As the weather gets warmer, you may start to wile your day away by dreaming about the faraway and exotic locations you might want to visit during the summer, but the perfect trip could be closer to home than you think.

The UK is full of beautiful stretches of land that lead to picturesque villages, mountains, lakes and beaches, with some more well-known than others, but each offer people breathtaking views and unique experiences that would be hard to replicate overseas.

One of the best ways to learn and enjoy what makes Blighty mighty is on a road trip, so why not hop the in the car with family or friends and head to one of these destinations this summer.

Peak District: Snake Pass

Recently named one of the best road trips in the UK by Continental Tyres, the A57 Snake Pass, which links Sheffield to Manchester, runs through the Pennines and the Peak District offering spectacular views of the countryside and crystal-clear reservoirs.

This road is a car-enthusiast's dream with its bends and descents, while those less ardent about motors can enjoy the scope of colour the drive involves: rolling green hills, perfectly-blue skies, shimmering azure water and the golden sun perched high on the mountains.

You could stop off in the Peak District, stay in some of its beautiful accommodation and relax before getting back on the road. There is a myriad of cottages, hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping sites that will let you rest your head in comfort.

If you plan on stopping for a few days, there is an endless list of things to do, with options to keep adults and children alike entertained. Those that love to hike will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a trail to follow, while the kids will be in awe of Peveril Castle, a building that has become ravaged by time and now looks like it is growing out of the crag.

Once you're ready, you can get back on the Snake Pass and continue through the beautiful Pennines.

North Wales: The EVO Triangle

Often described as one of the UK's greatest roads for driving, the EVO Triangle, which is formed by the A5, A543 and the B4501, passes through the heart of the Denbigh Moors in North Wales and comes with an abundance of natural beauty to admire while in the car.

Another ideal spot for keen motorists, the journey along the triangle is dotted with countless straights, sweeps, swoops and climbs, transporting everyone in the car to a theme park for driving enthusiasts.

Those that prefer to sit in the passenger seat are not left out, as they are treated to views of the moors, which are situated at the northern end of the Cambrian Mountains, and are truly breathtaking and even better up close. You can stopover and walk through rolling moorland, riverside and forest paths, which will provide welcome respite after a long journey.

North Wales is well worth exploring and would make the perfect place to stay for a night or two on a summer roadtrip. Wrexham offers visitors a clash of worlds, a lively and bustling town that is also surrounded by lush countryside that appears to have been untouched by modernity.

Just a stone's throw away from the town is the Clywedog Trail, which is an unmarked trail that allows walkers to enjoy the peaceful valley and its natural beauty. The River Clywedog is a sight to behold, cutting through mossy rock formations and dropping into a basin.

Northern Ireland: The Dark Hedges

The Dark Hedges is like something straight out of the pages of a fairytale, so striking, in fact, that it has been used for some scenes on HBO's hit show Game of Thrones and is the most photographed natural phenomenon in Northern Ireland, even more so than the Giant's Causeway.

Your passengers, be they adults or children, will be enchanted by the avenue of beech trees, which were planted in the eighteenth century to impress visitors to the grand Gracehill House that lies beyond. Jim Zuckerman, a world-renowned photographer, told website Visit Ballymoney: "All of the people in my groups get amazing pictures here. The serpentine trees form a tunnel that is spectacular at any time of the day, but I find it particularly intriguing and mysterious just before dark."

Legend has it that the road is haunted by the ghost of the 'Grey Lady', who appears as the sun goes down and glides among the trees. She reputedly floats along the roadside, but doesn't go beyond the last beech.

Once you've driven through the Dark Hedges, you could make camp at Ballymoney before getting back on the road. From luxury guesthouses to cheery bed and breakfasts, there is a host of quality accommodation to suit your needs and plenty to keep you and your family or friends entertained during your stay.

You could try your hand at horse riding down the Causeway Coast or walk across the 40 acres of stunning landscape in Riverside Park, which is home to a children's play area, dunk pond, picnic area and wildfowl sanctuary.

While summer provides great opportunities to travel to wonderful, amazing and sometimes unusual places don't forget to keep your motoring experience a pleasant one.

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