Possibly the most beautiful road trip in the country, with amazing views all along the route, the Northumberland 250 offers a spectacular journey through England's historic borderlands. We decided to tackle it in an electric car to test how practical such a rural route is for EV drivers.
Planning the Electric Road Trip
With petrol prices soaring, an electric road trip seemed both economical and environmentally friendly. We borrowed a Škoda Enyaq, a nimble SUV that promised up to 300 miles on a full charge. Knowing that detours would double the mileage, we plotted two charging points daily, hoping they would be functional and not blocked by petrol cars.
Charging Realities
Charging remains a lottery: each machine requires a different app, often with poor signal in remote areas. Helpful fellow EV users were a saving grace, while petrol car parkers in charging bays were a nuisance. Charging anxiety struck once near Jedburgh, where only one charger showed as working, but a fast charger resolved it in 15 minutes.
Route Highlights: Castles, Coast, and Countryside
Northumberland boasts over 20 castles. Bamburgh is spectacular, Alnwick featured in Harry Potter, and Lindisfarne becomes an island twice daily. We focused on a few: Dunstanburgh's atmospheric ruins at sunset, and smaller free sites like Edlingham and Twizzel. Instead of castle visits, we enjoyed cherry scones at Alnwick's Strawberry Lounge and smoked haddock chowder at The Potted Lobster near Bamburgh.
Holy Island and Beyond
Lindisfarne required tide planning; a rainstorm forced a return visit, but the causeway was worth driving four times. Leaving the coast at Berwick-upon-Tweed, the scenery improved through Kielder Forest's 12-mile off-road track and the North Pennines' wide horizons.
Accommodation and Charging
We chose lodges and pubs, some with EV charging. Fast charging in lunch stops replaced overnight charging, forcing us to discover gems like Fountain Cottage Café in Bellingham. We stayed at Blossom Plantation (no EV charger), Marshall Meadows Manor House, and The Pheasant Inn, all offering cosy comfort.
Revelations
Northumberland is an epic destination offering more than five days can contain. Driving electric is not only possible but adds a thoughtful pace, revealing hidden spots. My next car will be electric.
Five-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Newcastle to Dunstanburgh via Alnwick, Warkworth, and Craster. Highlights: Edlingham Castle, Alnwick cream tea, Dunstanburgh Castle. Overnight at Blossom Plantation.
- Day 2: Dunstanburgh to Berwick-upon-Tweed via Bamburgh and Lindisfarne. Highlights: Holy Island causeway, Bamburgh Castle, lunch at The Potted Lobster. Overnight at Marshall Meadows.
- Day 3: Berwick to Kielder Water via Twizel, Jedburgh, and Kielder Forest Drive. Highlights: Norham Castle, Hindhope Linn waterfall, Kielder Forest. Overnight at The Pheasant Inn.
- Day 4: Kielder to Blanchland via Hadrian's Wall and Allenheads. Highlights: Sycamore Gap, North Pennines. Overnight at Lord Crewe Arms.
- Day 5: Blanchland to Newcastle via Hexham and Corbridge. Highlights: Hexham Abbey, Prudhoe Castle.
We covered 530 miles in total, including detours, in the fully electric Škoda Enyaq.
