5 day road trip around the north, any suggestions?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm planning a short road trip in a couple of weeks, leaving from Harrogate on Sunday late afternoon (probably) and returning Friday during the day. The only thing I have pinned is we want to visit Alnwick and eat in the treehouse restaurant.
I was thinking heading to Whitby, following the coast north to Alnwick, the across to the Lake District, then back to Harrogate through the Dales.
Apart from that, I have no idea what roads to use. I want something with nice scenery and not necessarily entertaining to drive, as we'll be in a camper, and we need to plan campsites to stay at as well.
So, what roads and campsites would you recommend for this? Are there any places I "must" visit on the way?
Thanks in advance.
I'm planning a short road trip in a couple of weeks, leaving from Harrogate on Sunday late afternoon (probably) and returning Friday during the day. The only thing I have pinned is we want to visit Alnwick and eat in the treehouse restaurant.
I was thinking heading to Whitby, following the coast north to Alnwick, the across to the Lake District, then back to Harrogate through the Dales.
Apart from that, I have no idea what roads to use. I want something with nice scenery and not necessarily entertaining to drive, as we'll be in a camper, and we need to plan campsites to stay at as well.
So, what roads and campsites would you recommend for this? Are there any places I "must" visit on the way?
Thanks in advance.
Sorry, can't help with campsites but try this route.
Harrogate -> Thirsk (either via Ripon or Knaresborough).
A170 via Sutton Bank to Helmsdale and Kirbymoorside then via Blakey Ridge to Castleton.
From there via Danby and Lealholm to the junction with the A171.
A171 to Whitby. Leave Whitby on A174.
Divert to visit the harbour at Staithes but don't turn right here like everyone else.
Instead continue on the A174 and turn right here then right again (past the house).
With luck you should be able to leave the car here. Walk down the hill to the harbour.
A footbridge across the Staithes Beck connects to the rest of the village. Return to the A174 and turn right.
Then turn right again here (signed Boulby) which takes you via Skinningrove.
Return to the A174 then when you reach the roundabout go straight on to Brotton and Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Head west (Marske Road) to the A174 and follow it all the way to the A19.
North on A19 then west on A689 to A1(M) J60.
A1(M)/A1 to Alnwick. You might also consider visting Durham (one of my favourite cities).
An alternative route to Alnwick which avoids Newcastle.
Head south from J60 (above) and turn right at J58 onto the A68.
Turn left onto the A69 then right onto the A68 again at Corbridge.
Right onto the B6320 to Otterburn then right again onto the A696.
Left onto the B6341 to Rothbury and Alnwick.
Personally I would choose the latter route for two reasons.
a) The B6341 a cracking road with some great views.
b) Going via Rothbury can include a visit to Cragside.
To reach the Lake District I would retrace the above route to Otterburn.
Then A696/A68/B6357 to here.
Go via Kielder Forest (stop at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre for food and a great view of the Water) to Bellingham.
Then B6320 to Chollerford and B6318/B6319 to Haydon Bridge.
Turn left by the station signal box then left again at the T junction.
Cross the bridge over the river South Tyne to the A69.
Turn right then left onto the A686 to Alston, Melmerby and the Hartside Pass to Penrith.
Once in the Lakes - it depends on what you like doing
Plenty of fells/mountains to climb. Boat trips. Ride on the 'Ratty'.
More ideas here - http://www.exploresouthlakeland.co.uk/activities-s...
And here - http://www.exploresouthlakeland.co.uk/see-and-do/
Lake District to Harrogate
A590 to M6 J36.
A65 to Ingleton.
B6255 to Ribblehead and Hawes.
A684 to Aysgarth
B6160 to Threshfield
B6255 to Grassington
From there either continue on B6255 and turn right here.
At Blubberhouses turn left on to the A59.
or
Stay on the B6255 to Pateley Bridge
Then B6165/B6451/A59
or
Stay on B6255 to here.
Then via Sawley to the A61
Harrogate -> Thirsk (either via Ripon or Knaresborough).
A170 via Sutton Bank to Helmsdale and Kirbymoorside then via Blakey Ridge to Castleton.
From there via Danby and Lealholm to the junction with the A171.
A171 to Whitby. Leave Whitby on A174.
Divert to visit the harbour at Staithes but don't turn right here like everyone else.
Instead continue on the A174 and turn right here then right again (past the house).
With luck you should be able to leave the car here. Walk down the hill to the harbour.
A footbridge across the Staithes Beck connects to the rest of the village. Return to the A174 and turn right.
Then turn right again here (signed Boulby) which takes you via Skinningrove.
Return to the A174 then when you reach the roundabout go straight on to Brotton and Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Head west (Marske Road) to the A174 and follow it all the way to the A19.
North on A19 then west on A689 to A1(M) J60.
A1(M)/A1 to Alnwick. You might also consider visting Durham (one of my favourite cities).
An alternative route to Alnwick which avoids Newcastle.
Head south from J60 (above) and turn right at J58 onto the A68.
Turn left onto the A69 then right onto the A68 again at Corbridge.
Right onto the B6320 to Otterburn then right again onto the A696.
Left onto the B6341 to Rothbury and Alnwick.
Personally I would choose the latter route for two reasons.
a) The B6341 a cracking road with some great views.
b) Going via Rothbury can include a visit to Cragside.
To reach the Lake District I would retrace the above route to Otterburn.
Then A696/A68/B6357 to here.
Go via Kielder Forest (stop at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre for food and a great view of the Water) to Bellingham.
Then B6320 to Chollerford and B6318/B6319 to Haydon Bridge.
Turn left by the station signal box then left again at the T junction.
Cross the bridge over the river South Tyne to the A69.
Turn right then left onto the A686 to Alston, Melmerby and the Hartside Pass to Penrith.
Once in the Lakes - it depends on what you like doing
Plenty of fells/mountains to climb. Boat trips. Ride on the 'Ratty'.
More ideas here - http://www.exploresouthlakeland.co.uk/activities-s...
And here - http://www.exploresouthlakeland.co.uk/see-and-do/
Lake District to Harrogate
A590 to M6 J36.
A65 to Ingleton.
B6255 to Ribblehead and Hawes.
A684 to Aysgarth
B6160 to Threshfield
B6255 to Grassington
From there either continue on B6255 and turn right here.
At Blubberhouses turn left on to the A59.
or
Stay on the B6255 to Pateley Bridge
Then B6165/B6451/A59
or
Stay on B6255 to here.
Then via Sawley to the A61
If you're planning on going anywhere near Durham/ Consett/ Stanley, then a visit to Beamish Open Air Museum is an absolute must.
It covers a huge area, and can easily take a full day to look round, with amazing things to fascinate the whole family.
You won't regret it.
Obviously, check opening dates & times beforehand.
It covers a huge area, and can easily take a full day to look round, with amazing things to fascinate the whole family.
You won't regret it.
Obviously, check opening dates & times beforehand.
Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 20th September 17:25
Chimune said:
the southern route west from durham to melmerby is recommended too. or the old military road from humshaugh to greenside but mind the bottoming out !
I assume by the southern route you mean the A689 via Stanhope to Alston. Staying on the B6318 to Greenhead (not Greenside) is certainly an option. It has very long fast straights so is super quick. However it runs parallel to Hadrian's Wall so it has its share of bimbling tourists which coupled with such a fast road can be a lethal combination.To get to Hartside there are two options:
a) Head west on the A69 to the Brampton by-pass and then back along the A689 to Alston.
or
b) Head east on the A69 then turn right (to Coanwood and Lambley) just after the bridge over the South Tyne.
The latter is is a lot shorter but you lose half the fun of the A689.
+1 for Beamish.
The Tanfield Railway is just up the road and there is also Gibside at Rowland's Gill.
Thanks guys, I'll trace all that on a map and see if I can follow it all. From a cursory glance it's more or less where I was thinking of going so it's good to know!
I won't be going all that fast on the fast roads, in fact I'll probably join the bimbling tourists as I will be in a 1967 VW Camper...
I won't be going all that fast on the fast roads, in fact I'll probably join the bimbling tourists as I will be in a 1967 VW Camper...
Well, we got back from our trip last friday, and apart from visiting Alnwick as per the OP, I didn't follow any of that... I was set to follow the route suggested, but the van was very slow, the steering very vague, the suspension very bumpy, it bump-steered like crazy... Great fun to drive, but my plan quickly became take the quickest route there! We didn't leave Northumberland much either, but had a great time all the same.
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