I designed this route to get you from the Hull ferry to the Lake District using the best scenic route possible.
This route will take you through 3 National Parks and avoid most of the major roads. The route ends at Windermere in the Lake District where you can then choose the best route to your final destination.
The route uses fast roads to get past Hull and Beverley and then you'll be on rural roads passing through the occasional town or village. The North York Moors National Park is the first national park that you'll visit and it has a visitor centre, this makes an interesting and convenient place to stop, stretch your legs and have a coffee. There are some great views towards Sutton Bank from the viewpoint. Sutton Bank is a hill and a high point on the Hambleton Hills with extensive views over the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray.

The route travels across the Vale of Mowbray who's landscape is one of a gently undulating flood plain, characterised by its flat or gently rolling terrain. It's a region of mixed agricultural land, including arable farming, dairying, and livestock rearing.
After passing under the busy A1(M), the landscape starts to become more hilly and you'll soon reach the charming market town of Middleham, famous for its castle and renowned for its horse racing heritage, with several top trainers based in the area. I have suggested a lunch stop here at the Richard III Hotel. While you are here, visit Middleham Castle, the favourite home of Richard III and just a stone's throw away.

After lunch you will soon be at the highlight of the day and the second National Park of this route, The Yorkshire Dales. The roads and the scenery soon change to open moorland, drystone walls and steep and twisty roads. Be aware that some of these roads are narrow and will have cattle grids.
Stop for a photo at Aysgarth Falls a magnificent triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by woodland and farmland, carved out by the River Ure over an almost one-mile stretch on its descent to mid-Wensleydale. Here, you will also see the historic Yore Mill, built as a cotton mill in 1784. The mill is really a complex of historic buildings clustered around a picturesque bridge over the River Ure. There are several cottages, a miller's house, stables, a blacksmith's forge, and cart sheds.
Though built to grind corn the mill was later a woollen mill, a corn mill, a flax mill, and a cotton mill before being converted to stocking manufacture.
Now the route starts to climb high up onto open moorland on a narrow with spectacular views. Maybe the best is when you arrive at the head of the Oxnop Valley and follow the Oxnop Scar, a limestone cliff face located on the opposite side of the road
There is another scheduled stop at a very pretty village called Muker, here you will find a nice pub serving lunches or a really quaint Tea Shop (Yorkshire for cafe) serving tea, coffee and light snacks.
There are many opportunities to stop for photos including the stunning Wain Wath Force (waterfall). Situated on the infant River Swale, set in the beautiful scenery of Swaledale, one of most beautiful dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Another photo opportunity is at the River Eden, park on the left and go under the bridge for a photo of the Devil's Grinding Mill, sometimes known as the Devil's Hole, it is part of The Angel's Drainpipe, a partially collapsed cave system on the River Eden which forms dramatic gorges and natural arches.
From here you are just a short distance from entering the third national park of this route, The Lake District National Park was established in 1951 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. It truly is a very unique landscape and worthy of exploring which is why you have chosen this route!
The route ends at Windermere ready for you to find your accommodation and start your tour.
I have added a link below for a RouteXpert route that covers all six of the Lake District passes and conveniently it starts just a mile or so away from Windermere.
Enjoy.