Post Lockdown Roadtrip Love Affair - Recommendations

[stevekoz]

Hey All,

I read a post yesterday on Instagram and realised that in the last 23 odd years, i haven't been without the ability to drive and a car.

It's an odd feeling. The freedom and stress relief of being able to jump in a car and just blow away the problems on the road.

So, i am planning a road trip after all of this comes to an end.

It will be UK Based but i am unsure where to go that would include some great fun driving roads and some great scenery and country pubs, preferably close to a coastline. Car of choice - my own car - Impreza. Not the worlds greatest driving machine but none the less, my lady of choice.

Any ideas just i would love to hear.

cheers

[s70rmp]

Where's your starting point ?

[stevekoz]

Birmingham , West Midlands. Not mind driving anywhere. No limits to mileage etc.

[Red Devil]

stevekoz said:

No limits to mileage etc.

What about duration? How much time do you have available?

[s70rmp]

head up to Northumberland some nice roads up there and castle s everywhere to stop and look at a then head into Scotland and do the NC500 or parts of it then back via the Lakes then home

[jeremyh1]

Make your way over to the A1 head to Edinburgh then Perth then A9 inverness then up to the top then down the West coast

You have not been able to enjoy your car properly for ages so make the most of it !

[sjabrown]

Go somewhere you haven't been before - that's the best way of exploring.

[Riley Blue]

jeremyh1 said:

Make your way over to the A1 head to Edinburgh then Perth then A9 inverness then up to the top then down the West coast

You have not been able to enjoy your car properly for ages so make the most of it !

OP wants some 'great fun driving roads' and you recommend the A1 when there's the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and Kielder Forest en route.?

Once in Scotland head towards Blairgowrie then through the Cairngorms via Braemar, Crathe, Cock Bridge, Tomintoul, Nethy Bridge - the back roads are the fun driving roads, the A roads aren't.

[jeremyh1]

Riley Blue said:

OP wants some 'great fun driving roads' and you recommend the A1 when there's the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and Kielder Forest en route.?

Once in Scotland head towards Blairgowrie then through the Cairngorms via Braemar, Crathe, Cock Bridge, Tomintoul, Nethy Bridge - the back roads are the fun driving roads, the A roads aren't.

Sorry I had no idea he was doing it in a steam engine

[stevekoz]

Thanks for the recommendations. I do like the idea of going up to Scotland and through the B-roads there. As i've never been that way in the car. I'll google the areas and pick some roads to link together and pick a place to stay centrally to the trip (or multiple if needed).

Appreciated.

[Red Devil]

Riley Blue said:

jeremyh1 said:

Make your way over to the A1 head to Edinburgh then Perth then A9 inverness then up to the top then down the West coast

You have not been able to enjoy your car properly for ages so make the most of it !

OP wants some 'great fun driving roads' and you recommend the A1 when there's the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and Kielder Forest en route.?

Once in Scotland head towards Blairgowrie then through the Cairngorms via Braemar, Crathe, Cock Bridge, Tomintoul, Nethy Bridge - the back roads are the fun driving roads, the A roads aren't.

^^This^^

However, there is no easy/quick way to get from the Peak District to the Dales.
The urban sprawl of West Yorkshire is a major impediment. Too much time wasted.
This would be my preferred route from Birmingham - https://goo.gl/maps/XT8rjRhxNapC7YRU6
Or alternatively via Tan Hill - https://goo.gl/maps/UXFPDJ2RSU6zXajq9
From Stanhope, this way to Inverness - https://goo.gl/maps/2sb9t7M2UR6CWpsYA

My starting point is way down in the South East, so for me it's the A1/A1(M) to Scotch Corner.
Then from there to Stanhope - https://goo.gl/maps/Yw2d4YZEYrp6Awvh7

stevekoz said:

Thanks for the recommendations. I do like the idea of going up to Scotland and through the B-roads there. As i've never been that way in the car. I'll google the areas and pick some roads to link together and pick a place to stay centrally to the trip (or multiple if needed).

Appreciated.

See above.

[coppice]

OP_ YHM

[omzb147]

I wanted to Hijack this quickly. I am also planning a road trip of sorts post lockdown. I have my eyes set on an s2000 in Scotland and intend to drive it through the lake district on my way back down to London. I will be with a less confident friend in his BMW 3 series. As this is my first drive back with the car (first RWD car, that's known to be oversteer happy), I'm looking for easy roads, where the lanes stay split with space for both lanes. So far some routes I have seen as do-able are (in no particular order yet) Kirkstone pass, cat and fiddle onto snake pass and the woodhead pass.Can you recommend me how best to link these roads and any other suggestions, also possibly how long they might take and any advise on speed cameras or hazardous points, if there are any rounds you recommend avoiding from my list or in general

[Red Devil]

You don't mention where in Scotland you're starting your return trip from.
Bear in mind you'll likely need a full day to get back to London.

Kirkstone Pass - https://goo.gl/maps/RMTDMMUrp7a4rmoC8
Woodhead - https://goo.gl/maps/FiV3n4M6F7ijW3QDA *
Snake Pass/Winnats Pass/Cat & Fiddle - https://goo.gl/maps/L3V6E1hR597TRUK26

Be aware that the A537 (Cat & Fiddle) has a 50mph limit and speed cameras.
Both Snake Pass and Cat & Fiddle could be described as hazardous.
Watch out for cyclists and nutters on motorbikes.

 * Note: to include the pass by this route means traversing it twice (out and back)
    If you only want to do it once (westbound) you'll need to take a different route to the A628/A616 Flouch roundabout.
    From Meltham via Holmfirth rather than over Holme Moss.

Edited by Red Devil on Wednesday 6th May 16:19

[Riley Blue]

I'd consider missing out the Kirkstone Pass and consider this route to get from Scotland to the Peak District:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/53.4953721,-1.87...

There are a couple of not-so-great link sections but most of it is enjoyable enough.

[Red Devil]

Had he not specifically asked about Kirkstone that would have been exactly what I would have suggested.
If I'm heading to/from Glasgow I always go that way from/to Middleton-in-Teesdale. I leave/join the B7078 at M74 J10 north of Lesmahagow.
Your route and mine meet in Skipton. Identical from there onwards except for a short section south of Sowerby Bridge.

Omitting Ripponden is better.

He will be heading south, btw...

[Riley Blue]

Red Devil said:

Had he not specifically asked about Kirkstone that would have been exactly what I would have suggested.
If I'm heading to/from Glasgow I always go that way from/to Middleton-in-Teesdale. I leave/join the B7078 at M74 J10 north of Lesmahagow.
Your route and mine meet in Skipton. Identical from there onwards except for a short section south of Sowerby Bridge.

Omitting Ripponden is better.

He will be heading south, btw...

From Scotland to the Peak District is heading south...

At the moment I can't access the route I took last May when I drove from Land's End to John O'Groats via B-roads so that's only an approximation, especially the southern end of it.

I'll try and post up the whole route when I get the chance.

[Red Devil]

Riley Blue said:

From Scotland to the Peak District is heading south...

Yep, hence my footnote. Hint: have another look at your route plan.

Riley Blue said:

At the moment I can't access the route I took last May when I drove from Land's End to John O'Groats via B-roads so that's only an approximation, especially the southern end of it.

I'll try and post up the whole route when I get the chance.

Did it go via/close to London? Would definitely be interested in seeing it anyway.

[So]

stevekoz said:

Hey All,

I read a post yesterday on Instagram and realised that in the last 23 odd years, i haven't been without the ability to drive and a car.

It's an odd feeling. The freedom and stress relief of being able to jump in a car and just blow away the problems on the road.

So, i am planning a road trip after all of this comes to an end.

It will be UK Based but i am unsure where to go that would include some great fun driving roads and some great scenery and country pubs, preferably close to a coastline. Car of choice - my own car - Impreza. Not the worlds greatest driving machine but none the less, my lady of choice.

Any ideas just i would love to hear.

cheers

Wales? Or Wales followed by Isle off Man?

[Riley Blue]

Red Devil said:

Riley Blue said:

From Scotland to the Peak District is heading south...

Yep, hence my footnote. Hint: have another look at your route plan.

Riley Blue said:

At the moment I can't access the route I took last May when I drove from Land's End to John O'Groats via B-roads so that's only an approximation, especially the southern end of it.

I'll try and post up the whole route when I get the chance.

Did it go via/close to London? Would definitely be interested in seeing it anyway.

We don't go near London, we tried to avoid cities and larger towns as far as possible. I'll see if i can post it in a new thread by the weekend.