| Important Information about London to Edinburgh Trip Via West Route | |
|---|---|
| Duration of Trip | 3-5 Days |
| Best Time to visit | Mar-Nov |
| Type of Trip | Road Trip |
| Total Distance | 647.4 km |
| What is Edinburgh Famous for | History, Architecture, & Castles |
Best Itinerary for London to Edinburgh Road Trip
London and Edinburgh are two of England’s most popular cities. These two amazing capitals are very different, but both offer loads of great attractions with fun activities for visitors. If you don’t know what the hype is all about, then perhaps this London to Edinburgh through the west coast is certainly for you.
If you are planning to visit both cities on your UK trip, you may be wondering how to get from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland? To help answer that question, we have put together a complete guide on how to get from London to Edinburgh and what are the best places in between where you can eat or stay.
In this post, we have shared the ultimate London to Edinburgh itinerary for those who chose the drive-through west. This route is full of scenic places. London to Edinburgh via this route can take up to 10-11 hours, so plan a trip for 3-5 days. You can also opt for a train, but renting a car will give more control to explore the beautiful places in between.
Full Itinerary for London to Edinburgh Road Trip by Car Rental
Pick-up Location from London Airport
Road trips can be best explored by being on your own, therefore renting a car is an ideal option for you. You can pick-up your car hire from Heathrow London Airport, London downtown, or any other city location and commence on your journey. The following are some of the locations/attractions that you can check out on your way to Edinburgh.
1. Visit Historical Places of Oxford
- 89.9 km from London via M40
Located an hour west of London, Oxford is both a city and a University full of history. You can make your first stop here to visit Oxford University, which is the second-oldest in the world and many movies have been filmed there such as the Harry Potter series.
One of the most famous colleges in Oxford is Christ Church College, which is also the most popular Harry Potter film location. The Christ Church great hall is the filming location for the Hogwarts dining hall. You can visit all these locations and more here. It is also worth visiting the Christ Church picture gallery museum as it is one of the best museums in Oxford. You can visit the Secret Garden, the Monk’s Garden, the White Border, and the woodlands on this beautiful estate.
Best Places to Eat in Oxford
- Arbequina: popular for Spanish tapas
- The Folly Restaurant: modern British restaurant with a terrace
Where to Park your car in Oxford:
- Oxford Car Park
- St Giles
Nearby Petrol Stations:
- Shell: Open until 10:00 pm
- BP: Open 24 hours
Best Places to Stay in Oxford:
- Westgate Hotel: casual rooms with free breakfast
- Royal Oxford Hotel: classic rooms with a Korean breakfast
2. Get a chance to visit Stratford-upon-Avon
- 85.5 km from Oxford via M40
On your London to Edinburgh drive, Stratford-upon-Avon would be an excellent stop. Obviously, Shakespeare is the main focus in Stratford-upon-Avon. So, spend some time visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace, his mother Mary Arden’s farm, and the iconic Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Stratford-upon-Avon is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves both Shakespeare and British history. You can also buy tickets in advance here. While strolling down the streets, you can see some truly historic architecture from Tudor to Jacobean and Victorian homes.
One can find plenty of fabulous restaurants here serving everything from the great british afternoon tea to vegan delights.
Best Places to Eat in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Lambs: old restaurant with an extensive menu
- Loxleys Restaurant & Wine Bar: serve Fish & grill
Where to Park your car in Stratford-upon-Avon:
- Arden Street Car Park
- Swans Nest Lane Car Park
Nearby Petrol Stations:
- Shell: Open 24 hours
- Texaco Tollhouse Garage
Best Places to Stayin Stratford-upon-Avon :
- DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon: 4-Star hotel
- Mercure Stratford upon Avon Shakespeare Hotel: casual rooms with dining & bar
3. Spend sometime in Warwickshire
- 29.3 km from Stratford-upon-Avon via Banbury Rd/A422
Take a small detour and drive for about 20 min on route A422. Almost halfway in between London and Edinburgh is a beautiful town called Warwick. It is a small town located on the River Avon in England’s west coast region. The place is known for its medieval Warwick castle, which is founded by William the Conqueror. The other attractions that you can visit here are St Nicholas’ Park, St Mary’s Church, and St John’s house.
4. Discover lake district
- 297.2 km from Warwickshire via M6
The Lake District is a mecca for hikers, climbers, and all outdoor adventurers alike, making it one of the most popular rural escapes in the UK and a fantastic place to stop on the London to Edinburgh drive. The national park is famed for its peaks as well as its namesake lakes, with stunning vistas at seemingly every turn.
If you want a full day of hitting the hillsides or just a mild stroll to work off your lunch, it’s a great spot for some fresh air. As well as walking around the epic landscapes, another great way to explore the Lake District is by taking to the water.
The Lake District isn’t all about the great outdoors, however, there are plenty of options for luxury escapism and sight see-ers alike!
Best Places to Eat around Lake District
- Levens Kitchen: serves Drinks and cakes
- No.3 Curry House: Indian Restaurant
Where to Park your car near Lake District:
- Kendal Bowman Car Park
- Ferry Nab Parking
Nearby Petrol Stations:
- BP: Open until 10:00 pm
- Texaco UK Open 24 hours
Best Places to Stay near Lake District:
- Travelodge Kendal: budget hotel with free parking
- Gilpin Bridge Inn: en-suite guest rooms & pub
6 Don’t Miss to See Hadrian’s Wall
- 59.3 km from Lake District via M6
Hadrian’s Wall is an ancient Roman wall built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the second century CE. It is the most famous Roman site in Britain and should not be missed. Given that the wall runs all along the length of northern England from east to west, it would be difficult not to visit it on a drive from London to Edinburgh, no matter which route you take.
If you have more time to spare, you could head west and explore some of the more famous sights such as Chester’s Fort, Housesteads Fort, and Milecastle 42.
Best Places to Eat near Hadrian’s Wall
- Milecastle Inn: serves vegan, gluten-free, and pub meal
- The Samson Inn: serves burgers & beers
Where to Park your car near Hadrian’s Wall
- Steel Rigg Car Park
- Hadrian’s wall once brewed parking
Nearby Petrol Stations:
- Low Row Service Station: Open 24 hours
- Gulf: Open 24 hours
Top Places to Stay near Hadrian’s Wall:
- Centre of Britain Hotel: classic rooms in an 18th-century inn
- Howard Arms Hotel: traditional rooms with a restaurant
6 Explore Medieval Old Towns in Edinburgh
- 180.6 km from Lake District via A702
Edinburgh is a fantastic city with the gothic and medieval architecture of the Old Town, the castle peeking out at you from different parts of the city, and the bagpipes being played in the streets, you will quickly fall for this place.
The fact that Scotland’s capital is so historically rich and beautiful makes it an ideal addition to a UK trip itinerary. The twisting cobblestone streets of its Old Town offer picturesque medieval charm, which is compared by the New Town, the very embodiment of Georgian style. There is culture and history around every corner, and the list of Edinburgh attractions is a long one.
Top attractions that you can see here are Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles’ Cathedral, National Museum of Scotland, and much more.
Best Places to Eat in Medieval Old Towns
- Martone: Italian cafe
- The Peruvian: specializes in Peruvian cuisine
Where to Park your car in Medieval Old Towns
- Q-Park OMNI
- Edinburgh Parking
Nearby Petrol Stations:
- BP: Open 24 hours
- Sainsbury’s Petrol Station: Open until 11:30 pm
Best Places to Stay in Medieval Old Towns
- Cityroomz Edinburgh: budget hotel with breakfast
- Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket: a luxury hotel in the city center