Return trip from London area

[KENZ]

Flying down and picking up a car south of London and wondered on the return trip north of any nice roads and a decent stop off/inn which doesn't cost the earth and will break up the journey :-)
Don't think I'll manage the trip in one go..

[Papa Hotel]

KENZ said:

Flying down and picking up a car south of London and wondered on the return trip north of any nice roads and a decent stop off/inn which doesn't cost the earth and will break up the journey :-)
Don't think I'll manage the trip in one go..

You don't say where you're going so I'll assume Aberdeen.

Head north on the M1 (not the A1M!), come off at Sheffield and take the A57. Don't go onwards to the M6, take the A628 back towards the M1. North on M1 again, come off at the A69 and take the A68 from there. You'll end up at Edinburgh, take the Forth Road Bridge. Quite frankly, if you can't find something worth driving from there onwards, you don't deserve the privilege!

It's one hell of a drive, so if you can't be bothered with the A628 and the very long A68, head towards the M6 from the A57, head north and come off for the A701 or A702, either is a decent drive. You'll end in in Edinburgh as previous. If there is such thing as a motorway that's good to drive, it's the southern end of the M74 after it changes from the M6.

[MissChief]

A702 is decent enough if you don't get stuck behind a truck or coach. Some sections don't have a great deal of visibiity and there are a few quite severe corners. Couple of 2-3 mile long straight bits though. I've seen a copper sitting in a layby a couple of times on the straight bits though.

[marcus1875]

I came north up the A68 a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't too bad, most of the speed cameras had been knocked down or torched. Plenty of passing points, the England side of it is almost one big long straight!

[CO2000]

Chester is a nice stop (travel lodge ?)

[onlynik]

KENZ said:

Flying down and picking up a car south of London and wondered on the return trip north of any nice roads and a decent stop off/inn which doesn't cost the earth and will break up the journey :-)
Don't think I'll manage the trip in one go..

What have you bought?

[cornet]

Papa Hotel said:

Head north on the M1 (not the A1M!), come off at Sheffield and take the A57. Don't go onwards to the M6, take the A628 back towards the M1. North on M1 again, come off at the A69 and take the A68 from there.

Unless you're picking up an under powered car I'd get off the A1M at Darlington and get on the A68 there, isn't much different time wise and much nicer than following the A1M up to Newcastle. Lots of blind summits and dips but plenty of overtaking space if you have something with a bit of poke. Good fun in my Celica, not so much in a 1.2 Corsa.


You could also come off the M1 J29, head towards Matlock, then Chatsworth and then towards Sheffield.


Also the speed cameras on the A68 are temperamental to say the least. I've been flashed twice while going under the speed limit (triggered by oncoming lorry I think), nothing ever came of it so don't panic if they go off. They are all pretty obvious to spot.

[mazdajason]

He's bought / buying an S2000. You would think he would come back and comment after starting a thread

[KENZ]

Jason, your spot on mate :-)

Just need the nice weather to return. Pick her up on Saturday. Been looking for an age at TT roadsters, facelift 986 Boxster S 03-04 plate and of course the S2000 AP2. Lets hope we gel.

I remember driving one ages ago but it was the AP1 and the back end was a bit nervy. A friend of mine had a cracking CRX which i have fond memories of.

Edited by KENZ on Wednesday 12th June 10:25