A Nice Place To Visit

[scoobysoo]

Hello. My partner and I are heading up to Edinburgh from Cheltenham at the end of the month. Firstly, can anyone recommend a nice town/city to stop off for a day on the way up and also a cheap hotel. Secondly, can anyone recommend a more luxurious hotel in Edinburgh that offers a really great breakfast. Cheers

[Buenchico]

Assuming that your route will be M5 > M6 > A704 > A702, the place which I'd recommend for a stopover would have to be Lancaster:
http://www.visitlancaster.co.uk/
It's a lovely city to explore but, if you want the best accommodation bargains, you should stay just a few miles down the road in Morecambe.

Chris

[Drisgirl]

Edinburgh has a wealth of luxury hotels.Depends how long you are staying.The Caledonian is gorgeous and is on the corner of Rutland St and Princes St (my son lives in Rutland St so I have seen it and its gorgeous).I has views over The Castle.Its keenly priced for a night or two for a 6 star.Balmoral Hotel - hearsay says its the top in luxury and I have spent a week at my companies expense at The George which was magnificent - just a two minute walk from Princes St.

I would suggest getting in touch with th Tourist Board with your budget and they will be all too happy to help you.

Sorry cant help for the stopover - apart from Berwick - on Tweed which is delightful but not really too far from Edinburgh - although on the border.Not familiar with the road you would be taking.

Anyway you will love Edinburgh supposing you havent been before.Its enchanting and has everything and more.Scotlands best kept secret!!!

[nickmo]

Suggest driving route is M5, M6, then M74.

Then take turning to Edinburgh / Moffatt (signed as tourist route to Edinburgh off M74) (and buy a bucket of Moffatt Toffee from the Toffee Shop by the way - brilliant old fashioned stuff - but buy it loose in a bag - cheaper than the touristy tins).

This is shorter and prettier drive than A702. Takes you past the Devils Beef Tub, and through the source of the Tweed and some lovely Borders countryside.

On route, depends how far you want to go before stopping. Stay nearer the border at Keswick - off the direct journey by 20 miles but nice lakeland town. Signed off M6. Bit further up stay at Moffatt as above. 50 miles short of Edinburgh, so drive in 1 day and finish trip the next with a short 'hop'.

Carlisle is quite nice to visit and may suit as well before you get to the border - castle, shopping, river, historic town etc. 90 miles from Edinburgh, or try Gretna and get married over the anvil and a good shopping village there now too!

Check Edinburgh tourist info as above http://www.edinburgh.org/ Boutique hotels like the Osbourne or Channings or the Howard are good. The site has a few deals anyway so see what suits the pocket. Site has info on restaurants and attractions of course.