Motorcycle road trip to the Lake District.....advice on must see places, attractions or rides please.

Question

Hubby and i are off to the Lake District in September (beginning of) and would like some advice on where to visit en-route, what are the must see's when we get there and which are the best biking roads. I have done a little research so far and i know that the road from Penrith to Hayden Bridge (not sure of the road number) is supposed to be great. Then we are gonna have a ride up to Hadrian's wall and generally around the Lakes. we will only be in the area for about 3 days so we really want to make the most of our time. Are there any attractions that we really must see either in the Lakes or on the way? Route - Start Boston, Lincolnshire across to Newark then up the A1(M) across to Harrogate, Skipton, then over to Kendal where we will be staying near. Might go through the Dales instead of skirting them. Is there anything good to see/ worth visiting on the way?

Any suggestions are more than welcome.

or email me [e-mail]

thanks

Answer 1

Wow a pencil museum, I would love that. Hadrians wall sounds great and is the only feaure I recognize. I can't offer much except to have a ball, enjoy the ride. I sure wish I was going along.Take cheap or old underwear and discard, don't get stuck doing laundry, time is way to valuable for that.

Answer 2

OK Keelie. From Skipton up A65 to Gargrave, turn right follow signs to Malham. In village go st ahead up The Cove Road - super view of Cove on right. follow your nose for 3 or 4 miles T junc - bear left Settle Drop into Langcliffe and turn left at jnct for Settle. If you want a cuppa go left into town, Naked Man cafe good. Head back out north and be sure and stop at Devils Bridge Kirby Lonsdale. Look to your rt at bottom of hill and turn rt, you should find a good crowd of bikers there if weather at all decent. Good burger bar and tea. Whatever you do in the lakes you must ride the Hardnott and Wrynose passes and be careful of cars ahead missing gears and baulking you. After Lincolnshire you will find those passes exciting riding. Honister and Kirkstone offer super views but you will do those two in 4th gear easily. To make those exciting you need to be riding vintage machines preferably belt drives !!

  I just hope you hit some good weather you do really need it for the lakes. Whatever the weather I can guarantee you will enjoy the terrain.

Just take care on the narrow roads, beware of sheep, they are dozy creatures and there are some stubborn Highland cattle about on the higher ground also. Enjoy.

            Jack

Answer 3

Do not leave without seeing the Keswick Pencil Museum!  

Answer 4

Grizdale Forest is quite good (they have mountain biking, if that helps). Yep the Pencil Museum is great! The Lakes Aquarium is good too.

Don't forget to pay me a visit when you go (I live practically next door to the Lakes)

Answer 5

When i lived in harrogate we used to go across to the lakes by going to ripley and along the road that is more or less parrellel to the skipton rd past stump cross caverns, better views and less used by wagons, you can cut along the top of malham which is worth a wander around and pick up the road to kirby longsdale. Then its just a short ride to lake windermere etc.

Answer 6

hadrians wall A69 carlisle to newcastle realy good section near haltwhistle go up onto B6318 the old military rd towards newcastle the wall is on your left about 5 -600yd  there is a place called once brewed it has a pub called twice brewed before you get to the pub ther is a great section  & free to get on to it has  a gateway in the wall ,

its up towards steel rig or or white side, also  near once brewed there is the fort vindolanda you can get a great view down on it all then there is howsteads fort but you have to pay  at that one,

A65 up to lakes not my cup of tea high police presence also cameras on tall posts kirby lonsdale, just been to a rally in egromont cumbria some realy nice roads watch out for police helicopter & police cars  at roundabouts as you come into lakes, also  the car drivers just looking at the views not the road,