Road Trips

The scenery on this trip is fantastic as you drive through Kielder Forest past the reservoir and stop at Kielder Waterside for coffee. Carry on to the view point at Elf Kirk before heading to Otterburn Mill for some retail therapy and lunch.

The route then climbs higher to travel through the Cheviot Hills stopping at Carter Bar which is located on the England - Scotland border, at the highpoint of Redesdale. The A68 road crosses the border here and there are marker stones marking the border; there are laybys on both sides of the road and it is a popular stopping place for tourists to view the most scenic of all the border crossings. Historically, 'Truce days' were held at Carter Bar, where the Lord Wardens of the Marches of both countries dispensed cross border justice. In 1575, there was a battle between the English and the Scots at Carter Bar, known as the 'Raid of the Redeswire'.

There are some great walks on the final stretch of the Pennine Way from Byrness. The route then returns to Copshaw Holm via the A6088 and B6357 through more stunning scenery driving high up through more of the beautiful Cheviot range.

This is another scenic drive high into the Southern Uplands of the Scottish Borders. The first stop is at Hermitage Castle ‘the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain’.

This castle was one of 100 towers that once stretched across the Liddesdale Valley. These towers were home to the Elliott and Armstrong clans. Well worth a visit. You then continue on past the castle towards the A7. The route climbs high passing Cauldcleuch Head to the north which peaks at over 2000 feet. It then follows the valley of Carewoodrig Burn down to the A7.

The route then heads south to Langholm where you can stop at Whitshiels Cafe for lunch. I would advise that you book a table at peak holiday times as it is very popular. Well worth a stop as the food is always excellent!The route then climbs a steep single track road up to Whita Hill, the MacDiarmid Memorial and a steep path up to the Malcolm Monument with a spectacular view of Langholm nestled in the valley.

The road then continues across undulating moorland to the Holm Hill and a descent back into Copshaw Holm.

This route  firstly takes in the biggest fort and longest section of Hadrians Wall at Birdoswald which also has a great visitor centre. You then head to the Cafe at Lanercost Priory for lunch.

The walk up the gorge in Gelt Woods then takes you to one of the main sources of the stone used to build Hadrians Wall. The drive then swings back to Copshaw Holm stopping for a drink at the Michelin starred Pentonbridge Inn.