North Wales: My Dream Drive

Another panegyric to Wales, this time featuring the roads around Denbigh, Bala and Ruthin

Name: Matt Bird
Where: St Asaph to Nesscliffe, North Wales
Car used:Caterham Seven

The rain held off. Just.

The route:
"Following a nightmare race at Oulton Park, a route home incorporating North Wales seemed a good way to brighten my mood. Was all the fawning over the roads true? Yes, in a word. So from Cheshire I used the A55 (or North Wales Expressway) to J27, the A525 down to Denbigh and the B4501 towards Bala. The route finishes on the B4391 and B4396, but not before enjoying the B5105. It's 100 miles in total, with quite a lot more either side travelling to and from but worth it. So worth it."

Why it's a dream drive:
"Because it reminds you why we all bother with driving in the first place. That perhaps seems a little hyperbolic but the combination of space, low traffic, breathtaking views and great roads make North Wales a really special place to drive. Doing it in a Caterham on a brisk morning with the roof down may have heightened the sense of excitement just a little.

And the roads are largely deserted too!

"Of course there's a popular three-sided collection of roads well trodden around these parts but I erred away from those to avoid any repetition. But the same points that so many raise about North Wales proved true on this route. There's a real rhythm to the roads, flowing through valleys and across hills allowing you to maintain momentum and decent visibility most of the time to pick out a line. Having a small car really helped here.

"The best parts though are the roads that hug craggy rock faces, weaving and writhing with the surface and having an almost hillclimb feel to them. Running through third, maybe grabbing second for some of the tighter bits and with the exhaust blaring into the cool air, it was bloody brilliant. Some of the faster, more open section perhaps feel less suited to a lower powered Caterham but that just allows more time to absorb the spectacular views."

This is why people rave about Bala

Highlights and lowlights
"Don't lose faith if the early stretch to Denbigh feels like Wales is all hype. Stick with it. The A543 past Denbigh is quite narrow and feels quite restrictive compared to what's coming but the B4501 past the Llyn Brenig reservoir is where the fun properly starts. It may as well have a start line on it, particularly as the horrible road chippings ended there.

"The best section is to follow however. Just before Cerrigydrudion and the A5, take a left for the B5105. The 16 miles to Ruthin are joyous, with a particularly enjoyable section of corners around the junction for Melin-y-Wig that present different challenges going both ways. Downhill affords great visibility to see through the left and right. I encountered one other car on the Sunday morning, then turned round at Ruthin and did it again. And then turned round at Cerrigydrudion...

"I have a photo of arriving at Llangynog also which would imply the B4391 leading to it was fairly special. Even the A5 is a decent dual carriageway if I remember correctly. Then you get to Shrewsbury and realise home is three hours away!"

A very convenient stop if you need one

Sights, stop-offs and diversions
"The Llyn Brenig reservoir is one of many breathtaking reservoirs in the area, likewise Llyn Tegid at Bala. Unsurprisingly th National White Water Centre isn't far away from the roads also if your prefer your adrenaline hit even more visceral.

"The B5105 goes through the Clocaenog Forest and of course you don't have to go far from Bala for the joys of the Snowdonia National Park.

"The Crown Inn is notable for literally being right on the road at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. It was too early to try anything from its Cask Marque accredited taps but would surely prove a great place to stop when driving at a more sociable hour."

Follow the route here.