Road Trip - Northern England and Scotland

[Dugee]

We're in the early stages of planning a 10 day road trip for September.

The plan is to head to Carlisle (from where we live in Manchester) and spend some time around Hadrian's Wall.

We also want to see the Kelpies and spend a day in Edinburgh.

Then we want to head down the coast to Alnwick and perhaps spend a day in Newcastle before heading back to Manchester.

Anything that we must see in those areas, or on the journey between those areas?

Go to Bamburgh

@Hoppinggreen

Go to Bamburgh

Bamburgh looks lovely.

Go to Holy Island if you can (but bear in mind access to and from depends on the tide).

Glasgow west end
Loch Lomond
Inverary
Kelpies
Edinburgh
North Berwick
Amble/Alnwick/bamburgh/barter books/holy island
Newcastle
Home

Personally I’d leave Hadrian’s wall as you can do that as a day trip/one nighter from Manchester

Yes holy island and the coast along there is lovely. Alnwick Castle too

I live near Loch Lomond, that's worth a day. Stirling Castle is lovely too.

Bamburgh is my favourite place on earth.

The A68 down from Corbridge towards Darlington is a stunning drive - beautiful scenery and traditional villages.

Kelpies are nice but drive past and a half hour walk is enough: ((20 mins from Glasgow or Edinburgh)))

Thank you. We went on a weekend break to Glasgow and saw most things. We've also holidayed around Loch Lomond in the past, lovely as it is, I think we're going to concentrate on the East. The reason for the stop at Hadrian's Wall is to break up the drive.

I live in Newcastle I'm really into culture. Depends what you like to do. I used to work at one of the forts/museums on the wall so know it fairly well.

Vindolanda fort is great. Good ruins with a great collection of find from the site and a lovely garden area with a cafe. So a lovely trip. (not the Fort I worked at so I'm not biased!)

The Northumberland coast is nice but it could be cold in September or lovely who knows! Craster or Bamburgh could be good. Woodhorn Museum in South Northumberland (close to Newcastle) is great.
The beaches nearby such a s Blyth or Seaton sluice can also be nice. I know someone who dolphin spots there! There's a Northumbria cheese maker near Ponteland which is a good stopping point of you like cheese!

St. Andrews and the fife coast then? Crail/Elie//Anstruther.

Perth/Stirling also worth a trip

@Redtartanshoes

Kelpies are nice but drive past and a half hour walk is enough: ((20 mins from Glasgow or Edinburgh)))

Wondering about staying outside Edinburgh for a few days - then doing Kelpies and a day trip into Edinburgh from there.

We also like walking, so any ideas for good walks are also welcome.

Is Robin’s Hood Bay and Beamish near where you will be going ?

If you can make it as far up as the North Coast you won't be disappointed. Very rugged but beautiful.

Scotland west coast and islands is/are 'prettier' but appreciate this is off your route.

I have done driving holidays from home (SW England) to Scotland several times, each trip about 10 days

@DinosaurDiana

Is Robin’s Hood Bay and Beamish near where you will be going ?

Ooh, I'd love to go to Beamish. I'll add that to my list.

We walked from Whitby to RHB a few years ago, stunning.

@Neonprint

I live in Newcastle I'm really into culture. Depends what you like to do. I used to work at one of the forts/museums on the wall so know it fairly well.

Vindolanda fort is great. Good ruins with a great collection of find from the site and a lovely garden area with a cafe. So a lovely trip. (not the Fort I worked at so I'm not biased!)

The Northumberland coast is nice but it could be cold in September or lovely who knows! Craster or Bamburgh could be good. Woodhorn Museum in South Northumberland (close to Newcastle) is great.
The beaches nearby such a s Blyth or Seaton sluice can also be nice. I know someone who dolphin spots there! There's a Northumbria cheese maker near Ponteland which is a good stopping point of you like cheese!

Thank you. I'll look into these. Mmm, cheese 😁.

I like Dunbar and Wast Lothian in general.

I’d do a day trip to an island too, just cost I could. Bute and Arran are nice.

*East Lothian

As a pp said the Kelpies won’t take long. You could add on The Falkirk Wheel or go to Stirling - Stirling Castle/Wallace Monument/Bannockburn Heritage Centre

Sorry to derail but would you recommend Durham for a weekend break, or is it more if a day trip?

The Kelpies aren’t worth an actual stop off, IMHO. See them on the motorway on route to Stirling- visit Stirling Castle or have a hike up the Wallace monument.
Lovely lochs and hills to climb from Stirling area, not too far out of your way.

If you've got kids with you, Helix Park has a brilliant playground 10 minutes' walk from the Kelpies. Roslyn Chapel south of Edinburgh is cool (and not quite as jammed full now the Dan Brown/Da Vinci Code drama has subsided a bit...) Roslyn Glen, directly below the chapel, is a magical place to take a stroll. Close by (Pencaitland) is the Glenkinchie Distillery - most southerly whisky distillery in Scotland.

In Edinburgh, don't miss the National Museum on the corner of Chamber Street (opposite the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby). Admission free and soooo much to see.

Running Fox cafe in Morpeth. Omg! Go for high tea, you get sandwiches, pie, cake, it’s amazing. I echo Vindolanda and Beamish, which I love. You’ll walk your feet off.

@LaTomatina

If you've got kids with you, Helix Park has a brilliant playground 10 minutes' walk from the Kelpies. Roslyn Chapel south of Edinburgh is cool (and not quite as jammed full now the Dan Brown/Da Vinci Code drama has subsided a bit...) Roslyn Glen, directly below the chapel, is a magical place to take a stroll. Close by (Pencaitland) is the Glenkinchie Distillery - most southerly whisky distillery in Scotland.

In Edinburgh, don't miss the National Museum on the corner of Chamber Street (opposite the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby). Admission free and soooo much to see.

I went to Roslyn Chapel and Glen about 15 years ago (in the height of the Dan Brown mania). It was lovely and I'd go again if I was in the area.

St Abbs , craster, bambrough, then head inland and do the college valley, chillingham wild cattle, and down to Alnwick