Edinburgh to Sheffield suggestions?

[The Flying Ox]

Heading down to the Steel City DH thing on 4th May, and I've got a permission slip off the wife to use the RX7 so I rather fancy something a little more interesting than the usual A1/M18/M1/A57.

Anyone got any suggestions?
I've done the A697 a couple of times, but that still leaves me with 120+ miles of A1 from Morpeth. Is the A68 any good? Any others, particularly from Newcastle-ish down?

[Red Devil]

When returning from the eastern half of Scotland this is the route I use between Edinburgh and the A1(M).

A7/A6091 to St Boswells
A68 to Jedburgh
B6357/A6088/B6357 through Wauchope Forest
Unclassified through Kielder Forest to Falstone and Bellingham
B6320 to Wark and Chollerford
B6318/A68/B6259 to Corbridge
B6321/A695/B6307/B6306 to Blanchland and Edmundbyers
B6278 to Stanhope
A689/B6278 to Eggleston
B6282/B6278/A67 to Barnard Castle
B6277/A66 to Scotch Corner

Then A1(M)/M18/A57. Alternatively, A68 all the way to J58 of the A1(M). Personally I would steer clear of it as much as possible on account of the number of speed cameras and unmarked cars/bikes. The route above only uses it for a couple of short hops. The B roads take a fair bit longer but are well worth it for the grin factor, especially given the car you will be using.

Edited by Red Devil on Tuesday 16th April 18:14

[The Flying Ox]

That looks a belter of a run. Ta very much!

[Red Devil]

You're welcome. Depending on what time of day you're travelling I can recommend stopping for mid morning or lunchtime refreshment at the Tower Knowe Visitor Centre on the shore of Kielder Water. The view over the lake is superb.

If you're having just a tea/coffee/whatever at Kielder then try The Punch Bowl in Edmundbyers for lunch. My usual haunt, the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland, is currently closed for a major refurb.

[Highway Star]

Good run that.

OP, give us a toot when you go through Bonchester Bridge on the B6357 between Jedburgh and Wauchope Forest, I'll be up there mowing my inlaws lawn that weekend.

[The Flying Ox]

I shall toot away, although I think I'm heading down on the Friday morning now. Not wasting a Friday night in Sheffield. I don't get the chance too often nowadays. Eccy Road here I come!