Tour through UK - advices and tipps needed

[dr0elf]

Hi guys,

I'm a German guy planning a spontanous trip to the UK with my GS 1250 Rallye. I've literally never been to the UK, so well, I guess I need some advice about pretty much everything.

Here's what I've planned so far (thanks to AI). The last day obviously is a transit day (so highway only). Due to a lack of time I skipped Skye. Is this feasible? Is there any day you'd consider to be too long? Sorry for stating it in km.

Beside that, is there anything I need to add/skip? What do I need to visit or where do I need to stop 100 % on the way? Anything else I need to know?

Many thanks in advance!!



Day 1: Folkestone → Cotswolds Eurotunnel Terminal Folkestone (Start)
Kent Countryside (A20 / A28 heading west)
Stow-on-the-Wold (market square, golden Cotswolds houses, churches, pubs) – Overnight here

ca. 270 km



Day 2: Cotswolds → Llandovery Cotswolds villages (e.g. Bourton-on-the-Water or further B-roads west of Stow)
Crossing into Wales (towards A40)
Llandovery (market town, castle, starting point for the Black Mountain Pass) – Overnight here

ca. 210–220 km


Day 3: Llandovery → Black Mountain Pass → Betws-y-Coed Llandovery Castle (short stop in the town)
Black Mountain Pass (A4069) – full stretch: Start at Llangadog
Tro Gwcw / Cuckoo Turn (famous hairpin bend)
Highest point / viewpoints (approx. 495 m)
Optional detour: Carreg Cennen Castle (short turn-off from the pass, spectacular ruin on a rocky outcrop)

Betws-y-Coed (River Conwy, Waterloo Bridge, gateway to Snowdonia) – Overnight here

ca. 190–210 km

Day 4: Snowdonia Exploration Llanberis Pass (A4086) – mountain road with steep slopes and views of the Snowdon massif
Llanberis (village, access to Snowdon, Lake Padarn)
Beddgelert (picturesque village, river, bridge)
Further Snowdonia stops: viewpoints along the A5 and A4086, lakes and waterfalls

80–150 km (kind of a day to rest)

Day 5: Snowdonia → Peak District Exit from Snowdonia (A5 heading east)
Bakewell (Peak District) – market town, famous Bakewell Tarts, River Wye – Overnight here

ca. 160–180 km

Day 6: Peak District Snake Pass (A57) – from Glossop towards Ladybower Reservoir: Viewpoints on the moor
Snake Summit (highest point)

Cat & Fiddle Road (A537) – from Buxton towards Macclesfield (classic biker curve)
Further Peak stops: Monsal Head (view of the viaduct), Castleton (optional)

Day 7: Peak District → Lake District Yorkshire Dales (short transit, green valleys)
Keswick (Lake District) – base, Derwentwater, Borrowdale – Overnight here

ca. 190 km

Day 8: Lake District → Edinburgh Exit from Lake District (A66 / A69)
Hadrian’s Wall (short stops at visible sections, e.g. near Housesteads or along the way)
Edinburgh – Overnight here

ca. 220 km

Day 9: Edinburgh (Rest day) Edinburgh Castle (on Castle Rock)
Royal Mile / Old Town
Arthur’s Seat (hill with 360° panorama)
Calton Hill (viewpoint with monuments)

Day 10: Edinburgh → Glencoe A82 heading west (Trossachs, lochs)
Loch Lomond (optional stop by the lake)
Glencoe Valley (A82 through the dramatic valley) – Overnight here

ca. 200–220 km

Day 11: Glencoe → Southbound (Lake District / Peak) Glen Etive (side road in Glencoe – waterfalls, film locations, narrow single-track)
Glencoe main road (A82) – viewpoints in the valley
Return south (A82 → towards Lake District)
Overnight in Keswick (or alternatively Peak District)

ca. 200–250 km

Day 12: Lake District / Peak → Folkestone Pure transit stage (M6 → M1 → M25)
No planned scenic stops – just a fast return to the Eurotunnel

ca. 400–450 km

[doggone]

The distances are reasonable and not too rushed.
I would still try to visit Skye if possible.
None of the places listed with exception perhaps of Edinburgh have a reputation for bikes being stolen - but some areas this has become an epidemic they will cut almost any security and push them away. so be aware so far as possible and avoid leaving it out of sight.
Most areas especially more rural and touristy you should be fine.

Northumberland is a quieter less visited area, consider Holy Island and Bamburgh.
The Lake district is lovely but can be hellish on busy weekends.
Some roads are very narrow and drivers get impatient.
Parking even with a bike is difficult outside designated areas.
But lots of day trippers so early and late in the day is best time to do some landmark places.

[stinkwheel]

Yeah, I'd avoid Edinburgh unless you have secure parking arranged, bike theft is out of control there. I used to live there and I wont take my bike to visit mates unless it's going to be locked up in a garage.

I'd suggest staying in Galashiels. You can get a train right into Edinburgh town centre from there to do the tourist things.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[blurredman]

I hope you like traffic and cars going 40mph on 60mph roads.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[A100man]

Seems pretty fair. The Cotswolds though is a ghastly tourist trap - irrespective of what Jeremy Clarkson might say..

Keep it to yourself but Shropshire Hills is far nicer, in my view.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750, SL1000

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600, Skorpion

[to v or not to v]

dont discount Wiltshire. lovely roads and a lot of ancient sites. Stone henge, Avebury rings, Silsbury hill etc.
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Moto Guzzi V7.

[dr0elf]

Thank you guys! So I guess my plan is not too bad after all. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be possible to include Skye in my route. :/