North Yorkshire Roads
Discussion
Where are you heading from/too?
If east to west, go Scotch Corner, then turn right about 3 or 4 miles later towards Winston. Then the Barnard Castle, across to Middleton then Alston, then take the A689 to the A69 at Bramoton, then A689 to the M6 Junction and up the M6/M74. Turn off that at Gretna and use the A road that shadows the motorway all the way up past Beatock Summit and beyond.
If east to west, go Scotch Corner, then turn right about 3 or 4 miles later towards Winston. Then the Barnard Castle, across to Middleton then Alston, then take the A689 to the A69 at Bramoton, then A689 to the M6 Junction and up the M6/M74. Turn off that at Gretna and use the A road that shadows the motorway all the way up past Beatock Summit and beyond.
janesmith1950 said:
Where are you heading from/too?
If east to west, go Scotch Corner, then turn right about 3 or 4 miles later towards Winston. Then the Barnard Castle, across to Middleton then Alston, then take the A689 to the A69 at Bramoton, then A689 to the M6 Junction and up the M6/M74. Turn off that at Gretna and use the A road that shadows the motorway all the way up past Beatock Summit and beyond.
Pretty much wot he said If east to west, go Scotch Corner, then turn right about 3 or 4 miles later towards Winston. Then the Barnard Castle, across to Middleton then Alston, then take the A689 to the A69 at Bramoton, then A689 to the M6 Junction and up the M6/M74. Turn off that at Gretna and use the A road that shadows the motorway all the way up past Beatock Summit and beyond.
If you're not going anywhere then the Tour de France/wensleydale/swaledale loop is rather pleasant; scotch corner, richmond, reeth, gunnerside, thwaite, hardraw (via buttertubs), hawes (penny garth cafe for a mug of tea with the bikers), then back either over the tops from askrigg to Reeth to richmond or alternatively castle bolton, leyburn, richmond or leyburn, bedale, A1 at Leeming.
But basically anywhere in that entire is pretty much as good as it gets.
janesmith1950 said:
Where are you heading from/too?
If east to west, go Scotch Corner, then turn right about 3 or 4 miles later towards Winston. Then the Barnard Castle, across to Middleton then Alston, then take the A689 to the A69 at Bramoton, then A689 to the M6 Junction and up the M6/M74. Turn off that at Gretna and use the A road that shadows the motorway all the way up past Beatock Summit and beyond.
I've done almost that exact route a couple of times. The only differences were:If east to west, go Scotch Corner, then turn right about 3 or 4 miles later towards Winston. Then the Barnard Castle, across to Middleton then Alston, then take the A689 to the A69 at Bramoton, then A689 to the M6 Junction and up the M6/M74. Turn off that at Gretna and use the A road that shadows the motorway all the way up past Beatock Summit and beyond.
Instead of going via Winston, I went further along the A66 and took the unclassified road to Whorlton.
https://goo.gl/maps/wCScwhEvKBN2
I was quite unprepared to discover this architectural gem on such a minor road.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqKc-_Cs42sT1CDaW...
There is an information board at the toll house about its construction.
View downstream.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kE1ksE-mJUla813y...
The A69 Brampton bypass/A689 past Carlisle Airport carries a lot of traffic,
Can be a PITA if you're in a camel train behind a HGV.
I've witnessed some very dodgy overtakes due to impatience/poor judgement.
Much nicer to reach Gretna Green via Brampton and Longtown.
https://goo.gl/maps/ZKNxqUz5XMG2
There it segues onto the road parallel to the motorway. That is no longer an A road.
Much of it is the old A74 which was downgraded when the A74(M) arrived.
It's now the B7076 to Elvanfoot where it joins the A702.
At Abington Services it leaves the A702 and is numbered B7078.
Join the M74 at Poniel/Happendon (J11) or Lesmahagow (J10).
If you're heading for Edinburgh rather than Glasgow.
This route from Barnard Castle to Jedburgh..
https://goo.gl/maps/W7g281EBB1T2
Red Devil said:
I've done almost that exact route a couple of times. The only differences were:
Instead of going via Winston, I went further along the A66 and took the unclassified road to Whorlton.
https://goo.gl/maps/wCScwhEvKBN2
I was quite unprepared to discover this architectural gem on such a minor road.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqKc-_Cs42sT1CDaW...
There is an information board at the toll house about its construction.
View downstream.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kE1ksE-mJUla813y...
The A69 Brampton bypass/A689 past Carlisle Airport carries a lot of traffic,
Can be a PITA if you're in a camel train behind a HGV.
I've witnessed some very dodgy overtakes due to impatience/poor judgement.
Much nicer to reach Gretna Green via Brampton and Longtown.
https://goo.gl/maps/ZKNxqUz5XMG2
There it segues onto the road parallel to the motorway. That is no longer an A road.
Much of it is the old A74 which was downgraded when the A74(M) arrived.
It's now the B7076 to Elvanfoot where it joins the A702.
At Abington Services it leaves the A702 and is numbered B7078.
Join the M74 at Poniel/Happendon (J11) or Lesmahagow (J10).
If you're heading for Edinburgh rather than Glasgow.
This route from Barnard Castle to Jedburgh..
https://goo.gl/maps/W7g281EBB1T2
Depending on time (with the last route suggestion) I'd probably still run up the B6277 to Alston and cut back across to Hexham via the A686 before going up through Kielder. Mind the Blanchland run is really nice and full of stunning scenery as well if time doesn't allow going to AlstonInstead of going via Winston, I went further along the A66 and took the unclassified road to Whorlton.
https://goo.gl/maps/wCScwhEvKBN2
I was quite unprepared to discover this architectural gem on such a minor road.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqKc-_Cs42sT1CDaW...
There is an information board at the toll house about its construction.
View downstream.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kE1ksE-mJUla813y...
The A69 Brampton bypass/A689 past Carlisle Airport carries a lot of traffic,
Can be a PITA if you're in a camel train behind a HGV.
I've witnessed some very dodgy overtakes due to impatience/poor judgement.
Much nicer to reach Gretna Green via Brampton and Longtown.
https://goo.gl/maps/ZKNxqUz5XMG2
There it segues onto the road parallel to the motorway. That is no longer an A road.
Much of it is the old A74 which was downgraded when the A74(M) arrived.
It's now the B7076 to Elvanfoot where it joins the A702.
At Abington Services it leaves the A702 and is numbered B7078.
Join the M74 at Poniel/Happendon (J11) or Lesmahagow (J10).
If you're heading for Edinburgh rather than Glasgow.
This route from Barnard Castle to Jedburgh..
https://goo.gl/maps/W7g281EBB1T2
SmilerFTM said:
Depending on time (with the last route suggestion) I'd probably still run up the B6277 to Alston and cut back across to Hexham via the A686 before going up through Kielder.
That works too. 
The B6277 from the Langdon Beck Hotel to Alston is a superb drive.
The A686 by contrast has some quite twisty bits with poor sightlines.
The last section before Hexham (B6305) otoh is super quick.
https://goo.gl/maps/gpb8wzZG5h12
Alternativly one can avoid Hexham altogether by staying on the A686.
Take the turning for Haydon Bridge under the A69 bypass.
Cross over the South Tyne then turn right onto the B6319.
https://goo.gl/maps/wvVYuzDb87v
SmilerFTM said:
Mind the Blanchland run is really nice and full of stunning scenery as well if time doesn't allow going to Alston
I prefer that route tbh. Indeed I'll be doing it in 7 days time. 
A 2 car convoy with a friend of mine heading for the Highlands.
We'll be going via Edmundbyers rather than along Meadows Edge though.
Table already booked for lunch at the Punch Bowl Inn.
Relic said:
Sorry, meant to add we are starting off in Harrogate and planning to head to Alnwick but happy to detour.
North Yorks/Durham, you said.https://goo.gl/maps/FrKzRhAFsME2
It links up with the route/s I posted earlier.
If Alnwick is a must do, then don't turn left after crossing the South Tyne.
Stay on the B6320 through Bellingham to Otterburn then the B6319 via Rothbury.
https://goo.gl/maps/Gz58XFmY2662
From Harrogate I would probably take the A59 and then turn off for Pateley Bridge and then up past Ramsgill and Leighton Reservoir to Masham. From there take the A6108 to Leyburn and the road over to Reeth and up Arkengarthdale to Tan Hill. Continue on to Brough on the A66.
From there you can take the B6276 to Middleton-in-Teesdale. I think the posts above then give you plenty of options on progressing north.
From there you can take the B6276 to Middleton-in-Teesdale. I think the posts above then give you plenty of options on progressing north.
Red Devil said:
North Yorks/Durham, you said.
https://goo.gl/maps/FrKzRhAFsME2
It links up with the route/s I posted earlier.
Sorry - I didn't look at your link and I've just posted something virtually identical!https://goo.gl/maps/FrKzRhAFsME2
It links up with the route/s I posted earlier.
Planet Claire said:
the road over to Reeth and up Arkengarthdale to Tan Hill.
Tan Hill pub always worth a visit. Unique pub - there's nothing quite like it.All three roads to it are fun. Extra points for cattle grids, but I think all
the gates on the roads are gone now.
https://tanhillinn.com/
Many years ago, my friends and I drove from Shrewsbury to Pitlochry for a canoeing competition. To make the drive more interesting we drew a straight line on the map and had to stick as closely as possible to it.
Great fun.
Suprised some landrover enthusiasts as a fully loaded up mk2 escort with canoes on the roof went over the moor near bacup
Try it.
Great fun.
Suprised some landrover enthusiasts as a fully loaded up mk2 escort with canoes on the roof went over the moor near bacup
Try it.
I'm from Harrogate myself and quite often go up through the middle of the dales and durham dales to get home as i currently live up newcastle way.
I tend to head to pately from harrogate, then turn right by the petrol station to head to lofthouse, then go over the tops to masham. From there i pick up the standard buttertubs run to hawes and over the pass itself. Then turn left and head directly to tan hill pub. From tan hill i turn right towards richmond and then take a little cut through (which is a cracking road in itself) to the A66, jump straight across to barnard castle and wiggle my way towards hamsterley forest.
I used to live in consett right on the edge of the durham dales so can put that route in google maps for you and add some more further north as you climb towards the A69/Kielder area if you would like. just PM me for details as i can't remember the B road numbers for the life of me!
I tend to head to pately from harrogate, then turn right by the petrol station to head to lofthouse, then go over the tops to masham. From there i pick up the standard buttertubs run to hawes and over the pass itself. Then turn left and head directly to tan hill pub. From tan hill i turn right towards richmond and then take a little cut through (which is a cracking road in itself) to the A66, jump straight across to barnard castle and wiggle my way towards hamsterley forest.
I used to live in consett right on the edge of the durham dales so can put that route in google maps for you and add some more further north as you climb towards the A69/Kielder area if you would like. just PM me for details as i can't remember the B road numbers for the life of me!
uttanutta12 said:
I tend to head to pately from harrogate, then turn right by the petrol station to head to lofthouse, then go over the tops to masham. From there i pick up the standard buttertubs run to hawes and over the pass itself. Then turn left and head directly to tan hill pub. From tan hill i turn right towards richmond and then take a little cut through (which is a cracking road in itself) to the A66, jump straight across to barnard castle and wiggle my way towards hamsterley forest.
That's a longer version of the route I posted earlier. I wouldn't go via Hawes to reach Buttertubs either.
The A684 connects the A1(M) and the M6 (Leeming Bar to J37) .
Thus it carries quite a lot of traffic. I avoid it* by going this way.
Masham -> Simonstone via Leyburn -> Redmire -> Askrigg.
* Except for <2 miles through Leyburn to Wensley.
uttanutta12 said:
I used to live in consett right on the edge of the durham dales so can put that route in google maps for you and add some more further north as you climb towards the A69/Kielder area if you would like. just PM me for details as i can't remember the B road numbers for the life of me!
You mean like the one I also posted: from Barnard Castle via Kielder to Jedburgh? I'll be doing that next Wednesday en route to the Highlands.
Red Devil said:
You mean like the one I also posted: from Barnard Castle via Kielder to Jedburgh?
I'll be doing that next Wednesday en route to the Highlands.
Yes exactly like that! hahaI'll be doing that next Wednesday en route to the Highlands.
I will give your route upto buttertubs from masham a try. As you're quite right the main route up can be pretty busy especially on a weekend!
Red Devil said:
That's a longer version of the route I posted earlier.
I wouldn't go via Hawes to reach Buttertubs either.
The A684 connects the A1(M) and the M6 (Leeming Bar to J37) .
Thus it carries quite a lot of traffic. I avoid it* by going this way.
Masham -> Simonstone via Leyburn -> Redmire -> Askrigg.
* Except for <2 miles through Leyburn to Wensley.
I would agree with that, I much prefer the 'back road' because you generally can't make progress on the A684. Also, the A684 can be dotted about with police, especially through West Witton.I wouldn't go via Hawes to reach Buttertubs either.
The A684 connects the A1(M) and the M6 (Leeming Bar to J37) .
Thus it carries quite a lot of traffic. I avoid it* by going this way.
Masham -> Simonstone via Leyburn -> Redmire -> Askrigg.
* Except for <2 miles through Leyburn to Wensley.
If you are travelling at a weekend , and between 10 and 5 then I'd avoid Wensleydale and Swaledale like the plague. Even though I have lived in the N of N Yorkshire most of my life if I want a really enjoyable drive I either head a long way east (impractical as route to Scotland really )or press on to Barnard Castle then , as many have said, Middleton to Alston . Better still, keep going up A 1 until a mile or so past Scotch Corner and pick up the A 68 - stay on that until a mile past Scots Border at Carter Bar turn L and head for Newcastleton- now that is a drive .
All that said , nothing in England even begins to compare with what lies much further north...
All that said , nothing in England even begins to compare with what lies much further north...
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