England Driving Tour

Actually, my husband and I are doing just that this summer. We are starting in the Liverpool area as that is my home town and going East to York (visit the Cathedral and the Shambles); York to Pickering (Castle Howard), then to Whitby (Abbey, great fish restaurants, very quaint sea town with tons of history) From there, North to Glasgow and then South West to Dalmellington and to an Estate that I have a particular personal interest in. (I'm a genealogist); then south for a beautiful drive through the Lake District (a la Beatrix Potter). Then a visit to North Wales, Church Stretton and the Cardingmill Valley (Shropshire); Continuing South to Blandford Dorset (again research but beautiful country); on to Bath; (the Roman Baths and the city's architecture is not to be missed); then on to Oxford (Blenheim Palace, Windsor Castle. There are so many things to do in the London area but all of this depends on your interest. Throughout our trips I prefer lodging with locals (family owned B&Bs and learning about the area rather than doing too many tourist things. However there is Hadrian's Wall in the North and Stonehenge in the South well worth the visit no matter what your interest. Also, Steve has a wonderful 24 day tour of the UK on this web site you should look at and make the ammendments for your shorter time. My hint would be not to try to cram too much in. Enjoy the moments and don't make your schedule too hectic or ambitious. Have fun...hope this helped.

Thanks so much for all the info. I agree about not cramming too much in. You have mentioned many of the places we would like to go to. Do you have any input on Cornwall or the Cotswolds? Not sure where to stay in Cornwall, but thought Penzance would be fun and there is a gorgeous hotel there called "The Abbey" apparently owned by Jean Shrimpton. Any input on those two areas would be great.

Jen

No destination advice, but recommend treating the Motorways as you would Interstates. I.e., good for fast travel, not so good for seeing anything. If you are at all intimidated by roundabouts, some on the Motorways are pretty impressive. The best, albeit slower, driving is on the "A" and "B" roads. Grab some Ordnance Survey maps and you'll be fine.

Thanks! We will take your suggestion !

Here is a useful route planner to help you decide. You can obtain both direct and scenic/interesting routes for each journey

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp#

With regard to your Cornwall question. We made a village called Mevagissey our base for several days and had a wonderful time. We stayed at Buckingham House on Tregony Hill. That said, Cornwall is full of beautiful villages and has many not to be missed attractions. The Lost Gardens of Heligen, Tintagel Castle and the old Tintagel Post Office are but a few. I need to go back.

I am under the impression that you are not seeing London. If so, I have landed at Heathrow, grabbed a rental car and visit Windsor, then drove to just outside of Bath and stayed in a B and B. Next morning visit the Castle Combe, Lacock area and then head into Bath. Stay at the B and B again. Day 3 head north for the Cotswolds and tour around a bit then stay in Stow on the Wold at a B and B. Day 4 tour around Cotswolds, visit Blenheim. Day 5 make you way up through a few villages to Stratford and finish at Warwick in the afternoon. Stay in that area. Day 6 drive to Lake District, should arrive before lunch. Stay in Hawksrigg area, explore the next day and stay again. day 8 get on the road early and head for Edinburgh or York depending on fancy. and you can go from there and head back down towards Cambridge area on day 10. Stay in Cambridge area that night. Day 11 head for Leeds Castle, Canterbury and stay near Dover. Day 12 Dover area, Bodiam Castle and maybe Hever. Day 13 head to Stonehenge area and see Salisbury etc. Oxford maybe. Day 14 Windsor, Henley, etc. Its not exact but it gives you an idea to map milage, driving times etc. Feel free to email me with any questions, I have planned many trips for friends and escorted them too.