I went there from Sheffield via the back roads, considering the weather the were fairly good fun! On Saturday our ride out went up to the Scottish border and onto Jedburgh then to Bamburgh Castle
(Edit: For anyone interested here is the linky Andy http://www.bamburghcastle.com/ ) for lunch. Then Sunday we used the A68 down to Teeside or a bit beyond then some more back roads to Squires Café.
Majority of the roads were good fun-great scenery, good twistys bit & enjoyable to ride (if the weather isn't torrential!) I'll upload the route we rode when I can download them from my Sat Nav.