Yorkshire, Lakes & Northumberland by Classic Car

The city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is easy to reach by rail or air; we’ll be happy to offer advice on how best to get here. For this holiday, we’ve illustrated based upon a classic early-70s MGB roadster, but if you fancy something different – a classy Jaguar MkII saloon, a Morris Minor convertible or even an exciting 1960s Ford Mustang – we’ll be happy to tailor-make the car hire to your wishes. Once on-board, and fully briefed, it’s a gentle first day on the road as you make your way south through Tyneside and Wearside, across the North York Moors National Park to the classic moorside village of Pickering.

Your Accommodation in Pickering

The warmest of Yorkshire welcomes awaits at this long-established, family-owned property, combining cosy accommodation, terrific dining and a traditional pub. The fragrance of log fires and the hum of village goings-on is immediately evident the moment you arrive, with friendly staff quick to check you in and get you settled. There’s a range of rooms, from the traditional to more modern, with each having its own distinct charm.

There’s plenty to see in Pickering and Thornton Dale, including the museum and classic car auction house made recently famous via TV’s Bangers and Cash and the steam locomotives of North York Moors Railway. Perhaps take a stroll to work off a fine breakfast, before setting off in your classic to explore the wider surrounding area. There’s a wealth of great driving routes fanning their way out from your location, with superb places to stop for coffee, lunch and a little sightseeing, including North Riding Forest Park, the village of Goathland, Robin Hoods Bay and ever-popular Whitby. We’ll make sure you’re equipped with all the information you need to make the most of this and every day.

A fabulous day on the road today as you set off heading west to Wordsworth country. You may wish to plot your own route, but of course we’ll provide our favourite, perhaps taking you across the archetypal Yorkshire vistas of the Dales National Park and skirting the North Pennines on your way to the lakeside village of Pooley Bridge.

Your Accommodation in Pooley Bridge

Created with love and care by an enterprising family, your accommodation in Pooley Bridge is a hugely appealing restaurant-with-rooms, carved from a building at the centre of life in the village for over 150 years, first as the blacksmith’s shop, then the Post Office. Inside, there’s an immediate feeling of calm, with a cracking fire and cosy bar serving local ales and a range of cocktails made with local spirits. Upstairs, rooms are decorated in modern, colourful style, each complete with a touch of luxury here and there. And dining is something of a treat, with a focus on refinement in the imaginative menu created of the very best Lake District produce.

Your accommodation is right by Ullswater, possibly the prettiest of all the lakes, with a great driving route along its western shores to the foot of Helvellyn, England’s third-highest peak. Take a small detour to fabulous Buttermere pass, and loop around to challenging Hardknott and Wrynose passes, often poking above the cloudline in early morning. Make time for lunch and a wander at Ambleside or Windermere, before heading back to Pooley Bridge in time for dinner.

A distinctly leisurely feel today; as the crow flies, it’s only 50-or-so miles to your next base, giving you plenty of dawdling time. You could head north to the Solway Coast, before turning east and taking in the classic rally stages of Kielder Forest. Alternatively, criss-cross the North Pennines discovering amazing scenery, and villages frozen in time before arriving at your final base in the ancient market town of Hexham.

Your Accommodation in Hexham

Right in the centre of this most vibrant and historic town, your accommodation in Hexham is a recently upgraded and refurbished family-owned hotel. Classic Victorian architecture – all vast windows, sky-high ceilings and ornate plasterwork – meets an appealing contemporary choice of colourways, art and fixtures. There’s a relaxed feel to the bar and restaurant, though there’s a defiant wow-factor to the food. Bedrooms are typically generous in their 18th-century proportions, while all of Hexham’s attractions are right on the doorstep.

Home to a staggering 6th-century abbey, an ancient market place and plenty of independent shopping, Hexham is a great place to discover on foot. Taking the surrounding roads is just as rewarding, however, with many of the most arresting features of Hadrian’s Wall within a 20-minute drive. Visit Housesteads, Vindolanda and Sycamore Gap, for example, for an eye-opening picture of life in Roman Britain some 2000 years ago.

Dropping off point for your classic is only 40 minutes away, so maybe take a few hours of meandering this morning, to the stunning Northumberland coast at Whitley Bay or Blyth, before heading back towards the city.