Cheers everyone,

having travelled through Eastern Europe last year, we have on rather short notice kicked the idea to ride to Turkey because it will be too hot for the kids riding pillion (we had 40 degrees in Romania last year already). So it´s Britannia this year, three weeks from around 15 July onwards.
I´ve been repeatedly travelling to the UK, hiking in Scotland in 1983, having studied a term at Guildford University in 1989 and now having business partners in London, Newcastle and Southampton. I´m comfy with driving on the "wrong" side, and Missus (with her Transalp) has decided to be tough as nails and try it, too. The boys are 14 and 15.

The ultimate destination are the Scottish Highlands, however, we do not intend to enter the iron butt association anytime soon and want to enjoy the travel, relax in between, hopefully spend some time at the coast and do not more than about 250km / day. We think about making landfall somewhere in the southeast, e.g. by Eurotunnel or ferry, travel up rather on the western coast (never been there),
However, I do not want to spend much time crossing bigger cities with much traffic or travelling on the Motorway, but rather take the countryside roads looking for Miss Marple and Lord Peter, so if anyone of you could give us some hints on where to go (nice landscapes, scenic coastal tours, moors....) what not to miss (museums, exhibitions, architecture, bike meetings, whatever) and where to stay (campsites, wild camping, B&B, national park campgrounds) we´ll be utterly grateful, thank you very much.
Best regards
Chris

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Simon weir of ride mag just produced a book about great british roads to ride britans best biking roads is about 8 quid on line will give you some ideas.
Ferry from Rotterdam to Hull overnight 4 berth cabin leaves you in the North and not too far from Scotland.
Loads of great places to explore coastal or in land dont stop in Hull (not the nicest place).
Scotland Oban is nice with some great roads about just done a week up there (it will rain at somenpoint).
If your not in a hurry stay off the motorways inhabited by the worst of the uks drivers.
Be prepared for expensive fuel and food.
Hope you enjoy it.

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I would suggest taking some time passing through Yorkshire, the peak district, the dales and then North Yorkshire - the forgotten gem of England.

Thanks so much guys, tremendously helpful. I´ll order the book on Amazon.co.uk, where it has received amazing reviews already.
Would you have any recommendation for a good set of maps, possibly a set of motorcyle maps, suitable for tankbag tops?
Thanks, best regards
Chris

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There is a lot to go for, just as there is in Germany.
Look up "national parks" for the scenic bits and "the national trust" for the historic properties.
As others have posted, avoid the industrial areas (but you know that from having been places already).

Maps: there are lots of these - you could pick up a road atlas on the ferry on the way over.

The weather here is "prima" right now (with all the bad rainfall in central Europe) but it can't last! Expect some rain, especially in Scotland where it knows how to rain at any time of the year.

ps Also "English Heritage" - it is likely that there is also a "Scottish Heritage"

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Dave

If I am travelling in Scotland and not camping this is where I look for accommodation
Hostelling Scotland|Scottish Independent Hostels|SIH

UK fuel prices are not much different to Europe unless you head to the Scottish Highlands and then they are high nearly has high as The Netherlands.

Having used Euro Tunnel for the first time last week I would recommend it as a convenient crossing but its in the south and you have to somehow get around London and its VERY busy, if its possible try a northern crossing as mentioned Zeebruge or Ijmuiden but you need to take a cabin on the Ijmuiden/Newcastle crossing which is expensive but its gets you to the North instantly. Not far from Yorkshire, Northumberland & Scotland.

Three weeks you could easily manage on short days a trip to the North then over to Orkney History, scenery, bird life, great food, it even boasts a World Heritage Site.

Scenic coastal is the West Coast of Scotland, you could easily use up a whole SD card on photos on this road even the North coast is quite beautiful.

The Northumberland Coast from Berwick Upon Tweed to Newcastle is very nice also with beaches and castles to visit.

I can also guarantee no 40 degree heat in Scotland it would be nice once in a while but it aint ever gonna happen.

Hope you have a great trip and if you need specific Scotland info I am in the North East near to Royal Deeside and the whisky distillery area, not that whisky & bikes go together just PM me.

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Try best biking roads app on mobile phone or on the internet allows you too look at differnt areas and shows.you maps of the routes with reviews of roads scenery road type and police presence I find it useful.
I think Simons Weirs book has maps in it and is laminated it is small enough to fit in a tank nag. Hope this helps

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:-( looking for the app mentioned, and all I get told its not available in the Uk app store at the moment.

But I have found an app called Greatest Road, its loaded up and now away to have a look at it. Cheers for the app info

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Only dead fish go with the flow

Great further ideas, thanks everyone!
The app is available in the German Play Store, however I´m so fed up with electronic gadgets. Whilst I probably bring the Garmin, my main source of information are good old-fashioned roadmaps. Having to play around with my android will just ruin my vacation :-)

Thanks again, cheers
Chris

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As long as you stay away from the super highways, GB is full of nice roads, people and villages, but stay away from the cities. I would ride from Dover around the West Coast through Cornwall, Wales and up the Lake district to the North and Scotland. If you are on the West coast, the distances into the Highlands are very small and you can zigzag through Scotland. By all means go all the way to the northernmost part and, if you have the time, over to the Orkneys or Shetland. The Hebrides are a must! Then run down the East cost and back over from Newcastle or Hull.

Hi Keks

If you contact in advance the communities in places you plan to visit, you will not only be able to benefit from local knowledge, but may well be able to camp in a garden or three for nothing.

Regards, Mick