Where to stop off for lunch between Edinburgh and Leeds

[carolebaskinfedhimtothetigers]

Me and DP are currently having a few days away in Edinburgh and have driven up from Leeds. We will probably set off straight home after checking out of our hotel tomorrow morning but we're thinking about stopping off somewhere for a look around and some lunch on the way back. I would have liked to go to Holy Island but the tide times for the causeway don't tie in with what time we will be travelling, the other obvious choices are Berwick or Alnwick (I've been to both before but DP hasn't) but is there anywhere else along the a1 you could recommend that we haven't thought of? Preferably somewhere north of Newcastle as anywhere south of Newcastle are do able day trips from Leeds. Thanks!

Bamburgh is nice, and the fish and chips in Seahouses are second to none. Both Amble and Alnmouth are pretty. There are lots of nice places on the Northumbrian coast.

I drove from Edinburgh to Leeds yesterday as it happens. I think depending on exactly where you start and finish, depends on whether the A1 is quicker or going cross country the M74 then A66 and down the A1 from Scotch Corner. I prefer this route anyway as it's more varied and the scenery on both the A66 and the Scottish borders is lovely.

If you do the A702, M74, M6 and A66 route you pass a few Scottish NT signs for country parks, a scenic route, some mountains etc so lots of scope for stopping off for a walk and a look around. Also a few small towns where you'd be able to get lunch.

You also pass close to Gretna Green, so you'd be able to post some photos and amusingly cryptic social media posts to set friends and family off in a froth about whether or not you're tying the knot.

Sadly I didn't have time for any of this, but it did make me vow to have a short break up that way myself some time soon.

Hadrian's Wall?

Thanks for the suggestions hadn't thought of Bamburgh, I've holidayed a lot in Northumberland so know the coast quite well but DP hasn't. @BarbaraofSeville our hotel is actually right at the end of the A1 in Edinburgh and DP lives just off the A1 in Micklefield so think that is definitely our quickest route (was very strange doing a 4 hour drive all on the same road!) but will look into the route you have suggested

Sunnyhills Farm shop and cafe (really close to the A1) or Morpeth

I second sunnyhills we had the best roast dinner in there, it was truely amazing if we didnt live 3 hours away we would go every Sunday.

Richmond is probably to close to you but was gorgeous.

Detouring of the m1 to the Northumberland coastal route gives you lots of options e.g craster and then walking to dunstanburgh castle, Alnmouth (beaches is doing take away yum) warkworth or amble (the old boathouse for fish), bamburgh (the potted lobster I think)

Or Hexham, durham, barnards castle!

@Changeisneeded I did joke that we should go to Barnard Castle as it's close! Annoyingly we now have to get back in time for something this afternoon so no time to stop anywhere properly but we are going to stop at Sunnyhills for something to eat. Driving up here reminded me of how lovely the Northumberland coast is, it's been a few years since I last went on holiday there but think we will look at booking for next spring