TOP 10: B-Roads

There’s no point sorting your suspension if you don’t make use of it. Here are 10 reasons to do so.

Ten of the UK’s finest pieces of Tarmac.

Welshpool, Powys to Bala, Gwynedd Roads: A490/B4391 Distance: 33 miles Heading away from Welshpool, take the A490 north towards Llanfyllin and revel in the fast Snake Pass, Derbyshire Road: A57 Distance: 24 miles Heading out over the Peak District with some stonking views, the A57 between Glossop and sweepingTarmac as you go. After you’ve had your fun and got to the end of the A-road, take the B4391 and head towards Bala.This bit takes you into Snowdonia and some superb mountain and forest scenery.Then, at the end of it, you can have a spin around Lake Bala, superb! Penrith, Cumbria to Haydon Bridge, Northumberland Road: A686 Distance: 37 miles Starting out at Penrith, across the Pennines and all the way to Haydon Bridge, the A686 takes in the bleak scenery of the Cumbria’s big hills. Tricky, tight and fast sweeping bends come at you at a proper rate, and the climb from Gamblesby to Alston up the Hartside height is mighty impressive — just watch out for the sheep! Sheffield — or Snake Pass as it’s more commonly known — is simply one of the best driving roads in the UK.The best bit however, is the route around the Ladybower Reservoir. Stunning. Jedburgh, Scottish Borders to Dalkeith, Midlothian Road: A68 Distance: 40 miles Drive out from Jedburgh on the A68 all the way up to Dalkeith, near Edinburgh. Not so much a twisty one this, but fast and with greatTarmac. Wye Valley, Monmouthshire Road: A466 Distance: 12 miles Ramping it through the Wye Valley you’ll get to check out the delightful scenery of the river Wye and the Forest of Dean, plus the incredible sight of Tintern Abbey. But who cares about water and trees when you can be taking enjoying all these corners!

Lockerbie to Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway Road: B7068/B709/B723 Distance: 30 miles A biggy this one, as it takes in three superb driving roads across the Scottish lowlands. Kick off south east from Lockerbie along the B7068.This is a quick road with plenty of sweeping fast bends.You’ll then get to Langholm. Basically turn left and get on the B709. Now this is the best stretch out of the circuit as it’s nice and twisty and takes in some great forest scenery. Once you reach Eskdalemuir, stop for a brew then take the B723 back to Lockerbie. Brynaman to Llangadog, Carmarthenshire Road: A4069 Distance: 12 miles Stick your foot in from Brynaman up the Black Mountain and take on the masses of twists and turn that make up the A4069. If you can take your eyes off the snaking black top for a second then you’ll also get to take in the awesome views of the Brecon Beacons. Then you’ve got the decent down to Llangadog — so make sure you’re brakes are up for the job, it’s steep! Blairgowrie, Perthshire to Braemer, Aberdeenshire Road: A93 Against: 34 miles Warm the car up in Blairgowrie, get on the A93 to Braemer in the Grampian Mountains Lochgilphead to Oban, Argyll Road: A816 Distance: 37 miles There’s a lot of water along this one with Loch Fynne on your right as you head up from Lochgilphead, then Loch Awe and the Sound of Dura on the left all the way up to Oban. If you can tear your eyes away from the scenery though, there are loads of proper corners and straights to take in along the route as well. Exmoor coast road, Devon Road: A39/A399 Distance: 30 miles Take the main coast road between Minehead and Combe Martin and you’ll have a grin on your face that will last for and just keep going. A top Scottish country road, with both fast and tricky sections along the way, the A93 takes you through scenic Glenshee and a section of road fantastically called the Devil’s Elbow! weeks. With Exmoor on your left, the Bristol Channel on your right (watch out for the big cliff top drops) and a load of sweeping left and right bends laid out in front of you, it’s heaven! Just watch out for the holiday traffic in the summer months.