Sightseeing between the Cotswolds and York
Jun 27th, 2013, 09:41 PM
#1
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Sightseeing between the Cotswolds and York
My husband and I have been talking about taking our drive from the Cotswolds to York at a leisurely pace. We were wondering if anyone could give us a scenic route or ideas of places to stop along the way. We love smaller roads and seeing little towns vs high speed bland highways. We have driven in Europe many times (thought not on the "wrong" side of the road), so we are not fearful of the unexpected. We've had some of our most memorable times getting "lost" or leaving the beaten track. So if we plan on leaving by 9:00 in the morning and intend to arrive in York by around 5:00 , does that enable us to have some experiences along the way? Appreciate any and all ideas!
Jun 27th, 2013, 10:03 PM
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"So if we plan on leaving by 9:00 in the morning and intend to arrive in York by around 5:00 , does that enable us to have some experiences along the way? "
No.
From the "Cotswolds start here" sign outside Woodstock, it's really difficult to get to York in less than 4 hours - using the "high speed bland highways" you reject. From the closest point (Chipping Campden)maybe 3.5 hrs.
Most of the "smaller roads and...little towns" en route are suburban streets in post-industrial conurbations. Venture into them and you'll acquire interesting historical lessons about how to handle (or, in some cases, not) the move of manufacturing to less privileged societies. But that might not be what you're coming here for.
The ONLY strategy, to my mind, is to bypass the sprawl, sticking to the straightforward M40, M42, A42, M1, A1(M) motorway system. Use the time you save for getting lost in the Cotswolds or around York before or after.
En route you come near Warwick, Stratford, Harrogate and Knaresborough, all briefly visitable within a couple of hours (but never underestimate the time it takes to park in a small English town.) You come nearish Chatsworth: you can't visit it in the timeframe you've mentioned, but if you're happy to arrive at York a couple of hours later, Chatsworth is in lovely scenery and the drives between it and the M1 are mostly exhilarating.
Otherwise: do not succumb to the temptation of cross-country driving this route on smaller roads. It's a dismal, frustrating, and fiendishly time-consuming horror.
No.
From the "Cotswolds start here" sign outside Woodstock, it's really difficult to get to York in less than 4 hours - using the "high speed bland highways" you reject. From the closest point (Chipping Campden)maybe 3.5 hrs.
Most of the "smaller roads and...little towns" en route are suburban streets in post-industrial conurbations. Venture into them and you'll acquire interesting historical lessons about how to handle (or, in some cases, not) the move of manufacturing to less privileged societies. But that might not be what you're coming here for.
The ONLY strategy, to my mind, is to bypass the sprawl, sticking to the straightforward M40, M42, A42, M1, A1(M) motorway system. Use the time you save for getting lost in the Cotswolds or around York before or after.
En route you come near Warwick, Stratford, Harrogate and Knaresborough, all briefly visitable within a couple of hours (but never underestimate the time it takes to park in a small English town.) You come nearish Chatsworth: you can't visit it in the timeframe you've mentioned, but if you're happy to arrive at York a couple of hours later, Chatsworth is in lovely scenery and the drives between it and the M1 are mostly exhilarating.
Otherwise: do not succumb to the temptation of cross-country driving this route on smaller roads. It's a dismal, frustrating, and fiendishly time-consuming horror.
Jun 27th, 2013, 11:23 PM
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While Flanner is right about timings and the attractiveness of any small towns en route, could I suggest you consider stopping at Hardwick Hall. It is in North Derbyshire just off the M1 motorway.
Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan mansion with an older castle in its grounds. Created by Bess of Hardwick, who led an interesting life, it is architecturally interesting because of the amount of glass used at this early date. It is not too big to require an all-day visit.
It is owned by the National Trust, so if you are members a visit costs nothing extra, and it has a cafe where you can get lunch.
Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan mansion with an older castle in its grounds. Created by Bess of Hardwick, who led an interesting life, it is architecturally interesting because of the amount of glass used at this early date. It is not too big to require an all-day visit.
It is owned by the National Trust, so if you are members a visit costs nothing extra, and it has a cafe where you can get lunch.
Jun 27th, 2013, 11:28 PM
#5
Yep - flanner about sums up the situation. You either take the motorways and get it out of the way - OR - you need to take a couple of days to meander through some scenic bits and major stops.
A straight drive up to Chatsworth and then straight (well - as straight as you'll find in England) drive to York would be a FULL but doable day. About 4.5-5 hours 'car time' plus about 3 hours at Chatsworth including lunch.
A straight drive up to Chatsworth and then straight (well - as straight as you'll find in England) drive to York would be a FULL but doable day. About 4.5-5 hours 'car time' plus about 3 hours at Chatsworth including lunch.
Jun 27th, 2013, 11:33 PM
#6
didn't see chartley's post. Yes, Hardwick Hall is terrific. You <i>could</i> manage both Hardwick and Chatsworth since they are near each other. I have twice visited both houses on drives between York and Warwickshire/the Cotswolds. The day will be VERY long - but doable if you get an early start.
But no meandering . . .
But no meandering . . .
Jun 28th, 2013, 08:19 AM
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Thanks for all of the great info. I am curious about the Peak District. Is that something you see or "go thru" if you take the motorways? I assume it's not a place that we would stop, but just view from the car. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Jun 28th, 2013, 09:33 AM
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You don't see anything of the Peak District from the M1 ("Peaks" here does not mean mountain but is Old English for hilly moorland). Leaving the M1 at J29 will take you through Chesterfield (of the ridiculous spire) and onto Chatsworth in about 25 minutes.
Jun 28th, 2013, 09:39 AM
#9
soods, one problem for us is that we have no context for your query. how much time do you have overall? is this a short trip with only a couple of days in each of the Cotswolds and York and one day to travel between them, or do you have time to meander should you wish for a few days in between?
and what time of year are we talking about? what is feasible in June/July may be almost impossible in February.
and what time of year are we talking about? what is feasible in June/July may be almost impossible in February.
Jun 28th, 2013, 11:06 AM
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Well, I happen to live in Derby which qualifies as between the Cotswolds and York in this context at least. A good weekend for me would involve one day walking in the Peaks.
I agree with the others that use the Motorways to get from A to B and decide what you want to see along the way.
Chatsworth is a nice suggestion. You could look at the house and do a walk or tour the house.
http://www.chatsworth.org/
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04...hatsworth.html
Hardwick Halls, old and new, are adjacent and easily reached from the M1. You could also combine that, time permitting, with Bolsover Castle
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01...-old-hall.html
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09...-hardwick.html
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...lsover-castle/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick/
Another nice, albeit less historic, stop is the Yorkshire Sculpture Garden:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03...-national.html
http://www.ysp.co.uk/
Or if you fancy a walk rather than sites, you could try something like Ladybower Reservoir in the Dark Peak:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04...reservoir.html
Plenty more on my blog if you have a few hours (days?) to kill:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk
I agree with the others that use the Motorways to get from A to B and decide what you want to see along the way.
Chatsworth is a nice suggestion. You could look at the house and do a walk or tour the house.
http://www.chatsworth.org/
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04...hatsworth.html
Hardwick Halls, old and new, are adjacent and easily reached from the M1. You could also combine that, time permitting, with Bolsover Castle
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01...-old-hall.html
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09...-hardwick.html
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...lsover-castle/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick/
Another nice, albeit less historic, stop is the Yorkshire Sculpture Garden:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03...-national.html
http://www.ysp.co.uk/
Or if you fancy a walk rather than sites, you could try something like Ladybower Reservoir in the Dark Peak:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04...reservoir.html
Plenty more on my blog if you have a few hours (days?) to kill:
http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk
Jun 28th, 2013, 08:03 PM
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Again, thank you for all the suggestions. I must do my research by reading these websites and blogs, and then decide. We do only have a few days in each spot, so I bet most of you will think it best to stay a little longer in the Costwolds and/or arrive a little earlier in York...and I believe you know best
Jun 29th, 2013, 05:15 AM
#13
soods - on the contrary, the drive through the Peak district with a night in the middle would make a great way to link the two parts of your trip - and be a lot nicer than bombing up the motorway.
But i wouldn't stay in Derby. [sorry, Indy_dad] Matlock is a lovely place, and very convenient for the M1. you could stay there for the night and then head back to the motorway via Chatsworth.
But i wouldn't stay in Derby. [sorry, Indy_dad] Matlock is a lovely place, and very convenient for the M1. you could stay there for the night and then head back to the motorway via Chatsworth.
Jun 29th, 2013, 07:37 AM
#15
If you can do the drive in two days - terrific. Very nice and no motorways required (maybe short bits depending on where exactly you go).
Your original post indicated you wanted to do it in one day and get to York by late afternoon. That is entirely different.
Your original post indicated you wanted to do it in one day and get to York by late afternoon. That is entirely different.
Jun 29th, 2013, 08:27 PM
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Yes janisj, you're correct, we really need to do it in one day. We could arrive later than planned if it's really worth gong into Chatsworth or other places that were recommended. We can handle a longer day, but don't want to stop if you think otherwise.
Jun 29th, 2013, 10:10 PM
#17
W/ one day - you can get an early start, drive straight to Chatsworth and then on directly to York. Avoiding motorways that is about 175 miles / 5.5 hours 'car time'. (Using a bit of motorway makes the mileage slightly farther/and maybe 45 mins faster)
W/ 2.5 or so hours at Chatsworth including lunch in the cafe, you are talking 8 hours to York.
W/ 2.5 or so hours at Chatsworth including lunch in the cafe, you are talking 8 hours to York.
Jun 30th, 2013, 09:28 PM
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I'm still a bit confused about the peak district. Is Chastworth in it? Is it far off the motorway? What exactly are we taking about? Is it some place you spend a day or more, or can enjoy as you drive? I read what Havana128 said, but that was unclear as well. Is Chesterfield in the Peak District? Help!
Jun 30th, 2013, 09:38 PM
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soods -- maps.google.com
the big green blob between Manchester and Sheffield is the Peak District
Chatsworth is in the Peak District; Chesterfield is not (nor is it all that exciting)
Chatsworth is about 30 minutes from the motorway. It is a great big house and gardens. It is not a drive by (nor is it necessarily easy to drive by). Think of it as a mini-Versailles (wanna be) in the UK countryside.
Scroll back up to the links I posted above on Chatsworth and our walks in the area.
Hardwick Hall (2 sites, old and new) and Bolsover Castle are much closer to M1. Though perhaps not as grand as Chatsworth (nor in the Peak District) they would be easier/quicker to reach. All depends on what you want to do. (Links provided to those above as well).
Do you want to "see" the Peak Distict? a large manor home? a ruined one? a castle? get out for a walk? etc.
the big green blob between Manchester and Sheffield is the Peak District
Chatsworth is in the Peak District; Chesterfield is not (nor is it all that exciting)
Chatsworth is about 30 minutes from the motorway. It is a great big house and gardens. It is not a drive by (nor is it necessarily easy to drive by). Think of it as a mini-Versailles (wanna be) in the UK countryside.
Scroll back up to the links I posted above on Chatsworth and our walks in the area.
Hardwick Hall (2 sites, old and new) and Bolsover Castle are much closer to M1. Though perhaps not as grand as Chatsworth (nor in the Peak District) they would be easier/quicker to reach. All depends on what you want to do. (Links provided to those above as well).
Do you want to "see" the Peak Distict? a large manor home? a ruined one? a castle? get out for a walk? etc.
