is there anywhere left to enjoy a drive?
Discussion
thejaywills said:
from what I read here the UK seems a medley of traffic, cameras, road tolls and misery
That was your first mistake.If you were to believe this place, everything about driving in the UK is completely awful. It's like a Facebook comments section of grumpy, old men whingeing about everything in their lives.
There are lots of fun places to drive in the UK, even (shock, horror) in the South East. If you were able to get up early and avoid the traffic, there are a load of great routes that will take you through the Surrey Hills and South Downs to the coast. If you wanted to venture further afield, there are myriad options that are well covered here.
Don't believe the doom-mongers.
thejaywills said:
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I'll be in the south east
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Are you thinking day trips or would you stay overnight further afield? If you haven't been in the UK for a while the biggest change would be lots of lower speed limits on country roads. I'm not sure there are that many more fixed cameras. I'll be in the south east
...
But more importantly, SE England is probably the most densely populated area of Europe and that hasn't changed in decades! There are 25+ million people
in a very small area so it will always be busy - London 9 million, south-east (Berks around to Kent) 9 million, east (Herts up to Norfolk) 6 million...ETA - oh, and post-Covid with far more home working, Fridays are probably far quieter than they used to be (they certainly are in London). Perhaps head off for a couple of nights mid-week and then spend Friday in the south-east.
And C70's right - it's really not that bad
The daily mail, express and telegraph do love to spread misery as much as they can too...Edited by braddo on Friday 17th November 07:52
From my personal experience, there are some fantastic roads in the West of the UK. Devon is great. I now live in Gloucestershire and am discovering some good roads round here too.
There are some roads hidden away where I was from before (East Surrey) they were generally busier and hidden away.
There are some roads hidden away where I was from before (East Surrey) they were generally busier and hidden away.
I’ve in the south east and I’m the member of a few groups that go out quite often for a few hours and then congregate for a breakfast.
The best routes have a combined of fast technical corners, some elevation and a few NSL straights.
Flat straight roads that go on for miles are pointless TBH.
The concept is no different to visiting a busy shop or a theme park. You absolutely need to choose a time/day when there are less people about if you want the roads to yourself.
Speed camera locations are all known and documented, so you can avoid them, or just plan around them and slow down for that bit of the journey.
JAMSXR said:
To enjoy a drive in the south east you need to be out by 6/7am on a Sunday. Goodwood motors circuit is a good destination with a cafe, just be prepared for the roads to be slightly less open on the way back!
It’s been a while but we used to do some great motorcycle rides to Chipping Norton. Some of the b roads in Oxfordshire would always remain surprisingly clear. Keep meaning to take the car out that way.
Being based in the south east, I try to avoid getting in my car at the weekends, unless it’s an early morning or late evening drive. People around here seem to use their cars to get to their nearest letterbox, it’s ridiculous. I enjoy spending time, and beating traffic, on my bike.
I come back to the UK a few times a year to that part of the Cotswolds - Stow, Chipping Norton, Moreton, Broadway - and have found that the roads are virtually empty in the early evening. Tiresome in the daytimes and best avoided avoided at weekends, but on a weekday evening, it's just fantastic. Great roads and in reasonable condition (for the UK). Ideal for a Cayman, I would think.It’s been a while but we used to do some great motorcycle rides to Chipping Norton. Some of the b roads in Oxfordshire would always remain surprisingly clear. Keep meaning to take the car out that way.
Being based in the south east, I try to avoid getting in my car at the weekends, unless it’s an early morning or late evening drive. People around here seem to use their cars to get to their nearest letterbox, it’s ridiculous. I enjoy spending time, and beating traffic, on my bike.
If you get a good run, one of the most varied roads in the south east is the A272.
The eastern start point is at Cross-in-Hand, though I normally pick it up at Uckfield.
A decent days drive is as far as West Meon Hut, and then take the A32 down to Fareham.
(Sadly this misses out some great scenery on the way to Winchester, but does avoid the boredom of returning via the M3 and M27)
A quick stretch of dual carriageway to Chichester.
You can opt to take a shorter route by heading south from Midhurst on the A286
Then pick up the A259 to drop down to Bognor Regis on the coast, and return as far as you need to via Telscombe, Seaford and the Beachy Head road into Eastbourne.
Being prepared to slow down when necessary helps to enjoy the views, as well as keeping a clean licence.
The eastern start point is at Cross-in-Hand, though I normally pick it up at Uckfield.
A decent days drive is as far as West Meon Hut, and then take the A32 down to Fareham.
(Sadly this misses out some great scenery on the way to Winchester, but does avoid the boredom of returning via the M3 and M27)
A quick stretch of dual carriageway to Chichester.
You can opt to take a shorter route by heading south from Midhurst on the A286
Then pick up the A259 to drop down to Bognor Regis on the coast, and return as far as you need to via Telscombe, Seaford and the Beachy Head road into Eastbourne.
Being prepared to slow down when necessary helps to enjoy the views, as well as keeping a clean licence.
Castrol for a knave said:
Shropshire and the borders is completely rubbish, so I wouldn't come here 
Just thinking the same myself. a typical road with typical traffic levels. https://www.google.com/maps/@52.7239783,-3.1950678...
Mark-insert old BMW said:
North Devon and Cornwall. A39 Atlantic Highway is great fun and a road I'll often drive for sheer enjoyment. My eldest lives in Barnstaple so I always have a good excuse to head up on a Sunday morning. In the summer months I head down towards Penzance from Hayle / St Ives but usually go at sunrise to avoid tourists. This time of year though, it's not usually too busy.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/5uoZEr1R[/url]
Was going to mention this road, but you beat me to it. We are regular visitors to Lanteglos from Clevedon, be it in the van, classic car or on the bike. If its just me on the bike i will pick up the A39 in Bridgwater and run down via Minehead & Lynton. [url]|https://thumbsnap.com/5uoZEr1R[/url]
Well well the community certainly provides 
Keep em coming, thanks all
Will have a look ta
Will add those to the list cheers!
Unfortunately probably a bit too far afield this time!
Keep em coming, thanks allLRDefender said:
Yes there is but as already mentioned timing is key.
When I’m in the U.K. I’ll head out for a drive around 00:30 - 4:00am. Some great roads are to be found around Petersfield, South Harting, Petworth, Horsham and the Surrey Hills. It’s pretty pointless driving these areas for fun during normal hours as there’s simply too many cars on the road with differing driving styles.
It's funny, I have no problem being up at those hours, I'm normally on the road a lot of the time at 3.30 - but here in Aus I've learned to combine that with ''suicidal kangaroos everywhere'' which was pretty much how I wrote off my boxster. Ha I guess I never really thought that in 20 odd years in the UK I never saw any wildlife on the roads other than the deer that wrote off our puma many moons ago!When I’m in the U.K. I’ll head out for a drive around 00:30 - 4:00am. Some great roads are to be found around Petersfield, South Harting, Petworth, Horsham and the Surrey Hills. It’s pretty pointless driving these areas for fun during normal hours as there’s simply too many cars on the road with differing driving styles.
dvs_dave said:
So not some secret marker for PHight Club or something? Oh well, carry on. Maybe I should start it up.
Shhh! It was but you're quickly ruining it!Mark-insert old BMW said:
North Devon and Cornwall. A39 Atlantic Highway is great fun and a road I'll often drive for sheer enjoyment. My eldest lives in Barnstaple so I always have a good excuse to head up on a Sunday morning. In the summer months I head down towards Penzance from Hayle / St Ives but usually go at sunrise to avoid tourists. This time of year though, it's not usually too busy.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/5uoZEr1R[/url]
Ah a good shout, used to spend hours doing the weekly run to/from cornwall but I usually took the fastest route rather than the most enjoyable.. time poorly spent[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/5uoZEr1R[/url]Will have a look ta
Castrol for a knave said:
Shropshire and the borders is completely rubbish, so I wouldn't come here
Noted, I have a habit of ignoring good advise though :P C70R said:
That was your first mistake.
If you were to believe this place, everything about driving in the UK is completely awful. It's like a Facebook comments section of grumpy, old men whingeing about everything in their lives.
There are lots of fun places to drive in the UK, even (shock, horror) in the South East. If you were able to get up early and avoid the traffic, there are a load of great routes that will take you through the Surrey Hills and South Downs to the coast. If you wanted to venture further afield, there are myriad options that are well covered here.
Don't believe the doom-mongers.
ha precisely why I risked posting - I've been guilty of it myself but I do find myself saying ''it's not that bad acutually'' when I'm home If you were to believe this place, everything about driving in the UK is completely awful. It's like a Facebook comments section of grumpy, old men whingeing about everything in their lives.
There are lots of fun places to drive in the UK, even (shock, horror) in the South East. If you were able to get up early and avoid the traffic, there are a load of great routes that will take you through the Surrey Hills and South Downs to the coast. If you wanted to venture further afield, there are myriad options that are well covered here.
Don't believe the doom-mongers.
Will add those to the list cheers!thepritch said:
I’d say the same about Lefty’s silly suggestion. Roads in Scotland are just unbearable, nothing going for them whatsoever. You’d really not want to come here. In fact I’m coming back down to the SE England for a week next week, and can’t wait for driving nirvana!
I'd kill to get back to scotland, last time unfortunately was with the mrs, kid, friend and mum in a people carrier - the most excciting it got was getting a flat tyre after the mrs hit a brick! Unfortunately probably a bit too far afield this time!
braddo said:
Are you thinking day trips or would you stay overnight further afield? If you haven't been in the UK for a while the biggest change would be lots of lower speed limits on country roads. I'm not sure there are that many more fixed cameras.
But more importantly, SE England is probably the most densely populated area of Europe and that hasn't changed in decades! There are 25+ million people in a very small area so it will always be busy - London 9 million, south-east (Berks around to Kent) 9 million, east (Herts up to Norfolk) 6 million...
ETA - oh, and post-Covid with far more home working, Fridays are probably far quieter than they used to be (they certainly are in London). Perhaps head off for a couple of nights mid-week and then spend Friday in the south-east.
And C70's right - it's really not that bad The daily mail, express and telegraph do love to spread misery as much as they can too...
I'm actually in two minds. a few day trips would be good to fit around family and work but am thinking about taking a nice overnighter somewhere - yep I definitely avoid taking everything I read with too much seriousness - I was born in slough - I have to But more importantly, SE England is probably the most densely populated area of Europe and that hasn't changed in decades! There are 25+ million people
in a very small area so it will always be busy - London 9 million, south-east (Berks around to Kent) 9 million, east (Herts up to Norfolk) 6 million...ETA - oh, and post-Covid with far more home working, Fridays are probably far quieter than they used to be (they certainly are in London). Perhaps head off for a couple of nights mid-week and then spend Friday in the south-east.
And C70's right - it's really not that bad
The daily mail, express and telegraph do love to spread misery as much as they can too...Edited by braddo on Friday 17th November 07:52
Alex_225 said:
From my personal experience, there are some fantastic roads in the West of the UK. Devon is great. I now live in Gloucestershire and am discovering some good roads round here too.
There are some roads hidden away where I was from before (East Surrey) they were generally busier and hidden away.
Will deffo add to the list cheers! Used to spend a bit of time around surrey but it was always rush hourThere are some roads hidden away where I was from before (East Surrey) they were generally busier and hidden away.
Tommo87 said:
I’ve in the south east and I’m the member of a few groups that go out quite often for a few hours and then congregate for a breakfast.
The best routes have a combined of fast technical corners, some elevation and a few NSL straights.
Flat straight roads that go on for miles are pointless TBH.
The concept is no different to visiting a busy shop or a theme park. You absolutely need to choose a time/day when there are less people about if you want the roads to yourself.
Speed camera locations are all known and documented, so you can avoid them, or just plan around them and slow down for that bit of the journey.
Couldnt agree more, flat straight roads get boring very fast. we have a '90 mile straight' here and the novelty dies off. Yep seems to be the common theme, seems I'll be exploring some early mornings! I have no idea where the cameras are these days, and being on roaming probably means I won't have waze/maps on much The best routes have a combined of fast technical corners, some elevation and a few NSL straights.
Flat straight roads that go on for miles are pointless TBH.
The concept is no different to visiting a busy shop or a theme park. You absolutely need to choose a time/day when there are less people about if you want the roads to yourself.
Speed camera locations are all known and documented, so you can avoid them, or just plan around them and slow down for that bit of the journey.
rayny said:
If you get a good run, one of the most varied roads in the south east is the A272.
The eastern start point is at Cross-in-Hand, though I normally pick it up at Uckfield.
A decent days drive is as far as West Meon Hut, and then take the A32 down to Fareham.
(Sadly this misses out some great scenery on the way to Winchester, but does avoid the boredom of returning via the M3 and M27)
A quick stretch of dual carriageway to Chichester.
You can opt to take a shorter route by heading south from Midhurst on the A286
Then pick up the A259 to drop down to Bognor Regis on the coast, and return as far as you need to via Telscombe, Seaford and the Beachy Head road into Eastbourne.
Being prepared to slow down when necessary helps to enjoy the views, as well as keeping a clean licence.
I'm in Heathfield so the A272 is something I tried once on a (leisurely) trip to Cornwall but haven't gone back. Will do so in the spring as I've recently got back into having a third car that isn't a dad-mobile. For that return leg, do you really follow the A259 all the way to Seaford etc? My clutch already hates me and I'm not sure it would thank me for heading straight through Worthing, Hove and Brighton. personally i'd be tempted to take a realtively boring short cut to Lewes on the A27 and then take the A26 down to Newhaven (which is fun on the rare occasions you get a clear run) before heading up towards Beachy headThe eastern start point is at Cross-in-Hand, though I normally pick it up at Uckfield.
A decent days drive is as far as West Meon Hut, and then take the A32 down to Fareham.
(Sadly this misses out some great scenery on the way to Winchester, but does avoid the boredom of returning via the M3 and M27)
A quick stretch of dual carriageway to Chichester.
You can opt to take a shorter route by heading south from Midhurst on the A286
Then pick up the A259 to drop down to Bognor Regis on the coast, and return as far as you need to via Telscombe, Seaford and the Beachy Head road into Eastbourne.
Being prepared to slow down when necessary helps to enjoy the views, as well as keeping a clean licence.
Somewhere around the Lambourn Triangle could be worth a look?
Basically head over to Wantage and go south over the downs. Loads of good driving to be had over there but be wary of potholes, horses, cyclists etc. Probably best enjoyed as an early morning blast.
There are a couple of articles on here from some time ago if you search for them, probably still relevant for the most part.
Basically head over to Wantage and go south over the downs. Loads of good driving to be had over there but be wary of potholes, horses, cyclists etc. Probably best enjoyed as an early morning blast.
There are a couple of articles on here from some time ago if you search for them, probably still relevant for the most part.
ARHarh said:
Castrol for a knave said:
Shropshire and the borders is completely rubbish, so I wouldn't come here
Just thinking the same myself. a typical road with typical traffic levels. https://www.google.com/maps/@52.7239783,-3.1950678...
ATG said:
ARHarh said:
Castrol for a knave said:
Shropshire and the borders is completely rubbish, so I wouldn't come here
Just thinking the same myself. a typical road with typical traffic levels. https://www.google.com/maps/@52.7239783,-3.1950678...
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