Kent to Oban - stop off somewhere...

[SimonTheSailor]

I am travelling to Oban and I know it's not very PH but I'm not sure I can be arsed to drive.

Thinking about going on the train but would like a stop off between London and Glasgow - just because I can. Just another opportunity to see somewhere I haven't been yet.

Looks like my options are -

Preston
Lancaster
Oxendale (Kendal)
Penrith



or travelling up the east coast line -

Durham
Newcastle
Morpeth



(Have been to York & Darlington, have visited Newcastle but 30 years ago)

Any of these places recommended ? I would only have an afternoon and 2-3 hours the next morning for sightseeing.

I'd complete the train journey to Glasgow the following day, have a night there and then go Glasgow to Oban the following day.

I've done the trip before by car stopping in the Peak District on the way up, and Darlington on the way down.

Edited by SimonTheSailor on Sunday 27th February 18:26

[Dr Jekyll]

York or Durham would be my suggestion.

[S100HP]

Why would you not drive, wouldn't it be quite interesting once past Nottingham

[SimonTheSailor]

S100HP said:

Why would you not drive, wouldn't it be quite interesting once past Nottingham

Well, done it more than once before, it's a 9 1/2 hour drive so undoubtedly over 10 maybe 11 with a couple of stops/road works, it's relaxing on the train, it's different,

[r44flyer]

Go over night on the sleeper? An experience in itself and gives you an extra day in Oban or an extra day to travel on the way back/stop over.

[Xenobian]

r44flyer said:

Go over night on the sleeper? An experience in itself and gives you an extra day in Oban or an extra day to travel on the way back/stop over.

Agreed, a far better solution than the day time trains for such a long route. Dinner in London, Lunch in Oban. Far more comfortable than even first class on the day trains. The dining car fare is great, too.

[Xenobian]

If, though, the OP wants to visit somewhere else en route rather than go on the sleeper train, I would recommend Kendal out of the options posited, it's a lovely town.

You can change trains at Oxenholme Lake District onto the Windermere branch line to Kendal (4 minutes by rail. The train is waiting on the platform immediately adjacent to the WCM so a very quick change is very possible and straightforward. Alternatively, Windermere is lovely (19 mins from Oxenholme by rail), on the lake.

[littleredrooster]

Even though my home city is Durham, from that list I would suggest Newcastle. Hotel on the Quayside (lots to choose from) and have a walk around the older parts of the city and admire the lovely architecture if you look up from street level.

[otolith]

Durham is nice.

[SimonTheSailor]

Ok , plans have changed (think I did this all before, studied all the trains/flights/bus times and then thought - sod it).

So I'm driving now from Cambridge way to Oban. Going to do it over three days so I can have a couple of night stops enroute. Will be doing the same on the way down so maybe could go up the east coast and down the west (or vice versa)

Been through the Peak district, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Moors (doesn't really mean I can't go again)

Haven't been to/through the Pennines or Kielder Forrest - any good scenic/driving roads around there ?

Don't want to stop in any cities so would prefer nice villages/small towns.

[Xenobian]

SimonTheSailor said:

Ok , plans have changed (think I did this all before, studied all the trains/flights/bus times and then thought - sod it).

So I'm driving now from Cambridge way to Oban. Going to do it over three days so I can have a couple of night stops enroute. Will be doing the same on the way down so maybe could go up the east coast and down the west (or vice versa)

Been through the Peak district, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Moors (doesn't really mean I can't go again)

Haven't been to/through the Pennines or Kielder Forrest - any good scenic/driving roads around there ?

Don't want to stop in any cities so would prefer nice villages/small towns.

The Kielder Forest is a great place. Do the Kielder Forest drive if you want the best scenery in the area, driving wise. It's unsealed, but unless your car has extremely low clearance, it's a decent enough road - https://www.forestryengland.uk/kielder-castle/kiel...

[SimonTheSailor]

That's great - thank you. So that'll have to be on the way back as it doesn't open until 1st May but that's ok as not coming back down until the end of May 👍