Kent to edinburgh

[matty13]

In the summer in planning on taking a trip to Edinburgh stoping in York for abit on the way . Does anyone have any route suggestions , stop off's , hotels etc
I don't really want to do the whole journey on the motorway and would like any info on some fun roads to drive on route .
Any suggestions welcome
Thanks

[Hackney]

From York you could take the A19, but definitely pick up the A1 again when you're North of Newcastle.

Banburgh castle is perhaps worth a look

You could take the A68 but it's a long time since I drove it so not sure how it would compare in terms of time / picturesque-ness versus the A1

Between Kent and York it'd just be a matter of getting there as there's nothing particularly interesting to see that isn't massively out of the way when you're on a very long trip already.

[seyre1972]

Hi -

come off near Scotch Corner - and take backroads up through Barnard Castle/A68.

Lovely place to stay near Barnard Castle is the Jersey Farm Inn, and if your looking for a bit of tourism - The BowesMuseum

[Red Devil]

Suggested routes with an overnight break in or near York.

Kent to York - https://goo.gl/maps/NEWWenPUPhN2 - rather more interesting than going all the way via the A1.
Accommodation is very much a personal choice. My preference is for country pubs which do B&B. YMMV.
It is quite a while since I stopped over in the area. I stayed here: The Ship Inn - https://goo.gl/maps/cpBCTTy7LEz
http://www.shipinnacastermalbis.co.uk/

York to Edinburgh - https://goo.gl/maps/JG3jh1VKue82 - much more fun and better scenery.
Stop for lunch at the Cafe on the Water at the Tower Knowe Visitor Centre before you reach Saughtree.
It's located in a stunning setting overlooking Kielder Water - https://goo.gl/maps/vQEST4V6fwP2

[chilistrucker]

Only my thoughts, could maybe go up m11, nip across the a14 and onto the a1m north but jump off at Peterborough and go around it on the a1139, then pick up the signs and jump on the a16 for Spalding. Stay on the a16 and go via Spalding, Boston, and Louth. From Louth upto Grimsby maybe, then cut across to take the Humber bridge , nip over the bridge and head across for a stop over in York.

Next day, i'd probably jump back on the a1m to get me up near Darlington, then i'd split off the a1m onto the a68 and head up and across the a68 all the way to Ebinburgh stopping at Jedburgh along the way for a cuppa and to have a look at Jedburgh Abbey.

You could as another option stay on the a1m pass Darlington and Newcastle and then split off when at Morpeth onto the a697 and follow the a697 to Coldstream. After Coldstream stay on the a697 and keep heading upto Edinburgh, the a697 eventually merges with the a68 before Edinburgh.

Can't help you much with overnight stops as i was always crashing in the lorry overnight on these routes, but i just used to like using them when possible as a change from the motorway routes.

[0a]

Definitely use the a68 over the a1 - watch for the cameras though.

[matty13]

Well thanks guys some great suggestions there time for me to do abit of map reading on the routes above . Once agian thanks for all the input

[Red Devil]

chilistrucker said:

Only my thoughts, could maybe go up m11, nip across the a14 and onto the a1m north but jump off at Peterborough and go around it on the a1139, then pick up the signs and jump on the a16 for Spalding. Stay on the a16 and go via Spalding, Boston, and Louth. From Louth upto Grimsby maybe, then cut across to take the Humber bridge , nip over the bridge and head across for a stop over in York.

Certainly worth a punt, but if going via the Humber Bridge, I would avoid Boston, Louth, and Grimsby.
Head for Horncastle and Caistor. The B1225 in particular is superbly fast and flowing.
My sister lives near the M180/A15/A18 interchange so I often use this route - https://goo.gl/maps/cD2mcJs6mDS2

[AH33]

When you get to Edinburgh, after 5 mins when you're hating the tourists/traffic etc, try the A198 to North Berwick. Never too busy and some nice scenery.