Short break - Yorkshire/Lakes/Northumberland

[SELON]

Hi all,

Looking for advice and guidance on a trip I've been thinking about for a while.

I would like to experience great roads and great hospitality (doesn't need to be expensive) in the following areas

- Yorkshire dales
- Lake District
- Northumberland national park (I understand it's the 'dark' place of Britain)

I'm planning 1-2 nights in / around Yorkshire to drive and walk around although may stay longer.

Any great driving roads and any great hostelries to aim for? (Great beer also appreciated!!)

Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks

[gemini]

Stay at Helmsley, at the Feversham.
Car park.
Walking.
Great driving.

[Mark Benson]

Helmsley's nice, Helmsley to Stokesley road is a must.

Also, head north from the A66 near Barnard Castle and you can't go too wrong, all of Teesdale is sparsely populated and nowhere near as busy as the roads in the National Park (Swaledale and points south) so you'll be able to drive most places easily. You're also in the right place to carry on over the Pennines into the Lakes, or head north to Northumberland.
If you're in that area, the Frenchgate Hotel in Richmond is nice, Black Bull at Moulton a good foodie pub (going there on Sunday for lunch). Pubs in Richmond not up to much but the surrounding villages are full of decent places (Shoulder of Mutton in Middleton Tyas, another Shoulder of Mutton in Kirby Hill).

[ellroy]

Beware of unmarked police on the Stokelsey Helmsley road, it's a Mecca for bikers, and the reduced speed lists have spoiled it a little for me.

A run up to the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge if you're coming to the NY Moors rather than the dales is worth it, but beware of the scamera vans.

The roads over to Whitby are generally quite good, better than the Dales for me, and a good place to stay at the end in Whitby.

I personally think the Lakes, while stunning, are to busy for driving type holidays. Northumberland out in to the Cheviots etc on the other hand.....

[SELON]

I was thinking the same about the lakes. Northumberland appeals a lot.

Cheers for the feedback chaps. Plenty of time to plan the trip still so more suggestions very welcome.

[steve51800]

If you are staying near Richmond don't forget hawes and the buttertubs pass, or the road from middleton in teesdale to alston is always worth a blast.