Top 10 Driving Roads in the UK?

[mgv8dave]

A69
Chollerford road

[Swoxy]

How about this?

[DavidCane]

Swoxy, I saw that road mentioned in another thread last week and gave it a go on Sunday morning. Thouroughly recommended. I'm gonna have another blat there this Sunday and explore the surrounding area for a while.

The only problem last Sunday was what appeared to be a cycle race, using that road as part of the route. Luckily they were only making it onto that stretch when I was on my way home already.

[Swoxy]

Isn't it amazing? I've only ever done it at night in my Fabia SDI.
Might even go for a drive later if I'm not tired. Can't wait till I get my hands on a real car, but at least each time I've done it and driven to the best of my ability the Fabia has still averaged 55 MPG!
Let me know if you find any other interesting routes nearby.

Edited by Swoxy on Friday 30th November 23:00

[mark.h]

Think I should share the knowledge too, ive done snake pass, and buttertubs pass but i can honestly say that there are 3 yorkshire roads i know which blow them out of the water in terms of lack of useage, condition of tarmac, visability and scenery.
B6278 from Bernard Castle to Edmundbuyers
B6306 from Edmundbuers to Hexham
Blakey Road From Kirkbymoorside to Castleton

All epic roads and about 20+ miles long each.

Have fun!

[alphadog]

F308 MAN said:

....
i) take the A515 from buxton to ashbourne in the peak district ... half way along turn off onto the A5012 at newhaven .... take this road all the way to cromford... it becomes more and more twisty as you near cromford ... don't do it during truckers hours ... at cromford you hit the A6, turn left and enjoy fish & chips in matlock bath.
....

Alas Derbyshire have deemed fit to put a 50 limit on the A515 - including the nice Buxton - Newhaven bit - All you hear are moronic chants of 'Slow is good'

[r129sl]

I'll second the A686 Penrith-Alston-Haydon Bridge road.

I would heartily recommend the run from J37 of the M6 to Sedbergh, Kirby Stephen, Brough, Middleton in Teesdale, Stanhope, Edmundbyers, Corbridge. This makes an ideal alternative to the motorways for the Manchester to Newcastle trip and is just as quick.

The A696 from Newcastle to the A68 just north of Otterburn is fantastic once you're past Ponteland: fast, open and well-constructed. Continue up the A68 to Carter Bar for more of the same.

A rival to the A686 is the road from Bonchester Bridge, through Newcastleton and down to Canonbie. Years ago I borrowed my boss's 7 series and decided to take it up there: I hardly saw another vehicle and had one of the drives of my life.

[Davey S2]

Cant remember the name of it but the road from Brecon to Builth Wells via Upper and Lower Chappel is simply awesome and usually traffic free.

[edwardsje]

Davey S2 said:

Cant remember the name of it but the road from Brecon to Builth Wells via Upper and Lower Chappel is simply awesome and usually traffic free.

That would be the B4520 I think

[Mark83]

Swoxy said:

How about this?

We use this road for a driving meet.

Have to be careful though as it's narrow in places and the with several quarries on the road the surface can be an issue as is the tipper trucks during the day.

[northandy]

mark.h said:

Think I should share the knowledge too, ive done snake pass, and buttertubs pass but i can honestly say that there are 3 yorkshire roads i know which blow them out of the water in terms of lack of useage, condition of tarmac, visability and scenery.
B6278 from Bernard Castle to Edmundbuyers
B6306 from Edmundbuers to Hexham
Blakey Road From Kirkbymoorside to Castleton

All epic roads and about 20+ miles long each.

Have fun!

Ah Blakey Ridge, IMO the best driving road bar none...

[mark.h]

northandy said:

Ah Blakey Ridge, IMO the best driving road bar none...

you should try the other 2, believe it or not i rate them above it!(and thats saying something!)

Edited by mark.h on Wednesday 12th December 16:34

[JaymzDead]

A672 from the M62 to Sowerby Bridge, my old companies HQ was in Sowerby Bridge and it was always fun picking up a new company car and giving it a bit of a 'test' on the way back to the motorway!

[Cfnteabag]

The beachy head road as mentioned in another thread is a personal favourite plus the a259 between East Dean and Seaford both of them not very long but good fun all the same. Also found a road in scotland when I was there with the army,not sure what road it is but I know it is in the area of Loch Lomond and Ben Nevis even thou I was in an army issue astra 1.3 diesel and had an officer next to me so couldn't go too silly had more fun then I thought possible!

[Who me ?]

The A82 from Dumbarton to Tarbet ( on Loch Lommand )from there to Crainlarech -too many "you're going too fast merchants " and then crainlarech to Glencoe , through to Fort William ---fast roads - but give way to natives who know the roads a lot better,and in Glencoe - a few "Cash converter points ( specially round the ski lift area )

[maximus176]

Snake pass used to be good, better one is across strines moor from the stocksbridge bypass.

Went from Whitby to Pickering through sleights up the blue bank, then 20 odd miles of super road, great overtaking spots, great visibility when its not misty.

Newcastle to Edinburgh is great though over the border is well scamered.

A9 from Perth to Inverness very fast when not full of Sunday numpties.

[BassMunkee]

B4040\B4039 - Yate to Chippenham.
That's a nice road to do. Actually around that area there are a lot of fun B-Roads, come to think of it.

[JeffC]

Hartside pass.

[Who me ?]

Einion Yrth said:

Gad-Westy said:

A82 up through Glen Coe and onto Mallaig.

Ft William to Mallaig is the A830, and is probably my favourite driving road.

Try the old part of it sometime -B8008 - though from what I saw this summer the only bit that gives you a true picture of it about 40 years ago is the end bit from Mallaig out to Glasnacardoch.The stretch from Lochailort to Glenfinnan is now at least 45 year old , and from memory was designed as a 40MPH replacement for the single track section.The remaining bit at Polneish(under construction) (SP) was the best bit on the whole road when the rest was single track.

About 40 years ago a time of less than 1hour 20 was considered to be fast .

[dzm]

Mark83 said:

Swoxy said:

How about this?

We use this road for a driving meet.

Have to be careful though as it's narrow in places and the with several quarries on the road the surface can be an issue as is the tipper trucks during the day.

The Essendon road is fun, but as has been said, busy and a bit sketchy. Also, had a couple of good lift-off OS moments towards the Potters Bar end as there are a few corners with side roads right on them. I've had oncoming cars turn across thinking there was a gap.

Additionally, although most roads in Scotland are simply sublime, I have to recommend the B863 from Ballachulish to Kinlochleven. Amazing mix of bends, dips and rises on great tarmac with awesome views. North Ballachulish to Kinloch is my fave, but you can do it both ways and on both sides of the Loch. Even turn it into a circuit by linking in with the A82.

Anyone read Raw Spirit by Iain Banks? Some great descriptions of the GWRs (great wee roads) across Scotland. Worth a read for anyone planning a trip up there.