How long is the The Great North Road: London to the Scottish Border route?

This route takes 11 days taking in 8 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from London, England to Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland in Eastern & Northern England, England.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is April to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Easy-going. Easy-going and accessible for most fitness levels.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Culture, Classic road trip, Scenic, Coastal, Food & drink.

The Great North Road: London to the Scottish Border

1

London

1 night

The starting line of the historic Great North Road. Spend a night before heading north: walk Westminster and the South Bank, then collect a hire car and beat the morning rush out through the old coaching suburbs toward Cambridge. It is worth arriving with the car sorted so you can leave early on day two.The starting line of the historic Great North Road. Spend a night before heading north: walk Westminster and the South Bank, then collect a hire car and beat the morning rush out through the old coaching suburbs toward Cambridge. It is worth arriving with the car sorted so you can leave early on day two.

Recommendations

2

Cambridge

2 nights

England's great university city and the first proper stop heading north. Punt the River Cam past the college backs, climb Great St Mary's tower for the rooftops, and stand under the fan vaulting of King's College Chapel. Two nights leave time for the Fitzwilliam Museum and a half-day in the Fens at Ely with its lantern cathedral.England's great university city and the first proper stop heading north. Punt the River Cam past the college backs, climb Great St Mary's tower for the rooftops, and stand under the fan vaulting of King's College Chapel. Two nights leave time for the Fitzwilliam Museum and a half-day in the Fens at Ely with its lantern cathedral.

Recommendations

3

Stamford

1 night

Widely called England's finest stone town, Stamford was the country's first conservation area and packs more than 600 listed buildings and five medieval churches into honey-coloured limestone streets. Wander the centre and the George coaching inn, then visit Burghley House, the vast Elizabethan mansion and deer park on the town's southern edge.Widely called England's finest stone town, Stamford was the country's first conservation area and packs more than 600 listed buildings and five medieval churches into honey-coloured limestone streets. Wander the centre and the George coaching inn, then visit Burghley House, the vast Elizabethan mansion and deer park on the town's southern edge.

Recommendations

4

Lincoln

1 night

A short detour east of the old road rewards you with one of England's finest cathedrals. Climb cobbled Steep Hill from the waterside to the Bailgate, where a triple-towered cathedral and a Norman castle holding an original 1215 Magna Carta crown the ridge above the city. The medieval quarter is compact and made for wandering.A short detour east of the old road rewards you with one of England's finest cathedrals. Climb cobbled Steep Hill from the waterside to the Bailgate, where a triple-towered cathedral and a Norman castle holding an original 1215 Magna Carta crown the ridge above the city. The medieval quarter is compact and made for wandering.

Recommendations

5

York

2 nights

The medieval heart of the North and a hub since Roman times. Walk the city walls, lose an afternoon in the timber-framed Shambles, and stand under the great stained glass of York Minster. Two nights allow the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum without rushing, plus an evening in the snickelways.The medieval heart of the North and a hub since Roman times. Walk the city walls, lose an afternoon in the timber-framed Shambles, and stand under the great stained glass of York Minster. Two nights allow the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum without rushing, plus an evening in the snickelways.

Recommendations

6

Durham

1 night

A dramatic cathedral city where a Norman cathedral and castle rise on a wooded peninsula in a tight loop of the River Wear. Walk the riverbanks for the classic view, cross Framwellgate Bridge, and explore one of Europe's finest Romanesque buildings, a World Heritage Site alongside the castle that now houses part of the university.A dramatic cathedral city where a Norman cathedral and castle rise on a wooded peninsula in a tight loop of the River Wear. Walk the riverbanks for the classic view, cross Framwellgate Bridge, and explore one of Europe's finest Romanesque buildings, a World Heritage Site alongside the castle that now houses part of the university.

Recommendations

7

Alnwick

2 nights

Your base for the Northumberland castle coast. Tour Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England and a Harry Potter location, and its contemporary Garden with the Grand Cascade. Two nights let you day-trip to Bamburgh's beach and fortress, the Farne Islands seabird colonies from Seahouses, and tidal Holy Island of Lindisfarne.Your base for the Northumberland castle coast. Tour Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England and a Harry Potter location, and its contemporary Garden with the Grand Cascade. Two nights let you day-trip to Bamburgh's beach and fortress, the Farne Islands seabird colonies from Seahouses, and tidal Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Recommendations

8

Berwick-upon-Tweed

1 night

England's northernmost town and a fitting finish at the Scottish border. Walk the complete Elizabethan ramparts, among the best preserved in Europe, cross the three historic bridges over the Tweed, and follow the Lowry trail past the riverside scenes the artist painted here. A quiet, atmospheric end to the long road north.England's northernmost town and a fitting finish at the Scottish border. Walk the complete Elizabethan ramparts, among the best preserved in Europe, cross the three historic bridges over the Tweed, and follow the Lowry trail past the riverside scenes the artist painted here. A quiet, atmospheric end to the long road north.

Recommendations

The Great North Road: London to the Scottish Border