While the A1 takes you up England's historic east coast, the M6 offers a completely different road trip experience. This route winds up the west side of England, through rolling countryside, the spectacular Lake District and the Scottish Borders, with plenty of opportunities to swap motorway miles for castles, ancient monuments, lakeside walks and charming market towns.

If you're looking to break your journey over one or several days, whether you're heading to Edinburgh or continuing into the Scottish Highlands, these are our favourite places to stop along the way:

1. Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Kick off your journey with one of Britain's best-preserved medieval castles.

Dating back almost 1,000 years, Warwick Castle is packed with towers, battlements, beautiful grounds and live historical displays. Even if you don't venture inside, the surrounding town is well worth exploring with its independent cafés and timber-framed buildings.

2. Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire

Often overlooked, Lichfield is one of England's prettiest cathedral cities.

Its magnificent three-spired cathedral dominates the historic centre, while the compact streets are filled with cafés, independent shops and Georgian architecture. It's an ideal place to break the journey without straying far from the motorway.

3. Sizergh Castle, Cumbria

As you approach the Lake District, leave the motorway for one of Cumbria's hidden gems.

Sizergh Castle has been home to the Strickland family for over 750 years and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and woodland walks. It's much quieter than many of the Lake District's headline attractions but every bit as charming.

4. Bowness-on-Windermere

No west coast road trip would be complete without visiting England's largest lake.

Take a stroll along the shores of Windermere, enjoy lunch overlooking the water or simply watch the boats drift by before continuing north. If you have a little extra time, hop aboard one of the lake cruises.

5. Castlerigg Stone Circle

One of Britain's oldest and most atmospheric prehistoric monuments, Castlerigg Stone Circle is thought to be over 4,500 years old.

Surrounded by the dramatic fells near Keswick, its setting is every bit as impressive as the stones themselves. Best of all, it's completely free to visit.

6. Hadrian's Wall

Before crossing into Scotland, take a step back nearly 2,000 years at Hadrian's Wall. Built by the Romans in AD 122, this UNESCO World Heritage Site once marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. There are several easy access points from the M6, making it easy to enjoy a short walk along one of Britain's greatest archaeological sites.

If you're breaking the journey over two days, Carlisle makes an excellent overnight stop. Just a few minutes from Hadrian's Wall, the historic border city is home to an impressive medieval castle, a beautiful cathedral, fascinating museums and even its own brewery, making it well worth exploring before continuing north to Scotland. We've put together a full guide to the best things to do in Carlisle if you're planning to stay the night.

Carlisle Castle and Cathedral, both well worth pulling over for!

7. Gretna Green

Just over the Scottish border lies one of Britain's most famous villages. For centuries, Gretna Green became synonymous with runaway elopements, as English couples crossed into Scotland to marry under more relaxed Scottish laws. Sadly, spontaneous romance is off, as these days you can't just turn up and impulsively tie the knot as modern law requires all couples to give at least 29 days' notice to the Scottish registrar. Also, while 16 and 17 year olds can still technically marry here without parental consent under Scottish law, English and Welsh residents can no longer use this loophole: A 2023 law raised the legal marriage age to 18 in England and Wales, meaning any underage Gretna Green wedding simply won't be legally recognised back home.

Weddings aside, today you can visit the historic blacksmith's shop, browse local shops or simply stop for lunch and celebrate reaching Scotland.

8. Caerlaverock Castle

If you're happy with a small detour, Caerlaverock Castle is unlike any other in Britain. Surrounded by a wide moat and built in a rare triangular shape, it's one of Scotland's most distinctive medieval castles. The peaceful setting, 8 miles south of Dumfries, makes it feel wonderfully removed from the busy motorway.

9. Rosslyn Chapel

Made famous by The Da Vinci Code, Rosslyn Chapel is one of Scotland's most intriguing historic buildings. Every inch of the chapel is covered with intricate stone carvings, mysterious symbols and centuries-old legends. It's a fascinating final stop before arriving in Edinburgh.

10. The Kelpies

Finish your journey with a short detour to one of Scotland's most iconic modern landmarks. Standing 30 metres high, the Kelpies celebrate Scotland's industrial heritage and mythology. Whether you visit during the day or after dark when they're beautifully illuminated, they're an unforgettable sight.

If time allows, you can also combine your visit with the nearby Falkirk Wheel, about 15 minutes drive away, the world's only rotating boat lift.

Which driving route up to Edinburgh should you choose?

Both the A1 and M6 routes offer unforgettable drives from London to Edinburgh - it simply depends on what interests you most.

• Choose the A1 if you love medieval castles, cathedral cities and dramatic Northumberland coast scenery (we've covered the best stops on an A1 roadtrip to Edinburgh here).

• Choose the M6 if you'd rather explore the Lake District, Roman history and Scotland's beautiful western landscapes.

  
  

Of course, the ultimate road trip would be to drive north one way and return the other, experiencing the best of both routes!

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