is there anywhere left to enjoy a drive?

is there anywhere left to enjoy a drive?

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Discussion

thejaywills

Original Poster:

378 posts

107 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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Hi all,

So I'm coming back home to the UK for a week and fully intend to spend a couple of days doing what I love - and for me that's enjoying some nice country roads. I've got a Cayman for the week and would love to get away from traffic jams and cameras for a few days.

Wondering if anyone can suggest some nice 'petrolhead' roads/areas/destinations? I'm not talking speeding around at a million miles an hour sideways, just the sort of openish twisty roads where you can just cruise, enjoy, free from too much traffic, maybe stop off for a nice bite, see some nice sights etc. I'll be in the south east so down that way is great but happy to venture out a few hundred miles.

Been gone for a while and from what I read here the UK seems a medley of traffic, cameras, road tolls and misery laugh but on the off chance there's still a place to enjoy a car - would be great to know where you go for a spin to satisfy your cravings?


Cheers!

swisstoni

17,000 posts

279 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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I live here and was wondering myself !

RolyRetro

109 posts

134 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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I’d say that there are places to enjoy a drive, but it’s more about times to enjoy a drive. I’m part of a WhatsApp group that organises early morning drives around Essex, generally on a Saturday morning, starting 6am and getting in a hundred mile drive to finish before 9am and have a bacon sandwich to celebrate a morning well spent. Any later than that and the drive is pointless, too much traffic and too frustrating.

Here is an example, there are others, but this part of Essex has a great combination of fast rural roads, nice villages and no traffic early in the morning, just watch out for tractors…

Start at South Woodham Ferrers. Head out on B1010 to Burnham on Crouch. At BoC, go left onto the B1021 up to Southminster. Go right and follow the road through Southminster then up through Asheldham and Tillingham towards Bradwell. Take the Maldon rd/Bradwell rd back towards Mayland. Keep on through to Latchingdon and Cold Norton then either down through Stow Maries back to SWF. Or head up Hackman's Lane through Cock Clarks, chuck a left onto Slough Road, through Bicknacre then back down B1418 towards SWF.

gshughes

1,277 posts

255 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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North Wales, Cumbria (North Pennines), Northumberland or North Yorkshire are a few hundred miles from the South East and are my suggestions.

Mr Tidy

22,334 posts

127 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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I live in the South East too and haven't found any roads like that around here!

I have found some decent roads in Wiltshire, Shropshire and Cambridgeshire but some have speed cameras.

The best I've used were in Wales, Yorkshire and Scotland.

dvs_dave

8,630 posts

225 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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“FAO Ben 23/08/09”

Seen this note in numerous profiles over the years. What does it mean?

thejaywills

Original Poster:

378 posts

107 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
dvs_dave said:
“FAO Ben 23/08/09”

Seen this note in numerous profiles over the years. What does it mean?
You tag your profile with that when changing your email address - I forgot to remove it from mine thanks for the reminder smile

thejaywills

Original Poster:

378 posts

107 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
I live in the South East too and haven't found any roads like that around here!

I have found some decent roads in Wiltshire, Shropshire and Cambridgeshire but some have speed cameras.

The best I've used were in Wales, Yorkshire and Scotland.
gshughes said:
North Wales, Cumbria (North Pennines), Northumberland or North Yorkshire are a few hundred miles from the South East and are my suggestions.
North wales is a great shout, but not sure I'll have the kms or time to fit in a jaunt that way - will certainly try!

Super keen to hear about anything around Wiltshire - turns out I have a bit of work to do in the area!

RolyRetro said:
I’d say that there are places to enjoy a drive, but it’s more about times to enjoy a drive. I’m part of a WhatsApp group that organises early morning drives around Essex, generally on a Saturday morning, starting 6am and getting in a hundred mile drive to finish before 9am and have a bacon sandwich to celebrate a morning well spent. Any later than that and the drive is pointless, too much traffic and too frustrating.

Here is an example, there are others, but this part of Essex has a great combination of fast rural roads, nice villages and no traffic early in the morning, just watch out for tractors…

Start at South Woodham Ferrers. Head out on B1010 to Burnham on Crouch. At BoC, go left onto the B1021 up to Southminster. Go right and follow the road through Southminster then up through Asheldham and Tillingham towards Bradwell. Take the Maldon rd/Bradwell rd back towards Mayland. Keep on through to Latchingdon and Cold Norton then either down through Stow Maries back to SWF. Or head up Hackman's Lane through Cock Clarks, chuck a left onto Slough Road, through Bicknacre then back down B1418 towards SWF.
Legendary, thanks will give that a shout this weekend, I'm an early riser so suits me just fine!

Griffith4ever

4,268 posts

35 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Devon, all of it. I can give you specific epic roads with not a camera or copper in sight if you are interested. Some of the best driving I've ever done has been in Devon along the Exe valley.

Chubbyross

4,548 posts

85 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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I’d avoid the south east at all costs. It’s become almost intolerable, unless you’re doing a 5am start and back home by 8am. Lots of other areas to choose from, as have been suggested. My pick would be Wales, or the highlands - although too far with your timescale I fear.

JAMSXR

1,476 posts

47 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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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.

LRDefender

156 posts

8 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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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.

Lefty

16,154 posts

202 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Anywhere north of Glasgow and west of Aberdeen really.

dvs_dave

8,630 posts

225 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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thejaywills said:
You tag your profile with that when changing your email address - I forgot to remove it from mine thanks for the reminder smile
So not some secret marker for PHight Club or something? Oh well, carry on. Maybe I should start it up.

PlywoodPascal

4,180 posts

21 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Lefty said:
Anywhere north of Glasgow and west of Aberdeen really.
good roads in the borders too, a lot of the borders is just totally empty.

ClaphamBoxS

330 posts

64 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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dvs_dave said:
thejaywills said:
You tag your profile with that when changing your email address - I forgot to remove it from mine thanks for the reminder smile
So not some secret marker for PHight Club or something? Oh well, carry on. Maybe I should start it up.
No No No….what is the first rule of PHight Club? …..

timberman

1,284 posts

215 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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There are lots of enjoyable roads around here (Somerset/ Dorset area) with very few cameras about,
but the roads still tend to get quite busy throughout the day even at this time of the year, so timing your drive to avoid most of the traffic is probably the biggest issue,

on a sunny day I even find just driving along the A303 quite enjoyable with some lovely countryside views along the route,
whether I'm heading west and then onto the A30 towards Exeter or east towards places like Salisbury and the new forest which is quite nice to drive around itself, although the speed limits are set quite low and enforced for good reason due to the good chance of finding pigs,donkeys,pony's etc stood in the roads,

along the A39 towards Wells and then onto the B3135 which then takes you through cheddar gorge is also an enjoyable route with plenty of other roads across the south west that can be a real joy to drive (when they aren't too busy).

Desiderata

2,384 posts

54 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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PlywoodPascal said:
good roads in the borders too, a lot of the borders is just totally empty.
Shhh! Don't tell everyone that!

Mark-insert old BMW

16,205 posts

173 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Griffith4ever said:
Devon, all of it. I can give you specific epic roads with not a camera or copper in sight if you are interested. Some of the best driving I've ever done has been in Devon along the Exe valley.
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.

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Castrol for a knave

4,702 posts

91 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Shropshire and the borders is completely rubbish, so I wouldn't come here whistle