London to Lake District via Buttertubs Pass, anywhere else?

[Talk2Dave]

Hi chaps, i'm in need of some advice,

I'm going on my first proper road trip on sunday, (furthest i've travelled is cambridge!) for a week away at the lakes. Buttertubs pass is deffinitely on the list, but obviously i'm not familiar with the area, so if anyone knows of any other roads on the way, i'd greatly appreciate some input. I don't want to travel too far out of my way.

Heres the link to my planned route
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=London+SE18&am...

Also i was planning on leaving at 7am on a sunday, is this advisable?

Any input is appreciated, thanks, David.

[GetCarter]

OK... first up... your route doesn't take in Buttermere (It's the Honister or Newlands Pass BTW), and that is a shame as it's a really good road. When you get to Keswick, go through Borrowdale... then you' reach the bit you're aiming for.

[GreatGranny]

Why the M1?

I would set off earlier and go M40, M6 (M6 toll) and straight up and get off at junction 36.

Whichever road you go on be prepared to be held and on lots of roads there are limited passing places. Spectacular scenery though.

Too many places to name but Hardknott, Wrynose and Kirkstone are all worth the drive as is Great Langdale.

Coniston has some great pubs, especially the Black Bull

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=54.3689...

Also Hawkshead, Grasmere and make sure you get up to Ullswater and Bassenthwaite Lake (the only 'Lake' in The Lake District.

[moribund]

I think M1 because the OP wants to do the Buttertubs Pass in the Dales on the way, not Buttermere. Although Buttermere must be visited when he gets there I'd say

OP - The Buttertubs Pass is OK, but I think the Settle - Hawes road is actually a better drive. How about A59 past Harrogate to Skipton, then A65 to Settle, then head north from there. You'll be in the Dales at lunchtime so there will be some traffic on the A-roads but you'll have a chance of a run on the smaller ones. And you can have a bacon buttie in Hawes

[Red Devil]

GreatGranny said:

Why the M1?

I would set off earlier

Me too - by about an hour.

GreatGranny said:

and go M40, M6 (M6 toll) and straight up and get off at junction 36 31.

I would get to Hawes (for Buttertubs) by a longer but much more rewarding route.
Leave M6 J31, take the A59 to Clitheroe then via Dunsop Bridge over the Trough of Bowland. Turn right at the crossroads in Quernmore. At the T juction near Crook O Lune turn right on to the A683. At the junction with A687 turn right towards Ingleton. Turn right at the junction with the A65. In Ingleton turn left onto the B6255 to Hawes. This is a brilliant road with long straights and fast sweeping bends.

A good spot to stop for a photo op is the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Ribblehead+viduct&...
Refresh the inner man with some proper Masham ale at the Station Inn. Sample Black Sheep rather than the bettr known Theakston. Just the one mind. Wouldn't want you to end your journey in a North Yorkshire ditch.

[Talk2Dave]

Thanks for everyone's replies, have got a good route mapped out now thanks to you guys.

I'm going straight past buttermere so no question really, and the ribblehead viaduct is deffinitely on the list.
Again i appreciate the replies, be sure to keep an eye out for a thread in readers cars in about a week