RE: My Dream Drive: Lambourn loop
Thursday 16th January 2014
Name: Dan Prosser
Where: Lambourn Loop, Berkshire Downs
Car used: Corvette C7
Rolling country, bump B-road - classic UK drive!Why it's a dream drive:
"The Lambourn Loop has a bit of everything. The initial run up to Great Shefford on the A338 is fairly typical British A-road, with hedgerows and a thick canopy of trees overhead. Once through the village, though, it breaks free from the greenery and opens up into a fast, flowing section for several miles with excellent sight lines.
Well-sighted in sections, flow is easy to find"As the B4001 climbs away from a tight right-hander, the surface begins to smooth out a little and the road widens once again. Two long straights lead to Lambourn, after which the B4000 runs alongside the M4 to the end of the loop. This road is a little busier so it's an ideal opportunity to let the car cool down before pulling into the The Pheasant at the junction with the A338 for a spot of lunch.
Under winter skies it's a dramatic loopHighlights and lowlights:
"Aside from the variety and the superb visibility on the A338, the views over Oxfordshire on the climb out of Wantage are quite spectacular. On both the sides the route is surrounded by the kind of rolling, arable farmland that is archetypal of this part of England. With The Pheasant, The Hare and The Swan there's a good choice of pubs and restaurants dotted along the route, while the Murco in Great Shefford even sells super unleaded.
Sign has a clue towards biggest downer on routeSights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Lambourn and Wantage are both inviting little towns. In Letcombe Regis at the northern point of the loop is a used car dealership called Maundrell and Co with a great selection of Porsches, Ferraris and the like. If you're in the market it's well worth dropping in, although we'd recommend calling ahead."
My Dream Drive is sponsored by Dunlop Tyres. To share yours email us at dreamdrives@pistonheads.com - if we publish your Dream Drive you'll get a pair of complimentary tickets to the BTCC round of your choosing, courtesy of Dunlop Tyres.
My Dream Drive: Lambourn loop
Winter doesn't stop us dreaming of fantastic drives - here's one we found near Hungerford
Where: Lambourn Loop, Berkshire Downs
Car used: Corvette C7
The route:
"Rather conveniently, the 24-mile route starts just off junction 14 of the M4 on the A338. It runs north over the Berkshire Downs to Wantage, then heads east briefly before turning back down south to Lambourn on the B4001. The final stretch on the B4000 after Lambourn runs parallel to the M4 before meeting the A338 once again to complete the loop."
Rolling country, bump B-road - classic UK drive!
"The Lambourn Loop has a bit of everything. The initial run up to Great Shefford on the A338 is fairly typical British A-road, with hedgerows and a thick canopy of trees overhead. Once through the village, though, it breaks free from the greenery and opens up into a fast, flowing section for several miles with excellent sight lines.
"The A338 then tumbles into Wantage, where the loop turns left at the crossroads. The character of the roads changes quite dramatically here, with a much rougher surface that asks some pretty stern questions of any chassis. These roads offer a very different challenge to keep both driver and car on their toes.
"At the end of the road, the loop takes a left onto the B4001, which is similar in character to the previous road for a mile or two with a broken, uneven surface. This is hot hatch territory; the Corvette likely wouldn't see which way a Renaultsport Megane 265 went and feels as out of place as a Caterham on a Californian highway.
Well-sighted in sections, flow is easy to find
"That stretch between Great Shefford and Wantage is rare for this part of the country in that there aren't any hedgerows or trees overhead, so visibility through corners is superb and the driver can really commit. The second part of the loop is demanding; the broken asphalt and narrower roads require total concentration.
Under winter skies it's a dramatic loop
"Aside from the variety and the superb visibility on the A338, the views over Oxfordshire on the climb out of Wantage are quite spectacular. On both the sides the route is surrounded by the kind of rolling, arable farmland that is archetypal of this part of England. With The Pheasant, The Hare and The Swan there's a good choice of pubs and restaurants dotted along the route, while the Murco in Great Shefford even sells super unleaded.
"On the flip side, the flowing A338 is limited to a rather mean 50mph. Given the location these roads aren't the quietest, but at least there aren't great trains of traffic to contend with. There's also a demon left-hander half way along the A338. Although it's well signposted, there is potential for a monumental accident; the road turns sharply to the left at the bottom of a sudden crest, where a smaller road also joins. Take care! This is nag country, so do expect to see horses both trotting along and crossing the roads."
Sign has a clue towards biggest downer on route
"Lambourn and Wantage are both inviting little towns. In Letcombe Regis at the northern point of the loop is a used car dealership called Maundrell and Co with a great selection of Porsches, Ferraris and the like. If you're in the market it's well worth dropping in, although we'd recommend calling ahead."
Follow the route here.
And a little taste of it here.
Looking for inspiration? Check out the latest Pure Driving Experience vid here.
Discussion
In my experience the presence of the Old Bill is strong around here. I have family ( farmers ) living in the area. Many of the villages operate volunteer traffic-watching schemes with the local BiB.
There have been dozens and dozens of traffic convictions around here. And even when it is the local village volunteers taking speed levels, they still co-operate with the police and you will get a letter from the BiB saying that you were seen and to take note.
One of the reasons for the considerable vigilance is the large numbers of horse riders around , forced to use the B roads to get from one bridleway to another.
Nice pubs though.
There have been dozens and dozens of traffic convictions around here. And even when it is the local village volunteers taking speed levels, they still co-operate with the police and you will get a letter from the BiB saying that you were seen and to take note.
One of the reasons for the considerable vigilance is the large numbers of horse riders around , forced to use the B roads to get from one bridleway to another.
Nice pubs though.
The Newbury to Wantage road is not to be missed either if you are in these parts. Great bit of road and my choice for quick blat. I have slowed down since buying a road bike and pedaling the same route though. Being exposed on a bike has definitely made me reconsider my approach to some of these roads.
Thumbs up for Maundrell and Co too. Mrs bought her Boxter S from them a few years ago and recently sold it back to them. They were great to deal with.
Thumbs up for Maundrell and Co too. Mrs bought her Boxter S from them a few years ago and recently sold it back to them. They were great to deal with.
///Mike said:
The Newbury to Wantage road is not to be missed either if you are in these parts. Great bit of road and my choice for quick blat.
+1 on that.Coming over the top of the Ridgeway with Oxfordshire appearing on a clear day is a sight to behold, not to mention the lovely fast road that lies ahead... roll on summer :-)
11110111 said:
is there a "Dream Drive" library anywhere on PH?
Yes. On the home page listed under "Features and Regulars" http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?catId=...Nathan
willisit said:
Had a bit of trouble keeping it on the left? 
Um, nope! Camera angle doesn't do any favours, I'll admit. And definitely worth underlining the 'watch for horses' warning, especially on the return leg towards Lambourn. Live and let live and all that. Thanks for including the link Nathan, beat me to it!
Dan
Edited by Dan Trent on Thursday 16th January 11:05
I used to live just south of there (Little Bedwyn) and that was the route I used to use when 'evaluating' my next company car (the lease co. used to lend up to 3 cars for a weekend each to help us choose).
It's the reason I chose an S2000 over a TT back in 1999, the S2000 came alive on those roads where the TT never did.
Used to have Sunday Lunch at the Peasant on a regular basis, too
It's the reason I chose an S2000 over a TT back in 1999, the S2000 came alive on those roads where the TT never did.
Used to have Sunday Lunch at the Peasant on a regular basis, too
Dan Trent said:
Um, nope! Camera angle doesn't do any favours, I'll admit. And definitely worth underlining the 'watch for horses' warning, especially on the return leg towards Lambourn. Live and let live and all that.
Thanks for including the link Nathan, beat me to it!
Dan
Looked like fantastic fun. Haven't seen the vid - the pics just have your passenger side wheels.. you know, on the "wrong" side of the line Thanks for including the link Nathan, beat me to it!
Dan
Edited by Dan Trent on Thursday 16th January 11:05
As a fan of LHD (had a few), I wouldn't blame anyone for subconsciously placing themselves where they would normally in a RHD. Well, until something comes the other way :P
Charlie Michael said:
What a noise - Love the retro rev gauge too. 
More on this in roadtest I'm in process of writing up but that's an exact replication C6.R instrument display you get in Track mode, also in the HUD. You see it cycle through in the binnacle as I pull away and go from default mode into Track. Noted on the lines on the road too - in LHD you've got to work harder than usual to maximise your sight lines. Dashed not double too, one of the beauties of that section of the route that you can look through the corners and plan your attack accordingly. It is a wide old beast too, fair to say!
Cheers,
Dan
I don't think I will ever own a Vette but I am definitely drawn to them. Other US Muscle does nothing for me at all but these are a different story. I love the shape and the noise. I bet there is a real sense of occasion, I presume enhanced further by the fact that they are LHD. Its great that you tested it on those roads though as I can relate to them. They are very typical of a good old English B road in terms of surface, width, traffic, entrances and other hazards. Whilst the Vette is no doubt glorious on a hot wide and sweeping Pacific Coast highway, is it something that you could live with and enjoy frequently on these kind of B roads once you had got over the novelty. Or, would it become a wide, twitchy affiar that could often be more frustrating than rewarding. That would be the doubt in my mind and the reason that I will probably never go near one. My E92 feels a bit large on some of these roads.
Living In Newbury, this road and the Newbury to Wantage road [which I collectively refer to as the Wantage triangle] provide my weekly fix of adrenaline on either my 996 SPS or Gixer thou.
Its all mostly 50 mph limit, so the trick is to get up early, do one lap to check there are no horses/cyclist/plod about, and then go for it. I've been known to have 5 or 6 laps.
Man, roll on the spring.........................
Its all mostly 50 mph limit, so the trick is to get up early, do one lap to check there are no horses/cyclist/plod about, and then go for it. I've been known to have 5 or 6 laps.
Man, roll on the spring.........................
This takes in a part of my commuting route to work. Only things I'd say is that big parts are 50mph limit, there are often horses, there are often very slow cars on the road and the recent weather has taken its toll on the road surface with big holes in places so you have to be careful. I wouldn't say it's a fantastic drivers road personally. I'd suggest heading a little further over towards Ashbury, there's some nice open roads out that way.
GreatPretender said:
This is me on the Lambourn Loop (AKA: Wantage Triangle) a year ago.
Best stretch of tarmac I've found in these here southern parts.
Problem I have found on this loop is the massive tractors. Back in the summer I was going along many an evening to find a tractor bounding along, wheels over the white line. Thankfully I was in my Pug 106, but I don't really want to be putting my tyres in the rough for them.Best stretch of tarmac I've found in these here southern parts.
In a wider car it would be wipe out time.
If they are crossing the line, should there not be an escort with them? What is the insurance implications? Over the line = their fault in my book. But you know it will be "prove it was my fault". Not worth the hassle etc.
I live in the little village of Baydon on your map - just SW of Lambourn and my commute is along the road parallel with the M4.
I've only lived there coming up to 2 years now and have had 2 kids in that time so I've not had the opportunity to go exploring in the MR2 much but I will definitely put this on my list for the summer after I have decided on which of the 3 suspension setups I am going to keep!
I've only lived there coming up to 2 years now and have had 2 kids in that time so I've not had the opportunity to go exploring in the MR2 much but I will definitely put this on my list for the summer after I have decided on which of the 3 suspension setups I am going to keep!
GreatPretender said:
This is me on the Lambourn Loop (AKA: Wantage Triangle) a year ago.
Best stretch of tarmac I've found in these here southern parts.
That would be my weapon of choice too! Great pic, I bet its fantastic on those roads. Best stretch of tarmac I've found in these here southern parts.
Its probably fair to say that the chosen routes some of us would class as dream drives are changing all the time. Roads get busier, surface maintenance is up and down depending on the local authorities and differing priorities. Trends like the huge uptake for cycling does change the experience on some roads along with blanket 50mph limits on what used to be almost sacred tarmac going back 10 years. I come from the Peak District where we used to have some of the best loops in the country but hardly any of them are enjoyable to anything like the degree they used to be and do nothing for me now other than the stunning views.
I find myself shifting to other less well trodden routes often on small quieter roads that arn't as quick but are now more fun. Funny how I used to dream of the car I drive now when I was younger but on these smaller quieter rural routes that I speak of an old Nova GSI would probably be a lot more fun!
RichB said:
ecause the horse riders and cyclists won't go out for their ride between laps 
Depends how fast you're going............;) Its a very open stretch of road actually so you can see for miles...that's what's so good about it.Picture of a lovely sunset up there just as our superb summer came to an end
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