When you think of best driving roads you probably think of driving through the coast of Italy, the Pacific Coast Highway in California, or the stunning scenery of the Swiss alps. But you can find some great driving roads much closer to home right here in the UK. Here at Vavista we’ve found you our 10 favourites for (responsibly) putting your foot down….
Did you know?
The Department of Transport has estimated the UK’s road network to be 250,000 miles in length. If you could drive them all at the UK speed limit it would take you almost 150 days of non-stop motoring to cover them all.
Our 10 driving roads in the UK
HORNCASTLE TO LOUTH:
Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the A153 is a winding 13-mile journey connecting the market towns of Horncastle and Louth in the Lincolnshire Wolds and a true delight to drive.
CAT AND FIDDLE:
The Cat and Fiddle is named after the pub at the summit of the A54 – A537 from Buxton to Macclesfield, and must be the most famous road around the Peak District; particularly for bikers.
FORRES TO ALFORD:
This is a great driving road with bends almost all the way and vistas in all directions. It runs through the Cairngorms National Park and Strathdon or the alternative route over the Cairnwell into Glenshee. The route stretches either 82 miles, or 110 miles if you take the alternative Forres to Blairgowrie road. A joy no matter which route you take.
BLACK MOUNTAIN PASS:
Possibly the best road in Wales, this route wrinkles over the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons: the A4069 connects Llandovery with Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen in Wales. Watch out for stray sheep and sudden hairpins!
THE LLANBERIS PASS:
The A4086 takes you from the village of Capel Curig, to the Royal Town of Caernarfon, past the Glyderau and one of Britain’s most famous mountains; Mount Snowdon!
GLASGOW TO FORT WILLIAM:
If you want to drive the shores of Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and in the shadow of Ben Nevis, you need the A82 in your life! It is probably the most important trunk route serving the West Highlands of Scotland, and the route includes pieces of road first built in the 1750s.
ABERYSTWYTH TO LLANGURIG:
Running through some of the most beautiful countryside in Wales, the A44 is a 25 mile stretch running from the seaside town of Aberystwyth to the small village of Llangurig. Spectacular!
THE SNAKE PASS:
Often driven in conjunction with the “Cat and Fiddle”, The Snake Pass was listed as one of the best driving roads by Auto Trader magazine in 2009 and is the name of the A57 road where it crosses the Peak District between Manchester and Sheffield. The name usually refers to the section between Glossop and Ladybower reservoir and at its highest point, it is 512 metres (1679 feet) above sea level.
ST IVES TO ST JUST:
If 13 miles of sweeping bends, short straights and tight turns is your thing, the B3306 from St Ives to St Just in Cornwall is among the South West’s finest. The views aren’t too bad either!
THE CHEDDAR GORGE:
Another great driving road situated in the West Country is a route that incorporates the amazing Cheddar Gorge. This road is just 10 miles south-west of historic city of Bristol, and 8 miles east of the seaside favourite Weston-Super-Mare.
