My colleague Darren Moss has written a piece on autocar.co.uk asking where you will find some great driving roads.
“Lesser-spotted parts of Wales and Scotland” is usually the best answer, and if you live in either of those places, happy days. But I’ve always thought it’s worth seeking out something close to home, too. Unless you live in lesser-spotted Wales or Scotland, it’s hard to say to the other half, “I’m just popping out for a drive” and find roads like those without being gone for half a day or more.
It’s worth it if you do, granted. There are lots of decent drivers in Scotland, too – plenty of Subarus and hot hatches and drivers with good spatial awareness and generous attitudes to overtaking, I usually find. Not that I drive particularly quickly on the road, for every obvious reason.
But vast stretches of empty road and breathtaking views can’t be had everywhere, and a lot of modern driving is dull. Which is why it’s worth finding a route close to home along which you can get something back from a car. Every area has at least one. You can divert to that road on the way home, or on the way to the shops, to relieve some of the tedium, even if only for a couple of miles, to remind yourself what’s good about driving. The best driving road, as with so many things, is the one you’ll actually use.
Reminded myself of a good route last week on a job with a Ferrari 488 GTB and a McLaren 650S. The A39, north Exmoor, is a beautiful piece of road in a beautiful area and with some lovely locals. One told me about the Lyn Valley Classic, a car show in Lynton/ Lynmouth on 12 June. I said I’d mention it here. So I have.
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Nice roads around Chester and North Wales
Ah, the A272!
I remember thrashing along it on the way to and from college in the '60s. On a bike of course. Best fun with your clothes on!
But now, as I think the late LKJ Setright said "sensible speeds are not interesting, and interesting speeds are not sensible
Cars are just too damn good, hence the popularity of track days.
@ Matt prior
It has a great 'flow' to it, passing through some really pretty villages on the way.
It is hard to find good roads in the South East of England due to the sheer quantity of traffic, but this road is a real pleasure....backed up by the number of Bikers who frequent it!
Probably a more classic sporting drive than a supercar route, but i used to drive my old AC along this road on a regular basis.
Murrays T25.....its not enough to be a 'clever' car if you want market acceptance. Looking weird is a definite handicap!