If you want to experience rural England at its quintessential best, you will struggle to do better than the Peak District.
Quaint villages, rolling hills, swooping valleys, stately homes and castles; the timeless beauty of England’s oldest National Park is always a joy to behold.
From sleepy villages to slightly-busier towns; I’ll guide you through the Peak District’s best places to stay.
Bakewell
Best For: Location, Charm and Puddings
Settled on the River Wye, this little storybook town – of Bakewell Pudding fame – is one of the most visited places in the whole of the Peak District.
Bakewell has carved out its place as the heart of the Peak District, encapsulating everything we love most about the beloved National Park. It’s quaint with lovely architecture, filled with stone cottages and pretty ancient fixtures like Bakewell Bridge.
The town is blessed with plenty of character and rural charm, with a collection of small boutiques and independent stores to browse. It also has a long history and is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty.
Most importantly, it has Bakewell Pudding.
You can’t stay in Bakewell and not try a Bakewell Pudding. It has long been a point of local contention agreeing on the exact location of its origin. But the general consensus seems to be that The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop is the place to go. They have a cosy restaurant serving the puddings – and other, less important things – upstairs.
If you don’t have time to stop, you can grab a pudding (or its more famous cousin, the Bakewell Tart), to take away from the bakery on the ground floor.
Bakewell is also close to Chatsworth House and the 11th Century Haddon Hall, both of which are worth visiting.
The Monsal Trail, which involves following an abandoned Victorian Railway, isn’t far away. It’s one of my favourite walks in the Peak District.
Buxton
Best For: People Without A Car
View of the Thermal Baths Buxton Credit: Arenaphotouk on dreamstime
Buxton isn’t technically in the Peak District as it occupies its own little island of space between the borders. It’s an honorary member though – it’s so close and similar to other parts of the Peak District that it might as well be one.
Though the Peak District doesn’t lend itself well to people without a car, Buxton, and perhaps Bakewell, are your best options.
You can reach Buxton by train from the likes of Manchester, and use the bus network from there. Though buses aren’t the most frequent in rural areas, they link between Buxton, Bakewell and Castleton fairly regularly.
The Pavilion Gardens are my favourite part of Buxton. It’s really lovely just to walk around them and admire the workmanship involved.
From an architectural standpoint, Buxton is one of the most interesting towns in Derbyshire. It has a huge variety of architectural styles, ranging mostly from the Georgian to late-Victorian eras. The Buxton Opera House is particularly notable – the beautiful Edwardian theatre, designed by Frank Matcham, was opened in 1903.
Directly influenced by the popularity of Bath, the Georgian Buxton Crescent, modelled after Bath’s Royal Crescent, was built for the Duke of Devonshire between 1780 and 1784. The Duke, William Cavendish, had hoped to emulate the success of the spa towns that had popped up across the country, and take advantage of the natural thermal springs beneath Buxton.
Buxton has retained some of its heritage as a spa town, and you can easily find a spa or wellness centre to visit during your trip. The Crescent, however, hasn’t been in use for 20 years, though there is an ambitious project underway to change that.
Buxton is also more of a ‘town’ than any place in the Peak District, meaning it has a bit more to offer in terms of shops and amenities. Though the high street has sacrificed some beauty for it, you are more likely to find the regular brands and shops here than anywhere else in the Park.
For this reason, Buxton – while not cheap – is one of the best places to find budget-friendly options for accommodation.
As for natural beauty, you will be well placed in Buxton to enjoy everything the Peak District has to offer.
There are some incredible hikes only a short journey away. The route from Chee Dale to Millers Dale is underrated – the stepping stones are just as pretty as in Dovedale, without anywhere near as much congestion.
Poole’s Cavern, a naturally formed cave, is another attraction worth visiting in the area.
Castleton
Best For: Being a Picturesque All-Rounder
Though it has some serious competition, I think Castleton is the best all-rounder as a place to stay in the Peak District. It’s centrally located, picturesque, full of things to do and surrounded by natural beauty.
Just getting to Castleton is idyllic, as each route into the village weaves through some of the loveliest scenery in the Peak District. Mam Tor is close by, as is the supposedly haunted Winnats Pass – you can start the walk to both from Castleton.
You can wander up to the ancient Peveril Castle or delve into the multitude of caverns for an adventure right on your doorstep. Browse the boutiques of the village, or sit in a cafe or pub. It’s a quaint village with a relaxed atmosphere but has plenty to do.
Castleton has an abundance of natural caves close by, but I think Speedwell Cavern, which involves an underground boat trip, is the best of the bunch.
Blue John, an incredibly rare semi-precious mineral, can only be found in this location in the UK. You can visit the Blue John Cavern or one of the jewellery shops in town for a glimpse of it.
Castleton is infamously home to Peak Cavern, or, as it is more commonly known, the Devil’s Arse.
Named as such for the strange sounds emerging from the cave – which we know now is the result of heavy rain trapping and displacing air, but back then could only be explained by the devil’s flatulence – the Devil’s Arse has been a tourist attraction for centuries.
It was renamed Peak Cavern to avoid offending the visiting Queen Victoria.
Moving through the Devil’s Arse will require some crouching. The natural cave formation was carved higher in its smallest spaces to allow Queen Victoria to walk without stooping her head. At 4’11, or 152cm, that doesn’t leave much wiggle room for the rest of us.
Matlock Bath
Best For: Being Pretty, and a Lot of Fun
Tumbling down one side of a steep valley, Matlock Bath was built to be pretty. While most towns and villages are the result of workforces settling into communities, Matlock Bath was built with tourism in mind.
After the discovery of natural hot springs in 1698, a bathhouse was built. It became steadily more popular as access improved, but it wasn’t until a young Princess Victoria visited in 1832 that Matlock Bath really established itself.
You can still visit a thermal spa in the village by booking a slot at the New Bath Hotel and Spa. The old Victorian baths are now used as an aquarium.
The main street sits at the base of the valley overlooking the River Derwent, in the shadow of a towering forest. When staying in Matlock Bath, you will hear the hoots of owls in the aforementioned forest overnight. When the crowds have disappeared, you can truly enjoy the village at its picturesque best.
Though the village is miles from the sea, it has the strange feel of a seaside resort. Arcades, fish and chips and a nearby theme park add an eclectic edge to the small village. That’s even ignoring the horde of bikers that tend to make an appearance in Matlock Bath.
The Heights of Abraham, a cable car ride up to caverns and museums, is a popular local attraction.
Because the village is both popular and tiny, it does get busy – but in some ways, that makes it a great base. You can enjoy it in the early morning and evening when the crowds have dispersed, while going out and exploring the rest of the Peak District when it is at its busiest.
Edale
Best For: Epic Hikes and Beautiful Walks
Edale is a sweet little village, but the reason it’s a great place to stay has nothing to do with the village itself.
It’s scenic, charming and easily reachable, but Edale is famous for what’s on the doorstep of the village, not what’s inside it. Some of the Peak District’s most stunning and dramatic scenery can be found just outside the boundaries of the village.
Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District, which, at 636 metres, isn’t all that high. It does provide sweeping views over the landscape, however, and the walk is filled with all the lush greenery and wild beauty you might expect from the area. Wander down to the Mermaid’s Pool for a chance at being granted immortality.
Dalehead, Win Hill, and the Great Ridge of Mam Tor can be found close to Edale. Mam Tor is especially memorable – the jagged ridge is one of the most iconic walks in England. Edale is also famously either the beginning or end of one of Britain’s great hikes, the Pennine Way.
Edale is a fantastic place to stay for people who enjoy long, blustering walks through the countryside. Though it is the scenery that draws people to Edale, the village is undeniably lovely. Pubs, cafes and little stone cottages make up a community that is sure to provide a relaxing getaway.
Baslow
Best For: Falling Charmingly Under-the-Radar
On the doorstep of Derbyshire’s gorgeous Chatsworth House, Baslow is a pretty village that often gets overlooked by people visiting the Peak District.
It’s a delightfully charming example of the postcard-perfect villages typically tucked away in Derbyshire’s countryside. Wander through a scene worthy of the Romantics as you cross the River Derwent, stepping on to a Jacobean stone bridge to enter into the village.
It doesn’t take visitors long to realise this is a community that has changed very little over the centuries; the buildings themselves, made largely from locally sourced sandstone and gritstone, are testament to that.
Baslow is the kind of place you come to slow down and recharge; a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life, whether that’s a ramble through the countryside, or a pint in the village pub. It has the effortlessly laid-back feel you can only really experience in very rural communities.
It takes less than an hour to reach Chatsworth House on foot from Baslow, and would be 4.2 miles in total there and back. The House is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire – it has belonged to the Cavendish family since the 16th Century. Often referred to as Britain’s favourite country house, the opulent decor, Baroque architecture and world-renowned gardens will leave you marvelling for hours.
Baslow is also conveniently located to enjoy many of the Peak District’s most famous sights. Curbar Edge, a craggy rock formation popular with hikers and climbers is to the north, while Bakewell and picturesque Ashford in the Water are a short drive to the southeast.
Eyam
Best For: History Buffs
Plague cottage, Eyam, Derbyshire Credit: Johnhill118 on Dreamstime
Eyam’s biggest claim to fame is a rather grim one: the village was nearly wiped out by the plague. Fortunately, Eyam hasn’t been blighted by the bubonic plague for centuries – though the story of the village still fascinates people today.
More than a story of disease and death, Eyam’s is one of self-sacrifice. The village is widely-known for its refusal to allow the plague to spread, at great personal cost. In the 17th Century, the people of Eyam isolated themselves from the surrounding communities, enduring a quarantine for 14 months in order to protect others. Though most of the villagers died, they succeeded – saving potentially thousands of lives in the nearby communities.
You can visit the Eyam Museum to find out more about the story of the ‘Plague Village’, as well as learning about Eyam’s history prior to the plague and the recovery afterwards. The boundary stone, where people would leave supplies for the villagers to collect, and a few of the cottages from the time can still be seen by visitors.
Besides learning about its tragic plague connections, Eyam is a fantastic place to stay for its location and picturesque setting. The village is centrally located within the Peak District, close to Bakewell and Chatsworth House, and only a short distance from great walks like the Monsal Trail.
Hathersage
Best For: A Tranquil Escape
For such an unassuming – if picturesque – village, Hathersage has an unusually large amount of connections to iconic legends and literature.
Most famously, the village served as inspiration for Charlotte Brontë in her greatest work, Jane Eyre. The village itself features heavily in the novel, but the surrounding wild moorlands and rugged peaks are almost characters in themselves: “There are great moors behind and on each hand of me; there are waves of mountains far beyond that deep valley at my feet”.
Charlotte Brontë frequently visited Hathersage with a friend – at the time, the Eyre family was the most prominent family in the area. You can follow a Jane Eyre Trail that takes you to all the main sights of the village.
The graveyard of Hathersage Parish Church is an unmissable part of the village. It has the graves of the Eyre family, including one for a Jane Eyre. But even more famously, it’s the location of the grave of Little John, Robin Hood’s loyal righthand man. According to local legend, Little John’s bow, hat and mail shirt once hung inside the church.
Hathersage, like much of the Peak District, is also a fantastic area for walking. Stanage Edge, the ridge featured prominently with Kiera Knightley in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice, is typical of the undulating scenery in the area. Another great hike is the short circular route to Hathersage Stepping Stones.
The village, which sits just north of the River Derwent, is also only a short car journey from the impressive Ladybower Reservoir. You can see Derwent Reservoir above it, which hides a sunken village.
If you prefer to be away from some of the busier towns in the Peak District, Hathersage is perfect. It’s pretty, close to everything and has some memorable sights and walks to enjoy.
Where to Stay
All the towns and villages in the Peak District are similar – they tend to be quaint, pretty and closely tied to nature. But they do have slight differences that may improve the quality of your holiday, according to your own preferences.
Whether you would prefer to stay somewhere completely focused on walking like Edale, or a village with a lot of variety like Castleton, you are sure to enjoy your holiday in Britain’s oldest National Park.
One of the best ways to see what England and Scotland have to offer is by completing a self-drive road trip from London to Edinburgh. Today, I’ve added all my favourite places for the ideal London to Edinburgh road trip, full of the best stops along the way.
The two itineraries cover everything from historic towns, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, UNESCO heritage sites, film locations and much more!
Starting your trip in London without a car (honestly, you don’t want the headache of driving there) then choose whether you want to do the east or west route of England before ending up in Edinburgh. Unless you live here and have no choice but to drive through London.
If you have enough time make sure you do the full loop and soak in what England and Scotland have to offer.
I am so excited to share all the things I love about these countries! Let’s get started!
Things to Know Before Driving From London to Edinburgh
If you are looking for the best options for car rental then I always use Europcar or Enterprise cars in the UK.
For my great British road trip, I used Europcars long rental option which gave us the car for half the price for 28 days, unlimited drivers and delivered to my door! The only drawback to this option is we were limited to 2,520 miles which just covered our round trip. There is another option at 3,360 miles.
Don’t forget to take out a travel insurance policy before travelling, even if you are local this will protect your belongings whilst you travel. I always like to use World Nomadsfor my travels – get a quote from WorldNomads here.
Other things to know before travelling:
Don’t rent a car in London! – Chances are that you will be staying in Central London (unless you live here then skip to option 1 and 2 routes) and it’s honestly a total nightmare to drive here. Not only that there are congestion charges which cover quite a large radius. For each option I have added a recommended airport to pick up a rental car, this will save you driving time and the stress of driving in London.
Fill-up at supermarket petrol stations – Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco etc. will all offer cheaper petrol by some margin. If you stop at any of the petrol stations along the motorway you could easily see prices increased by 10 to 20 pence per litre!
Choose to either drive the East or West Route – I’ve split the itinerary into two routes as it’s more logical to follow these routes rather than zig-zagging across the country.
Overloading your trip – Try not to cram half of England and Scotland into a two-day trip otherwise you will not see much apart from the road.
Don’t drive from London to Edinburgh in one go – Unless you are familiar with driving long distances I don’t recommend trying the 8-hour drive. As someone that grew up with long distant driving across Australia, I still struggle with driving over here and recommend at least having 1 overnight stop. Plus you will be missing all the amazing things to see driving straight there!
Potential Tolls – Some routes suggested can have tolls but I have found these pretty easy to avoid. Check Google maps before driving and it will highlight toll roads. For example, the M6 has one (west route) however, you can just take the non-toll M6 route to save the money.
Download Parking Apps – A lot of parking around the country is paid and I am not sure about you but I never really carry cash any more. Download these apps before hitting the road; Just Park, Pay by Phone and Ring Go. They were by far the most frequent ones I encountered. Another way I have saved money with parking in cities is by booking in advance on Just Park. Weirdly in Bristol, it was cheaper to pay for a week’s worth of parking than two days!
English Heritage – If you’re interested in visiting a bunch of different historic sites, you can purchase an Overseas Visitors Pass or if you’re living in England a yearly membership. Not only does this save you money at each individual place it includes parking! Valid at over 100 places, you can choose between a 9 or a 16 day passes.
Start in London: 2 Day Itinerary
Before starting your road trip to Edinburgh it’s time to explore London! It’s a good idea to stay somewhere within close proximity to attractions and activities so here are some of the best places to stay in London.
Looking for something a little more off the beaten path to visit in London? Here is a list ofalternative things to do in London that will not disappoint!
Psstt… To make the most of your time in London make sure you read my London sightseeing tips to get the most of your time in the city!
Day 1: West of London
Christmas time at Natural History Muesum is such a magical time.
Start the day by going to Kensington and pick one of the fantastic free museums:
Natural History Museum – In my opinion this is the best museum in London. I always think of David Attenborough speaking whilst I am walking through the gorgeous building learning about dinosaurs.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Science Museum
If you get there by 9am you will beat all the crowds and fewer crowds means you will be able to walk around faster.
Next walk through Kensington Palace & Gardens, through Hyde Park finally reaching Buckingham Palace. If watching the changing of the Guards is on your list then make sure you get to Buckingham Palace by 10:45 (I also have some tips in my London sightseeing tips on the best spot to watch this). I would say it would be impossible to do the changing of the Guard and a muesum so if it’s high on your list choose one or the other.
Afterwards head to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben before crossing Westminster Bridge to Waterloo.
Once you’re in Waterloo you can explore Leake Street Tunnel which became a famous street art spot after Banksy hosted the Cans Festival there in 2008. It’s the largest area in London for street art so it’s frequently having new pieces added or replaced.
Ready for a drink? The Waterloo Tap is also a short walk from Waterloo Station and set up in a converted railway arch, this funky bar boasts 20 kegs and 6 casks on constant rotation. They also serve bar snacks but not full meals.
Head back to the Thames path (i.e. The Queen’s Walk) and you’ll arrive at the London Eye. Make sure you read my guide on what to book in London where I cover everything you need to know about booking the London Eye.
Continue east down the Thames and you will see either the Underbelly Festival (summer event) or Rekorderlig Cider Lodge (winter event). There are lots of stalls that offer food and drinks, alternatively there plenty of restaurants around the Southbank.
Cross back over the Golden Jubilee Bridge to Embankment. Just a short way up Villiers Street you will find Gordon’s Wine Bar which is a 19th-century wine bar in a candlelit vaulted cellar. It’s lovely to grab a glass of wine here and just relax your feet for a bit.
Finish your day off in Covent Garden and Soho. There are lots of bars, restaurants and theatre options in the area, plenty to keep you entertained for an evening!
Day 2: East of London
Here’s an example of one of the street art peices you can see in Shoreditch.
Start the day off at St Paul’s Cathedral, on the weekend the area is super quiet apart from the tourists in the area. For a great view head to One New Change and go to the viewing platform.
Afterward, you can go by the Monument which commemorates The Great Fire of London, decide whether you want to climb the 311 steps or just have a sneak peek at it.
Cross London Bridge to Borough Market. Everyone gets confused with London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The first one is the functional one and Tower Bridge is the beautifully designed bridge originally opened in 1894 which you can see across the Thames from London Bridge.
Have a late breakfast or early lunch (brunch) stop at Borough Market. I am always overwhelmed by the choice of food options. It suits all dietary requirements as well!
Head back to the Thames Path and you will pass HMS Belfast, get a great photo opportunity of the London Skyline before crossing Tower Bridge.
Once you are finished the next place is the Tower of London! If you decide to go inside check out the 2 for 1 on Days Out Guide or buy tickets online to save a little bit of money.
Shoreditch is a great place to stop for food, find street art, have a drink on a rooftop, explore BOXPARK for food and shopping or find a secret bar like the Mayor of Scardy Cat Town.
Brick Lane is known as the curry mile and to really get the authentic feel you need to haggle for Indian food. Otherwise, head to one of the amazing restaurants like the famous Dishoom. If you’re lucky enough to be there on Sunday then Brick Lane hosts markets full of food stalls until 5pm.
East and West England Routes to Edinburgh
Both of these routes can be customised to how many days you have available to you. As a minimum give yourself two days to allow two pit stops and one overnight stay somewhere. Seven days will truly allow you to see the best of both routes and if you want to do the loop then allow at least 14 days!
This is not including the days you wish to spend in London and Edinburgh.
Option 1: East England Route to Edinburgh
The best place to pick up a hire car for option 1 is Stansted Airport. This will cost a little bit more money to get to if you’re catching the train as it’s a National Rail line, however, booking your tickets in advance or getting the coach will save you money.
The east route will mainly take you on the A1 and A1(M)/A1 to Edinburgh.
Cambridge
Drive: Roughly 1hr 30mins depending on where you start your journey in London.
Cambridge is one of the most well-known cities in England, and it’s easy to see why it is so popular with tourists! The city has some of the most amazing architecture in all of England and a world-famous university as well. Due to the large student population there is so much to do as well as numerous great places to eat and drink in the centre of the city!
There are many things that are fun to do when you visit Cambridge, but an absolute must-try is the famous punting! A punt is a flat bottomed boat, which is used for leisure time and pushed across the water using a quant pole. This is a popular method of seeing some of the Colleges on the university, as well as the Bridge of Sighs which is very popular among tourists.
Some other popular tourist attractions in Cambridge include:
King’s College Chapel – A huge and stunning chapel with beautiful ceilings and carvings.
The Botanic Gardens – The gardens are home to several greenhouses and a seriously impressive collection of different plants!
Mathematical Bridge – Officially known as the Wooden Bridge, this is one of the most famous bridges in the UK due to its unique design and structure.
St. John’s College – If you want to see the most incredible college in Cambridge then this is certainly one of the most impressive. It is known across the UK for its annual May Ball, one of the best parties going!
Just to bear in mind that the preferred option for parking in Cambridge is to park and ride. Unless your accommodation offers parking as a part of your stay.
Stamford
Drive: 55 minutes from Cambridge.
Fancy a quick stop off in a picturesque and historic town? Why not take a drive to the cobbled streets of Stamford, the gorgeous Georgian town in Southwest Lincolnshire. You may not have heard of the town before, but you’re sure to recognise parts of it, such as Burghley House, if you’ve seen the films Pride and Prejudice or The Da Vinci Code as it was used as a filming location in both.
Stamford is the kind of place where you can simply wander; behind every corner and down every alley is more stunning architecture to see. The town is incredibly walkable and has many pretty churches, such as St Mary’s Church (12th century) and All Saint’s Church (13th century).
Sheffield and the Peak District
Drive: 1hr 30mins from Stamford.
Kat standing in front of the lake with Chatsworth House in the background.
Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in the UK, and is right on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park.
The Peak District offers many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, paragliding and rock climbing – what’s not to love? It’s also the UK’s first ever National Park back in 1951.
For a nice and easy stroll, I suggest the Mam Tor Walk trail which takes you to one of the Peak’s most iconic views. This 4.5km circular route is steeped in ancient history and you’ll be rewarded with views of the Vale of Edale, Peveril Castle and the Hope Valley.
The world famous Chatsworth House was used as Pemberleyin Pride and Prejudice; Hardwick Hall was used as Malfoy Manor in the Harry Potter films and the medieval Haddon Hall was used in Kit Harrington’s Gunpowder.
If the great outdoors isn’t for you, there are plenty of other things that Sheffield can offer:
For a spot of shopping go to Meadowhall.
Sheffield has the largest theatre complex outside London, the two major theatres are the Lyceum Theatre and the Crucible Theatre.
Visit the tropical butterfly house which is popular with the locals.
Visit Our Cow Molly which is a working dairy farm and makes delicious icecream.
Leeds
Drive: 50 minutes from Sheffield.
Leeds is a thriving city and one of the larger cities in England. It’s a hub for art, culture and history so the city offers something for everyone.
For museums and art galleries, I recommend visiting:
Royal Armouries Museum
Leeds City Museum
Thackray Medical Museum
the National Coal Mining Museum
Leeds Art Gallery
Henry Moore Institute
The Tetley
Microbreweries have really popped up all over the UK in the last few years and Leeds has some you should add to your list. Many of the breweries will hold tours and tasting. Some of the most established ones are Leeds Brewery, Northern Monk and North Brewing Company.
York
Drive: 40 minutes from Leeds.
Clifford’s Tower, North Yorkshire
Step back into medieval times with York’s winding cobbled streets, magnificent cathedral and stone walls surrounding the city. The best thing about York is that everything is within walking distance so it gives you a break from all that driving.
Things to add to your list include:
Walking the city walls
Climbing Clifford’s Tower
Rascal buns at Betty’s tearoom
Walk down the Shambles to see the beautiful shop fronts
If you happen to be in York on the first Friday of the month then you need to visit York’s Farmers Market
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Drive: 1hr 40mins from York.
Newcastle has a great reputation for its lively atmosphere and friendly people. There are numerous cocktail bars, trendy clubs, traditional pubs and restaurants all over the city.
The city gets its name from the fortress sitting on the River Tyne which you can go and see as a part of your tour, including the great hall and the view from the roof. To learn more about the history of the city check out the Laing Art Gallery. Alternatively visit the Discovery Museum which gives an interesting account of Newcastle’s background in shipbuilding and coal mining, and how that evolved over time through technological innovation.
Here are a few more sights to check out:
BALTIC centre for contemporary art
Live theatre – check out a theatrical performance
The Biscuit Factory – a great art gallery and awesome brunch spot
St. Nicholas Cathedral
North Berwick
Drive: 2hrs from Newcastle Upon Tyne
This is one of the most stunning towns in Great Britain offering beautiful beaches, amazing food and a great castle! Here are some of the best things to do:
The Scottish Seabird Centre – See a variety of birds at this charitable research centre which dedicates itself to protecting indigenous wildlife in the area. You can also take a boat tour at some times of the year to see some seabirds in the wild! Depending on the season you may even see puffins!
The Lobster Shack – This is known to be one of the best places in the area to enjoy a fresh catch right from the ocean! Enjoy a half lobster and chips and appreciate how incredible the fresh produce is!
Tantallon Castle – The castle ruins sit right on the Firth of Forth overlooking the sea. It has a rich history of sieges and feuds dating back to the 14th century!
Bass Rock – This famous rock sits proudly in the Firth of Forth and is a site of special scientific interest due to the fact that it homes the world’s largest local gannet colony.
Yellowcraig Beach – This is a gorgeous beach that should not be missed on your travels – it makes for one of the most stunning coastal walks in the area!
Option 2: West England Route to Edinburgh
The best place to pick up a hire car for option 2 is Heathrow Airport. It will save you driving through London and therefore is a lot less stressful!
Windsor Castle (Stop en route to Oxford)
Drive: 40 minutes from Heathrow Airport.
The view of Windsor Castle from the entrance gates.
Windsor is a stunning town and walking through it on the way to the castle is an absolute treat in itself. And the awe certainly does not stop when you reach the glorious 1,000-year-old castle. To explore the castle and its grounds in full, it will take around two hours. The highlight of visiting the castle is certainly the beautiful St. George’s Chapel where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were married in 2018.
Windsor Castle is open Thursday to Monday, entry times start at 10am and the last admission at 3.30pm. Buy tickets to Windsor Castle here.
Oxford
Drive: 50 minutes from Windsor.
Christ Church in Oxford
One of the best things about Oxford is that you can see the city on foot, from the most famous colleges, to historic pubs, to the many free museums.
The historic Oxford University was first established in the 12th century and is the oldest speaking English university in the world. The university does not have a campus so you will see the buildings spread across the city.
Famous works of literature were written in Oxford such as Alice in Wonderland, The Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia.
After exploring the town, why not take some time to visit Highclere Castle which is very nearby. You may recognise the castle from the opening scenes of popular period drama Downton Abbey, and it certainly lives up to how excellent it looks on screen. The castle was built in the 17th century and encompasses 5,000 acres of land that you can explore at your leisure, including the Secret Garden, the Monk’s Garden, the White Border and some beautiful woodlands.
Bath
Drive: 1 hour and 30 minutes from Oxford.
Pulteney Bridge in Bath
An essential of visiting Bath is of course to visit the famous Roman Baths, which are surprisingly well preserved given how old they are. Continuing with the stunning architecture of the baths, Bath Abbey should be your next stop, where you can climb the gothic tower and admire the views.
Booking a walking tour for Bath is a great idea if you want to make sure that you see all the sights as well as getting some highly valuable and interesting information on the history of this fascinating town.
Drive: As Bath is on the edge of the Cotswolds it will be right at your doorstep. Castle Combe is an easy 30 minutes drive from Bath. It depends on which towns are on your list.
The Cotswolds is a continuous stream of picturesque villages and beautiful natural landscape, truly resembling something out of a storybook or fairytale. As the Cotswolds is a collection of villages it is best to know where it is that you want to go in advance of getting on the road.
Bilbury
On the banks of the River Coln, Bilbury is home to one of the most well-known streets in the area, Arlington Row. If you are looking for the quintessential fairytale style streets and crooked brick cottages that the Cotswolds are so well known for, then this is the place for you.
Stow-on-the-Wold
This sweet little town is perched right at the top of a hill and features a gorgeous church, a small gallery and a famous farmers market held on the second Thursday of each month. You will definitely want to grab a bite at Lucy’s Tearoom for some yummy freshly baked goods!
Castlecombe
This is without a doubt one of the best places in the Cotswolds to admire the beautiful honey-coloured bricks of the cottages and get the ultimate photos. The southern tip of the village is where you will get that classic shot of the village.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Right on the River Windrush, Bourton-on-the-Water is a pretty Cotswolds town and is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds. Walk down the river and see what the Cotswolds is most famous for the honey-coloured bricks. Alternatively, enjoy a drink or food at one of the village’s cafes.
Gloucester
Drive: Gloucester is on the northeast edge of the Cotswolds so this will be a short drive as well.
Start by exploring the area around College Court where you will find The House of the Tailor of Gloucester, which inspired the author Beatrix Potter. The building is now a museum with a shop that is dedicated to the author.
Next head over to Gloucester Docks which is Britain’s most inland port. You will discover Victorian warehouses, a working dry dock and a Mariners Chapel. A lot of the buildings have been converted into restaurants, tap rooms and shops.
Don’t forget to see Gloucester Cathedral. It is an 11th century Romanesque and Gothic masterpiece. You may even recognise the cathedral’s corridor as it’s featured in the Harry Potter movies!
There is quite a lot to do in Gloucester so this could be a stop in itself but if you are short for time then a few hours will cover the main sites.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Gloucester to Stratford-Upon-Avon is 1 hour drive.
Shakespeares Birthplace
Stratford-upon-Avon is where William Shakespeare was born and most activities in this town are based around Shakespeare.
The Stratford’s Historic Spine is where the most important buildings of the town are and some of the buildings date back to the 15th century. The walk through the spine is approximately 0.6 miles (0.9 km) and will take you to mosts of the iconic sites in the town.
Starting at Henley Street you can see the building where Shakespeare was born. Tours are offered to see Shakespeares’ birthplace.
Anne Hathaway’s cottage is where Shakespeare courted his bride to be. You can pay to go inside the 500 years old cottage and see items from the 13 generations that lived there including the original furniture. Consider buying a ticket online which gets you into all of these attractions!
There are also lots of wonderful independent restaurants, cafes and bars in the heart of the city where you can have a great dining experience no matter what you’re after.
I would recommend going for some afternoon tea as it is a British tradition; this is arguably one of the most quintessentially British places you could have it!
Fancy something savoury instead? Chef Gordon Ramsay swears that Barnaby’s is the absolute best place to get yourself some fish and chips, and it’s right next to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Chester
Drive: Stratford-Upon-Avon to Chester is around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Makes sure you avoid the toll road on the M6 and carry on the non-toll M6 route.
You are now pretty much at the halfway point between London and Edinburgh and sitting right on the Welsh border. This city has a rich history for you to explore; learn about Roman Legionnaires, Vikings, Normans and Anglo Saxons on your travels through the city.
The city is nearly completely surrounded by walls, which are considered to be the most well preserved in Great Britain running nearly two miles long. Other historic sites include:
The oldest racecourse in Great Britain
The largest Roman amphitheater in Great Britain
A one thousand year old Cathedral, with some amazing medieval carvings within
Seven hundred year old Rows galleries
Chester has one of the largest zoos in the UK and dedicates some of its resources to the conservation of endangered species. This makes for a great day out for visitors of all ages!
Liverpool
Drive: the drive to Liverpool is a quick one at 40 minutes.
Pier Head Liverpool
Time to visit one of England’s major cities – the home of The Beatles, it’s Liverpool! This is the UK’s fifth biggest city, and there is so much to see and do that you could spend your entire trip there! Check out some of the historic areas, which have been granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO, like the Royal Albert Dock Area and William Brown Street.
There is also a great art and creative scene making for some awesome murals and street art as well as some art galleries. Here are some locations to check out:
Manchester is known across the UK for its rich and diverse cultural scene! After all, it is the home of The Smiths, Oasis, and the Stone Roses. It also has numerous other sights such as galleries, museums and plenty of pubs and restaurants too! Here are some of the highlights:
Afflecks Palace – This is one of the best things to do in Manchester; it is ‘an emporium of eclecticism, a totem of indie commerce in Manchester’s Northern Quarter’ – enjoy looking through craft stores and at jewellery and trinkets. It is truly a unique place.
Chinatown – You will know that you have reached Chinatown when you see the giant red archway that leads into the area. The area has a large number of Asian restaurants and cafes serving delicious food and even some karaoke! One of my favourite places to eat is Try Thai (I know it’s not Chinese!) but it offers great food and I often visit on my trips to Manchester.
Federal Cafe – This place is known across the city as a trendy brunch spot with fantastic coffee – it’s totally instagrammable!
PLY – Best pizza in the city, and very affordable – enough said!
Football – Manchester is home to premier league teams Manchester United and Manchester City. As you can imagine that means there is a football atmosphere! You can try and catch a game or visit the National Football Museum.
John Rylands Library – This building is one of the best examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe and an incredible library. One of the cool facts about the building is that it was the first place in Manchester to be lit by electricity.
As I travel to Manchester a lot, I’ve tried a significant amount of hotels in the city! By far my favourite is the Great John Street Hotel which is a 4-star hotel. The building is a Victorian former schoolhouse so it has a lot of wonderful architecture. The rooms are beautiful! Last time I stayed here I had a second floor just for my bathroom which had a free-standing bath. My other hotel recommendations are the Lowry Hotel and the Midland.
Drive: 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the outskirts of the Lake District.
Swan and moored boats in Lake Windermere.
The Lake District has some incredible things to do – you’ll want to take your time and make sure you’ve seen all that you wish to!
Rydal Mount
Whether you’re a literature buff or not, you’re definitely not going to want to miss visiting the home of Wordsworth, Rydal Mount in the small village of Ambleside. The famous poet resided here for the latter part of his life, and you can walk in the beautiful gardens that were once landscaped by Wordsworth himself! You can even take a look at the place where he wrote, as well as his library!
The Lakes Distillery
This distillery was founded in 2014 and has become one of the most popular in the Cumbria area in recent years. It produces gin, vodka and whisky. Even better? It uses local produce to do so!
The distillery is awesome to visit – it even has alpacas! Plus, there is a shop, so you can buy your favourite drinks and take them home with you!
Lake Windermere
This is the largest natural lake in England, and gives a great picture of the beauty of the Lake District. If you are going to go to any lakes in the Lake District, make sure its this one. There are tonnes of amazing things to do around the lake, such as boating, running, hiking and cycling!
Grasmere Gingerbread
One of the most famous things you can buy in the Lake District is Grasmere Gingerbread. When you walk into the shop you will smell the spices and the aroma of gingerbread. The perfect snack to grab for your road trip! If it is winter then pair it with a nice hot drink alongside a fireplace.
You have finally arrived at your destination; Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh! This city is great to spend a couple of days exploring, particularly the old town which is where you will find the castle!
For ideas of what to see and do during your time here, check out my article on the 7 Day Drive Loop from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
