A road trip to Scotland offers stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences, but with such a long journey ahead, choosing the right place to stopover and split up your journey can make all the difference.
In this blog, we’ll help you plan your route north and reveal why Heather Glen Country House in Cumbria is the ultimate stopover on your Scotland road trip.
Travelling to Scotland
With beautiful scenery, incredible attractions and welcoming towns and villages, Scotland has all the essential elements for an unforgettable driving holiday. All you need is a vehicle, an awesome playlist and some great company. There are many motorway networks to Scotland’s great cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Stirling, but further north you’ll find yourself driving on mostly A roads. There are still some single-track roads which are mostly found on the islands.
There are many ways to travel to Scotland. Flying from England is the fastest way to reach Scotland. Alternatively, ferries run from Amsterdam to Newcastle, which is about 120 miles from Edinburgh. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are well connected by frequent direct train services from London and other major English cities. Driving from England is also an option.
Why break the journey to Scotland?
A road trip to Scotland from London takes approximately 7 to 9 hours, depending on your final destination. While the scenery can be lovely, long drives can be exhausting and dangerous if you’re not careful. Instead of rushing to your destination, why not make the journey part of the adventure with an overnight stopover?
Breaking up your journey gives you the chance to rest, recharge and avoid that dreaded driver fatigue. Plus, it turns what could be a monotonous slog into an adventure, allowing you to enjoy different parts of the country along the way. A stopover should be more than just a place to sleep – it’s a chance to explore hidden gems, unwind in a new setting and experience something different.
Why stay at Heather Glen Country House?
Location
Located in the Eden Valley on the edge of the Lake District National Park, close to the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines Natural Landscape, Heather Glen offers the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. Just 14 miles north of Penrith and 14 miles south of Carlisle, it is the ideal place to spend a night or two on your journey to Scotland and a perfect base to explore the surrounding area (although there is certainly enough here to entertain you for longer.)
Simply exit the M6 at junction 41 and take the A6 towards Armathwaite, then continue on to the village of Ainstable where you will find us.
Accommodation
From campsites and caravan parks to cosy cottages and exclusive hotels, accommodation options are plentiful in the Lake District. For those looking for a place to rest their head for a single night on their journey north, there are numerous benefits to staying in a hotel including a warm, hearty breakfast and a friendly farewell to see you on your way.
Heather Glen comprises nine individually styled, ensuite bedrooms of which there are accessible and dog-friendly options, ensuring a comfortable stay for every guest. For a little extra privacy or a longer stopover there is also a self-catering cottage, The Retreat, in the field adjacent to Heather Glen Country House. From here you immediately look out on to open field, then paddocks with our gorgeous Golden Guernsey goats. With two ensuite bedrooms, The Retreat is ideally suited for families, friends and couples, and the perfect place to stay on your route to Scotland.
All stays at Heather Glen include a tasty home-cooked breakfast, and our restaurant serves dinner across the weekends.
Food and drink
You might be surprised to hear that the rural county of Cumbria is home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK outside of London, making it a firmly established destination for food lovers. But if fine dining isn’t what you’re looking for, there’s a plethora of casual dining pubs and cafés scattered across the county’s villages, so you’re never far from good food wherever you stay in the region.
At Heather Glen, dining is a celebration of English country cuisine, rooted by our ethos of serving excellent, hearty dishes with warm, friendly service. Our chefs take great pride in preparing meals using the finest locally sourced ingredients, and with a menu that changes daily and reflects the best of each season, there’s something to suit every taste.
For guests staying several nights, nearby Armathwaite also offers a handful of welcoming country pubs, ideal for a relaxed bite.
Activities
Whether you’re travelling with your family, your partner, or solo, the area around Heather Glen offers plenty to fill an afternoon or entire day.
During your stay, why not explore all that the nearby Lake District has to offer? This area is home to some of England’s most spectacular and inspiring natural beauty, and its offering of activities is broad enough to satisfy every interest and ability. Climb England’s highest mountains, take a cruise on one of the lakes or learn about the many famous literary figures who were inspired by the region. What about quad-biking, paddle-boarding or a tree top adventure at Go Ape?
Further north is Hadrian’s Wall, the ancient frontier of the Roman Empire and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kids and adults alike will love exploring the ancient Roman forts, where they can walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers and see fascinating artefacts. If history is your thing, it’s a great place to spend a morning or afternoon to break up your journey north.
Whether you choose to do a little or a lot, you’ll return to a comfortable bed, a hot meal and a warm welcome at Heather Glen.
It’s a lot of work but planning a Scotland road trip is brilliant fun and we can’t wait to welcome you and be a part of that journey. Perfect for a staycation near the Lakes, a stopover on the way to Scotland, popping in for a delicious meal or hosting a family get-together, make Heather Glen Country House your destination for an unforgettable stay.
