Driving from London to Glasgow this weekend.... Where to stop overnight half way?

[missjemima]

Any advice oh wise Mumsnetters? It's a bit last minute, but we've suddenly decided driving the whole way with DS1 and DS2 probably isn't wise. In an ideal world it would be a homely village B&B ... Help!

[ZeroFunDame]

Not exactly a homely B and B:

How old are your sons??

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

South Causey Inn, not too far off the A1 inbetween Durham and Newcastle. Its a pub (with amazing food) with rooms, and animals - sheep, goats, horses, alpacas.

I got married there and love love it. If you want a local attraction to visit it is minutes away from Beamish.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

South Causey

[rootypig]

That looks lovely Think, but is pretty far out of the way-!!

OP if I were you I would be tempted to head slightly east actually, and M1 to Leeds then stop somewhere off the A1 (but not as far up) in the eastern Dales, Ripon / Richmond way. You could have a lovely walk before setting off on the second day, and the weather is somewhat drier and more reliable at this time of year than the other side of the Pennines.

The second fab option I think is M6 and detour into north Wales.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Ahh I was assuming driving north on the east side then cutting across around Carlisle and up from there. Yep, would me a mahoosive detour if comibg up the M6

[MadeInChorley]

If you are driving London to Glasgow you don't go up the east coast route. It's M1, M6, M74, not via Co Durham. That's miles off!

The half way point on that drive is around Preston. Could you look for somewhere in Lancashire not far from the M6 ? I'm sure wiser posters than me will suggest somewhere

[rootypig]

It's a pretty big one from the M1 and cutting across to Carlisle too you'd want to get on the A66 north of Leeds.

[BernadetteMatthews]

Drive down as far as you can so you have less time to drive on the next day.

[missjemima]

Ha! Zero My boys are little-ish and weirdly don't like football. Great suggestion for most boys though!

Think that looks lovely! I'm going to have to study a map again...

Liking the North Wales idea...

Thanks for the suggestions so far

[missjemima]

We had considered Lancs... Blackpool?!

[rootypig]

OP have you done the drive before? the second half is much slower. Test any place you consider stopping in a route planner, to see how long it will take. If you could hammer up to the Lake District that would be excellent!

[SoMuchForSubtlety]

I wouldn't try to pick a halfway point, I agree with Bernadette - everyone has less stamina on day two. What about lakes district? With an early start you can have a nice leisurely lunch somewhere around Stafford to break up day one?

[moggle]

We're driving from Surrey to Pitlochry next month with our 5m old DD and are planning to drive up as far as Lancaster or Preston in the evening after her "bedtime". We'll be stopping at a premier inn- there are tons just off the m6 in that area. Then a lazy drive the rest of the way the following morning with stops every hour or two.

[missjemima]

Hey Rooty, nope we're first-timers. Your suggestion sounds perfect, have heard lovely things about The Lake District... I'm going to start looking around there. Suddenly feel very disorganised, ah well...

[rootypig]

Looking at a map would be a good starting point

Use google maps to get directions from London to a possible place, then there to Glasgow. In terms of how the distance looks on a map, you want to get 2/3 up, for half half timing, if that makes sense. Roughly that.

[missjemima]

Yes, maps are helpful! Ha!

Thanks Rooty

[JeanSeberg]

Kendal.

[AliceMum09]

How is the second half of the journey slower? It's a lovely drive up the M6/M74 once you get past where the M55 Blackpool motorway starts, we've never found that stretch of the route busy.

We are driving from Sheffield to the Lancaster Premier Inn on Friday after school, then continuing on Saturday morning up to Glasgow to my sister's house. Not as epic a journey as driving from London, but anything more than half an hour's drive feels like torture when you have three children in the car!

[PrimalLass]

We used to drive up from Luton to Glasgow on a Friday night and back on Sunday. Loved it when we made it to Sauchiehall St in time for last orders



I did NW7 to Glasgow in 5.5 hours one day, just tootling up on my own in my crappy Fiesta.

[rootypig]

Slower roads north of Scotch Corner, Alice, or can be.

Plus skewed perception on a long journey

I think the northern part is so lovely, it's nice to have a little more time to spend on it too.

[rootypig]

By the way I live in California now and would hammer this distance with no stops, no questions asked. Not remotely suggesting anyone do that. Just musing on how perceptions of distance can change based on place too.

[JeanSeberg]

Why you would go through Scotch Corner? Much easier to stick to the west - M6 etc.

[Pointlessfan]

The amazing Tebay services on the M6 in the Lake District has a hotel. It's not your usual service station - definitely worth a look!

[GrapeWallofChina]

Did this journey a lot but usually in one go (no kids!).
Personally I'd try and get to Preston before stopping, you'll be more tired on Day 2 and want the journey to be quicker. What time are you starting off and what time do you need to be in Glasgow - they would be big factors in terms of traffic and how far you can plough on for Day 1
Nothing special but very close to motorway with family rooms is The Tickled Trout if you just want to stop, sleep and go