Stop btw Bath and Edinburg.

York, it is great, spend three days there.

Just for your info it's spelt Edinburgh and isn't pronounced the same as Pittsburgh if that's how you've been saying it. There are several nuances in how it's pronounced depending on where you're from but a good approximation would be similar to "Edinburra".

Edinburgh to Bath is long drive so it's a good idea to break it up. York is a good suggestion although it's worth more than an overnighter, if you can find the time spend at least two days there.

Sorry about the misspelling, wrote it quick on my way out!
Any suggestions about where to stay in York? Typically we like smaller local places to stay.

I agree that York would be a good choice.
On our own trip earlier this year we stayed at the Lawrance - sorry don't have the link handy, but it's a nice place and is about a 10 minute walk to the Minster.
Parking was in a garage about a block away and the price was reasonable.

Edited to add the link to the Lawrance: https://www.thelawrance.com/
It's in a great location, and there's a secure NCP parking structure about 100 ft. up the street - easy to get in and out of without having to negotiate city traffic. They offer a 35% discount on the parking.
From their front door it's about a 10 minute walk to the Shambles - the historic medieval heart of the old city with buildings dating to the 14th century. There you'll also find a host of eateries to fit every taste & budget.

Hi Kathleen -

Yep, York. Deserves at least a couple of days. Check out The Minster Hotel (one of the Hotels used by Rick Steves trips), or the Churchill Hotel, both pretty much in the shadow of the Minster. If a little rich for your blood price wise, there are several ‘chain’ hotels, Ibis, Jury’s, Holiday Inn, Premier Inn etc., but some may not be as centrally located.

If in doubt have a trawl through booking.com but do ensure that whatever you choose has on site parking because otherwise finding a parking spot in York is a nightmare and the prices in the public car parks will take your breath away (and your cash).

Ian (no relation to the hurricane of the same name!)

It is much longer to drive from Bath to Edinburgh via York. The shortest route is via the M5 to Birmingham an then the M6 uo the west side of Britain = 394 miles. If returning south again to London, that would be the best way to see York en-route rather than go out of your way going north. York is also on the main Edinburgh to London (Kings Cross) railway. York is on the Bristol to Edinburgh run using the longer route.

If driving the west route, you could take a detour into the Lake District on the way - possibly staying at Windermere.

I take it that you do know that you can fly with Easyjet from Bristol Airport to Edinburgh?

You can also go by train = again with the west route being shortest and quickest if you change at Birmingham. (Split tickets works out cheaper as the 2 sites below will tell you).
https://www.traintickets.com/?/
https://v3.trainsplit.com

Funny, I was about to say the same thing James just did. So I'll say it in a different way.

In my mind I was thinking, "Lake District", but second-guessed myself when so many suggested York. One look at a map shows Bath to Edinburgh via York is the long way round, while Lake District is right on the route.

"York, it is great, spend three days there"

Lincoln is far better, York has just become a plastic Harry Potter fest. Lincoln Cathedral and Castle blows York Minster out of the water as an expierance. Not to mention it has the best of the only two remaining original copies of the extant Manga Carter's.

The Lake District is more for hiking and enjoying nature, while York is history.

Also, we did the Lake District in 2017 in late October and the weather was already a bit wet and cold.

There are many great places to see in Britain. Stopping at Hadrian's Wall would be another option, also Durham and its Cathedral is amazing as well.

Stratford Upon Avon is wonderful, especially if you love Shakespeare.

On the driving route I’m sure you could cobble a route together which uses motorways up to Yorkshire (our route from Bath would be M5, M6, M42, M1 to Yorkshire) and then with a road atlas plan a route up through the Dales heading generally north east to York, thence towards Hadrians Wall country, and on through the Scottish Borders, or alternatively across the North Yorks Moors into Northumbria joining the A1 north of Newcastle and following that (or the alternative ‘coastal route’ up the Northumbrian coast) into Edinburgh. If you want more ‘hurry up’ over ‘meander’ you can link to the A19 in York, which connects to the A1, once again, north of Newcastle.

I think what I’m trying to say is there’s no single ‘correct’ way of heading north, but you do have plenty of options, dependent on your interests!

Ian

Thanks everyone! Love all the suggestions and now time to make a definite plan on route,