Motorbike Tours

The National Parks Tour 2017

Trip to the 6 national parks in the UK. Crossing at Hook of Holland to Harwich then heading north into the Dales, Peaks, Lakes, Scottish Borders, and returning via the North York Moors national park. 5 days riding with 4 nights in superb English country pubs.

Day 1 Harwich to the Peaks

After a good breakfast at the Premier Inn outside the ferry port we headed into Suffolk through beautiful pink housed villages. Traffic was a bit heavy due to rush hour but soon we were well on our way and heading up through the home counties. Lunch stop was at the Berkeley Arms in Wymondham just outside Melton Mowbray. Great pub with excellent sandwiches and they even had a cosy parlour where we were able to sit quietly and relax with all our gear. Really appreciative to the landlord for that! Final destination was the Manifold Inn at Hulme end. Great location with comfortable rooms in the outbuildings of the pub. Food and pub were fine although a bit busy due to there being a large campsite just opposite. All the same, a comfortable night and ready for day 2.

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Day 2 - Hulme End to Winster

Regrettably Saturday was a bit on the wet side. Leaving Hulme End and heading north through the Peaks and Dales we were hampered by low cloud and rain. Passing over Snake Pass and the Dales did not offer the fantastic views we had hoped for. Only right at the end of our trip arriving in the Lakes did it dry up and the sun came out.

Despite damp riding we arrived at our destination - The Brown Horse, in Winster early evening in time for a few beers. Accommodation was excellent. Great rooms and a very busy pub with very good food. Well worth a visit especially if your keen on getting away from the tourist hotspots and Ullswater Windemere which are just up the road. Great food & rest and ready for day 3.

Day 3 - Winster to Seahouses

Weather was perfect. Blue skies and a few picturesque clouds as we packed up and headed north into the Lakes. Up along Windemere and over to Ullswater past fantastic scenery heading further north towards the Scottish border. We crossed just west of Kielder Forrest and headed north towards Hawich. East along great sweeping roads (A7) towards Jedburgh,

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Flodden Field and then dipping down towards the Northumberland Coast. Temperatures had risen substantially by the time we arrived in Seahouses of stop for the night. Overnight stop was the Olde Ship at Seahouses. Amazingly quaint pub with equally spectacular rooms, great food and superb views.Their website simply does not do it justice but judging by the crowds in the beer garden when we arrived advertisement is the least of their problems. After a great dinner, wander along the harbour wall we retired for the evening.

Day 4 - Seahouses to Levisham

Sad to leave Seahouses and the Old Ship but our tour had to continue to the next destination. Driving south West into the Pennines we headed towards an old familiar stop at the Rose and Crown Romaldkirk for lunch. Weather along the road was again spectacular, warm but also breezy as we headed over the Pennines. After lunch the road took us further south into the North York Moors national park to the Horseshoe Inn at Levisham. The pub is one of my favourites for many reasons, The food is excellent, the location very peaceful and the accommodation perfect. Seems the rest of the Group agreed and this came a close second on our tour only to Seahouses. After a great dinner and short walk through the village off to sleep and ready for the final leg of the tour.

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Day 5 - Levisham to Hull Ferry

Weather for the last day again superb. bright sunshine, blue skies and breezy. Perfect riding conditions. We set up back into the National park heading north and then West in a big loop around the Park. Heading South East past Castle Howard, through Beverley and out towards the Coast. Heading down the Coats to Spurn Point for a last stop before heading back to the Ferry.