APRIL 6-9th COAST TO COAST TOUR (DEVON)
SUNDAY 6th DINNER AT YPES MOUTH HOTEL
We meet for dinner at the charming Ypes Mouth hotel near Bridport, situated at the head of a small cove on the Jurassic Coast. Arrive early and enjoy a walk along the beach.
DAY ONE – MONDAY 7th
A long driving day today – But some spectacular scenery.
First we head west along the coast to Lyme Regis where we thread our way through the quaint narrow streets before returning to the main road to by-pass Sidmouth. Then we head north through the hills of East Devon on minor roads through wooded countryside towards Honiton. A short main road run then takes us west, further into Devon, to Cullompton and on to Tiverton, where we stop for coffee at the magnificent Knightshayes Court, art gallery and gardens.
From here we follow the twisting Exe Vale road before turning off to Dulverton and Exmoor. Heading east again we stop for lunch at the highest pub on Exmoor at Wheddon Cross.
The afternoon run is across the edge of the Brendon Hills and down to Bishops Lydeard, where ‘steam buffs’ may like to stop at the terminus of the West Somerset railway. For the rest there is a tea stop at Burrow Farm on the other side of the Blackdown Hills. Some straight country roads bring us back to the main road to Bridport and back to the hotel.
DAY TWO – TUESDAY 8th
We set off in a different direction today as we skirt Bridport and head north along the border with Dorset to Broadwindsor. Here we turn west and back into the rolling hills as we head into south Devon again on our way to Axminster, famous for its carpets. Some quiet back roads take us to Honiton again, but this time we take a shorter route through the town and head north to the highest airfield in Devon at Dunkeswell. We stop for coffee at the ‘Aviator Coffee Bar’ overlooking the still active airfield.
After coffee we head north again crossing the main A38 and the Bristol-Exeter main railway line near Whiteball Tunnel which is approached by a steep gradient and is a favourite place for filming steam trains, although I can’t guarantee we will see one today.
We then head on towards Exmoor passing through delightful villages such as; Milverton, Wivelscombe and Huish Champlflower! We then pass Wimball Lake before stopping for lunch at the Anchor Inn in Exebridge.
In the afternoon we head north through the wooded valleys to Coppleham and the edge of the moor. We skirt the southern edge of Exmoor on our way to North Molton, and then South Molton before cutting across country towards Barnstaple where we drive along the flanks of Codden Hill and take the main roads to our beach side hotel, the Commodore, at Instow.
DAY THREE Wednesday 9th
This morning we leave the hotel and take the coast road to Barnstaple where we take the A39 which twists and turns through wooded valleys as we head north. Continuing north we take to ever increasingly minor roads as we reach the remote north coast with views out across the Bristol Channel. Following the coast eastward we descend into a deep valley and pass the isolated Hunter’s Inn. From here the roads get even narrower as they hug the cliffs above the beautiful Woody Bay. A little Toll road then brings us to the fascinating and atmospheric, Valley of the Rocks. Whilst it is a valley there is no river running through it, but we are never far from the sea and there are some spectacular rock features – not to mention goats.
We continue to Lynton and Lynmouth with their funicular railway and quaint harboursides. After a brief pause we climb away from the sea on the main A39 again. A short run over the moors brings us to another challenging road, The Porlock Hill Toll road which descends to the sea again via a series of hairpin bends and doubling back along the coast we arrive at the little seaside hamlet of Porlock Weir, where we stop for a coffee.
After coffee we have to climb to the top of the moors again, but this time we take the main road which is just as demanding as the toll road with hairpin bends and 1 in 4 gradients. Once on top of the moors we head south on mainly minor roads before passing through Exford where we were on Day 1. This time though we head out across the open moors to the lunch stop at Simonsbath, right in the heart of Exmoor.
After lunch we descend from the moors and join the main A399 for a while before cutting across country on B roads to Dartington where we finish our tour with a visit to the Crystal Factory. It is only a short run from here back to the hotel.
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MAY 18th – 21st THE LAKES AND BORDERS TOUR
SUNDAY May 18th
We meet for dinner at one of our regular hotels, The Villa. near Kendal, at 7.30.
DAY ONE Monday 19th
One of the advantages of starting from the Villa is that we can get straight out into the Lake District countryside without having to do a long run-out or find our way around Kendal. Within a few miles of the hotel we can take the relatively quiet main road through the Lyth Valley before turning onto minor roads to go across more hilly country, climbing the hairpin bends of Strawberry Bank to Gummers How where we get fabulous views down the length of Lake Windermere.
After a short main road run we climb over the open spaces of Corney Fell which affords views of the Lakes Mountains to the north and the Irish Sea to the west. The Isle of Man can also be seen – on a clear day. We then cross the unfortunately named ‘Cold Fell’ on another moorland road with views of the mountains on one side and the sea on the other. A little detour takes us to within sight of Ennerdale Water (as opposed to Emmerdale) and then we head into the heart of the Lake District, passing the picturesque Lowes Water with the mountains closing in ahead of us.
We skirt the mountains via Whinlatter Pass with views of Bassenthwaite Lake below. At the bottom of the pass we turn north to follow the shores of Bassenthwaite before stopping for lunch at the fabulous ‘Orient Express’ restaurant. This is a little café in the old original Bassenthwaite Lake Railway station, BUT we can dine on the train standing at the platform. Despite looking incredibly realistic it is actually a ‘mock up’ made for the last film version of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. TBC
From lunch we head round the top of the lake and on to some more moorlands in the north of the Lake District. and then turn south into the heart of the area, passing through Caldbeck, Hesket Newmarket, and the edge of Greystoke Forest with views of Saddleback (Blencathra) to our right. We then cross the busy A66 and descend to the shores of Ullswater with spectacular views down the lake. We turn north to follow the lakes edge all the way to our hotel for the next two nights, ‘The Other Place’.
DAY TWO Tuesday 20th
Today we start by going straight into some quiet lanes into a lesser known area of the Lake District, Matterdale. We climb up from Ullswater and within minutes are in remote mountain scenery all round. Heading north we cross the A66 again and thread our way through a maize of quiet country lanes through much gentler scenery around Greystoke Forest and westward to cross the old A6 and into the Eden Valley. We follow the picturesque valley on the west side with beautiful views across the green, rolling hills to the east. We then head to Penrith for lunch at the Golf Club. The Golf Club itself is situated in an elevated position with views across to the Lakes mountains, but there are also a few more little surprise views on the way.
After lunch we head back to the Eden Valley and follow the river and the Settle-Carlisle Railway to the south. A cross country run takes us over to the Lune Valley with views of the Howgill Fells from the north before driving down the middle of the M6 Motorway! Yes, there is a little lane between the carriageways of the motorway across the Shap Fells. We will then stop for tea at the remote Shap Wells hotel.
From here we actually drive the infamous Shap fell main road to Kendal. It is now not so infamous because most of the traffic uses the motorway, but the descent from the summit at over 1000ft into the valley bottom at Hucks Brow is still quite dramatic. Unfortunately we cannot avoid the town of Kendal completely but take the shortest route onto the by-pass which soon gives us views of the Lakes Mountains ahead.
All that remains in an epic day’s driving is the climb over the superb Kirkstone Pass and the drive of the full length of Ullswater back to the hotel.
DAY THREE – Wednesday 20th
From The Other Place to another place. We travel a short distance almost to the head of Ullswater before turning north towards Penrith, which we by-pass to the west this time. Some quiet traffic free roads take us through flatter scenery on our way north, until we turn east and across to the Eden Valley again. The partly wooded northern reaches of the valley make for a pleasant drive towards Talkin Tarn. We by pass the tarn though and take to a very minor road up into the hills to get views as far as Kielder Forest and the Scottish Borders. Coming down from the hills we stop for coffee near Brampton.
After coffee we cross country to the edge of the mighty Kielder Forest on our way to Newcastleton, passing Bewcastle which is 1141 miles from Rome!? From here we climb over the hills again with views as far as the Solway Firth as we drop down into Langholm for lunch.
The afternoon run takes us through the forests again to Eskdalemuir before branching off to pas the remote Alemoor Reservoir and into Hawick. From Hawick we take the main road south for a while before turning off at Bonchester Bridge to Jedburgh where we pass the impressive Abbey ruins. It is only a short main road run to our hotel, the magnificent Schloss Roxburgh.
DAY FOUR – Thursday 21st
Today we head west again going across country to Selkirk and then briefly down the main road to Ashkirk. Some minor roads with wonderful un-spoilt views then take us over the hills to the Ettrick Valley where we turn north again and rejoin the main road to Selkirk. We don’t go into the town as we stop for coffee at the Riverside Café and Farm Shop.
From here we retrace our steps for a while and then turn off back into the Ettrick valley by a different minor road and loop around through a very remote little valley. The main road then takes us along the shores of beautiful St Mary’s Loch before we turn off towards the Meggett Reservoir. This road climbs up into the hills past the picturesque reservoir and up into wild moorland countryside. As we drop down the other side we suddenly get a stunning view of the Talla reservoir hundreds of feet below. We descend the steeply graded road all the way to the shores of the reservoir then follow it all the way out to the main A701.
Turning south towards Moffat the road takes us past the dramatic ‘Devils Beef Tub’, a large depression in the surrounding hills. We then stop for lunch in Moffat.
After lunch we take the old A74, now a quiet B road superseded by the newer M74 alongside. At Abington we turn off onto the A702 for a few miles before cutting across country again on some country roads to Peebles. We follow the main road to Galashiels and on to the famous Scott’s view. Main roads then take us back to Kelso passing Floors Castle on the way. Time permitting we may have a stop for tea here. However it is only a few miles to the hotel and the finish.
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JUNE 15th – 18th BOWLAND AND BAY AND PEAKS ‘n’ DALES
The first two days are very similar to last years tour of the same name, but as the entry was very small then we have decided to give the rest of you the chance to do what we think is ‘cracking run in the Dales’. In addition, the final day is almost completely new, both routes and rest halts.
SUNDAY JUNE 15TH 7.30
We meet for dinner at the fabulous Gibbon Bridge Hotel near Garstang.
RIBBLESDALE
DAY ONE – TROUGH AND DALES
Today we leave the hotel and head west on minor roads which bring us to the flanks of Oakenclough Fell. Here we drive north with awesome views over Morecambe Bay to the Lake District hills – on a clear day! We reach the head of the Trough but don’t turn down it as we continue north with more spectacular views over Morecambe Bay. We drop down to the little village of Wray, where we stop for coffee at a classic car orientated café.
From coffee we climb straight back into the Lancashire Fells which ironically give fantastic views of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, After dropping down from the fells we cut across country to the Lune Valley again and follow the river into Kirkby Lonsdale for lunch. There will be time to explore this charming little market town.
The afternoon starts with a run up the length of Barbondale with its drystone walls almost hanging from the steep valley sides. A sharp descent drops us into Dentdale which we follow east to Dent Head, passing the imposing structures of Airten Ghyll and Denthead viaducts on the famous Settle – Carlisle Railway.
BARBONDALE AIRTEN GHYLL VIADUCT
We then turn south through Ribblesdale and pass the most famous viaduct, Ribblehead.
RIBBLEHEAD VIADUCT
A quick stop for tea at Goat Gap then precedes a cross country run back into Lancashire on some quiet roads through Wigglesworth and Cow Ark back to Gibbon Bridge with some un-expected views reminiscent of parts of Scotland.
DAY TWO SOUTH DALES AND PENDLE
A new direction today – north east. We go through Waddington and by-pass Clitheroe as we head up the Ribble Valley. We also by-pass the picturesque village of Bolton in Bowland, in favour of higher ground which will give us views of Pendle hill as we briefly loop back south before joining the A65 near Hellifield. The main road then brings us to a coffee stop outside Settle.
BLUBBERHOUSES PASS
From coffee it is right into the Dales proper as we climb up to Yew Cogar Scar, an imposing hill feature cut into a deepsided valley. This drops us into Littondale and Arncliffe before we head to the popular village of Grassington. We don’t join the tourist throng here though as we head east onto the moors, passing above Grimwith Reservoir and Stump Cross Caverns. We then turn south and head back to the main A65 at Blubberhouses, passing more reservoirs on the way. The Blubberhouses Pass then takes us over the Hill to Bolton Abbey where we can have lunch in the tranquil riverside surroundings.
BOLTON ABBEY
After lunch we head back to Skipton and take the by-pass around the western side of the town before turning on to minor roads back into the fells. The roads around Elslack provide fantastic views of the Ribble Valley and surrounding hills before we run into a slightly more built up area near Colne. Minor roads soon take us back into hilly country with the famous Pendle Hill looming ahead. We climb upto the flanks of this prominent feature steeped in history (Pendle Witches) but skirt round its northern reaches back into Clitheroe. A short scenic cross country run then brings us back to Gibbon Bridge.
PENDLE HILL
DAY THREE
The first part of today’s route is through some fairly built up areas as we pass through Clitheroe and climb the flanks of Pendle Hill via the ‘Nic ‘o Pendle’, a narrow cutting through the summit of the hill. We then have to circumnavigate Padiham and Burnley to get out onto the Lancashire Moors. A road along the ridge of the hills gives us some splendid views in both directions before we descend into Howarth (Home of the Brontes) for a coffee stop.
After coffee we climb through Oxenhope, terminus of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and over the tops to Mytholmroyd and then onto Ripponden. As we want to travel basically north – south and all the main roads across the Pennines run East-West, we have to do a zig-zag route around the edge of the Manchester suburbs and back over Saddleworth Moor to Holmfirth (location for ‘Last of the Summer Wine’) where we stop for lunch at the Carding Shed – a fascinating classic car collection, work shop and craft centre.
The afternoon run takes us past numerous picturesque reservoirs – including the Derwent Reservoir, famous for the ‘Dambusters’, as we head into the edge of the Peak District and on to picturesque Dove Dale. We can stop briefly at Monsal Head with its famous view of the viaduct below before looping around Castleton and Bakewell on some spectacular hill roads, heading to our hotel near Chatsworth House and our final dinner.
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August 17-27th THE ARDENNES AND EIFFEL TOUR
There are a few changes since this tour was first proposed.
Firstly, there is no direct ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge, therefore it is no longer viable to start in Brugge. However, the equally beautiful and atmpospheric town of Ypres is not to far from Calais. As things stand we are planning to start the tour from Ypres in late morning. There is therefore an option to stay in Ypres overnight or get an early morning channel crossing and drive up to Ypres to meet the group. It is about 40 miles from Calais to Ypres, then the total days tour route is approx. 90 miles to the first hotel.
The proposed hotel for the final night was closed after COVID and although it has re-opened under new management – the verdict is still out! So we are looking for a suitable alternative.
Sunday/Monday 17/18TH
Choice of ferry/tunnel crossings to Belgium
DAY ONE Monday 18th
we head south across country to the fascinating Mahymobile Museum which houses all sorts of historic vehicles. It is then only a short run to our first hotel near Mons.
DAY TWO Tuesday 19th
This morning we have another short drive to the impressive Strepy Thieu Boat lift, a slightly bigger and more modern version of the Anderton Boat lift in Britain. The difference in the two levels of the canal are 72 metres so it makes a prominent spectacle in the surrounding countryside, and you can have a ride to the top.
We then have a scenic route passing te picturesque Lakes of Carfontaine before we briefly cross the border into France at Rocnol, where we spend our second night.
DAY THREE Wednesday 20th
We return to Belgium following the River Meuse and as we pass through the southern Ardennes countryside the scenery gets more spectacular on our way to our third country of the day, Luxembourg. We stay on minor roads to the north of the city (Luxembourg) until we almost reach the German border. However we don’t make it four countries in one day as we stop short at our hotel in a wooded valley near Echternach.
DAY FOUR Thursday 21st
First we follow the River Mosel through a deep valley with vineyards clinging to the steep hillside above the river. We then travel along the French/German Border where the Vosges du Nord join the Pfalderwauld to make the UNESCO TRANSBOUNDARY BIOSPHERE! (Two National Parks of different country’s meet.) We head into the German part passing through Llandau on our way to the hotel near Neustadt., on the top of a cliff overlooking the plain below.
DAY FIVE Friday 22nd
A ‘Free Day’ or a short run to the amazing TECHNIK MUSEUM in nearby town of Speyer. This museum which covers every type of transport, including space travel, will take you most of the day to get round. So it is just another short run back to the hotel in the afternoon.
DAY SIX Saturday 23rd
Today we head north through the rugged wooded hills and escarpments of the Palatinate Forest.
We cross the Mosel again and head into the rolling hills of the Eifel Mountains where we spend the night in the attractive little town of Daun.
DAY SEVEN Sunday 24th
Today we head north west through the Eifel region and cross the border back into Belgium and the spectacular wooded valleys of the Ardennes and into ‘Battle of the Bulge’ territory. We stop at the museum to the battle in Bastogne before making our way to Marche en Famenne for the next two nights.
DAY EIGHT Monday 25th
A day for the petrol heads as we drive to the famous Spa-Francochamps Circuit. We may be able to drive some of the circuit and we will visit the museum which contains all sorts of cars that have raced at the circuit in the past.
The non – petrol heads need not worry though, the route out and back to the hotel is still very scenic.
DAY NINE Tuesday 26th
Today we have a very busy day with lots of attractions to suit all tastes.
First we head for a coffee stop in the lovely town of Dinant situated in a deep river gorge with cliffs at either side. We then move on to the 900 year old ruins of Villars Abbey . The day isn’t finished yet as on our way to our last hotel near Brussels, we pass the site of the Battle of Waterloo.
DAY TEN Wednesday 27th
We say our farewells before a main road run back to the ferry ports.
PRICE – £3,999 SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE RATES
Includes 9 nights dinner bed and breakfast. Ferry NOT included.
PROPOSED HOTELS (All to be confirmed)
Sunday Optional Ypres not included
Monday – Mons
Tuesday = tbd
Wednesday – BEL AIR Echternach
Thursday –Friday ARENS HOTEL , Neustadt
Saturday – KUCHERS LANDHOTEL, Daun
Sunday – Monday QUARTIER-LATIN Marche en Famenne
Tuesday – tbd
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LITTLE DEVILS TOUR
September 13th
In association with Kirkby lonsdale Motor Club.
Part of the HRCR Scentic Tours Series.
The 2025 Little Devils will follow the successful format of previous years but with a new route and a new Start/Finish venue. We will be based nearer our ‘home town’ of Kirkby Lonsdale and the first half of the route will be new territory just over the Border into Lancashire on some well known rally routes, before taking in some spectacular routes through the Western Dales. There will be a new lunch venue followed by some more familiar roads in the Eden Valley and the traditional ‘final fling’ around the Killington area and back to Kirkby Lonsdale.
£70 per car – Accommodation NOT included
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OCT 5-9th DALES TO DURHAM ‘25
Some of the tour is based on last years Dales to Durham Tour, which was blighted by the worst fog I have ever seen on a tour. We thought therefore we would give those who braved it last year, a second chance to see what they missed. However, as you would expect things are not exactly as last year, we have changed a few things around whilst keeping most of the highlights of 2023/24.
The main change is the starting point and the first day. As Headlam is more to the east of the country we thought it made sense to start in the east and cover some different ground to previous years. Therefore we will meet at the newly refurbished Aldwark Manor near York on Sunday 5th October.
(Part of the first day last year is included in the Lakes and Borders Tour)
DAY ONE Monday 6th.
A totally new route across the Yorkshire Wolds and Moors starting with a gentle run across country through Easingwold and Ampleforth to the Hambleton Hills, where we turn west to continue through the rolling hills on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. Wooded lanes bring us to Kilburn where you might like to stop for a look at the showrooms of ‘The Mouseman’, Robert Thompson. The visitor centre and café were closed at the time of writing, so it is on to Sutton Bank for coffee, climbing past the White Horse hill feature on the way to the National Park Visitor Centre. A short walk from the café gives panoramic views over the Vale of York.
After coffee we head north on quiet roads with views over flat farmland on one side and a deep wooded valley on the other. Turning south we pass the majestic ruins of Gerveaulx Abbey before we return to the main road into the market town of Helmsely. Then it is into the North York Moors, starting with ‘Barnsdale Loop’ which takes us up one side of the valley and back down the other. Then comes the climb through very open countryside to the highest point of the Moors, ‘Blakey Ridge’ and lunch at the Lion Hotel.
The afternoon run takes us down through Westerdale with views in all directions as we make our way to Eskdale and turn west to Battersby. We climb through Ingleby Greenhow to the viewpoint where we can look back on the unusual hill feature, Roseberry Topping. From here we head south again briefly to Chop Gate where we turn off onto a secluded little valley which brings us right to the edge of the moors and a panoramic view over the northern end of the Vale of York and Teesdale spread out below us.
We descend abruptly from the moors and join the main A19 to Northallerton briefly before turning north through country lanes to Danby Wiske and pass Croft Racing Circuit on our way to Darlington. We pass through the outskirts of the town and then it is only a short main road run to our sumptuous hotel for the remainder of the tour.
DAY TWO Tuesday 7th
First we head north and loop around the edge of Hamsterley Forest into Weardale where we stop for coffee at the Dales Vistor centre in Stanhope. Some remote fell roads then take us along the Pennines and on to the fabulous Langley Castle for a lunch not to be missed!
Afterwards we head east, skirting Slaley Forest and doing almost a circuit of the Derwent reservoir. From here we take some little known roads in the heart of Durham but we don’t quite make it in to the city as we turn south and take the main A68 through West Auckland and back to the hotel.
DAY THREE Wednesday 8th
Again today’s route is similar to last year, From Headlam we go south across the A66 take the minor road through some pleasant villages, Winston and Newsham before we climb up to Stang Forest, which then drops us into Akengarthdale.
We then take a little short cut which crosses ‘Herriot’s Ford’. This was used in the opening sequence of the original ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ TV series. This brings us down into Swaledale where we follow the dale west. Not for long though as we turn off onto the steep climb up to the imposing Oxnop Scar. From the summit we get views over Wensleydale where we stop for coffee at Simonstone Hall.
After coffee it is back over the hill into Swaledale, passing the famous Buttertubs on the way. we go due west crossing the boundary into Cumbria where you suddenly get a surprise view over the Eden Valley with the Lake District Hills in the distance. We then follow the River Eden down the full length of the Mallerstang valley alongside the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway. We don’t stop here this time though as we head up Sleddale and over the top into Wharfedale with views of Ingleborough ahead. Lunch is then at the Buck Inn in Buckden.
We cross Wensleydale again before passing the historic Bolton Castle at Castle Bolton! Another loop across the dale brings us to the Middleham Gallops where we have views down the length of Wensleydale in one direction and across to the North York Moors in the other. We make our way through the little town of Middleham and on to some minor roads which take us past the secluded Thornton Reservoir and then onto the outskirts of the vast Catterick Army Camp. We by-pass the camp and follow the A1 on minor roads to north of Scotch Corner where the Roman Road brings us straight back to Piercebridge and Headlam for our final dinner.
3 DAYS 4 NIGHTS £1,799 per car
DISCOUNT FOR LAST YEARS ENTRANTS.