Whether you need to take a short break or just leave the space for a day trip, taking the wheel can be the best opportunity to explore your area. Durham, in the northeast, is a city steeped in history and culture, but with vast expanses of herbal goodness surrounding it. Here are five itineraries that promise eye-catching scenery along the way.
Driving time from Durham city centre: 23 minutes
Exploring the Heritage Coast is one of Durham’s most popular activities for both tourists and locals.
Although this is done on foot, the coastal prospects can also be admired from the comfort of your car.
From Horden, drivers can take a number of directions to Seaham City Beach, with many car car parks heading to prevent and breathe the new sea air.
Alternatively, park your car and put on your shoes for the walking experience.
The adventure itself is, of course, shorter than the walk that takes about 23 minutes to get from Horden to Seaham.
Meanwhile, walkers can venture 12 miles of walking trails.
If you park once in Seaham, there are plenty of activities to do, from a stroll along the beautiful beaches of the city’s old mine to sampling a delicious ice cream from the iconic Lickety Split Creamery.
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Driving time from Durham city centre: 29 minutes
This scenic direction will take you past a number of landmarks, adding Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s monument.
Traveling 30 miles, the amazing greenery and sweets provide a picturesque backdrop for the trip.
The one-way deserves about 26 minutes.
The credit for this is that there are many opportunities to park and stretch your legs along the way.
Travelers will start at Darlington Brick Train, a brick sculpture on the outskirts of Darlington.
Then they’ll venture into Roseberry Topping, one of North Yorkshire’s unique top hills near Great Ayton.
Climb to the most sensible and appreciate the view from the edge of the cliff that protrudes from the hill.
You can also soak up history at whitby’s former merchant sailor’s monument, Captain Cook, also in Great Ayton.
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Driving time from Durham city centre: 46 minutes (to Middleton-in-Teesdale)
Popular with hikers and cyclists, Durham Dales also offers many sailing routes with stunning views.
Part of the North Pennines region of remarkable herbal beauty, the vast expanse of landscape lies west of Country Durham and promises deep valleys, hills and abundant wildlife.
It covers about a third of the county, so, as you can imagine, there’s a lot to do along the way.
Durham Dales also houses two official cities “Walkers Are Welcome”: Middleton-in-Teesdale and Wolsingham, which offer a number of comfortable pubs and antique tea rooms to prevent and refuel.
Because there are so many roads that cross the area, it is difficult to set a time limit for adventure time.
However, it also provides many opportunities, from a quick 20-minute trip to a full day of exploration.
Driving time from Durham city centre: one hour and 24 minutes
Venture into Cumbria and Northumberland for breathtaking views.
Traveling 294 miles along the A686, explorers can appreciate what has been described as “one of Britain’s roads.”
The vast panoramic roads give way to stunning nature, while rural roads offer a fun driving experience.
Penrith is a city in the Eden Valley, in the history and house of a 14th-century castle whose city has its name.
To the north is Beacon Hill, an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs and appreciate some prospects from the top.
Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, is a picturesque village located in the countryside.
It offers plenty of surrounding terrain ideal for walking and houses a number of local shops and restaurants.
Driving time from Durham city centre: one hour and 25 minutes
Although visitors will head to North Yorkshire for this, it is said to be one of the most impressive itineraries in the north of England.
In fact, Thwaite’s to Hawes is so appreciated that it has been hailed by former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson as “the only truly impressive road in England,” despite lasting about 15 minutes.
The journey lasts just over five miles, but offers a diversity of fast climbs, wide descents and sudden turns, making it an exclusive driving pleasure, not for the shy.
However, the landscape is the biggest attraction.
The Buttertubs Pass is the main road, the road winds in front of the notorious 20-meter-deep limestone potholes nicknamed Buttertubs.
Once you arrive in Hawes, why park and appreciate the local environment?
The domain is known for its cheese, as it is on the border of Wensleydale.