What's the best itinerary for a seven day road trip around the UK?

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This was published 6 years ago

What's the best itinerary for a seven day road trip around the UK?

By Michael Gebicki

WE'VE HIRED A CAR FROM HEATHROW FOR SEVEN DAYS AND PLAN A SLOW TRIP THROUGH THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE AS FAR AS HADRIAN'S WALL. ANY THOUGHTS ON A POSSIBLE ITINERARY? FROM PRIOR EXPERIENCE, ACCESS TO CASTLES, CATHEDRALS AND HISTORIC HOUSES IS COSTLY. IS AN ENGLISH HERITAGE PASS A GOOD IDEA, OR SHOULD WE RELY ON RECIPROCAL RIGHTS WITH MEMBERSHIP OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL TRUST? T. MARTIN, DEE WHY NSW

London is not fun to drive out of, but at least it's on the outskirts of London and therefore I'd be taking the M4 heading west then turning north onto the A40. Just before you cross the river Thames turn left to stop off at the gorgeous village of Marlow, and either here or nearby Henley-on-Thames would be a good bet for your first night's accommodation if you've galloped here straight off the plane from Australia. From here you might continue west to Oxford and along the A40 as far as Northleach, where you could meander through the Cotswold villages as far as Morton-in-Marsh, and the nearby cities of Cheltenham and Gloucester are well worth a visit.
Stratford-upon-Avon is within easy reach but Shakespeare's home town is a bit of a tourist trap. Royal Leamington Spa, just to the north, is definitely worth a stop. From here you might plan a meandering drive through the Peak District National Park and head for Liverpool, then Harrogate, York and Yorkshire Dales National Park followed by the North Pennines and finally Hadrian's Wall, aiming for Housesteads Roman Fort.
Membership of the National Trusts of Australia gives you the same rights as members of Britain's National Trust. The English Heritage Visitor Pass gives you free entry to places that are not National Trust properties and it really is exceptional value. I'm seeing a price of $92.50 for two adults on the Visit Britain website (visitbritainshop.com).

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