Touring around UK...advise?

[greencat]

OK, I appreciate the UK may not seem as sexy as a lot of touring destinations but I realised that, for all my travelling, I've never undertaken a tour of the UK.
I'm considering a 'round the coastline' type trip to definitely include Wales and Scotland and I'll be camping and using the occasional B&B over the Summer months.
Does anyone have any experience of such a trip? Routes taken, bits not to miss, bits that were dull(!), timescales for a complete round trip, highs, lows, recommended campsites/B&B etc?

Any advise/experiences appreciated,
greencat

PS...I appreciate timescales are dependent on distance per day and what appeals to one person may not appeal to another...I'd just like to hear the thoughts of those that have done this to use as a basis for planning a trip. Then I'll decide how long to take and what sights I fancy

[danward79]

Hi,

I must say I agree, lots of us including me have not toured our own home ground very much, it is something I would like to do too.

I reckon in terms of places to visit/ideas you could not too badly by watching "Coast" the series the OU were involved with making and Wild Gourmets. Oh snd the lonely planet video's are good too!

Just a few ideas I would do, I would avoid crawley!

[Flyingdoctor]

If you want an interesting and varied tour of Britain try doing the Round Britain Rally. Good fun and you visit lots of out of the way places.

Round Britain Rally

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by greencat

OK, I appreciate the UK may not seem as sexy as a lot of touring destinations but I realised that, for all my travelling, I've never undertaken a tour of the UK.
I'm considering a 'round the coastline' type trip to definitely include Wales and Scotland and I'll be camping and using the occasional B&B over the Summer months.
Does anyone have any experience of such a trip? Routes taken, bits not to miss, bits that were dull(!), timescales for a complete round trip, highs, lows, recommended campsites/B&B etc?

Any advise/experiences appreciated,
greencat

PS...I appreciate timescales are dependent on distance per day and what appeals to one person may not appeal to another...I'd just like to hear the thoughts of those that have done this to use as a basis for planning a trip. Then I'll decide how long to take and what sights I fancy

A few quick thoughts:

You don't say where you have been already, i.e. where you have seen too much of, so to speak, but you can spend many a useful hour pouring over a decent map of sections of the UK - pick out the twisty roads and you won't be far wrong so far as the riding is concerned. For me, the more mountainous the better - don't forget the IOM, there are still no speed limits outside of the built up areas.

For myself I would stay well away from, say, the south coast of England, because,
A. I have been there enough to see what I wish to see.
B. The traffic is horrendous!
Therefore, I end up in Wales and Scotland, in the main.

Some of the Scottish Islands are interesting and worth seeing but some are very flat.

Around the coastline: it is about 10,000 miles all in.

[IsleOf]

I know some people who doen the coastline in 2 weeks for charity. You will love it. However they felt they could have taken a bit longer to do it.

I joined them for the Scottish part of the Journey and i thoroughly enjoyed it.

Some tips
Id say look into using hostels as they are cheap.

For Scotland make sure you do Applecross and the A838 (Ullapool to Tongue).
These were my favourites. Theres still lots more ive to see in Scotland but these roads have been the best so far.

[greencat]

Thanks for two really good starting ideas.
I did see the book to accompany the 'Coast' series on TV so must go and flick through it for ideas...an excellent starting point.

I particularly like the Round Britain Rally idea, especially as I have a Ural Outfit in the stable that doesn't get enough action and my partner is an Artist and photographer!

I've also thought about introducing a theme to the trip be it visiting gallaries (for the girlie) or sites with great examples of English, Welsh and Scottish engineering...or am I getting a bit geeky? I guess the key thing is that the UK has some extraordinary sights and, before venturing back out into the Empire again I feel I should poke around at home first.
I'd also like to encourage others to come to the UK to experience what we have to offer ...I'm sure there's some good stuff out there.

[Flyingdoctor]

The road to Applecross is just like Norway. I love that area, Skye and Wester Ross. You can rent a wigwam at the Applecross campsite, they're brilliant. Applecross Campsite - Applecross Peninsula

I love the south coast too. Seaton/Beer area and Devon/Cornwall/Somerset.

[1fifer1]

Hi Greencat, I love the UK, it has so much to offer, if you were to take the clockwise route round dropping down the East side I would recommend stopping in Whitby where you'll discover Dracula county and the north York moors"look out for animals in the road, sheep, deer etc....... they roam free!....... and make a point to visit the filming location for heart beet, just the ride there is breath taking, you could spend days even weeks in and around Whitby its got every thing, having left there going South to Scarborough (loads of bikers there)" probably one of the most visited seaside resorts in the North, you'll only be one to two hours from York wonderful city and once again you could spend days there!
Two main routes to York are the A170 and the A64 the first is very twisty the second is by no means boring but you do end up on bits of dual carriageway. "Look out for mobile speed cameras).
Now heading back from York,East to Bridlington, yet another seaside resort worth the visit, good food, good everything really, to be honest people have been coming here to the East coast for over a hundred years holidaying and tend to find everything they want to do on their doorstep.
These places I've recommended are full of history,culture, pubs, restaurants ......really nice people not too expensive (good for B and B,S and campsites) what else can I say really..............enjoy your trip!
If I can help any more let me know!
all the best
Jim
PS there is so much in between these main towns, city etc that it would take months to have a really good look round.

[Samy]

Hi All,

I planned to do this trip (infact coast of northern part only) with Lake District.
I didn't have time and money to do that yet. Hope to do that in a few years time.

Definitely a route which have to be done.

Please share your experiences with us as I know the accomodation and prices are very high.

Sami

[Invicta Moto]

How about using the Round Britain Rally where you can take small sips to meet the photo evidence requirements over a long period, or perhaps one big hit and base it on the Four Corners of Britain.... Lizard Point, Ardnamurchan, Dunnet Head and Lowestoft Ness?

I have planned it a few times and never done it. Should be good in the right conditions.... maybe not with petrol at over a quid a litre!


Youth hostels are good places to stay have alook at UK Youth Hostel Association (YHA), Budget Accommodation & Adventure Activities - YHA or Scotland Hostels - Youth Hostels in Scotland, Backpacking Europe

[Frank Warner]

Youth hotels / backpacker are good .. cheap if you are by yourself .. can be cheaper than camping .. For two B&Bs can be cheaper again..

----- I find the smaller hostells can be in some nice places that you'd other wise not go to .. at the bigger ones you don't get as much interaction.

[craig76]

Originally Posted by 1fifer1

you could spend days even weeks in and around Whitby its got every thing, having left there going South to Scarborough (loads of bikers there)" probably one of the most visited seaside resorts in the North, you'll only be one to two hours from York wonderful city and once again you could spend days there!

I'll second that. Also take the road heading north from Whitby towards Guisborough and into County Durham. Barnard Castle and Durham City itself are very pretty and Durham Cathedral, etc is worth a visit if sightseeing is your thing. From there, head north through the tyne tunnel, into tynemouth and up the coast road towards Holy Island or take the A68 towards Kielder and into Scotland. Ridiculous number fixed and mobile camera sites on these routes though. Alternatively, head west from Durham, towards Crook, through Wolsingham, Stanhope, Alston, stopping off at the Hartside Pass Cafe and into Cumbria and the Lake District. This is a well worn route for bikers up here with good reason. I love the roads over Weardale. Not too much farm traffic and I've yet to see a cop with a speed gun.

[Walkabout]

Greencat,
To save lots of people posting lots of descriptions of routes, you can find whatever you fancy on this site:-

BestBikingRoads.com Motorcycle Travel, Motorcycle Touring, Motorcycle Routes, Motorcycle Roads

[greencat]

Every time I look at my post it bugs me that I typed "advise" instead of "advice"

Many thanks for the pointers on places, routes, hostels and camp sites and, of course, things like the Round Britain Rally & biking routes. I've just picked up a large map of the UK on which to plan and am looking forward to exploring your suggestions further.

I'll let you all know how I get on...

[Invicta Moto]

Originally Posted by greencat

Every time I look at my post it bugs me that I typed "advise" instead of "advice"

Many thanks for the pointers on places, routes, hostels and camp sites and, of course, things like the Round Britain Rally & biking routes. I've just picked up a large map of the UK on which to plan and am looking forward to exploring your suggestions further.

I'll let you all know how I get on...

can't you edit the title?