Good driving roads near Ealing, West London

[norman156]

Moving back down to London again for Uni, this time more permanently. Every time I've been down there I've wondered where to go for a good driving road with plenty of corners without having to travel miles. Fortunately I'm right near the A40 so I can at least get outside the M25 fairly quickly. All I've really managed to find so far is a few miles of nat. speed limit road with a couple of corners on the outskirts of Ikenham, which is ok but really not that great. Not really expecting miracles given how flat it is down there, but I'd be interested to hear what PHers that live in west London do for a country road blast

[chris7676]

Take A40/M40 right to junction 3 (actually J4 much quicker - corrected) towards Marlow. Then there is A4155 (I think) between Marlow - Henley - Caversham (one bit there is my fav) which I think is very good.

Edited by chris7676 on Tuesday 30th September 11:15

[norman156]

Cheers, looks like a good 'un, not too far as well. What's it like for speed limits and scameras? Edit: and traffic levels

Edited by norman156 on Thursday 11th September 15:38

[norman156]

Come on, does no one else have any suggestions?

[chris7676]

Ummm, the other one I like is B157 (or 158?) from Potters Bar to Hertford. But not as good as the other one IMO and longer to get to (Circular->A1->M25).
Otherwise (thought this is not close) Surrey and Sussex Roads.
You won't get really good roads really close to Ealing though.

[norman156]

chris7676 said:

Ummm, the other one I like is B157 (or 158?) from Potters Bar to Hertford. But not as good as the other one IMO and longer to get to (Circular->A1->M25).
Otherwise (thought this is not close) Surrey and Sussex Roads.
You won't get really good roads really close to Ealing though.

That is unfortunately true, but I don't mind driving a little way if it's for a weekend morning blast. I might be going on the Thames Valley and Surrey PH drive on the 5th so I'll hopefully be going on a few good roads in Surrey.

[Camel]

The A40 itself can be quite a good run, out near the ridgeway path there is a nice hilly bit with a few good corners (I think it's just past J5 or so on the M40 to give you an idea). You can then sort of loop back via Thame, Princes Risborough and Wendover. Eventually returning to the A40 via Amersham and the A413.

Rather good fun before the traffic builds up, although the A40 out there tends to be quite quiet due to its proximity to the M40.

Enjoy

[Puggit]

As a resident of Caversham I'd warn you off the A4155. A great road from Marlow to Henley if it's empty, but I've always, always got stuck behind someone.

The stretch from Henley to Caversham is a mix of 50 and 30 limits. The 30 limit through Shiplake is policed by Gatsos and Talivans - you have been warned. Again, you'll always get stuck behind a slow coach.

Neither stretch is good for overtaking, I wouldn't bother here - in fact to get from Cav to Marlow I always use the A4...

[Puggit]

Camel said:

The A40 itself can be quite a good run, out near the ridgeway path there is a nice hilly bit with a few good corners (I think it's just past J5 or so on the M40 to give you an idea). You can then sort of loop back via Thame, Princes Risborough and Wendover. Eventually returning to the A40 via Amersham and the A413.

Rather good fun before the traffic builds up, although the A40 out there tends to be quite quiet due to its proximity to the M40.

Enjoy

The A40 between jc6 and jc5 (uphill!) is indeed fantastic. The road along the ridge from jc5 to Christmas Common is also a lot of fun. Just to the North of there is also the road past Chequers, but for obvious reasons, don't draw too much attention to yourselves!

[Diablo SVTT]

I live in Ruislip (always have too) so I've got a similar kinda problem. There's a small but enjoyable NSL road in Harefield, Breakspear Road if I remember correctly, but it's literally all of 5 minutes before you reach the village. Mind you, I just drive to the mini roundabout, turn around, and do it again.

Unfortunately that's all I can think of off the top of my head, I've driven randomly towards Chertsey and Thorope and found a few good roads but I was aimlessly wandering so afraid I can't pinpoint them, but the Thames Valley is much better than our place for driving roads.

[chris7676]

Puggit said:

As a resident of Caversham I'd warn you off the A4155. A great road from Marlow to Henley if it's empty, but I've always, always got stuck behind someone.

The stretch from Henley to Caversham is a mix of 50 and 30 limits. The 30 limit through Shiplake is policed by Gatsos and Talivans - you have been warned. Again, you'll always get stuck behind a slow coach.

Neither stretch is good for overtaking, I wouldn't bother here - in fact to get from Cav to Marlow I always use the A4...

Yes, but the best bit (in fact one of my all favs) is between Caversham and Shiplake anyway. Traffic can be busy but not desperately, even on this sunny Sat I managed 5 out of 6 clear runs;) Often rather than trying to overtake I wait for the traffic to pass before the best stretch and then it can be nice...

A4? You must be joking (though you are probably not;)).

[Puggit]

chris7676 said:

A4? You must be joking (though you are probably not;)).

Not for the fun, purely for the speed over other routes (being the M4 and A4155)

[norman156]

Diablo SVTT said:

I live in Ruislip (always have too) so I've got a similar kinda problem. There's a small but enjoyable NSL road in Harefield, Breakspear Road if I remember correctly, but it's literally all of 5 minutes before you reach the village. Mind you, I just drive to the mini roundabout, turn around, and do it again.

Unfortunately that's all I can think of off the top of my head, I've driven randomly towards Chertsey and Thorope and found a few good roads but I was aimlessly wandering so afraid I can't pinpoint them, but the Thames Valley is much better than our place for driving roads.

I think that's near to the one I was on about near Ickenham. In fact that's the one I went there to find but ended up Havril road between Ickenham and Hareford, which is NSL but has like one corner... For some reason I just couldn't seem to find it.

[Diablo SVTT]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=...

Im guessing you went on Swakeleys road to find Breakspear road, if so, looks like you a turning too later/early, so you were in the right area, I'm sure you'll find it next time.

[jazzybee]

Here is a good hour and a half's drive that is local

The Breakspear Road N & S and Harvil Roads are ok for one, maybe 2 runs (don't want to arouse too much attention).

I would also suggest exploring the area around Pinewood Studios - Fulmer - Gerards Cross - Stoke Poges etc. a little. Some nice roads in that area.

[Dr G]

jazzybee said:

Here is a good hour and a half's drive that is local

The Breakspear Road N & S and Harvil Roads are ok for one, maybe 2 runs (don't want to arouse too much attention).

I would also suggest exploring the area around Pinewood Studios - Fulmer - Gerards Cross - Stoke Poges etc. a little. Some nice roads in that area.

Guess where I'm off to in 5

[norman156]

Went for a bit of a thrash down Breakspear road last friday, absolutely loved it. In the 40 limit bit there was 4 of 5 cars going slow in front, but every one turned off just before the national speed limit bit Was suprised how twisty it was, with plenty of nice changes in gradient. Almost came a bit unstuck after coming over a blind crest to find a fairly tight bend, but was a good time to test the brakes out on the Corrado

[jazzybee]

Dr G said:

jazzybee said:

Here is a good hour and a half's drive that is local

The Breakspear Road N & S and Harvil Roads are ok for one, maybe 2 runs (don't want to arouse too much attention).

I would also suggest exploring the area around Pinewood Studios - Fulmer - Gerards Cross - Stoke Poges etc. a little. Some nice roads in that area.

Guess where I'm off to in 5

Let us know how you enjoyed it! I would have come out to play, but was distracted by James Bond on Sky Movies

[Chris71]

chris7676 said:

Ummm, the other one I like is B157 (or 158?) from Potters Bar to Hertford. But not as good as the other one IMO and longer to get to (Circular->A1->M25).

That must be quite a trek from Ealing. If you do try it, however, don't stop at Hertford. Either cut across to Welwyn and then go up the B656 across to the B655 (and the various side turnings - some of which are hidden gems!) or go east from Hertford and pick up the B1004.

It amazes me how you can find decent roads half an hour from the M25 if you know where to look.

[Dr G]

jazzybee said:

Let us know how you enjoyed it! I would have come out to play, but was distracted by James Bond on Sky Movies

I'm out and about that way quite often

norman156 said:

Went for a bit of a thrash down Breakspear road last friday, absolutely loved it. In the 40 limit bit there was 4 of 5 cars going slow in front, but every one turned off just before the national speed limit bit Was suprised how twisty it was, with plenty of nice changes in gradient. Almost came a bit unstuck after coming over a blind crest to find a fairly tight bend, but was a good time to test the brakes out on the Corrado

I know the one you mean and love that bend! Can carry a fair bit more speed through it than first appearances suggest