Great roads of Berkshire
Discussion
Does anyone fancy a run out one weekend with a view to finding some great roads in and around Berkshire?
I have been down here for a number of years now and know of a couple of nice roads but nothing in comparison to that of the Peak District where I spent a lot of my life. I am sure there are some great roads that I have not discovered yet so if anyone wants to point me in the direction of a good hoon or better still, get up early one Sunday morning and come and try a few, let me know.
I had a nice little blat last weekend which was Newbury - Hungerford - Salisbury - Hungerford - Newbury and would be keen to find a few more routes that involve some nice sweeping twisties. I know plenty of little stretches of road but I am looking for some good runs as opposed to driving for miles just to find a 1 mile stretch of open road.
Local knowledge is key, am I asking too much or do such routes exist?
Mike
I have been down here for a number of years now and know of a couple of nice roads but nothing in comparison to that of the Peak District where I spent a lot of my life. I am sure there are some great roads that I have not discovered yet so if anyone wants to point me in the direction of a good hoon or better still, get up early one Sunday morning and come and try a few, let me know.
I had a nice little blat last weekend which was Newbury - Hungerford - Salisbury - Hungerford - Newbury and would be keen to find a few more routes that involve some nice sweeping twisties. I know plenty of little stretches of road but I am looking for some good runs as opposed to driving for miles just to find a 1 mile stretch of open road.
Local knowledge is key, am I asking too much or do such routes exist?
Mike
///Mike said:
Local knowledge is key, am I asking too much or do such routes exist?
They do exist but you need to get out exploring the lesser used B-roads. Any A-roads of consequence will have speed enforcement on them. For example the A339 Basingstoke-Alton or the A272 Winchester to Petersfield which are great routes, by the way, one does need to be vigilant about one's speed.Try a drive from Overton to Kingsclere then back to Whitchurch via the back roads. Cracking area, that.
Thanks Don, I have a client that lives in Overton and have travelled on those roads a few times when getting the train into London from there. Its been a while since I have been down there and its very close so thanks for reminding me.
Not looking for wreckless speed, the 135 provides plenty of thrills in the twisties without having to drive everywhere at 150 leptons.
Not looking for wreckless speed, the 135 provides plenty of thrills in the twisties without having to drive everywhere at 150 leptons.
Don said:
Try a drive from Overton to Kingsclere then back to Whitchurch via the back roads. Cracking area, that.
So good, that when you start the run out of Overton, someone has drawn 'FAST' on the road, opposite where the SLOW indicates the end of a straight southbound 
The B3349, Alton to Riseley is rewarding when empty. It's the old A32, so trunk road quality at most points.
Further North, the B4009 Newbury-Goring is twisty.
The A4074, Caversham - Crowmarsh Gifford is like the B3349, great when empty. Although the southern most section is known as the ' 13 bends of death' - it is dangerous!
Edited by Puggit on Thursday 28th January 21:08
Further to puggit's B4009 suggestion, look at looping from Newbury to Wantage on the B4494, Wantage to Streatley on the A417 then back from Streatley to Newbury along on the B4009.
There are some niggly bits, but the open fast bits make up for them.
And there are some smashing pubs too.
There are some niggly bits, but the open fast bits make up for them.
And there are some smashing pubs too.
DickyC said:
Further to puggit's B4009 suggestion, look at looping from Newbury to Wantage on the B4494, Wantage to Streatley on the A417 then back from Streatley to Newbury along on the B4009.
There are some niggly bits, but the open fast bits make up for them.
And there are some smashing pubs too.
This is by far the best bit of road in the area when you fancy a hoon IMHO. Its got open fast bits and some twisties but the best thing is it is generally quiet, which makes it particularly special round these parts! Most good bits of road are blighted by the 40mph brigade within normal hours.There are some niggly bits, but the open fast bits make up for them.
And there are some smashing pubs too.
Other favourites of mine for a quick blast include A4074 from Reading, B3349 from Heckfield to Hook then A30 to Basingstoke then A339 to Alton, quite fond of sections of the A417 from Goring towards Blewbury too.
Mike - check out the Thames Valley & Surry forum if you want to meet up with a few like minded individuals
Thanks gents, I had a nice little excursion on Saturday from Newbury to Wantage and back again.
It was very cold, so whilst the engine was gasping thick cold air and raring to go, the runflats weren't offering much in the way of grip. I am also unfamilier with the road so it was more of a gentle cruise with the odd burst but it was enjoyable never the less so thanks for the heads up.
I have driven part of the B4494 before but never gone all the way up to Wantage and some of the best bits are near the end. I can't wait for the warmer weather!
It was very cold, so whilst the engine was gasping thick cold air and raring to go, the runflats weren't offering much in the way of grip. I am also unfamilier with the road so it was more of a gentle cruise with the odd burst but it was enjoyable never the less so thanks for the heads up.
I have driven part of the B4494 before but never gone all the way up to Wantage and some of the best bits are near the end. I can't wait for the warmer weather!
///Mike said:
Thanks gents, I had a nice little excursion on Saturday from Newbury to Wantage and back again.
It was very cold, so whilst the engine was gasping thick cold air and raring to go, the runflats weren't offering much in the way of grip. I am also unfamilier with the road so it was more of a gentle cruise with the odd burst but it was enjoyable never the less so thanks for the heads up.
I have driven part of the B4494 before but never gone all the way up to Wantage and some of the best bits are near the end. I can't wait for the warmer weather!
Should have picked up the B4507 to Ashbury and left B4000 to Lambourn next timeIt was very cold, so whilst the engine was gasping thick cold air and raring to go, the runflats weren't offering much in the way of grip. I am also unfamilier with the road so it was more of a gentle cruise with the odd burst but it was enjoyable never the less so thanks for the heads up.
I have driven part of the B4494 before but never gone all the way up to Wantage and some of the best bits are near the end. I can't wait for the warmer weather!
If your route involves the A4 past Ufton Nervet be carefull as the buggers have put a 40 limit that now seems to be permanent. With no warning, and a camera van doing his level best to reduce the national debt!! It starts at the Winning Hand pub for about half a mile.
This is a blasted A road for gods sake. But this seems to be the way things are going unfortunatley.
PS: My wife thinks she has been clocked and she has never in 30 years of driving been done for anything or had an accident. Aren't we lucky that they have at last managed to catch this criminal?!.
This is a blasted A road for gods sake. But this seems to be the way things are going unfortunatley.
PS: My wife thinks she has been clocked and she has never in 30 years of driving been done for anything or had an accident. Aren't we lucky that they have at last managed to catch this criminal?!.
andrewws said:
If your route involves the A4 past Ufton Nervet be carefull as the buggers have put a 40 limit that now seems to be permanent. With no warning, and a camera van doing his level best to reduce the national debt!! It starts at the Winning Hand pub for about half a mile.
This is a blasted A road for gods sake. But this seems to be the way things are going unfortunatley.
PS: My wife thinks she has been clocked and she has never in 30 years of driving been done for anything or had an accident. Aren't we lucky that they have at last managed to catch this criminal?!.
I use this road a lot as its my main route from work to the M4 when I have to get anywhere. I noticed this limit being set whilst they had roadworks there but the roadworks have now gona and you are right. It looks like the short 40mph stretch is here to stay. pointless, there are no houses at all by the side of the road on either side I just don't get it. I usually use the short dual lane section just before the new 40mph limit to get past any traffic thats been holding up. I will continue to do the same but now I will have to break hard to get down to 40 as opposed to just backing off and keeping the car settled. It might help them rack up a few pounds towards national debt but all its done is make that particular stretch of road more dangerous imo.This is a blasted A road for gods sake. But this seems to be the way things are going unfortunatley.
PS: My wife thinks she has been clocked and she has never in 30 years of driving been done for anything or had an accident. Aren't we lucky that they have at last managed to catch this criminal?!.
tim200sx said:
DickyC said:
Newbury to Wantage on the B4494
Went for a run on this yesterday afternoon - fantastic road, particularly liked the quick open section towards the end - cheers for the heads up! 
I've driven it quite a few times but not enough to know it like the back of my hand. The first time I did it in the RS2 I was eating road quicker than normal and luckily, when I saw a group of cyclists standing with their bikes admiring the view at the crest of a hill, I slowed down a bit to go past them. They were standing in front of sharp deviation in the route chevrons that should have alerted me to the hard left I couldn't see. The area of field I nearly ploughed would still be there.
Years before I moved to Newbury my bro had a 911SC. Now that would be a car to drive that road with.
tim200sx said:
DickyC said:
Newbury to Wantage on the B4494
Went for a run on this yesterday afternoon - fantastic road, particularly liked the quick open section towards the end - cheers for the heads up! I was toying with the idea of going up there again yesterday but it was really cold and my RFT's offer little in the way of grip at low temps which kind of takes the fun out of it. I have to put the car in the middle of all the open corners anticipating not having enough grip to stay in lane and its just not as much fun. I switched the TC off for a moment last time I was up there in similar conditions and had a large sideways moment in hte next corner. 30 seconds later the TC was back on haha.
Puggit said:
The A4074, Caversham - Crowmarsh Gifford is like the B3349, great when empty. Although the southern most section is known as the ' 13 bends of death' - it is dangerous!
A further warning about the dangers of this road: A4074 deathDickyC said:
If you started from Newbury you probably thought I was on drugs until suddenly it all became clear
Yeah the first 40mph stretch was too great! Once into NSL though I enjoyed the tight technical sections, it's good there are no shortage of passing places too as I came across a few of the 45mph brigade!Edited by tim200sx on Monday 22 February 17:31
///Mike said:
tim200sx said:
DickyC said:
Newbury to Wantage on the B4494
Went for a run on this yesterday afternoon - fantastic road, particularly liked the quick open section towards the end - cheers for the heads up! I was toying with the idea of going up there again yesterday but it was really cold and my RFT's offer little in the way of grip at low temps which kind of takes the fun out of it. I have to put the car in the middle of all the open corners anticipating not having enough grip to stay in lane and its just not as much fun. I switched the TC off for a moment last time I was up there in similar conditions and had a large sideways moment in hte next corner. 30 seconds later the TC was back on haha
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