Driving London to Edinburgh: The Best UK Road Trip Itinerary

Driving London to Edinburgh is the perfect way to see more of what the UK has to offer. I’m talking castles, charming towns, scenic views, and more. Taking a UK road trip is easily the best way to experience England and Scotland beyond just London and Edinburgh.

While a lot of people take the train from London to Edinburgh, doing London to Edinburgh by car lets you explore smaller towns and historic cities along the way.

On our recent trip to England and Scotland, we rented a car and drove from London to Edinburgh. We took five days for this trip, but you could easily do it faster or slower depending on your travel style. When I was planning, I couldn’t find much helpful info on driving Edinburgh to London (or vice versa), so I’m sharing our exact route.

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🚗 Where We Stayed on Our London to Edinburgh Road Trip
We stayed in the Cotswolds, York, Alnwick, and Edinburgh. I’ve linked the best-rated hotels in each below. Summer fills fast, so book early!
👉 Edinburgh | 👉 York | 👉 Alnwick | 👉 Cotswolds

Best Route for Driving London to Edinburgh

There are two main routes from London to Edinburgh by car: the eastern route via the M1 and Northumberland Coast, or a longer, scenic option through the Lake District.

There are plenty of variations, but in this guide I’m sharing our 5-day London to Edinburgh road trip using the eastern M1 route.

Quickest Route for London to Edinburgh by Car

Driving straight through from London to Edinburgh takes about 7–8 hours. Even if you plan to take the quickest route, I recommend breaking up the journey by staying a night in York, one of England’s most historical cities.

Driving London to Edinburgh: UK Road Trip Itinerary

Here is our 5 day UK road trip itinerary, keep in mind you can make variations to make this fit your road trip to Scotland!

Day 1: Driving London to the Cotswolds

Total drive time: 2 hours
Overnight stay: Old Stocks Inn – Stow-on-the-Wold

We had previously spent the first few nights in London, prior to heading back to London Heathrow to pick up our rental car. This is important because you should never drive after an overnight flight without sleeping. Its good to adjust to the jet lag for 1-2 days first.

🇬🇧 Not sure where to stay in London?
Check out my guide on Best Hotels to Stay in London!

I also do not recommend driving in London, it’s very chaotic and you don’t need a car in the city. Instead, take public transport to the Heathrow area or elsewhere outside of central London and get your rental car there.

From Heathrow, we drove to Stow-on-the-Wold to see a glimpse of the Cotswolds. Honestly this was slightly out of the way, but we hadn’t been before and wanted to drive through. Alternatively, you could go to Oxford.

The Cotswolds consists of a large area, with several charming villages in the English countryside. You could literally plan a whole week trip there!

Stop 1: Bibury

We picked up our rental car in the morning near Heathrow Airport, then drove 1.5 hours to Bibury.

Bibury is one of the most photographed villages in the Cotswolds, due to its quintessential English charm. It’s most famous for its Arlington Row, which consists of honey-colored stone cottages built in the 14th century.

Stop 2: Bourton-on-the-Water

Next up, we drove about 20 minutes to Bourton-on-the-Water, which had a very relaxing vibe. We grabbed a late lunch and enjoyed drinks and a walk down the picturesque river.

Stop 3: Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is a historic market town known for its charming stone buildings, antique shops, and cozy cafés clustered around a traditional village square.

Stow-on-the-Wold was a bit larger than the other cotswold villages we visited, and had more options for restaurants. Some of the highlights include the The Porch House, which is a traditional English Inn that dates back to 947AD!

Another must-visit here is St Edward’s Church, especially if you are a Lord of the Rings fan. The doors of St. Edwards are widely believed to be the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Doors of Durin.”

Day 2: Drive to York via Warwick Castle

Total drive time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Overnight stay: Middletons Hotel – York

On Day 2, we woke up early and enjoyed a sunny drive through the English countryside to Warwick Castle. The drive to Warwick Castle was around 45 minutes from Stow-on-Wold. 

Unlike some other UK castles, Warwick Castle is open year-round. You can check opening hours here.

Warwick Castle is worth the detour if you are interested in English history and castles. It’s rather large and there are lots of activities in addition to touring the castle or walking the castle walls. We spent about 3 hours here, but you could easily spend more time.

Warwick Castle is a great option for families. This is a castle that has tons of kid-friendly activities and space for kids to run around outside.

If you have more time and are interested in Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon isn’t too far from Warwick Castle.

After visiting Warwick Castle and having some lunch, we drove to York, which is about 145 miles.

We got to York by the early evening. The highlight of York is the old town, but the hotels in the center won’t necessarily have any parking so I’d recommend staying just outside of the center. We stayed about a 15 minute walk from the city center.

York has a lot of history and things to do, so I highly recommend spending at least 2 nights so that you’ll have a full day to explore the city.

Since we got to York in the early evening, we still had time to get dinner and explore a bit of the city center. We also found a really cool viking bar that is worth checking out.

Day 3: Explore York

Total drive time: Zero – spend the day walking around York!
Overnight stay: Middletons Hotel – York

On day 3, take a break from driving and explore the historic city of York. Here are a few of the best things to do in York.

Explore the Shambles

The shambles are a series of medieval streets in York that will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

One thing I loved about York and the Shambles was the shops aren’t your typical touristy souvenir stuff.

Instead, they are filled with really unique shops, like the Harry Potter themed Potion’s Cauldron, the York Ghost Merchants, Steampunk themed shops, and more.

Of course, if browsing shops isn’t your thing, no worries because there are also plenty of pubs to enjoy!

Walk the York City Walls

One of the best free things to do in York is to walk the historic city walls. The city walls date back nearly 2,000 years, beginning with Roman defenses and later expanded through medieval times to protect the city.

Today, you can walk the full 2-mile circuit in about an hour, passing ancient gates, towers, and sweeping views over York.

York Minster

You simply can’t visit York without marveling at its beautiful gothic cathedral: The York Minster. 

The York Minster dates back over 1,300 years, with today’s magnificent Gothic cathedral built mainly between the 13th–15th centuries and famous for having some of the largest medieval stained-glass windows in the world.

Inside, you’ll find soaring vaulted ceilings and intricate stonework that tell centuries of religious and architectural history.

Cliffords Tower

Cliffords Tower is the remains of a Norman castle built in the 11th century, once a powerful symbol of royal control over York. Today, you can climb to the top for sweeping views across the city.

Jorvik Viking Center

Jorvik Viking Center is a unique attraction that takes you on a journey through York’s history as a viking settlement.

Honestly we weren’t sure if we were going to like it at first because it seemed crowded but this was actually a really cool activity, especially if you enjoy history or are traveling with older kids.

For the main part, you actually get on a ride (it doesn’t go fast) and pass through York as a viking settlement. It was really cool and reminded me of some of the rides in Disney in Florida.

Please note that Jorvik Viking Center is one of the most popular things to do in York, so I recommend pre-booking tickets before arriving in York.

York Bars & Restaurants

York has tons of cool bars & restaurants. We loved Valhalla York (viking themed bar), we actually went there both nights! Another must-visit bar is the House of Trembling Madness. This was a recommendation from a local and it was so worth it!

Day 4: Drive from York to Alnwick

Total drive time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Overnight stay: Bondgate Boutique Hotel in Alnwick

On day 4, you’ll hit the road again and drive around 2 hours to Alnwick Castle, which was also the filming location for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.

*Important Note: Alnwick Castle is open seasonally, usually April through October. Check opening times here.

The castle also has a long history as the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, and has been owned by the Percy family since 1309.

One thing I really liked about this castle is that the ticket includes walking tours on the castle grounds. We chose to do the history tour but there was also a film tour that looked interesting. Of course, there are also Harry Potter activities, including broomstick training!

In addition to Alnwick Castle, there are the Alnwick Gardens, best known for its Poison Garden tours. The Alnwick Gardens are a separate attraction from the castle. If you are traveling with kids, make sure to also check out the fairytale village of Lilidorei!

The town surrounding Alnwick Castle is also quite charming. There are also other places to visit near Alnwick, including Warkworth Castle which is a smaller, medieval fortress ruins. 

So that we didn’t have to rush, we stayed the night in Alnwick. 

Day 5: Drive to Edinburgh from Alnwick

Total drive time: 2 hours
Overnight stay: Wilde Aparthotel in Edinburgh

On day 5, you’ll complete your London to Edinburgh road trip, but not before visiting another must-see English Castle: Bamburgh Castle. 

**Note: Bamburgh Castle opening times vary throughout the year. Check opening times here.

The drive from Alnwich to Bamburgh Castle is quite short and will only take around 30 minutes. Bamburgh Castle is located on the scenic Northumberland coastline, not far from the charming fishing villages of the Seahouses.

In recent years, Bamburgh Castle became widely known for its role in the Netflix series The Last Kingdom. However, the castle also has a longstanding and interesting history dating all the way back to 547 AD.

We really liked Bamburgh Castle, and the views of the coastline were really scenic! 

From Bamburgh, it is only about a 2 hour drive to Edinburgh. Make sure to take the coastal route for some great views along the way.

If you have time, you can also visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. This unique island is located off the Northumberland Coast. Similar to Mont Saint Michel in France, the Holy Island only becomes an island during the high tide. At low tide, you can drive your car there and explore. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne has an interesting history, which you can read about here.

We unfortunately did not stop at the Holy Island, only because you do have to base your visit around the tidal times. However, if you have the time I think it would be a really cool place to visit on your London to Edinburgh road trip.

The Return Journey: Driving Edinburgh to London

There are a few ways you can plan your road trip. The cheapest option for a rental car is to pick up and return at the same location, however in this case that means driving from Edinburgh back to London. If you are taking a long trip (3 weeks or more) this could make sense, and it would be an excellent opportunity to take a road trip from Edinburgh to London via the Lake District route.

In our case, we spent 5 days driving to Edinburgh, and were then driving further into Scotland for 2 more weeks. So, rather than driving back to London, we paid a little bit extra to do a one-way car rental and return our car in Edinburgh. You can then fly home directly from Edinburgh or take the train back to London.

Tips for Driving in the United Kingdom

Before you start your UK road trip and drive from London to Edinburgh, here are a few important tips to keep in mind.

✅ Feel confident driving on the left side

Driving in the UK is on the left side, which is a big learning curve for those of us used to the right side. Dylan and I take road trips all around Europe – from the mountains in central Greece to the coastal roads of Croatia, so we do have lots of experience with driving in other countries. Driving on the left is a big difference so I recommend only doing a short drive on your first day. 

✅ Utilize Park and Rides

Many of the castles and historic sites will have parking as they are sometimes more remote. However, if you plan to visit historic cities & towns like York, Bath, Oxford, etc – it is a good idea to check if they offer a park & ride service.

Park & ride allows you to park for free (or cheaply) outside of the historic centers which tend to have expensive and limited parking. You then hop on a short bus ride into the city center.

✅ Get full coverage insurance

I know it’s expensive, but as someone who has rented cars in multiple countries, please get the full coverage insurance directly through the rental car company. It is sooo worth it because even minor damage to the car can result in charges. 

Full coverage helps protect you financially. Also make sure to fully read the terms and conditions for your car rental, and take photos/video of the car’s condition prior to leaving the rental office.

✅ Understand single track roads

We knew that single track roads were common in Scotland (especially on the Isle of Skye), but we were a bit surprised about how many we saw throughout the English countryside, especially near the cotswolds.

While this road trip uses dual lane roads, if you decide to go off exploring make sure you are comfortable pulling over or reversing when needed on a single track road.

✅ Do not pick up a rental car after an overnight flight

If you are coming to London from the US, you will likely arrive in the early morning after an overnight flight. Do not drive tired – especially if you aren’t used to driving on the left as it is very dangerous and a hazard to you and other drivers.

Instead, head into London for a day or two prior to getting your rental car. Alternatively, you could spend the first night in Windsor and visit Windsor Castle, then get your car the next morning.

FAQs: Driving London to Edinburgh

The Wrap Up: Driving London to Edinburgh: UK Road Trip Itinerary

While this is the exact UK road trip itinerary we did while driving London to Edinburgh, there are quite a few options or variations you can do to make this a perfect road trip for your trip.

There are so many places to visit throughout England, and most tourists skip them completely and only see London and Edinburgh. I promise you it is so worth it to drive and really explore all that the UK has to offer! 

Plus, if you’re feeling even more adventurous you can take your road trip into Scotland like we did – exploring places in the Isle of Skye or the Scottish Highlands.