Anyone know the AI well just north of Berwick-Upon-Tweed? Thinking in particular about where it runs close to the coast and village of Burnmouth.
I've not driven this stretch for 10yrs plus and just can't remember it.
Is the traffic heavy in July/Aug and does it dominate the locality? Thinking of a holiday property there but the A1, railway, village and coast all look squashed together in a very narrow area.
Also...For years now we've crossed the country from the A1 over to Kendal, and headed into SW Scotland. What is the A1 like North of Scotch Corner like on a Friday these days?
Thanks,
M.M
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A1 north of Scotch Corner is busy on a Friday especially afternoon. Once you get to the Western Bypass round Newcastle it is quite often stationary or very slow moving for much of the day, especially around the Metro Centre. This clears up around 7pm or so.
Don't know much about north of Newcastle though...
mike
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North of Newcastle you tend to suffer most if a farmer is herding his flock of sheep over the A1 where it is single carriageway...
Around Newcastle is a right pig during the evening rush hour, though - and apparently more often than that (see above). By the time you've got past Newcastle there'll generally be nothing else by way of traffic further North. But you wouldn't want small children running onto the A1 up there though. It bristles with speed cameras.
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M.M
That stretch of road is hideous. There are some quite pleasant villages on either side at the Berwick end but nearer Edinburgh it is quite bleak. The road itself has very heavy goods traffic on it, combined with farm vehicles, holiday traffic and so on. I'd much rather go up the M6 etc. up the west side to avoid the suicide merchants overtaking trucks on blind bends--horrible.
As for holiday properties. I spent most of my childhood holidays on the Northumberland coast and I can tell you the sea is freezing (and the coastal shelf/undertow is scary), the north-east wind is a constant and coastal fog will roll in at some point on all but the brightest sunny days.
That's not to rubbish the place though as it is one of the most spectacular bits of coastline I've seen anywhere--I was there on holiday for a few days last autumn in fact. The yellow beaches make Malibu look very grubby (though the surf is non-existant and Santa Monica pier is better than Berwick's). Away from the coast the scenery is very pretty indeed and it's surprising how much warmer it is five miles inland--very little traffic too. There is also a surfeit of places to visit--fantastic castles and so on. I suspect though that even a fen family will be amazed by the cold-resistant powers of Geordies on holiday. Plus they all stay on vast caravan parks where the vans are so close together they are practically terraced.
Chris
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I was born in Berwick and brought up in North Northumberland so I can second all that Chris has said.
The east wind ,sea frets and usual seaside tat make the Northumbrian coastline which is spectacular a bit dodgy for holiday cottages.
Try going a few miles inland and you have some of the most beautiful unspoiled countryside , castles ,hills and, moorland in Britain.
Try places like Ford, Etal (Flodden Field) , Powburn , whittingham ,Wooler , Belford, Chatton and up into the Cheviot Hills.
Great area for touring. Backroomers don't tell anybody else or they'll ruin it
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Spent a grand holiday in Belford 5 years ago. Didn't remember the A1 as particularly hazardous then. Superb coastline, but don't be tempted to swim unless you've got a Coastguard shiny thermal blanket to snuggle up in afterwards.
We've also spent a few nights in a caravan site in Berwick near the railway. Yes, they did start shunting at 4:00 am.
A1 north of Scotch Corner is OK up to Washington services, then gets difficult and you choose the lottery of the western bypass or the dreaded Tyne Tunnel. A summer Friday is likely to be difficult either way.
You might find this link helpful if you've got in-car satellite braodband for your laptop
www.highways.gov.uk/news/m25_rt/index.htm
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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Oh - I nearly forgot , for all you gardeners don't miss the Duchess of Northumberlands Alnwick Garden at the Castle - get there early and watch the fountains start up and go through their spectacular display - Try to stay overnight on a Saturday in Alnwick and you'll find out what a pub crawl is all about.The locals try about half an hour in each pub.
Last year SWMBO and I were trying to get out of one pub having finished our meal and decided we didn't really want to drink with 14 year olds.
Just then the pub crawl arrived , around 250 + lads in T shirts and girls in Minis and crop tops in freezing temps. We were literally pushed backwards and ended up taking refuge in the loo from the surging tide of thirsty Geordies!
It really is great part of the country. (Motoring Link)
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Northumbrians are NOT Geordies, and they'll get very upset if you call them that. The good people of Alnwick, accordingly, are Northumbrians.
They still have a fine resistance to cold and a penchant for short skirts, whatever the weather!
Try Rothbury, Thropton, Alwinton (but we're beginning to miss the point of your seaside holiday). Personally I'd stay up in the Cheviot hills, and then you can see when the sea fret (mist) is hugging the coast, and avoid the beach on those days.
Newcastle is so bad in the rush hour, you may consider the A68 to avoid it.
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Thanks for the responses. We've been really lucky in recent years with decent runs up the A1 on Fri and across The Dales to Kendal for an overnight, then the run into SW Scotland has been a doddle on Sat am.
I'd guessed sticking to the east side past Newcastle would be a problem.
As to the "feel" of the Berwick coast...I'm getting the picture! Never say never but it might not be what the M.M family seek! From looking at the map it seemed a few miles inland may be more relaxed...but the little M.M folks want to see the sea from the cottage! Thanks for the tip though helicopter, I'll check it out tonight for properties.
Enjoyed Chapter 7 of your About Britain Guide Chris!
Anyone actually dropped off the A1 into these villages just into Scotland?
And Hawkeye...in-car satellite braodband for your laptop...you jest. We do have last year's AA Atlas that was reduced to 99p in the local garage!
M.M
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Bear in mind though that Geordie traffic etc is nothing like the traffic in london/M25.
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I visit Alnwick regularly as my daughter lives there. When I go by train it is GNER H*ll and when I go by car it isn't much better! Three weeks ago I saw something in the Alnwick local paper about the strict enforcement of a 40mph limit on HGVs using the 2 lane streches of the A1 North of Alnwick. This has led to convoys of trucks, in both directions, driving at the 40 limit and making overtaking very difficult for all concerned. In the Summer it will be dawdlers and caravans to add to the mix! I may have my facts wrong (re the lorry speed limit) but it is mostly 2 lane and no fun to drive on most of the time.
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I agree with Armitage. Moved back into the area last year & the run from the Tyne Tunnel to Berwick takes about hour and a half.
Lorries and double white lines plus a few cameras on the way.
In summer add Micras. Bitter cold last week on Lindisfarne.
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Now hadaway yer booger ma Mapmaker!
Alright I agree that the good people of Alnwick are Northumbrians but the good people of Newcastle are Geordies and as far as I'm concerned thats South Northumberland ( Don't let this Tyne and Wear rubbish fool you - Newcastle and Sunderland are two different tribes!).
MM - The MM kids would love the beach at Alnmouth and the Castles at Dunstanborough and Bamburgh and the Priory and Castle on Lindisfarne. And of course Hadrians Wall.
You and Mrs MM may care to try the glorious Craster Kippers, bangers fron the butcher in Bamburgh ( finest in the country IMO) and the Lindisfarne Mead.
Beware of the tides at Lindisfarne - I've seen too many cars full of seawater at the local garage to know that its not worth the risk!
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