Nice drives around Manchester
Discussion
I'm off up to Manchester tomorrow to see the girl who inexplicably has yet to realise that I'm not the catch that to be honest I don't even appear to be, and if the weather holds and she still hasn't cottoned on and dumped me, I'd like to take her out for a drive somewhere. Now, I don't know the area around Manchester at all, so I was wondering if some of the northern PHers could put their ferrets* back under their flat caps* and by 'eck* their way to letting me know of some good routes for a drive up in that neck of the woods (preferably with interesting destinations at the end).
I'm thinking picturesque...but with fast bits. Anyone got any suggestions?
[small]*As is my understanding of life north of Watford[/small]
I'm thinking picturesque...but with fast bits. Anyone got any suggestions?
[small]*As is my understanding of life north of Watford[/small]
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The south side, but we've both taken the rest of the week off so I don't mind taking a bit of time to go somewhere good.
Thanks for the suggestions - sounds like exactly the kind of thing I was after. I like the sound of Rivington Pike, I'm a sucker for a nice view.
Ecks Ridgehead said:
I'm off up to Manchester tomorrow to see the girl who inexplicably has yet to realise that I'm not the catch that to be honest I don't even appear to be, and if the weather holds and she still hasn't cottoned on and dumped me, I'd like to take her out for a drive somewhere. Now, I don't know the area around Manchester at all, so I was wondering if some of the northern PHers could put their ferrets* back under their flat caps* and by 'eck* their way to letting me know of some good routes for a drive up in that neck of the woods (preferably with interesting destinations at the end).
I'm thinking picturesque...but with fast bits. Anyone got any suggestions?
*As is my understanding of life north of Watford
A57 (snake pass) to sheffield is a superb road over the peak district. Good driving, gorgeous scenery and great pubs en route. Enjoy.
You could drive out towards Buxton (east side). Its proper old and Northern. So much infact, they are still building some stone walls.
Good driving roads up there too, but don't leave the road as its a good way down if you miss the armco.
Knutsford, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge are South of the city and offer expensive things of no point to women who generally spend stupid amounts on stupid items. If this poses a problem, the shops in Gorton offer items of no particular use too, but they are considerably less expensive. Just beware, the speed cameras are fitted with semi-automatic machine guns to offer local pimps the chance to show off their armour protected Mercs.
You could bore her shitless by taking her to the Manchester Airport aviation viewing point. At least there is an ice-cream van there. They serve 99's and chips & gravy.
So much to do, so little time.
Good driving roads up there too, but don't leave the road as its a good way down if you miss the armco.
Knutsford, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge are South of the city and offer expensive things of no point to women who generally spend stupid amounts on stupid items. If this poses a problem, the shops in Gorton offer items of no particular use too, but they are considerably less expensive. Just beware, the speed cameras are fitted with semi-automatic machine guns to offer local pimps the chance to show off their armour protected Mercs.
You could bore her shitless by taking her to the Manchester Airport aviation viewing point. At least there is an ice-cream van there. They serve 99's and chips & gravy.
So much to do, so little time.
mechsympathy said:
A57 (snake pass) to sheffield is a superb road over the peak district. Good driving, gorgeous scenery and great pubs en route. Enjoy.
OhAbsolutely. Especially mid week when there are fewer tourists.
Well it certainly looks like I'm not short of options. Thanks!
I really like the drive through Greenfield to Holmfirth. When there you can ogle the 'Last of the Summer Wine' location spots and the road has some half decent pubs for grub. Return via Marsden. Lots of views, moorland going onto rolling hill stuff - some good B road action too. Watch out for sheep though.
If you really want to push the boat out........take the M6 north - go onto the Cumbrian coast road and then cut inland via the Hardknot Pass. Absobloodylutely STUNNING scenery. A nice drive and fills out an entire day. Might be a little conjested on the pass and vertigo sufferers should just not even think about it. Otherwise a magic experience.
If you really want to push the boat out........take the M6 north - go onto the Cumbrian coast road and then cut inland via the Hardknot Pass. Absobloodylutely STUNNING scenery. A nice drive and fills out an entire day. Might be a little conjested on the pass and vertigo sufferers should just not even think about it. Otherwise a magic experience.
Seconded to everything above, and assuming you're looking for some nice country side....
Holmfirth is a lovely drive - used to go that way on the bike when heading over to Leeds, but always felt a bit trapped in by the surrounding cities of Sheffield and Hudderfield.
Cumbria - Hard Knot Pass - again utterly STUNNING but likely to be chocker with tourists.
Runs to Buxton are great too - Head out through Chapel-En-Le-Frith and check out Dove Holes, or go out through Whaley Bridge and take the A5004 through Fernilee.
Another nice run to Buxton is out of Macclesfield on the Cat and Fiddle road (A537). But better still is to get to Macclesfield and go out through Langley and into Macclesfield Forest. Grab some lunch at The Stanely Arms www.stanleyarms.com (used to cycle up there most weekends as a youth) then head off through Wildboarclough.
Somewhere up in that area I remember seeing signs for the highest post office in England though my memory and google fail me.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Buxton&ll=53.243133,-2.063198&spn=0.070655,0.138617&hl=en
However my recomendation whould be a drive into the Yorkshire Dales; especially if you decide to head off Holmfirth way.
Go onto Skipton and then to Bolton Abbey
www.boltonabbey.com
My mums ashes are scattered there so careful where you sit!
At Bolton Abbey grab a lite-bite in the tea rooms and then head north to Grassington for some lunch.
Next head north west towards Malham. The drive over the moors is such a stark contrast to the pretty little dale valleys - there is no where in the world quite like it.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Bolton+Abbey&ll=54.031772,-2.026291&spn=0.155933,0.283430&hl=en
Hope that helps
best
Ex
Holmfirth is a lovely drive - used to go that way on the bike when heading over to Leeds, but always felt a bit trapped in by the surrounding cities of Sheffield and Hudderfield.
Cumbria - Hard Knot Pass - again utterly STUNNING but likely to be chocker with tourists.
Runs to Buxton are great too - Head out through Chapel-En-Le-Frith and check out Dove Holes, or go out through Whaley Bridge and take the A5004 through Fernilee.
Another nice run to Buxton is out of Macclesfield on the Cat and Fiddle road (A537). But better still is to get to Macclesfield and go out through Langley and into Macclesfield Forest. Grab some lunch at The Stanely Arms www.stanleyarms.com (used to cycle up there most weekends as a youth) then head off through Wildboarclough.
Somewhere up in that area I remember seeing signs for the highest post office in England though my memory and google fail me.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Buxton&ll=53.243133,-2.063198&spn=0.070655,0.138617&hl=en
However my recomendation whould be a drive into the Yorkshire Dales; especially if you decide to head off Holmfirth way.
Go onto Skipton and then to Bolton Abbey
www.boltonabbey.com
My mums ashes are scattered there so careful where you sit!
At Bolton Abbey grab a lite-bite in the tea rooms and then head north to Grassington for some lunch.
Next head north west towards Malham. The drive over the moors is such a stark contrast to the pretty little dale valleys - there is no where in the world quite like it.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Bolton+Abbey&ll=54.031772,-2.026291&spn=0.155933,0.283430&hl=en
Hope that helps
best
Ex
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff