by Anna Hann
posted on April 24, 2024
Ready for a UK road trip? You’ve got some solid options. A gorgeous route around Cornwall, Wales, the Peak District or the Lake District may all be in contention, but for covering a decent length of Great Britain and checking off some famous landmarks along the way, few road trips rival the epic London to Edinburgh drive.
If you’re planning on visiting Edinburgh from London, choosing to drive there makes the journey part of the experience. After all, all that bucolic countryside is hidden beneath cloud cover on a flight, and the places you’d fancy getting to know race past on a train journey. No, when it comes to travelling between London and Edinburgh, jumping in a car and driving is definitely the way to go.
A snapshot of the London to Edinburgh drive
The route from London to Edinburgh is around 400 miles long, depending on the exact route you take and whether you decide to take any detours along the way. If you were to drive it from beginning to end with no stops, it would take around seven or eight hours without factoring in too much traffic.
But look – this is a route that’s about savouring the journey. Dig into the details. Relish the changing scenery. Take more photos than you know what to do with. See how many National Parks you can check off. Decide where to stay overnight. And along the way, you know that glorious Edinburgh awaits at the end of the journey as a fitting reward for an epic road trip. Ready to plan? Let’s go.
The best itineraries for the London to Edinburgh drive
There’s no single way to tackle the route between London and Edinburgh. Here, we bring you three excellent options, yours to tweak and tailor to suit. One of the simple joys of a road trip is that you can pace yourself, stay where you choose, linger longer, or skip something altogether.
The first focuses on nature, hopping from one National Park to the next, mostly tracking up the west side of the UK. The second pulls a thread through England’s long and fascinating history, stopping at some must-see castles, ruins, and museums along the way, tracing a more easterly route. The third is a family-focused trip with plenty of places factored in for family fun, with more than a few nods to a certain boy wizard.
Route 1: for the Great Outdoors
As you travel north through England to Scotland, you can wind through the National Parks, which is ideal if you love nothing more than getting active in nature. Your perfect route to Edinburgh involves leaving London to the west on the M4, briefly joining the M25, then spurring off to join the M40. Before too long, you’ll be in the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This is a vast area covering an enormous expanse that touches four counties with steep chalk escarpments and gently rolling hills – the ideal terrain for outdoor adventurers. You won’t want to deviate too far from the M40, so if you’re planning an overnight stop in a little English inn, the market town of Amersham might work well. From here, walk along the Misbourne River or visit Chesham Bois Wood nature reserve, where you can crane your neck at England’s tallest tree.
London to Amersham: 35 miles
Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
As you leave the Chilterns behind and continue north on the M40, Oxford and the Cotswolds are to the west. If you have time to spare, a detour to this gorgeous pocket of England with its charming villages comes highly recommended.
Aside from adventures through the exquisite countryside, spend some time perusing independent shops in the lovely market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. If you’ve been before or feel you need more time to explore the area properly, you could skip the Cotswolds and head to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, instead, without deviating too far off route.
Amersham to Stow-on-the-Wold: 60 miles
Peak District National Park
Whether you are setting off from Stratford-upon-Avon or the Cotswolds, the next part of your road trip routes around Birmingham to the east – popping into the UK’s second-largest city to check out the music scene, lively nightlife, or even some of the city’s green spaces, like Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens or the city’s impressive and historic Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Before you reach Manchester, head west into the Peak District National Park. You can visit Dovedale, a pretty valley and nature reserve with walking paths at the south point of the Peak District National Park. If you’re taking bikes, find the mountain biking trails and catch some beautiful vantage points across the Peak District.
Stow-on-the-Wold to Dovedale: 100 miles
Yorkshire Dales National Park
As you leave the Peak District behind, you’ll continue past Manchester and onwards to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, part of the wider North Yorkshire region. At Ingleborough Cave, handily on the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, you can take a subterranean tour through floodlit caves or stay above ground and follow a nature trail. There’s a choice of routes with different difficulties and distances.
Dovedale to Ingleborough: 100 miles
Lake District National Park
Make sure you take the scenic route into the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, routing past England’s largest lake, Lake Windermere, where you can stop for boating or walking. Continue past Rydal Water and Grasmere (stopping to pick up some of the famous gingerbread if you have time). Then, it’s north past Thirlmere Lake before arriving in Keswick, one of the main towns in the Lake District.
Wherever you decide to stop in the Lake District, there’s plenty to do. With this much water about, it’s not surprising that you can hire boats, canoes, and paddle boards. Or, if you’ve packed your bikes, the Lake District National Park has suggested routes, including some spectacular off-road routes. No bike? No problem. There are plenty of places to hire them in the Lake District.
Ingleborough to Keswick: 53 miles
Borders Historic Route
The last leg of your journey is through southern Scotland. The most scenic route to your final destination is a Scotland road trip, the Borders Historic Route along the A7. As you leave the Lake District behind and head north, you can stop to see tartan weavers at Lochcarron of Scotland and glassblowers at Lindean Mill Glass. For one last outdoor adventure before you arrive in Edinburgh city centre to find your hotel, stop at Dalkeith Country Park for walking trails.
Keswick to Edinburgh: 133 miles
Route 2: for the UK’s best historical spots
Fancy taking a journey through England’s long history? On the London to Edinburgh drive, you can check off some of the country’s best historical landmarks, starting with the famous university city of Cambridge.
Cambridge
As well as being historic in its own right with Roman beginnings, Cambridge’s museums display treasures from other historical periods. You can see Egyptian relics in the grand Fitzwilliam Museum and explore two million years of human history at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
For the history of Cambridge itself, look no further than the Museum of Cambridge, which tells stories of the social history of this fascinating city. Before you set off again, don’t miss King’s College Chapel, the largest of all the college chapels in the city. The public is invited to watch the daily choral services.
If you’re taking the London to Edinburgh, drive slowly and decide on an overnight stay in this vibrant city, spend a summer’s evening by the River Cam watching the punting. Or check out if there’s any live music at the Cambridge Corn Exchange before setting off the next day, bound for Stamford.
London to Cambridge: 60 miles
Stamford
The historic market town of Stamford is only an hour’s drive north of Cambridge, but if you’re tracing England’s history on your London to Edinburgh drive, Burghley House makes a great pit stop en route. It’s a magnificent place and considered one of the grandest surviving houses of the Elizabethan age. Once you’ve delved into the ornate rooms, spend some time in the beautiful estate around Burghley House, where you’ll find the Garden of Surprises and a Sculpture Garden.
Cambridge to Stamford: 50 miles
Lincoln
As you head north, Lincoln is a great idea for the next stop on the journey. There are many attractions in this ancient city, especially for history hunters. Along its cobbled streets are the fingerprints of Roman history, the Tudors, and Medieval architecture.
If you’re only planning a short period here, don’t miss Lincoln Cathedral. Try a guided tour that focuses on different elements of Lincoln Cathedral, whether that’s its graffiti, its tower, symbolism, stained glass, or architecture. Afterwards, walk up the cobblestones of aptly named Steep Hill, lined with independent shops.
Stamford to Lincoln: 55 miles
Leeds
Onwards through South Yorkshire to the northern city of Leeds. This industrial powerhouse also has royal and Victorian connections. Explore the Victoria Quarter, where you’ll find premium shops beneath ornate glass roofs and gilded mosaics. You could stay overnight, choosing from an ever-increasing selection of luxury hotels, or continue to York, less than an hour northeast of Leeds.
Lincoln to Leeds: 75 miles
York
The beautiful city of York will be a highlight of your London to Edinburgh road trip. York Minster is one of the main attractions, and it’s easy to see why. This is an incredible piece of architecture and is considered one of the best cathedrals in the world.
To delve deeper into the city’s history away from York Minster, try a guided history tour to get to know more about its medieval architecture, or book yourself onto a ghost tour. Don’t miss a walk along the higgledy-piggledy Shambles, a medieval shopping street believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies.
If you’re looking for an interlude from your history hunting, remember that some of the UK’s famous chocolatiers and confectioners hail from York, and there are plenty of chocolate tours, too.
Leeds to York: 30 miles
Newcastle upon Tyne
On your way from York to Newcastle upon Tyne through North Yorkshire, you could stop for lunch on the banks of the River Wear, perhaps in Durham, where you can also visit Durham Cathedral, another location used in the Harry Potter movies.
You could also route via the North York Moors National Park, perhaps stopping in Whitby for a spooky look at Dracula’s Castle at Whitby Abbey. You could also learn incredible sea-faring stories in the Captain Cook Memorial Museum or make a pitstop in Hartlepool to see the National Museum of the Royal Navy, recreated as an 18th-century seaport.
Whichever route you decide on, get to Newcastle in enough time to explore it properly, particularly if you’re not staying overnight. This buzzy northern city lays claim to some of England’s most beautiful Georgian architecture and the lovely River Tyne. And if you’ve decided to stay overnight, you can expect lively nightlife and great live music in the city centre.
York to Newcastle upon Tyne: 85 miles
Holy Island
As your England to Scotland road trip starts to come to an end, the excitement continues. As you head north from Newcastle with Northumberland National Park to the west and Northumberland Coast National Landscape to the east, factor in enough time to visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. It’s a tidal island reached by a long causeway, so you’ll need to time your visit carefully as it’s uncrossable for a few hours twice a day. Once you’ve driven across, you’ll find cafes, an old priory and a castle. It’s a fitting end to a history-themed road trip.
Newcastle upon Tyne to Holy Island: 60 miles
Edinburgh
Depending on how eager you are to get to Edinburgh, you could take a direct route or track around the coastal route and plan some stops along the way. Whichever you choose, you have an incredible city waiting for you at the end of the road.
In Edinburgh city centre, you can expect a warm welcome from a wide selection of Edinburgh hotels available for you to choose from. Perhaps this won’t even be your final destination – from Edinburgh, you can pick a Scotland road trip to try next.
Holy Island to Edinburgh: 70 miles
Route 3: for family fun
If you’re taking the kids on an epic road trip, it’s worth planning a route that will spark their imagination – it’ll make everyone’s journey all the happier! With that in mind, here’s a route that checks off some big, family-friendly attractions and some hidden gems along the way.
Watford
Leave London behind and plan an exciting first stop: The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. You’ll need to pre-book and allow a good few hours to explore it properly, but it’s definitely worth it for a detailed look into movie-making magic and some immersive experiences that bring it all to life. If you want to get more miles under your belt before you stop, keep going. Join the M40 northbound through the Chiltern Hills to Oxford.
London to Watford: 20 miles
Oxford
Lovely though they are, exploring the vast and beautiful colleges of Oxford might not lead to the happiest kids. Instead, Pitt Rivers Museum is a great place to start your Oxford explorations. If your children are fans of the books or TV show His Dark Materials, there’s a dedicated trail around the museum.
Or keep the Potter theme alive with a Harry Potter tour. It’s said that Christ Church College inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and on a tour, you can see exactly where the movie-makers filmed some of the scenes.
Watford to Oxford: 55 miles
Birmingham
Your journey north continues up the M40 to Birmingham. Although if your kids have been studying Shakespeare, veering off to the west for a stop at the Bard’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon might be the ideal stopover.
Whether or not you decide to explore the town centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, make time for Birmingham. In the city centre, kids can get stuck into the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre (particularly handy if it’s cold or raining, as it’s all indoors and open year-round) and check what’s on at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see if anything aligns with their interests.
Oxford to Birmingham: 75 miles
Liverpool
Continue north of the M6, passing Stoke-on-Trent. The glorious Peak District is to the east, and if you’ve got the time to detour, it’s a lovely pocket of England to explore. Otherwise, save a road trip to the Peak District for another day, keep going, and plan a stop in Liverpool. It’s best to route into the city via Chester, where you can see the UK’s largest Roman amphitheatre. If you come this way, you’ll enter Liverpool via the Kingsway Tunnel beneath the River Mersey.
If they don’t mind an art gallery, Tate Liverpool is one of the best around. Or spend a little time around William Brown Street, where you can pop into the World Museum for interactive displays, an aquarium, and a planetarium.
Birmingham to Liverpool: 100 miles
Ullswater
Swap city for countryside today as you head to the Lake District. You could detour west down the M55 for a few rides at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach or pop into Lancaster. Otherwise, keep your eyes on the road ahead and keep going until you get to the Lake District. There are so many places you could choose to stay here (and you may be tempted to stay for a few days), including Another Place, a true gem in the Lake District where you can swim, stargaze, SUP, and even ski.
Liverpool to Ullswater: 110 miles
Alnwick
From the Lake District, cross over to the east coast of the UK, perhaps routing through Northumberland National Park (an incredible location for stargazing) or planning a stop at Chesters Roman Fort and Museum – Hadrian’s Wall.
The next must-see stop is Alnwick Castle, used in many movies and TV shows including Transformers: The Last Knight, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Downtown Abbey. Perhaps most famously of all, it featured as Hogwarts.
Ullswater to Alnwick: 110 miles
Edinburgh
Tempting though it may be to take the most direct route from Alnwick Castle to Edinburgh – resist! Instead, take the route through the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, perhaps stopping at the tidal island of Holy Island or the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. You’ll arrive in Edinburgh from the east, ready to explore everything this vibrant city has to offer.
Alnwick to Edinburgh: 85 miles
Welcome to Edinburgh
Whichever route you take, all roads lead to Edinburgh. And once you’ve arrived in the city, there’s so much waiting for you.
Edinburgh Castle
The centrepiece of Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh Castle is an unmissable sight. Pass beneath the formidable Portcullis Gate, explore the ramparts, and step inside the Great Hall, where ceremonies and banquets were hosted.
Royal Mile
A road connecting Edinburgh Castle at one end and Holyrood House at the other, you’ll find shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs along this famous roadway.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Step aboard this lovely floating palace to see where the late Queen Elizabeth spent her time during state visits abroad.
Arthur’s Seat
For a sensational view across the city, climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park. It’s actually an ancient volcano.
Live music
If you fancy checking out the best of Edinburgh’s entertainment and music scene, there are plenty of live music bars and theatres.
Restaurants
There’s a terrific foodie scene in the city whether you’re in the mood for some celebratory fine dining or something a little more casual.
Setjetting
Edinburgh has been seen on screen over the decades. An hour outside of Edinburgh, you can visit Doune Castle, which was Winterfell in Game of Thrones and a set for Outlander.
Plan an onward journey
Once you’re in Edinburgh, you’re at the starting point of some incredible routes through Scotland. Plan a Scotland road trip that takes you further into this beautiful country, such as the Forth Valley Tourist Route past the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Forth Bridge and Antonine Wall.
Another favourite Scotland road trip from Edinburgh is the Fife Coastal Route, passing some lovely spots on the way to Dundee on a 77-mile journey.
Practical driving tips and trip-planning essentials
To make it a great trip that goes without a hitch, have a think about some practicalities before you set off.
Consider the best car for the journey
If you’ve got your own car, great. But consider whether it’s perfect for the epic London to Edinburgh road trip. You’ll want something comfortable and easy to drive for a drive of this distance. It’ll need a decent-sized boot for your luggage and maybe something you can easily add a bike rack to.
SUVs are ideal for road trips. They’re spacious and comfortable, and you’ll have a slightly higher elevation for better views. You could also think about an estate car for extra room, or a minivan might be the perfect vehicle for the journey if you’re planning a family road trip.
Then again, you could be planning a road trip just for two. In this case, something less practical but far more fun could be ideal. Something sporty and head-turning like a Porsche 911 or a Jaguar F-TYPE.
Think about the return journey
What goes up must come down. And if you’ve ventured all the way north to Scotland, you may well have the return journey to consider, too. You could maximise your road trip experience and drive back, visiting all the places you skipped on the journey north. Then again, you could fly home or get the train back to London.
If you’ve booked a car on Turo, you’ll likely need to return it at the same place, or close to, where you picked it up. Use it to your advantage and plan a brilliant round trip, making Edinburgh your mid-way point. If you’ve focussed on the east side of the UK on your way up, take the opportunity to drive a different way back, maybe lingering somewhere like the Yorkshire Dales that you might have skipped through quickly.
Check your travel insurance
Any trip you take, whether domestically or abroad, should be covered by travel insurance. You should make sure you have it from the moment you book to cover you if things don’t go to plan.
When you book a car on Turo, peace of mind is included, as you can cancel your trip for free up to 24 hours before it starts, get 24/7 roadside assistance and are protected if something happens while you’re on the road.
Plan for toll roads
You may not encounter any toll roads on your journey between London and Edinburgh. But it’s worth noting if your route takes you through any of these toll roads:
- M6 Toll
- A57 Dunham Bridge
- A15 Humber Bridge
- A19 Tyne Tunnels
Book your hotels
After a long day on the road, you want to avoid driving around in circles, looking for places to stay. As you plan your perfect road trip, spend some time researching hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnbs.
Perhaps you’ll want to stay put for a few days somewhere like the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, or one of the UK’s other national parks. And maybe book somewhere fantastic for your final destination. You’ll find an impressive selection of Edinburgh hotels to choose from.
Consider what you want to see in the places where you book your accommodation, and book somewhere relatively close by so as not to add lots more miles to an already lengthy trip!
Think about EV charging
If you’re booking an electric vehicle on Turo for your London to Edinburgh drive, you need to think about where you’ll charge. Charging overnight is a good idea, so you start with a full charge ahead of a day’s driving, so you could book accommodation that offers EV chargers.
If you book a Tesla, there’s a brilliant network of Tesla Superchargers. Pop your destination into the Tesla’s whizzy computer, and it’ll work out the best places for you to charge along the way.
Not driving a Tesla? No problem. There’s an increasing network of electric charging across the UK. Zapmap is a great tool to find places to charge.
Plan around seasons and events
As well as mapping out the places you want to see, consider if there are any special events you want to catch along the way. Maybe you want to coincide your visit to Edinburgh with the Edinburgh International Festival for the city’s best music, theatre, and dance. It’s usually hosted in August. Or perhaps there’s something you want to catch at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.
If you’ve got lots of outdoor pursuits in mind, long hikes across the Yorkshire Dales, boat trips on the waters of the Lake Districts, punting on the River Cam, then you’ll probably find these experiences are far more pleasant in the milder weather in the spring and summer.
It’s also worth noting that some attractions, such as Burghley House in Stamford, open seasonally. So, double-check everything you’re hoping to see.
Prepare for the drive
The best road trips are about more than just the places you’ll visit. It’s about the experience you have on the road. So, with that in mind, go prepared with plenty of snacks and a killer playlist.
If you’re travelling with your family, you could choose an audiobook you’ll all love or have some classic games up your sleeve to help pass the time – especially if a screen time break is needed!
A quick recap
Scrolled too fast? Here’s what you missed.
There’s no right or wrong route to get from London to Edinburgh, but it does pay to plan ahead if you really want to make the most of all the places you’ll pass along the way. Sure, you could spend eight hours completing it in one go, but where’s the fun in that? Scroll back up for some suggested routes and places you’ll find, then use Google Maps to plan your perfect adventure.
Take the next step
Find the perfect car for your London to Edinburgh road trip. Select your location and choose your dates, then see what’s available. You’ll be able to choose from an extraordinary selection of cars, but it’s a good idea to filter your search to find the type of car you want quickly. For example, decide whether you want an EV, something that’s got Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for seamless playlists, a bike rack, or, if your family is joining you, a child seat or a pet-friendly vehicle.
You should also think carefully about the mileage you’ll need, particularly on longer trips like the London to Edinburgh drive. Many hosts include a distance, usually pretty generous, then charge for every mile you drive over that limit.
That’s it! It’s over to you to plan your ultimate London to Edinburgh road trip.
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