In May we traveled to Newcastle and stayed there for 5 days. I chickened out, and we did not get a car - took the train instead. One day we took a train and then a taxi to Alnwick to see the castle. Now I'm ready to get my nerve up and go back with a car - makes my husband delighted because he loves to drive in the UK and has done it many times. I'm thinking of starting in Edinburgh and spending several days there and then getting a car at the airport. From there I'm thinking of going to Berwick Upon Tweed and spending several days there - using it as a base. From there see Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle. Then I want to make the way south again and see things along the way - ending up with dropping the rental car at the Newcastle Airport and taking the train to London. Does this sound like a good trip. We like castles, churches, anything historic. I've heard there's not a lot of traffic in this part of England so it might make me more comfortable. Any thoughts about this itinerary? Thanks so much.
Posted by
Gateshead, UK
223 posts
That plan sounds fine to me. The only thing to be aware of is that the roads in Northumberland are quite basic - they're winding and rarely stretch beyond one lane in each direction. They're small by British standards, let alone American. They're not bad to drive on by any means, just be prepared to go at your on pace and not be fazed by idiots overtaking you.
The other thing to bear in mind is the Holy Island tide times. Be sure to check them before you visit so you know when you can get on and off the island. The tide rises quickly and catches a lot of tourists off guard, and suffice to say the local coastguard are sick of having to rescue them!
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thank you for your comments. I was thinking a lot of the trip would be on the A1 until we did the deviations off it to special sites. That's where we'll run into the narrow, winding roads, right?
Posted by
Gateshead, UK
223 posts
The A1 can get pretty basic in Northumberland too - our infrastructure isn’t always the best, though it is more direct and straighter than most roads in the county. As said before it’s fine to drive on, just be willing to be patient
Posted by
2599 posts
You might also wish to add this place to the list:>https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thanks, James. Definitely want to go to Cragside - I was told about this for our trip in May but didn't have a car. We will do it this time!
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Driving in Northumberland isn't stressful - away from Tyneside and off the A1 the roads are quiet. Turning the steering wheel in my car helps navigating the long and winding roads.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Don't miss Hadrian's Wall if you haven't been there already (or even if you have). If you don't want to drive on the narrow roads near it, a seasonal bus, the AD122, serves the major stops along the way.
I drove from Durham to Edinburgh with stops at Alnwick and Bamburgh (we missed Lindisfarne because the tides were wrong). I found UK driving difficult but this stretch was easier than many others on the trip. If your husband is experienced and likes it, then go for it!
Posted by
Los Angeles
220 posts
YES! Do it!
My friend and I have done 3 driving through England adventures. It isn't difficult to drive - especially in smaller cities. Northumbria is fantastic.
Trip 1
Went to Edinburgh (which included a day of driving to Stirling to see the castle and the kelpie statue in Falkirk), all the major tourist traps in Edinburgh, and then straight to Northumberland (visited Alnwick) then over towards Hadrians wall (was raining like crazy and muddy- but we took a picture), then to the Lake District, and around to Conwy and visited North Wales to castle ourselves out before heading to Bath and then London. Very fun- a bit ambitious to fit it all in 15 days though.
Trip 2 (3 weeks)
Landed in Aberdeen, Scotland---
Stayed in Aberdeen 3 days, then drove down to Perthshire to see the Castle and river walk nearby. Spent 5 days in Edinburgh then went down to Northumbria and stayed in Morpeth and went to Alnwick, and also to Seahouses to visit the Farne Islands (great if you like seals or puffins (depending on which season you are visiting). From there we drove down the middle through to Durham and saw the Cathedral, the Beamish museum, the North York Moors and visited Raveaux (sp?) abbey (stunning ruins), and went to York for 3 days before heading down to Oxford and then to London.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Jaeson, you did a lot in your time period! Many of those places we have been to. We were in Edinburgh on our 2nd trip to the UK - many years ago. Time to go back. Wish I had not come to the point of being so nervous with the driving, but we will do it!
Posted by
Monroe, NC
26 posts
I would like to suggest a visit to Hexham Abbey and its very historic features; Saxon crypt, Roman stones in the construction, 7th / 8th C Bishop's frith. We drove from Edinburgh, saw Melrose Abbey, and then spent a couple of days near Hexham and along Hadrian's Wall before continuing on to Alnwick. Take a look at a map and consider a route slightly more inland to include some of these sites.
Posted by
8330 posts
We have been to Durham and also visited Hadrian's Wall near Haltwhistle. Love the North of England.
The traffic is very light compared to the South and Midlands.