1. From the Netherlands to England
We set off by car from the Netherlands, accompanied, of course, by our two corgis, Togo and Buffy. Our route took us through the Channel Tunnel. We passed through Birmingham, Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, and Inverness before visiting the Isle of Man. The final stop of our two-week road trip was Newcastle, where we caught an overnight ferry back to the Netherlands.
What you will definitely need to enter the United Kingdom:
Valid passport (an ID card is no longer sufficient).
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): An electronic travel permit that must be applied for online or via the UK ETA app prior to travel.
Car insurance.
As for the dogs, they require:
EU Pet Passport.
Microchip.
Rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days prior to travel.
Tapeworm treatment: Must be administered and stamped by a veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours before entry. Pay strict attention to ensuring the stamp and exact timestamp are entered on the designated page of the passport, as missing information can result in being turned back at the border!
Important Note: These regulations were valid at the time of making the video, but may change over time. Be sure to check the current official requirements before traveling.
After all our paperwork was verified, we boarded the Channel Tunnel shuttle train, which whisked us under the English Channel in just 35 minutes.
2. Seven Sisters Cliffs
We started our first day at the breathtaking Seven Sisters cliffs. These dazzling white, steep chalk cliffs drop dramatically into the sea. This site is also significant as a filming location, though I cover that in detail in my other video—you can find the link at the end of the blog post.
3. Durdle Door
Our next stop was Durdle Door, another movie location featured at the end of Project Hail Mary. This magnificent natural limestone arch is one of the most famous landmarks of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site and is extremely popular with tourists.
4. Birmingham and Calke Abbey
Heading north, we passed through Birmingham—known for its bustling canals—and then visited the unique Calke Abbey. This country house is famous for being deliberately presented in a semi-derelict, decaying state, offering a rare glimpse into the decline of historical country estates.
5. Edinburgh
Upon reaching Scotland, our first stop was Edinburgh with its gothic, medieval atmosphere. Strolling along its cobbled streets, the sound of traditional bagpipes echoes at almost every turn, powered by the continuous airflow of the leather bag. We explored the colorful, gently curving, two-tiered Victoria Street, which allegedly inspired the most famous shopping street in the wizarding world. However, we could only explore part of the iconic hill overlooking the city because a fire broke out right while we were there, causing the police to cordoned off the area.
6. Hagrid’s Hut
Leaving Edinburgh behind, we headed toward the wild, scenic glens to visit the former filming location of Hagrid’s hut. Although the movie sets have long been dismantled, the landscape was instantly recognizable.
7. Glenfinnan and Surrounding Area
At the famous viaduct, we admired the spectacular curved railway line where the Hogwarts Express chugs along, with a deep-water loch stretching out in the background. From there, we took a scenic hike to another nearby loch, whose small, pine-covered island was also featured in the Harry Potter films.
8. Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye
En route to the Isle of Skye, we stopped at the iconic castle recognizable from the movie Highlander. We then crossed over to Skye, which instantly enchanted us with its dramatic craggy peaks and mystical ambiance.
9. The Fairy Glen
A non-negotiable stop on Skye is the Fairy Glen. Walking here feels like stepping into a fairytale book: tiny, grassy-green conical mounds and unusual formations shape this serene, miniature landscape.
10. An Corran and Old Man of Storr
On the coast, we searched for genuine fossilized dinosaur footprints on the rocks, which was an incredible experience. Next came the famous Old Man of Storr peak: a hike that isn't overly long, but because Togo had to be carried uphill in a backpack, our pace slowed significantly. Unsurprisingly, "Frodo Togo" in a backpack was an insanely cute sight, drawing smiles and photos from everyone along the trail!
11. Loch Ness
Naturally, we couldn't skip the famous Loch Ness, where we looked into the local legends. We were especially pleased that the fascinating Loch Ness Experience museum is entirely dog-friendly, allowing us to explore the mysteries of the lake together with our four-legged companions.
12. Inverness
We took a short rest in the charming northern city of Inverness and finally sampled local Scottish specialties, trying traditional smoked salmon and haggis.
13. Isle of Man and The Thousla Cross
We took an afternoon ferry to the Isle of Man—renowned for its motorcycle races and rugged coastline—where we experienced rapidly changing weather. The island carries a truly unique, magical atmosphere, home to over 200 different legends about fairies, giants, and ghosts. We checked out the local castle and the bronze statue of the legendary Isle of Man-born band, the Bee Gees, in pouring rain, but by the time we reached the southern side of the island, brilliant sunshine awaited us.
14. Keswick and Whinlatter Forest
Back in England, our first stop was the pleasant town of Keswick, which boasts a lovely lake. From there, we visited a nearby, mystical stone circle: similar to a smaller version of Stonehenge, it likely served a similar historical function. Thanks to its location, it offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. We then went for a great hike in the nearby forest—though Buffy got so muddy on the forest trails that a serious bath was waiting for her at the end of the day.
15. Hadrian’s Wall
Before heading home, we stopped at Hadrian’s Wall, which once marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. It remains impressive to see this ancient stone wall snaking for miles across rolling green hills.
16. Newcastle Upon Tyne and the Journey Home
Our final stop was Newcastle, where we boarded the overnight ferry for the return journey. Although the ship features a dedicated deck for dog owners, it's worth weighing the option in advance: while the overnight crossing is very comfortable, it is quite an expensive endeavor compared to driving back via the Channel Tunnel once you factor in time, driving effort, and overall costs.
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