Blakey Ridge, North York Moors
Various over the years, including Renault Clio 197 Cup, Mercedes A45 AMG, Range Rover Sport, Porsche Boxster RS60 - honourable mention to my dad's old Fiesta too.
Bleak, brooding landscape adds atmosphere
"This is a circular loop around the North York Moors, close by to
the Helmsley Road
featured in a previous Dream Drive. The roads featured are a couple of the main north-south routes across the moors, topped and tailed by east-west trunk roads. A quick look at the map will reveal plenty of other possibilities but this is a good first taste of what the region has to offer - namely stunning scenery, brilliantly well-sighted and open roads and plenty of comedy place names. Ugglebarnby Moor anyone?"
Why it's a dream drive:
"Although a relatively compact region compared with the wilds of Wales or Scotland the North York Moors packs incredible variety and some very challenging driving into an area of bleak beauty and evocative landscapes. Doesn't hurt that there are plenty of refreshment or sightseeing justifications for taking the scenic route, be they the nearby coast or more touristy attractions like the North York Moors Railway.
Weather can get a bit intense up here
"Growing up on the plains nearby, the moors were a constant brooding presence looming over the surrounding farmland and though I've been lucky enough to drive some amazing roads in all sorts of places around the world I always love finding time for a blast on home turf.
"Once on the tops and on a clear day sightlines stretching literally miles ahead make for a liberating experience compared with your regular British B-road. It's just a stunning place to be too. The shots here of the Clio in the snow were a case in point - just a few miles away it was a typical grey winter's day but up on the tops it was like another world."
Highlights and lowlights:
"Indecisive sheep and dithering tourists are the two main hazards out here, the locals generally having a no nonsense Yorkshire mindset to cracking on and making the most of local knowledge. That battered old Defender up ahead you're lining up for an easy overtake? With or without the help of local tuners Twisted you might be in for a shock - they build Landies fast round here and the ruddy faced owners aren't minded to pander to the sense of entitlement you might feel at the wheel of your fancy sports car.
Testing roads good for testing cars
"You can work around that but the kamikaze sheep are another matter. At least the sightlines and the contrast of white wool against the heather makes them easy to spot. But no less predictable.
"Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by those expansive sightlines either. Blind dips, vicious cambers and corners that too easily tempt over ambitious entry speeds abound. It can be bumpy too, exposing the lie that stiff 'sports' suspension is necessarily the be-all end-all for fast cross country progress. You'll soon learn a thing or two about your car's set-up out here. Choose your time carefully too; weekend and holiday bimblers can be a frustration (particularly on the return leg via the Hole of Horcum) and the local constabulary are well aware of the attractions of the roads to those who enjoy pressing on. They'll see and hear you coming from miles off too..."
Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Think of this route as a basic introduction and by all means browse the map for alternatives. Or amusing place names - Thunderheads, Stone Hagg, Robin Hood's Butts, Knaggy House, Snod Hill and Fryupdale (where my old headmaster Mr Bacon once lived - god's honest) among those on the loop.
Committed cornering possibilities abound
"Other than driving there are plenty of other distractions, including tourist traps like Whitby and Goathland, the latter on the
North York Moors Railway
and a familiar location for many films and TV shows from Harry Potter to Heartbeat. Nearby
Dalby Forest
has excellent mountain biking trails (as if the natural terrain wasn't enough) and other distractions for non petrolheads while close by
Specialist Cars Of Malton
can cater to all your tyre-kicking delights. Assuming you like Porsches, that is. If you don't there's always the
North Yorkshire Motor Museum
"Refreshments? The Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge is a popular stop and does hearty food and tasty ales for when the driving's done. You're never far from a decent fish'n'chip shop here either but connoisseurs rate the Liverton Mines chippy just north of the Whitby road. Beware typically eccentric opening hours though."
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