Best Motorcycle Routes in Northumberland and North East England

What makes a motorcycle ride great? Quiet country lanes which meander from tiny village to tiny village through woodland and moorland? Fast sweeping roads where the open countryside and clear sight-lines allow quick and progressive riding and raise your pulse?

A visit to a local craft bakery for a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich? Historical sights, museums, castles, beaches, border crossings, islands only accessible at low tide, cathedrals, forests, reservoirs?

The North East of England offers all of this, as well as friendly and welcoming locals, making it one of the best places to ride motorcycles.

Whatever you wish for, as a biker or a pillion, the North East can offer it in spades. Our motorcycle runs will take you along the dramatic coastlines of Northumberland, past the grandeur of Durham Cathedral and through the rugged beauty of Hadrian’s Wall Country as it stretches to the border with Scotland. Bikers will revel in the almost deserted lanes and roads which unfold to present ever more breath-taking vistas across the North Pennines and the Cheviots. Turn off the main road and you will soon have miles and miles of great riding routes to yourself.

From the swooping contours of the Roman built Military Road (B6318), which follows the Roman Wall for much of its length, to the stunning Coastal Route which tracks the coast from Tyne to Tweed taking in tiny fishing villages, former mining communities, castles and some of the best beaches in the world.

Contained in the routes below are pretty roads, pretty villages, twisty roads and technical roads. Bikers will need all of their skills as, in the space of a few miles, you can be crossing a ford in the bottom of a wooded valley before tackling tight hairpins that twist and turn when the same route climbs to the desolate Cheviot border moorland.

Some of the rides cross the border into Scotland multiple times and show off the rugged, bleak and windswept landscape. Others take a return trip west to the Lake District or south into the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales via the North East’s best motorcycle roads.

No passports are needed on any of these routes! Enjoy and ride safely!

I’m grateful to riding companions and fellow members of Northumbria Advanced Motorcyclists who have introduced me new roads and biker-friendly cafés over the years.

The Routes

Click the road signs below to select routes north, south or west of Northumberland.

Route Count by Town, Road and Café

Find routes by the places passed through and the motorcycle-friendly cafés we’ve stopped at on the way.

List of motorcycle routes by town
TownRoute Count
Abbotrule2
Abby Town1
Acklington2
Acklinton1
Acomb3
Aiskew2
Akeld1
Aldbrough1
Allendale5
Allendale Town4
Allenheads8
Alnham1
Alnmouth2
Alnwick12
Alston16
Amble8
Ambleside1
Ampleforth2
Annan2
Appleby-in-Westmorland3
Arkle1
Arncliffe1
Ashington4
Askam1
Askrigg1
Auchencairn1
Ayton1
Bainbridge1
Bamburgh7
Bampton Grange1
Banks1
Barnard Castle8
Beadnell3
Beal1
Bearsbridge1
Bedale2
Bedburn1
Bedlington1
Belford7
Bellerby2
Bellingham10
Belsay19
Bentpath4
Berwick Hill1
Berwick Upon Tweed1
Blackpool Gate1
Blakey Ridge1
Blanchland5
Blanchland,1
Blencarn1
Bonchester Bridge12
Bonjedward2
Borrowdale2
Boulby1
Boulmer1
Bowes2
Braithwaite1
Brampton9
Branton1
Broomhill2
Brotton1
Brough7
Broughton1
Buckden1
Burnthouses1
Buttermere2
Butterwick1
Byrness2
Cadwell1
Caldwell3
Callaly2
Callay1
Cambo5
Camptown3
Canonbie2
Capheaton1
Carleton1
Carperby1
Carter Bar2
Cartington3
Castle Carrock3
Castleside4
Castleton2
Catlowdy1
Caton1
Catton3
Chathill2
Chatton3
Chesters6
Chillingham1
Chollerford23
Chollerton3
Chop Gate1
Choppington1
Christon Bank1
Church Houses1
Clarence Field1
Claygate3
Coanwood5
Cockermouth1
Cockfield3
Colcleugh1
Coldstream6
Colwell2
Copley1
Corbridge10
Cornhill-on-Tweed1
Cowshill2
Coxwold2
Crawcrook1
Cray1
Cresswell2
Crockerford1
Croglin2
Culgaith1
Cummertrees1
Cumrew1
Cumwhinton1
Dalbeattie1
Dalby Forest Drive1
Dalston1
Dalton7
Denholm2
Detchant1
Devil’s Bridge1
Dissington1
Druridge Bay1
Dumfries2
Duns2
Dyke Neuk1
Eaglescliffe1
Earlston1
Easington1
East Learmouth1
East Witton2
Eastgate2
Ebchester1
Edlingham4
Edmundbyers7
Edmundbyres1
Eggleston6
Eglingham2
Egton3
Eldon1
Ellerton1
Elsdon7
Elwick1
Embleton4
Ennerdale Bridge1
Eskdalemuir5
Etal2
Ettrick3
Ettrickbridge1
Eyemouth1
Falstone3
Felton2
Fenwick3
Fir Tree4
Forcett2
Ford2
Fountains Abbey1
Fourstones7
Frosterley1
Gainford1
Gaisgill1
Gamblesby1
Garwald1
Gavinton1
Gilling West3
Gilsland10
Glanton2
Glanton Pyke1
Glassonby1
Glenkerry1
Glenridding1
Grassington3
Grayrigg1
Great Ayton1
Great Bavington1
Great Broughton1
Great Langdale1
Great Ryle1
Great Whittington3
Greenhaugh2
Greenhead14
Gretna2
Greystead1
Grindon1
Grosmont1
Guidepost1
Guisborough4
Gunnerside2
Hallbankgate4
Halton Lea Gate3
Haltwhistle4
Hamsterley6
Hardraw1
Harelaw4
Harlow Hill1
Hartburn1
Hartside6
Hassendean2
Haugh Head1
Hawes3
Haweswater1
Hawick11
Hawkhill1
Haydon Bridge9
Heddon-on-the-Wall3
Hedley on the Hill1
Helmsley9
Helton1
Hepple1
Heugh1
Hexham14
High Stoop2
High Trewhitt1
Highbank Hill1
Hipsburn1
Holburn1
Holy Island1
Holystone1
Hovingham1
Hunstansworth1
Hutton-Le-Hole2
Ingleton1
Ingoe3
Jedburgh10
Keilder1
Keld2
Keldholme1
Kelso8
Kendal2
Kershope Burn1
Keswick3
Kettlewell3
Keverstone1
Kielder14
Kilham1
Kinsey Crag1
Kipford1
Kirby Lonsdale1
Kirkbean1
Kirkby Lonsdale1
Kirkby Malham1
Kirkby Moorside1
Kirkby Stephen7
Kirkby Steven1
Kirkcambeck1
Kirkcudbright1
Kirkharle7
Kirklevington1
Kirkley6
Kirkoswald1
Knaresborough1
Knowesgate2
Knowsgate3
Lambley3
Lancaster1
Lanchester1
Lanehead5
Lanercost3
Langdale Beck1
Langdon Beck3
Langholm9
Langley2
Langthwaite1
Langwathby3
Lastingham1
Layburn1
Lazonby1
Lea Gate1
Leadgate1
Lealholm1
Leeming Bar2
Leighton1
Lesbury7
Leyburn7
Lilliesleaf2
Little Bavington3
Lochmaben1
Lockerbie1
Lofthouse1
Loftus1
Long Marton1
Longformacus1
Longframlington3
Longhirst2
Longhorsley1
Longhoughton3
Longtown5
Longwitton3
Lorbottle Hall1
Low Hauxley1
Low Worsall1
Loweswater1
Lowick1
Lowlands1
Lynemouth1
Lythe3
Lythe"1
Malham1
Malton2
Marske1
Marske-by-the-Sea1
Maryport1
Masham4
Matfen5
Meldon1
Melmerby6
Melmersby1
Melsonby1
Memberby1
Mickley Square1
Middeleton-in-Teesdale1
Middleham2
Middlesborough1
Middleton1
Middleton-in-Teesdale11
Midgeholm1
Midgeholme3
Milburn1
Milfield2
Millfield2
Mitford4
Morebattle3
Morley3
Morpeth8
Morton-on-Swale2
Mouswald1
Muker1
Nateby1
Nenthead5
Nether Cassock1
Netherton2
Netherwitton1
New Galloway1
Newbiggin3
Newbrough1
Newby Bridge1
Newcastleton12
Newthorpe1
Norham1
North Sunderland1
Northallerton3
Nunthorpe4
Nunwick3
Ogle6
Old Berwick1
Old Castleton3
Old Malton1
Old Swarland2
Orton3
Oswaldkirk2
Otterburn22
Otterburn Mill2
Ousby1
Oxnam1
Pateley Bridge1
Pately Bridge1
Pauperhaugh1
Penrith6
Pickering3
Piercebridge5
Ponteland42
Pooley Bridge3
Powburn4
Prendwick1
Preston1
Preston Hall Park1
Quernmore1
Redcar2
Redesmouth3
Redmire1
Reeth5
Rennington1
Renwick1
Ribblesdale1
Richmond8
Riding Mill3
Ripon3
Roadhead5
Roberton1
Rochester3
Rookhope1
Rosedale2
Rothbury8
Rowanburn1
Rowfoot2
Roxburgh1
Ruswarp4
Ryal4
Saltburn1
Saltburn-by-the-Sea2
Saltwick1
Sandhutton2
Sandsend3
Satley1
Saughtree9
Scale Houses1
Scarborough1
Scot's Gap5
Scotch Corner3
Scots Gap3
Scott's View1
Scrainwood1
Seahouses8
Sedbergh3
Selkirk2
Settle2
Settlingstones1
Shap1
Sherburn1
Shilbottle1
Shildon1
Shillbottle1
Silloth1
Sinderhope1
Skeeby1
Skirwith1
Slaidburn1
Slaley2
Sleights1
Slingsby1
Smithfield1
Snainton1
Snitter1
Soulby1
South Kilverston1
Sparty Lea1
Sproxton1
St John’s Town of Dalry1
St. Boswells1
St. John's Chapel2
St. Johns Chapel1
St. John’s Chapel2
St. Mary's Loch1
St.Abbs1
St.John’s Chapel1
Stagshaw1
Staindrop10
Stainton1
Staithes1
Stamfordham12
Standhope1
Stanhope15
Stannington1
Starbotton1
Stocksfield3
Stokelsy1
Stokesley9
Sutton-Under-Whitestone1
Swinhoe1
Talkin1
Tan Hill1
Tebay1
The Grange1
Thirsk2
Throckley7
Throkley1
Thropton10
Thursby1
Thwaite2
Toft Hill3
Tongland1
Topcliffe2
Tow Law3
Town Yetholm4
Townfield1
Tranwell1
Troutbeck1
Ugthorpe1
Ulgham2
Wall2
Wall Houses1
Wallhouses1
Wallington1
Wallridge3
Walton2
Walwick1
Warden1
Wark5
Warkworth14
Warwick Bridge2
Waskerley1
Weatherby1
Wensleydale1
West Auckland4
West Aukland1
West Burton1
West Fleeton1
West Main1
West Mickley1
West Woodburn1
Westerhope1
Westgate1
Westruther2
Wetheral1
Wetherall1
Whalton6
Whitby5
Whitfield4
Whittingham6
Whygate1
Widdington Station1
Widdrington8
Widdrington Station1
Wideopen1
Winston4
Wolsingham8
Woodhorn2
Wooler12
Workington1
Wylam1
Yafferton1
Yarm2
Yarrow1
York1

List of motorcycle routes by café
CaféRoute Count
Beck House Tea Rooms, Malham1
Bluebird Café, Coniston1
Brockbushes Farm Shop, Corbridge13
Brough Castle Ice Cream Parlour & Tearoom, Brough1
Café Maelmin, Milfield2
Café Number One, Shildon1
Capheaton Village Tea Room, Capheaton1
Carriages Tea Room, Bellingham1
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre1
Dobbies Garden Centre, Ponteland4
Drift Café, Cresswell1
Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope7
Ebbcarrs Café, St. Abbs1
Eggleston Hall Café and Tearooms, Eggleston1
Errington Coffee House, Corbridge7
Eskdalemuir Community Hub, Eskdalemuir2
Forge Studios, Allendale2
Gateway Shopping Centre, Gretna1
Greenhead Tea Room, Brampton6
Hartside Café, Alston4
Haweswater Hotel, Haweswater1
Hemmel Café, Allenheads3
Hollybush Nurseries, Corbridge2
Houghton Hall Garden Centre, Houghton1
Kirkharle Coffee House, Kirkharle1
Kirkstone Pass Inn, Ambleside1
Lakeside Farm Shop & Country Café, Ellerton1
Langdale Beck Hotel, Langdale1
Lavender Tea Rooms, Etal3
Little Chef, Bardon Mill1
Little Town Dairy, Longridge1
Mayfield Garden Centre, Kelso5
Milk Bar, Wooler1
Morrison's, Hawick1
Nelson's at the Park, Old Swarland1
OK Diner, Hartlepool4
Old School Tearoom, Falstone4
Oliver's Mount Restaurant1
Orton Scar Café, Orton2
Otterburn Mill, Otterburn15
Rheged Visitors’ Centre, Penrith1
Sam Turner & Sons, Piercebridge3
Simonburn Tea Rooms, Simonburn1
Slackhouse Organic Farm, Gilsland1
Squires Café Bar, Newthorpe1
Strikes Garden Centre, Stokesley1
Sunnyhills of Belford, Belford1
The 68 Café, Toft Hill4
The Glen Café St. Mary's Loch, Selkirk2
The Olive Tree, Newcastleton1
The Red Rooster, Penrith2
The River Gardens, Briggswath4
The Riverside Kitchen, Chollerford6
The Smithy Tearooms, New Galloway1
The Station Café Bar, Richmond1
The Wentworth Café, Hexham3
Vallum Farm, Wallhouses1
Walton Tearoom, Brampton1
Waterwheel Restaurant, Selkirk1
Whitfield Village Pantry, Whitfield3
Widdrington Inn, Widdrington1
Woolen Mill, Jedburgh4

Latest route

Ettrick Water via Walton and Eskdalemuir (Published: August 18, 2024)

Page updated August 11, 2024