Britain’s most beautiful roads
Often, we overlook our homeland in pursuit of far-flung foreign lands, but with international travel stifled due to the ongoing pandemic, we find ourselves forced to explore a little closer to home.
Last summer we took you on our four favourite road trips and earlier this year, we introduced you to the best British driving roads. But if you’re more about the ‘gram than the cornering G-force, these are the roads that should make it to your bucket list.
A3055 Military Road, Isle of Wight
Starting close to home, the Military Road is the stretch of the A3055 that traces the South-Western shore of the Isle of Wight.
Starting at Chale in the East and ending at Freshwater Bay in the West, the road was built in the 1860 as part of a defence network that linked forts and barracks, and while it has been partly rerouted due to coastal erosion, it still offers unrivalled views across the Channel.
Thanks to its incredible views and long, straight nature, this impressive road is due to be part of the Isle of Wight’s TT equivalent, the Diamond Races. But motorised beware, for according to a 2019 resort by the Road Safety Foundation, it’s also the second most perilous rural A road in Britain.
Beachy Head Road, Eastbourne
Another spectacular seaside drive, the Beachy Head Road is one of the most dramatic to make our list. Looming high about the English channel to the East of Brighton, Beachy Head road is perched atop the highest chalk sea cliff in the UK at 162m above sea level.
It offers incredible vistas out to sea and down to the quaint lighthouse at the foot of the cliffs. So spectacular is this road that it is one of England's most famous filming locations, with Harry Potter and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, among many others, filmed there.
Weather on the road can be temperamental, with high winds and fog often descending. But on a clear, sunny day, it’s a beautiful drive.
A57 Snake Pass, Peak District
Doing as it says on the tin, Snake Pass snakes through the Peak District, offering a brilliant drive and unrivalled views. In fact, the road was named for the emblem of the Inn that sits at its summit, which was in turn was derived from the serpent on the Cavendish arms of William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire.
Engineered by Thomas Telford and opened in 1821, the pass crosses the Pennines between Glossop and the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashopton, linking Manchester and Sheffield via the A57.
Passing through the National Trust's High Peak Estate, the road offers dramatic views of rolling countryside, which look particularly impressive on a beautiful day. Due to its height, which peaks at 510 metres above sea level, Snake Pass is at the mercy of the elements, and is regularly closed due to snow or heavy rain.
B3135, Ashwick to Cheddar, Somerset
Known for the looming roadside cliffs that host excellent caving and climbing, Cheddar Gorge is an adventurer’s paradise. And the B3135, which winds through Somerset from Ashwick to Cheddar is also a treat in its own right. Experience the 27 cliffs, which soar to 500m above sea level in close quarters, and all from the comfort of your own car. When you’re bored of driving, pop into the quaint village to experience its world famous delicacy…
A82 Glencoe, Scotland
The North Coast 500 featured in our best UK driving roads feature, but today we’re not going quite as far north. Instead, this spring transport yourself to the thawing highlands of Glencoe, via the spectacularly scenic A82. Running from Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William, the 30-mile stretch of A-road takes in the very best that Scotland has to offer, from moorland to lochs, looming mountains and everything in between. Each season offers a different pallet of natural colours, and diverse weather conditions. Hiking, climbing, camping and skiing are just some of the activities on offer to the adventurous along this epic drive.
Isle of Arran coastal road, Scotland
Nothing beats an epic coastal drive, and road looping around the Isle of Arran has to be one of the most spectacular. At 167 square miles, and just a 45 minute ferry ride off the West coast of Scotland, it’s well worth a visit.
The coastal loop measures 56-miles in total and takes in a vast array of sights so diverse that it's hard to believe they’re all adjacent. From craggy mountains to rolling fields, the island is one of Scotland’s best kept driving secrets.
Must see sights include Lochranza Castle, the Machrie Moor Standing Stones and the majestic Cìr Mhòr (aka the Matterhorn of Arran). If you have time, peel off the coastal road into the adorable villages – you won’t regret it!
Images by Luke Thornton, Ana Paula Grinaldi and Thomas Tucker.
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