnes
• Sunset drinks at Summerhouse or The Watering Hole, perched right on the sand
• Boho cafes for remote work like NALU Coffee House, Saltd Cafe, & The Colonial Seafood & Grill
• Long beach walks at Fistral, Holywell Bay, and Mawgan Porth 

Vibe: Wild cliffs, sand dunes, creative energy, and sea air that resets your soul. Cornwall is where coastal living meets freedom.

Beyond Cornwall

The journey didn’t end there. After Cornwall, we travelled north through the Peak District, Chester, The Lake District, Yorkshire, and Edinburgh. Each with their own story.

Full blogs for these chapters are coming soon, as this space continues to grow, just like the journey itself.

What I Learned on the UK Road

• You don’t need to quit your life to change it.
• A dog will always choose the scenic route.
• The UK is full of quiet, magical places that still feel wild.
• And the open road? It’s just another way of coming home to yourself.