Road trip down memory lane
APART from visiting friends and going to the pub and those two combined, the thing I’ve missed most in the lockdown is simply getting in a good car and going for a drive just for the sake of it. Or, since I’ve been a passionate motorcyclist all my life, a ride.
You don’t work as a motoring journalist for three decades if you don’t love driving. Over the years I’ve come to realise that the type of car you drive isn’t really important. It doesn’t need to be fast or flash, simply a nice-handling and responsive car on a brilliant road is all you need. Sure, given a few millions and the choice I’d take a classic Ferrari – but a £2,000 Mazda MX-5 or a cheap Ford Fiesta ST is just as much fun.
Here’s a selection of some of my favourite roads in the UK; roads that I’ve driven some of the world’s greatest cars along and enjoyed simply for the scenery.
Some you’ll know much better than me because they’ll be on your doorstep.
THE SNAKE PASS, A57, PEAK DISTRICT, DERBYSHIRE
One of the advantages of this road is that it’s virtually in the middle of the country and easy for many of us to get to.
At its highest point it reaches 1,679ft so in winter it’s often closed due to snow.
Drive the road with caution because there are lots of adverse camber corners and changes in elevation.
I’ve been driving this road for the past 30 years.the motoring magazines love it
It’s virtually impossible to narrow the epic North 500 route in Scotland down to one stretch of road but if you’ve got to do it this is my favourite part.the views here across the lochs and down valleys are absolutely stunning. I’d say that no place in the world is more beautiful. because it’s an easy drive from London.the road passes through moorland and this being Wales, you’ve really got to be on the lookout for sheep.
It’s hard to choose a favourite inwales because there are so many great driving roads. I’ve chosen this one partly for nostalgic reasons; for the memories of all the great cars I’ve driven along it.
CHEDDAR GORGE, B3135, ASHWICK TO CHEDDAR
I love driving through the gorge. It doesn’t take long and it’s not a quick road but it emphasises the point that the UK has something of everything when it comes to great driving roads.
In other words, you don’t have to go to Switzerland to experience driving between towering granite cliffs.
PORLOCK TO LYNEMOUTH, A39 EXMOOR, DEVON
Stunning views to the north out across the Bristol Channel and views to the south to Exmoor.a particularly good drive in winter when the roads are quieter.
I remember driving along this road 30 years ago in one of the original Audi Quattros.a brilliant car in a perfect surrounding. Moments you never forget.
The Yorkshire Dales are one of my favourite areas on the planet and this road is a cracker. The drive is challenging and demands great attention.
You need to be very aware of cyclists who love this road (it was part of the Tour de France route in 2014) and besides, if you go fast you’ll miss the views.
A689 STANHOPE TO ST JOHN’S CHAPEL, NORTH PENNINES AREA OF NATURAL BEAUTY
Most of the roads in this area are amazing but this section is a favourite – when you get to St John’s Chapel head south to Langdon Beck. I remember being flagged down by a copper once on this road.
I was in a Ferrari F355 and hadn’t been going that fast. “Do you mind giving me a ride in it?” he asked. So I did and when he requested that I give it the beans I obliged. I doubt a policeman would dare do this today. It happened often a few decades ago.
A272 HAYWARDS HEATH TO PETERSFIELD, WEST SUSSEX
A lovely winding road through Sussex countryside favoured by motorcyclists.
At Petworth you can divert south and drop in at Goodwood racing circuit’s cafe for coffee or lunch. Being in the South East the road is often very busy but if you make an early start you can avoid much of it.
I used to live very close to the A272 so I’ve driven hundreds of good cars along it.
Standout memories are of an evening drive in a Morgan Plus 8 in the early ’90s and at the same time a spine-tingling thrash in a Ford GT40 replica.