This route uses mainly country and costal roads and will visit seaside towns and historical sites. The first sight of the sea is at Mappleton where you will travel along a nice coast road close to the beach.
Then you go to Flamborough Head, with its spectacular chalk cliffs, stacks, arches and smugglers’ caves, and its two lighthouses, one 17th and one 19th century, is also the setting for Europe’s largest chalk reef, which is submerged and extends 6km offshore, It is rich in marine wildlife and also a great place for sea-watching; Pods of Harbour Porpoises are common and dolphins and Minke Whales occasional.

The route follows the coast to the seaside town of Scarborough passing through small towns and villages. Just on the outskirts of Scarborough you can visit Oliver's Mount and even do a lap of the only street racing circuit in England. Some top names have raced here including Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini, Geoff Duke, John Surtees, John McGuinness, and Joey Dunlop.
At Scarborough you can visit the magnificent ruins of Scarborough Castle or stop for a coffee at the Oasis Cafe that has great sea views and is often visited by bikers. Also here is the 'Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers', a giant, larger than life steel structure made by Ray Lonsdale, an artist, fabricator and sculptor. The sculpture is based on a retired miner that Ray became friends with who turned out to also be one of the first soldiers to relieve the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the end of World War II. This piece of art is not just about Freddie Gilroy but represents all the normal people that were pulled out of an ordinary life and forced into a very extraordinary and dangerous one during the World Wars.

From here, the route enters the North York Moors National park and the scenery changes to open moorland with the occasional glimpse of the sea. Whitby is next and the route passes close to Whitby Abbey, famous as the inspiration for the Count Dracula novel by Bram Stoker. Whitby is a fishing town and is an ideal place to stop for a fish and chips lunch.

Climbing up onto the high ground again and never far from the sea, the route takes you to the Middlesbrough where you'll cross over the River Tees on the Tees (Newport) Bridge. This was dubbed the ‘Tees Wonder Bridge’ when it opened in 1934 as it was the largest vertical-lift bridge of its type in the world and the first of its type in the country.

Onward to Newcastle now and a visit to The Angel of the North at Gateshead is a must for anyone new to this area. Standing at an impressive 20m tall with a wingspan of 54m, the angel stands tall to all those that approach from the south. Into Newcastle now and over the iconic Tyne Bridge which has become a defining symbol of Tyneside.
Cross over the county border into Northumberland and onto the pretty seaside/fishing village of Seahouses.
If the times are not correct for crossing the causeway onto the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, you could stay here in Seahouses, there are lots of options for accommodation. Its colourful fishing harbour is perfect for observing local marine life including dolphins and panoramic views of the spectacular Farne Islands,

Now onto the final destination of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, but not before passing Bamburgh Castle, it has stood guard above the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years. Spanning nine acres of land on its rocky plateau, Bamburgh Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. It sits next to the road so a stop for some photos is assured.
The tidal causeway that leads onto Holy Island provides an all-dry route onto the island for about seven hours between each high tide. At high tide the road is covered by between 4ft (1.2m) and 6ft (1.8m) of sea water and even more at exceptional tides or severe weather. The tidal causeway to Holy Island is 3 miles long. This means it takes approximately 10 minutes to drive and with sand and seaweed possibly covering the surface caution is required.
There is a hotel and several B&Bs; that operate on the island as well as somewhere for food and drinks. It is an incredibly spiritual place to visit whether you have religion or not. It offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and a distinct, atmospheric experience that many find captivating. The island's history as a centre of early Christianity and a Viking stronghold, combined with its stunning coastline and wildlife, makes it a compelling destination.

WARNING - Make sure the tides are correct for your visit.
Enjoy