Last Summer we went on the greatest UK Road Trip to date. We started off in Oxfordshire and ventured all the way to the Scottish border, exploring the rugged Northumbria landscape as we went. Whilst there is a lot of driving involved, I dare say that this will show you the best of England. With just 10 days in Northern England we managed to have spectacular wildlife encounters, saw some of the most impressive UK castles, and even managed to find some time to enjoy delicious food.
This is our ultimate UK road trip itinerary. I hope that you enjoy it!
10 Days in Northern England: Overview
Before we get started…
With all of these road trips I want to make sure you get the best experience without breaking the bank. I have tried to limit each day to about 100 miles to prevent lots of driving. Whilst it isn’t possible for all of the days, most are significantly below this. To add to this, I have also tried to limit the budget to £150 per night and my recommendations mostly fit into this. Some places are just more expensive due to the location, but this itinerary is both budget-friendly and has some really nice hotels. Hopefully, all of this helps make your 10 days in northern England as stress-free as possible.
As Google stopped me adding more directions, I should note that our route home took us via Burton-on-Trent, to Kenilworth and then back on the M40/ M4 to Reading.
Day 1: Reading to Sleaford (Boston)
Approx. 147 miles
Your first destination is Knebworth, a National Trust property in Hertfordshire. You might even recognise it as the backdrop for some very famous films, including Bruce Wayne’s (Batman) house! Not only that but the place offers a great tour around and there are some lovely gardens to explore.
To get to Knebworth, it is an easy journey down both the M4 and M25. Then, at Junction 22, head off the motorway and continue down the A1 to Junction 6. You should then be able to follow the signs to Welwyn and then Knebworth.
After your exploration of the house and grounds, head back on the M1 and prepare for a long journey up to Sleaford. There are some supermarkets and service stations here, so I would suggest grabbing some food for the road. Once you arrive in Sleaford, I can’t say that there is much to see. So, just flop, grab some food at the hotel, and prepare for the next day.
Hotel: We stayed at The Finch Hatton Arms, Sleaford
Eat: Finch Hatton Arms, Sleaford
Reading to Knebworth (58 miles) to Sleaford (89 miles)
Day 2: Sleaford (Boston) to Hull
Approx. 83 miles
Start your day off right with a Full English at your hotel. Today it is another long journey up north, but there are some nice stops along the way.
Your first stop is Lincoln, which is an underrated but extremely picturesque city. The journey is quite easy from Sleaford. Simply go onto the A15 and continue for about half an hour. When you get into Lincoln, park in the central multistorey carpark and then aim for the cathedral. There are lots of shops to see and places to eat, so this would be a perfect place for lunch if you were hungry. Be warned though that there is a large, cobble street hill to climb if you want the best views in the city!
Once you have seen enough of Lincoln, then it is time for the longer drive to Hull. Again, follow the A15 northwards and into the city centre. There are some nice shops here and a visit to The Deep is a must! For food, I would suggest having your dinner in Hull as the hotel is quite out of the way.
Hotel: We stayed at Mercure Hull – Grange Park Hotel
Eat: Hull City Centre
Sleaford (Boston) to Lincoln (35 miles) to Hull (48 miles)
Day 3: Hull to Whitby
Approx. 62 miles
Day 3 is a day filled with spectacular marine wildlife encounters. First off is the trip to Flamborough Head. Aim northwards up the A165 up until you arrive in Bridlington, where the signs to Flamborough Head should be obvious.
The cliffs here are amazing. It took us about 30 seconds to see seals and (some adorable!) puffins in the sea. We could also see other marine birds flying overhead and managed to find a large group of seals enjoying the afternoon sun. The next stop, just a stone throw away, is Bempton Cliffs. This is an RSPB reserve and home to some incredible displays of marine birds. Puffins, gannets, guillemots… Even the occasional peregrine! Walking along these cliffs was a highlight of 2023 and I cannot recommend strongly enough.
After you have seen all the birds you can, jump back in the car and head to the nearby Robin Hoods Bay, before going to Whitby. An optional add-on is the town of Scarborough, which we drove through. Whitby is very touristy, but the fish and chips here are allegedly some of the best in England. It would be rude not to!
Hotel: We stayed at Penny Hedges, Whitby
Eat: Authentic fish and chips in Whitby
Hull to Flamborough /Bridlington (32 miles) to Scarborough (18 miles) to Whitby (22 miles)
Day 4: Whitby to Durham
Approx. 61 miles
Wake up early in the morning today and drive to Staithes. This charming village is right on the coast and best enjoyed in the early morning light. The car parking is right on the top of the hill to prevent the village from being overrun by tourists, so be prepared for a walk. There is not anything in particular to see here, it is just a beautiful small old fishing village. Make sure that your bring your morning coffee and a pastry to enjoy by the seafront.
From staithes, it is a complicated drive to Durham. Aim towards Middlesborough, before taking the A19 northwards to Wingate, where you join the A181. It is then an easy drive to Durham. Parking in this city is limited, but our hotel (the Radisson Blu Hotel) allowed us to park the car before we checked-in.
I always think that Durham is surprisingly small, but there is so much to see. The Cathedral is a must, especially the cloisters which are famous for housing bats! There are also some quaint independent shops here for you to explore. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure and grab some food in one of the many restaurants.
Hotel: We stayed at Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham
Eat: Durham City Centre
Whitby to Staithes (10 miles), to Durham (46 miles)
Day 5: Durham to Seahouses
Approx. 98 miles
This day is filled with some of the most impressive castles in the UK, if not the world! From Durham your first stop is Alnwick. This gorgeous castle is a filming location for Harry Potter and is often filled with exhibitions throughout the year. If you can, make sure you get a tour of the private quarters. I found it really interesting.
From Alnwick, follow the A1 up to Holy Island, just on the Scottish border. Make sure that you check the crossing times first though as you don’t want to be waiting / stranded. The island has just one car park, which is near to the village. There are some cute shops and cafes here, but they are very much ‘tourist prices’. The main attraction has to be Lindisfarne Castle, which is built into the rock face. The castle is more of a large, fortified house, but is fascinating to look around. If you wanted to add a few days onto your trip, I would definitely recommend staying on the island.
Your last stop of the day is Bamburgh Castle, otherwise known as Bebbanburg from the Last Kingdom. This castle is impressive to look around and is situated on one of the nicest beaches in the area. The final stop of the day is the hotel in Seahouses. The town doesn’t have lots to see, but a visit to the old harbour at sunset is a must. Plus, the food in the Olde Ship Inn is really good.
Hotel: We stayed at The Olde Ship Inn, Seahouses
Eat: The Olde Ship Inn, Seahouses
Durham to Alnwick (53 miles), to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) (26 miles), to Bamburgh (Castle) (16 miles), to Seahouses (3 miles)
Day 6: Seahouses to Keswick
Approx. 143 miles
Today is a journey cross-country to the Lake District, and easily one of my favourite of the 10 days in northern England tour. Your first stop is Housesteads, a famous Roman fort that joins Hadrian’s Wall. Head down the A1 to Newcastle, before taking the A69 to Hexham. If you want, go off the beaten track to enjoy the scenery. Housesteads is easy to find and, once you park, is a short walk up the hill. The museum is really informative and you should make sure you visit here first before seeing the rest of the site.
Follow the wall now to Greenhead, where you can park to begin your trek to see the Sycamore Gap. Now, because of some idiot, the beautiful tree isn’t there anymore. However, the trek is still awe-inspiring and I cannot recommend this enough. After a busy walk, take the car through the rolling Cumbrian hills and into the Lake District. You can stop at Carlisle or Bassenthwaite (where you can see your first lake!) on your way into Keswick. Walk around the town and see what you can find for dinner.
Hotel: We stayed at Royal Oak, Keswick
Eat: The Royal Oak, Keswick
Seahouses to Hexham (70 miles), to Housesteads (12 miles), to Greenhead (8 miles), Carlisle (20 miles), Bassenthwaite (25 miles), to Keswick (8 miles)
Day 7: Keswick to Hawkshead
Approx. 57 miles
Today is a tour of the Lake District. Have a hearty Full English in Keswick before jumping in the car. Your first stop is Buttermere and there are a few routes you can go here. To get the most out of your trip, I would start in High Lorton. There is nothing to see here, but it sets you up perfectly for going to Buttermere. Get ready for some of the most stunning landscapes in the UK and keep your eyes peeled for the red squirrels! At Buttermere, stretch your legs and see the lake and stop by a local café for a coffee and cake.
Once you have seen Buttermere, you want to head over to Windermere. You can either head over to Ambleside (back the way you came) or go over the fearsome Honister Pass. We had to come this route as the main road was sadly closed. It is not for the faint hearted whatsoever, but it is an adventure and beautiful.
Windermere is a fair journey down the A591. The scenery though is beautiful which makes the journey go faster. Along the way, you can stop in various villages to help pass the time. At Windermere though there is lots to see and do. Explore the shops, maybe have a bite to eat, or even go on the lake! It is a really lovely town, but be prepared for it to be busy in the high season. For the last leg, take the ferry across the water before a short drive to the village of Hawkshead. We stayed here as Windermere is expensive, plus we wanted to stay out in the sticks! Easily one of the quietest and serene places on your 10 days in northern England trip.
Hotel: We stayed at Red Lion Inn, Hawkshead
Eat: Red Lion (or any restaurant in the village)
Keswick to Buttermere (14 miles), to Borrowdale (7 miles), to Keswick (7 miles), to Ambleside/ Windermere (17 miles), to Coniston (8 miles) to Hawkshead (4 miles)
Day 8: Hawkshead to Richmond
Approx. 62 miles
Begin your journey with (another excellent) breakfast and get ready to see some of the grandest places on your 10 days in Northern England Roadtrip. Your first aim is Sedburgh, which you can stop in if you want, or just use it to help navigate to the Ribblehead Viaduct. When you stop here, make sure you park close to the structure. We didn’t and had a rather boggy walk along the moor, but the structure is so impressive that it made it worth the effort. If you time it well too, you’ll even catch a glimpse of the old steam trains that cross it.
From here, you go to yet another Prince of Thieves filming location. The Aysgarth Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in Yorkshire and well worth an exploration. Whilst it is difficult to get down into the water, the banks give you a really great view. There are also nearby pubs which would be perfect for lunch, or just have a picnic by the falls.
From the falls begin to head to Richmond, where you’ll stay. En-route though, make sure you stop at Middleham Castle. This now-ruin was once a major place in England and was even the favourite castle of Richard III. When you get to Richmond it will likely be late. Have a rest and then eat at La Piazza. A word of warning though – the portions are massive!
Hotel: We stayed at The Castle House, Richmond
Eat: Capri Richmond
Hawkshead to Windermere (10 miles), to Sedbergh (20 miles), to Ribblehead Viaduct/ Dent (20 miles), to Aysgarth Falls (21 miles), to Middleham (9 miles), to Richmond (11 miles)
Day 9: Richmond to Matlock
Approx. 125 miles
This is the last full day for your 10 days in northern England and it is the prime time to explore the Peak District. As the day is quite light, I’ve left it open so that you can go exploring the wilderness if you want to too.
From Richmond, your first stop is the town of Skipton. I wouldn’t say that there is much to see here, but it is a perfect comfort break as you head South. Your next stop though is the charming town of Bakewell which is far more picturesque. Of course, we had to explore this charming town. We even made sure that we had some tea and a slice of cake whilst we were there!
Your main sight today though is Chatsworth House, famous for being Mark Darcy’s residence in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. You could really spend hours exploring here and I would suggest you take your time around the house and gardens. After exploring, aim to the nearby village of Cromford, just outside Matlock. There are plenty of places to eat in Matlock or, if you are feeling fancy, eat at Chatsworth.
Hotel: We stayed at Oak Hill Hotel, Cromford
Eat: Matlock or Chatsworth House
Richmond to Hebden Bridge (via Skipton) (65 miles), to Bakewell (Chatsworth House) (52 miles), to Matlock (8 miles)
Day 10: Matlock – home
Approx. 151 miles
The last day is a drive back home. The journey back to Reading/ London is really simple and there are plenty of places to stop along the motorway if you need a comfort break. It is a long drive but, I think, a perfect opportunity to reflect on one epic trip!
Hotel: N/A
Eat: N/A
Matlock to Tamworth (via Derby) (47 miles), to Kenilworth (24 miles), to Reading (80 miles)
Final Thoughts | 10 Days in Northern England
My 10 days in Northern England really made for my most epic British trip yet. From the Lake District to Bamburgh Castle, there really was something for everyone. It is a lot of driving. However, because it is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, you won’t mind a bit. I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did and, as always, if you have any questions just fire away!
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My Travel Tips and Recommendations
Flights
My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.
Accommodation
Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.
Other posts that may help you:
- One Week in Wales: UK Road Trip Itinerary
- Cornwall Road Trip | Staycation Series
- Days Out in Southern England
- A Weekend in Herefordshire
Thank you for reading and I hope that my northern England road trip itinerary has been useful! Let me know if you have any questions about any of the destinations or our route in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
1 comment
Love your blog! Thank you for such enlightening tips. One day I will make it up there.