Decent roads in the Lake District

[Baz Tench]

Hi all, I'm planning a little trip up north in the M3 in late September.

One night in York, then I'm travelling across to the Lake District for a few more nights. Staying in Ambleside and as it's the first time I've visited there, I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for some fun/scenic roads around there.

Over to you.

Cheers.

[SmilerFTM]

Lakes loop

http://goo.gl/maps/59RZP

[Baz Tench]

SmilerFTM said:

Lakes loop

http://goo.gl/maps/59RZP

Well, that's a result!

Great stuff! Thanks.

[snotrag]

Whatever you do, don't just start in York and hit satnav for Ambleside! The drive from York to Ambleside could be better than the drive round the lakes itself.

[Baz Tench]

Thanks for that. Noted.

[SmilerFTM]

snotrag said:

Whatever you do, don't just start in York and hit satnav for Ambleside! The drive from York to Ambleside could be better than the drive round the lakes itself.

Good point, depending on time head north to Helmsley then head through the Yorkshire Moors to Stokesley on the B1257 (otherwise known as the Helmsley TT), from there head west to Leyburn but take the minor roads. From Leyburn head towards Hawes but instead of the A684 use the road just north that runs through Askrigg as its good fun and also emptier. Then just north of Hawes head north over Buttertubs Pass to Keld and then keep heading North West on the B6270 and up to Kirkby Stephen. From here you could head to Ambleside but if you have time I'd highly recommend heading to Middleton in Teesdale along the B6276. From Middleton you head to Alston along the B6277 (one of my favourite roads in the UK that I've driven along, especially just after High Force waterfall). From Alston head to Penrith along the A686 and over the Hartside Pass.

[Baz Tench]

Thanks for all the detail there! Great stuff!

It will be fun to travel by maps again rather than sat nav.

[Red Devil]

SmilerFTM said:

Good point, depending on time head north to Helmsley then head through the Yorkshire Moors to Stokesley on the B1257 (otherwise known as the Helmsley TT), from there head west to Leyburn but take the minor roads. From Leyburn head towards Hawes but instead of the A684 use the road just north that runs through Askrigg as its good fun and also emptier. Then just north of Hawes head north over Buttertubs Pass to Keld and then keep heading North West on the B6270 and up to Kirkby Stephen. From here you could head to Ambleside but if you have time I'd highly recommend heading to Middleton in Teesdale along the B6276. From Middleton you head to Alston along the B6277 (one of my favourite roads in the UK that I've driven along, especially just after High Force waterfall). From Alston head to Penrith along the A686 and over the Hartside Pass.

Great choice.

Another option if short of time.
From Leyburn head direct for Grinton to join the A6270.
Thence to Thwaite and south over Buttertubs to Hawes
B6255 Hawes to Ingleton
Then A65/A590/A5094 to Bowness-on-Windermere
A592/A591 to Ambleside.

This route avoids having to go anywhere near Kendal.
A town which can be a right PITA to get through.

[Baz Tench]

All great options to consider, and looking forward to finding my way through.

Thanks all. This is looking to be a far more interesting journey than I imagined.

[Whistle]

The road through the Lyth valley to Bowness on Windermere is one of my favourite roads In the lakes, I drive it most weeks it's a blast.

[Whistle]

The road through the Lyth valley to Bowness on Windermere is one of my favourite roads In the lakes, I drive it most weeks it's a blast.

[5-Oh]

If it's even slightly sunny you WILL find yourself behind someone doing 35mph everywhere. Usually in a Honda Jazz wearing a beige 'foreign legion' sunhat. Probably won't be too hard to get past in an M3 though!

[Baz Tench]

Thanks for all the advice, just done the journey and followed most of the advice, great stuff guys! It was a cracking journey.

Now having a well earned PH-worthy real ale in Ambleside.