The ultimate London to Edinburgh road trip

We’ve picked our highlights for travelling north

400 miles, or thereabouts. It’s not terribly far from London to Edinburgh in the car – and that’s only if you drive directly there! But who wants to do that? There’s so much to see and do on a London to Edinburgh road trip that taking a diversion or two should be encouraged. From stunning coastal scenery to historic towns on your way to stay with us at Parliament House Hotel, the there’s so much to explore beyond these 400 miles. So, if you head up on the A1(M) route, here are some of our favourite highlights on a road trip between the capitals.

Cambridge

Around an hour after leaving London behind, you might find stopping in Cambridge to be a nice break. Renowned for its prestigious university and stunning architecture, the city is the perfect place to stop for a light breakfast. Explore the historic colleges, walk along alongside the River Cam, or visit the iconic King’s College Chapel.

Melton Mowbray

Not far off along the A1, in between Leicester and Nottingham, is the food capital of the area, Melton Mowbray. This gorgeous little town is world famous for its mouthwatering pork pies which have Protected Geographical Indication. This means that only pies made in Melton Mowbray can be called Melton Mowbray pies – there must be no pretenders here! So stock up on these, as well as Stilton cheese and a whole host of other delicious, local produce for the road ahead.

Leeds

When you hit Yorkshire, there are plenty of stops to enjoy that aren’t far from the motorway, These include Wetherby (great for fish and chips), Harrogate (and their Turkish Baths) and Knaresborough (Mother Shipton’s Cave is an awesome sight).

However when it comes to a city stop, Leeds is a great choice. This is a bustling, modern city and is a handy place to stay over for the night if you are not doing your London to Edinburgh road trip in one day. It’s a perfect city for those who love to shop, with the Trinity Leeds shopping centre listing over 120 big names. The nearby Corn Exchange and Kirkgate Market are great for finding independent retailers and streetfood.

Berwick-Upon-Tweed

After you head past Newcastle, you will start to drive alongside the beautiful Northumberland coast. This rugged landscape offers views out over the crashing waves of the North Sea. Berwick-Upon-Tweed is the perfect place to pause and take all of this in. This little town is a great opportunity to pause for a drink and bite to eat, as well as a coastal walk to blow away the cobwebs! It’s also the last stop before you hit Scotland.

Edinburgh

Between the borders and Edinburgh there’s so many wonderful towns, villages and harbours to stop in. St Abbs is a charming harbour with a little cafe, and its big secret is that it was the filming location for New Asgard in Avengers: Infinity War. Further along, Dunbar is another stunning seaside town and you can often see fishing boats return with their haul.

However by now your eyes will probably be set on the final destination on your London to Edinburgh Road trip. Stay with us at Parliament House Hotel in the centre of Edinburgh and help your journey continue by enjoying our warm Scottish welcome. Book your stay now and prepare for a road trip to remember!