As far as months go, January is pretty miserable. Christmas has come and gone, leaving you with a heavy heart and financial stresses. The short daylight hours are beginning to take their toll, you’ve already given up on your new year’s resolution and the final straw - you thought dry January would be a good idea so you can’t even drown your sorrows with a pint. (But you only have yourself to blame there).

But don’t worry, you can at least take comfort from the fact that you’re not alone in this dismal state. Today is referred to as “Blue Monday” because its genuinely considered the saddest day of the year, for the reasons we’ve just mentioned. So, to combat the blues why not plan a family road-trip to get everyone’s spirits lifted?

We’ve put together a list of 7 road-trips which are sure to beat the blues and get you and your family back in good spirits…

1. Snake Pass – Peak District, England

Snake pass is a famous, winding road running through the hills of the of the beautiful Peak District countryside, between Glossop and Ladybower. The highest point reaches 512 metres, providing spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, making Snake Pass one of the ultimate scenic drives in the UK. People often assume the name “Snake Pass” was given due to the snaky twists and turns of the road. However, the name in fact originates from The Snake Inn, a popular tavern situated along the route – great for those in need of a good lunch stop!

2. Glasgow to Inveraray

This stunning 64-mile drive takes you along the breath-taking shorelines of Loch Lomond and past the mighty Arrochar Apls, before reaching the famous Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint. Here you can take in the beautiful views of the Glen Croe and look out onto the old valley road, engineered by General Wade during the subjection of Scotland following the Jacobite rebellion.

3. Alnwick to Lindisfarne, Northumberland

To get the most out of this road trip, why not start with a quick exploration of Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in the UK, dating back to the Norman Period. However, despite its fascinating history the castle is arguably more famous for its appearances in the early Harry Potter films, as well as the popular TV series Downtown Abbey. From Alnwick, you can then enjoy a pleasant, picturesque drive along the coast and through the local fishing villages, before ending in Lindisfarne, often referred to as Holy Island. However, be sure to check the tide times as the island itself is only accessible when the tide is low.

4. New Forest National Park, Hampshire

Covering 566 square kilometres across Southern England, the New Forest provides a great driving experience among vast and rugged heathland. What’s more, there’s no shortage of places to park up for a picnic and there’s any number of scenic woodland footpaths to explore should you need to stretch your legs. Finally, The New Forest is home to the famous New Forest Ponies, who wander freely across the open countryside - so watch out for unexpected pony crossings!

5. Black Mountain Road, Wales

The Black Mountain Pass is a mountain road which stretches through the West Side of the Breacon Beacons National Park. The pass is 21 miles of what feels like endless climbs and descends, with plenty of sharp hair pin bends thrown into the mix, making it one of the most exhilarating drives in the UK.  In 2011, Black Mountain Pass was even featured on Top Gear, when Jeremy Clarkson took to the winding route. The highest point reaches 1,617ft above sea level, so you can expect exquisite views throughout the journey.

6. Cheddar to Ashwick, Somerset

If you haven’t been to Somerset, we promise there’s certainly more than just cider there! This scenic 14-mile drive takes you through Somerset’s most stunning countryside and along the famous Cheddar Gorge, the deepest gorge in the UK. The route will certainly get your heart racing, with tight and winding turns and exposed views of the gorge below. But once you’ve navigated your way out of the gorge, its mostly breezy country-road driving from there onwards.

7. St Ives to St Just, Cornwall

The route through St Ives to St Just is one of the many great costal routes Cornwall has to offer. The route passes several of Cornwall’s idyllic villages, and while these are generally filled with tourists in the summer months, visiting at this time of year will mean you can enjoy it while its calm and peaceful. As you head towards Zennor you’ll experience beautiful coast line before moving into moving into wild, moorland landscapes.