Atlantic Highway, South West England

This gorgeous road journey travels through the historic counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall on England's Southwest Peninsula. This intriguing road is characterized by dense woods, charming villages, rough coasts, and unending patchwork quilt scenery. The A39, which connects Bath and Falmouth, is one of the longest highways in Southwest England. While you may drive the full route, you're focused on a particularly gorgeous section between Barnstaple in Devon and Newquay, a prominent Cornish coastal town. While the road does not go all the way to the shore, there are plenty of stunning vistas of the Atlantic as you travel through Bude, Camelford, and Wadebridge.

The route leads you into the heart of Exmoor National Park, which is home to red deer. As you drive up and down the undulating hills, lovely trees spread in front of your eyes. The road passes past a number of attractive villages, with lots of opportunities to stop for a delicious cream tea. The farther you drop south, the more spectacular the sea vistas get. Catch a wave at one of Newquay's famed surf beaches, or simply enjoy the sound of the pounding waves. The journey concludes in Land's End, Cornwall's westernmost point. The craggy cliffs, offshore rock islands, arches, and sea stacks provide breathtaking views that never get old.

Distance and ideal duration: 77 miles, 1-2 days