I’ve just completed a 2,000 mile road trip in the UK. Here is a summary of my route and some tips and tricks for your next UK trip.
Starting from the London area, my stops included the South Downs, New Forest, the Source of The Thames, and Avebury Stone Circle. I then continued into South Wales and up through the middle of Wales to North Wales and finally to the Lancashire Coast and Dales, finishing up at the Yorkshire Moors.
There were many fine pubs and tea shops enroute and they were all worth a visit. Do stay at the Plas Derwen pub in Abergavenny for some fine food, accommodation, cask ale and the friendliest staff who never stop smiling and joking.
The Vale Hotel in Cricklade, Wiltshire offers a fine pint of Horizon bitter and good accommodation, food and a good place to walk the Thames Path before visiting the Avebury Stone Circle.
Always try and make a stop in the market towns for morning tea, lunch or overnight and try a pint or three of local cask bitter.
Wales is a magical place to tour. A visit to LLangollen with lunch at The Corn Mill, and a day trip on the canal to cross over the amazing aqueduct is memorable. Try and fit in the steam train as well and have some tea whilst listening to a local Welsh Male Voice Choir…a real treat.
In season (September/October) take in the Blackpool Illuminations by tram and walk on the huge beach by the Irish Sea. Just a little north of Blackpool in Fleetwood you can find an outlet shopping centre and some fine cockles near the ferry terminal. Cleveleys also has some excellent butcher shops offering the finest meats, bacon and pies, often close to a bakery for some other local treats.
The Dales and Moors are some of the most beautiful places to walk or drive with superb towns and villages, all with their individual attractions, from pubs to tea shops to churches and the ruins of the Abbeys from the 1500’s.
I found the perfect pub, but it takes a bit of finding. The Pack Horse at Widdop between Burnley and Hebden Bridge offers superb food (try the beef barley soup and house pate), a tasty Black Sheep ale and accommodations with perfect views of the hills. Enroute you might even get to see some belties (belted galloway cattle) which are just a little different.
A tip…when touring the UK…get off of the motorways and try the B roads and white roads on your map. Stop frequently, even in a layby for a bacon sarnie and a cuppa or take a picnic lunch from a local bakery or deli. Even get off of the map and take a country road or two and you will find something quite unique….a tractor, some sheep, or the ubiquitous ‘white van’….beware of these white vans!
Gas/Petrol is about a quid per litre but distances are relatively small and the small cars are usually quite efficient (40+mpg). Apart from restaurants in the evenings you will find breakfast and lunches all reasonable priced and normally very good…..believe me!
Another tip….if you have a full breakfast at a B&B you will probably need to forego a fine lunch at a local pub but then you will need an afternoon tea in a traditional tea shop. Even for evening meals, you can normally find a reasonable pub menu/price and can always find a takeaway (but seek out local knowledge first)….
’till the next time….cheers…The Nomad