Manchester to Notts - Woodhead? Snakes Pass?

[aR53GP]

Folks

I need to get from Manchester to Nottinghamshire next week, and now that I've got something fun to drive I'd like to find an interesting route!

I'd usually go over Woodhead but it's mostly camera'd now. Any alternatives? I've not done Snakes Pass for years. Is that still fun?

[popeyewhite]

I'd go Macclesfield - Buxton - Bakewell - Matlock - Notts. There's cameras on the Cat but if you go first right after the layby/first camera - stay on the road all the way down to the bottom and back up you'll emerge just before the pub and won't get nicked.

[plasticpig]

I would do Macclesfield then A523 all the way to Ashbourne. From there it really depends where you want to go to in Nottingham.

[AdiT]

Yes the Snake is still good. Now a 50 limit but no fixed cameras; There are regularly mobile cameras though. The favorite location is just as you approach the start of Ladybower Res' on the long straight. Beware of the new 30 zone for a short distance, about a mile after the SnakeInn, where the regular subsidence happens.

[terry tibbs]

personally, if you can, i'd get the train

they are st unless you're on a bike, all that will happen is you'll just get stuck behind an artic, quarry tipper truck, three vans and a pacific rim oap spacial on the hunt for a tea shop

seriously, if you just want to meander along enjoying the scenery then fine but it will take ages and get very frustrating, serious sporty driving no it has been killed off

[aR53GP]

popeyewhite said:

I'd go Macclesfield - Buxton - Bakewell - Matlock - Notts. There's cameras on the Cat but if you go first right after the layby/first camera - stay on the road all the way down to the bottom and back up you'll emerge just before the pub and won't get nicked.

plasticpig said:

I would do Macclesfield then A523 all the way to Ashbourne. From there it really depends where you want to go to in Nottingham.

AdiT said:

Yes the Snake is still good. Now a 50 limit but no fixed cameras; There are regularly mobile cameras though. The favorite location is just as you approach the start of Ladybower Res' on the long straight. Beware of the new 30 zone for a short distance, about a mile after the SnakeInn, where the regular subsidence happens.

terry tibbs said:

personally, if you can, i'd get the train

Thanks all.

It's actually Retford I am going to, so this route seems to make sense?

Train isn't practical really.

I haven't driven the Cat & Fiddle before. I didn't realise it was so 'dangerous'.

[popeyewhite]

aR53GP said:

I haven't driven the Cat & Fiddle before. I didn't realise it was so 'dangerous'.

It's not, honestly. It's got it's reputation because bikers were underestimating some tricky bends, going wide and meeting cars coming the other way with predictable results. Hopefully the road won't be too busy while you're on it - if it is then take the shortcut I've mentioned, it's a good alternative.

[NicheMonkey]

I do a similar trip regularly, I go M67 to Mottram then towards Chapel en Le Frith then towards Chesterfield then the A617 to the M1 which brings you out at junction 29 of the M1, its a good fast enjoyable route with great scenery you need to be willing to overtake the endless quarry lorries and tractors else it takes an age. There are plenty of legal overtaking opportunities.

I have never seen traffic police only panda cars. Also no cameras on the NSL or 50 mph sections. Beware there are some cameras going through the villages. From the M67 in Manchester to J29 of the M1 its around 1h15m to 1h30m depends on how you drive.

[aR53GP]

We survived! Unfortunately it was still pitch black when I got to Macclesfield at 6:30 this morning, and with me not knowing the road I was taking it really easy. Hopefully I can do it in the other direction tomorrow afternoon and stretch the car's legs a bit more.