Alternative to A66?

[Ingwe]

We aim to go to Dumfries and Galloway from York. We plan to take one or two nights to get to Dumfries, hoping to use Brit Stops or places on Search for Sites etc. We’d planned on using the A66 but there are few Brit Stops or informal stops beyond Bowes. So we are looking at the A684 as an alternative as there seem to be more options. Is this a suitable alternative to the A66?

 

[Stealaway]

A59 - A65 - M6?

I also hate the A66

 

[Rudski01]

A69 but loads of roadworks at the metro centre junction, or there was last time I went through but it was December.

 

[namwaldog]

There is a shortish(5 ml) section of the A684 thats a bit narrow and twisty just east of Sedbergh.(Caravan Club advises against using it)

Same on the A65 between Kirkby Lonsdale and the M6.

A really scenic route is the one below but cannot be rushed....

Durham- Stanhope- Alston - Penrith. We've done it several times in a 7.4m MH but it is to be enjoyed, not rushed.

Failing that A69 Newcastle to Carlisle (go on A689 at Brampton to Jct44 M6)

 

[Ingwe]

A59 - A65 - M6?

I also hate the A66

What’s the section A65 to M6 like in terms of road width, likely places to stop etc? I seem to recall when we went to St Bees we went A59-A65 and think we scratched the van’s windows with hedges etc somewhere on the route.

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[ROCHESB]

The Team Valley roadworks on the A1 south of the Metro Centre will be there until 2025/26, however they aren't too bad if you avoid rush hour. The A1 Western bypass round Newcastle & Gateshead has a 50 MPH limit on it anyway.

Alternatively you could pick up the A68 Northbound near Darlington and join the A69 east of Hexham but I think the A1 would still be quicker even allowing for the A1 roadworks .

 

[Ingwe]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. The navigator is poring over the atlas. As an aside, we have subscribed to Brit Stops for a number of years but we now find that a lot of their sites are also shown on Search for Sites etc so we wonder what advantage there is in us being members of Brit Stops?

 

[namwaldog]

What’s the section A65 to M6 like in terms of road width, likely places to stop etc?

Once past Kirkby Lonsdale, the road becomes very twisty, narrow, with short sharp hills, and, as you say tall hedges that are only 'cut' by the hgv's.
We once, in the MH had to follow a single cyclist doing 8-15mph for about 6 miles without any chance of a safe overtake.
There is also a 40mph speed limit on that whole stretch.

 

[Jamesh]

What’s the section A65 to M6 like in terms of road width, likely places to stop etc? I seem to recall when we went to St Bees we went A59-A65 and think we scratched the van’s windows with hedges etc somewhere on the route.

It's fine apart from the MHs, tankers and tractors!!

Stop at gargrave settle or ingleton. All have services

Malham isn't far off it too.

 

[vzac]

There is a shortish(5 ml) section of the A684 thats a bit narrow and twisty just east of Sedbergh.(Caravan Club advises against using it)

Same on the A65 between Kirkby Lonsdale and the M6.

A really scenic route is the one below but cannot be rushed....

Durham- Stanhope- Alston - Penrith. We've done it several times in a 7.4m MH but it is to be enjoyed, not rushed.
View attachment 634119

Failing that A69 Newcastle to Carlisle (go on A689 at Brampton to Jct44 M6)

Is this the road that goes past high force. That one and the red above if it's not the high for e red are great, as stated need to go slow to enjoy it. We also drove the red that follows Hadrian's wall. Plenty to see on that rd as well, bit busier though.

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[Gellyneck]

A684 as far as right onto B6279 (as namwaldog says C&MC don't recommend Sedburgh) for Kirby Stephen. The Moorcock Inn is on the junction. There's a car park behind the pub you'll probably be able to get into as it's normally fairly empty. Yes the B road is narrow in some places (maybe 3-4 miles in total but it's quiet). We've used it regularly on our travels in our 7.6m 4.25t AT.

Then either right onto A685 through Kirby Stephen to Brough onto A66 or left onto A685 to M6 at Tebay (would recommend the latter as very good parking at Tebay).

We've also used the A65 without problems from Ingleton to M6 using the B6255 from Hawes which takes you passed this (parked in motorhome). Just watch out for sheep on the road.

ps you might be able to park here 54.46160269864323, -2.3520101437525605 at Kirkby Stephen with this underneath you.

There's a great walk \ cycle path from under the bridge along the old railway track over viaducts, etc.

pps forgot about White Scar Caves. You'd get into the car park here as well.

 

[Ingwe]

Wow! What brilliant suggestions! Thank you all so much for your input. Each time we think our mind’s are made up, along comes another possibility. Time isn’t an issue luckily so overall pleasantness and stopping options are the main criteria. We’ll be doing a lot of planning over the weekend and will let you know our thoughts when we know them. Thanks all.

 

[Stealaway]

What’s the section A65 to M6 like in terms of road width, likely places to stop etc? I seem to recall when we went to St Bees we went A59-A65 and think we scratched the van’s windows with hedges etc somewhere on the route.

There is free / quiet overnight stop up the road opposite the Devils Bridge at Kirby Lonsdale. We stop over to see the the motorbikes at the café.

 

[Dwarfland]

We aim to go to Dumfries and Galloway from York. We plan to take one or two nights to get to Dumfries, hoping to use Brit Stops or places on Search for Sites etc. We’d planned on using the A66 but there are few Brit Stops or informal stops beyond Bowes. So we are looking at the A684 as an alternative as there seem to be more options. Is this a suitable alternative to the A66?

First, theA684 is a much smaller road than the A66. If you’re on a tight timescale it will take longer but is definitely more scenic. There’s a great wild camping spot just outside Sedbergh on the 684. A big lay-by just off the road about a mile from the village, great views, nice walking but middle of nowhere. You can also park in the Auction market car park at Hawes - tenner in honesty box but check there’s not a livestock sale on as car park gets full. You can also stop in the car park at the Wyvill Arms at Constable Burton for £10 if you don’t have a meal, and also the pub at Bainbridge (don’t recall the name).

 

[Dwarfland]

It's fine apart from the MHs, tankers and tractors!!

Stop at gargrave settle or ingleton. All have services

Malham isn't far off it too.

I’d say Malham isn’t for the faint hearted in a 6m+ vehicle. The road is very narrow in places and on a weekend you’ll be meeting a lot of cars. Check the bus times from Gargrave too, you really don’t want to meet the bus coming the other way!

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[Dwarfland]

There is free / quiet overnight stop up the road opposite the Devils Bridge at Kirby Lonsdale. We stop over to see the the motorbikes at the café.

View attachment 634158

Last two times I’ve been to the Kirby Lonsdale lay-by stop it was full of 1. Travellers 2. Coaches. You also tend to get local teenagers in cars there on a night, playing music etc. I’ve stopped there a couple of times but if you want a quiet night the Sedbergh lay-by I mentioned is better.

 

[Falcon 269]

Only last week we routed from Ingleton to Hawes via Kirby Lonsdale and Sedbergh. A65 - A683 - A684. Went this way because I thought the B6255 Ingleton - Hawes road had closures/delays and the A-road route would be more relaxing. Ha-bloody-ha! The A-road nomenclature is a bit of a stretch.

It was narrow, twisty and bumpy for a lot of the journey. Not a relaxing drive, particularly in a left-hand drive moho (7.3mtrs). To avoid hedge-dragging/stonewall snagging, we spent most of the time with the offside wheels banging off cats-eyes or on the other side of the road. Nothing scary or dramatic, but no time to enjoy the view for driver or pax. Definitely no option but to take it slow and with hindsight, would definitely have gone via the B6255 and taken in the Ribblehead Viaduct on the way.

 

[Dwarfland]

This is the Sedbergh lay-by. It’s not on P4N or any apps I don’t think but you get some cracking sunsets there. Might be on your own though. If you don’t fancy that, Hawes auction market is a safe bet. Nice village too.

 

[Jamesh]

A684 as far as right onto B6279 (as namwaldog says C&MC don't recommend Sedburgh) for Kirby Stephen. The Moorcock Inn is on the junction. There's a car park behind the pub you'll probably be able to get into as it's normally fairly empty. Yes the B road is narrow in some places (maybe 3-4 miles in total but it's quiet). We've used it regularly on our travels in our 7.6m 4.25t AT.

Then either right onto A685 through Kirby Stephen to Brough onto A66 or left onto A685 to M6 at Tebay (would recommend the latter as very good parking at Tebay).

We've also used the A65 without problems from Ingleton to M6 using the B6255 from Hawes which takes you passed this (parked in motorhome). Just watch out for sheep on the road.

View attachment 634151

ps you might be able to park here 54.46160269864323, -2.3520101437525605 at Kirkby Stephen with this underneath you.

View attachment 634154

There's a great walk \ cycle path from under the bridge along the old railway track over viaducts, etc.

View attachment 634155

pps forgot about White Scar Caves. You'd get into the car park here as well.

View attachment 634200

Much nicer route than A65...