York to Stratford Upon Avon Road trip

I would drive through the Peak District National Park. It's directly on the way, although coming off the motorway system will mean it will take longer, but it's well worth it.

The outstanding sight in my view is Chatsworth House, probably the finest stately home in the UK. Alternatively there are lots of opportunities for beautiful walks at all levels of expertise.

If you come down the A46 between the outskirts of Coventry towards Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa into Stratford upon Avon, watch your speed from Kenilworth to the M40 junction. There are two overbridges where mobile speed camera vans tend to lurk and if you are not careful they may send you a photo of yourself driving.

The town of Warwick has beautiful buildings, some Tudor, and a zippy but expensive castle. Down the road in Kenilworth is a very famous one, now a ruin and well worth seeing. Warwick also has Lord Leycester Hospital - not a hospital in the modern sense but an ancient and very interesting home for old men - and the beautiful (and home of a lovely ring of bells) St Marys Church with a climbable tower.

You had better know where you will park in Stratford upon Avon, the parking patrol is like wolves who strike at the nearest prey with no mercy, and sometimes a street will have different rules on either side. There is park and ride out of town and a multi storey car park across from the Crowne Plaza hotel. Also watch out for dozy tourists not looking before they cross the road. There is a one-way scheme so be sure you know how you will reach your destination.

Lots of good stuff to see in Stratford. Don't miss Shakespeare's school (yes, really) or the church where he is buried.

I was just in Stratford Upon Avon for a 2 day visit. Lambs on Sheep Street is excellent but reservations are needed a few weeks out especially if you plan to be there on a weekend.

and if you go there, note that Sheep Street has very different parking rules on each side of the street. One where lots of people get caught out (including nearly me before I went back to the car and shifted it across).

Thanks everyone! I think we will definitely go through the Peak District, stop at Chatsworth House and then perhaps lunch in Bakewell before reaching Stratford Upon Avon.