Great driving roads (North East) - Add your favourites!

[markSTI]

Hi all, As most of you know who attend the monthly meetings, Greg and Deb are always trying to get members to post on the forum with regards to drives out on great roads. So the purpose of this thread is to add your favourite driving routes that we can all sample and arrange drives out on the spur of the moment. This can encompass up to the Boarders of Scotland, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. The aim is to encourage more drives out in our fabulous sports cars on an add hoc basis.

So for instance, If I fancied going out on a run next weekend. I've had a look on this thread and fancy doing the the Helmsley Triangle. I put a post on the forum of where we will be meeting, giving a time and a window of when we will be leaving. Only one stipulation, there has to be a pub lunch involved in the drive out, its the rules.

So here it goes, i'll start us off - The Helmsley Triangle (sort of)

From Stokesley take the B1257 towards Hemsley, cracking road with plenty of sharp and long corners straights, 20 miles of great fun. Once in Helmsley take the A170 toward Sproxton and head towards Malton on the B1257. In the summer this can get a little congested with motorbikes but if you are lucky its a cracking road, approx 33 miles. Once In Malton, stop for coffee or a cuppa and then on to Pickering heading in to the North Yorkshire Moors. Leave Malton and head out on the B1257 towards old Malton and then on to the A169 towards Pickering, long sweeping roads and around 8 miles long. Once in Pickering we then head on to the North Yorkshire Moors for some epic roads and scenery. Heading out of Pickering on the A170 towards Wrelton and then on to Cropton, once in Cropton, follow the road all the way to Rosedale Abbey, potentially stop for lunch at the Coach House in; great food and plenty of parking. Once fuelled up we then head out of Rosedale and then on to Castleton. This part of the journey has great sweeping bends and great scenery of the moors. The distance from Pickering all the way to Castleton is around 17miles. Once in Castleton we head back to where we started; Stokesley which is around 12 miles. Happy Days!

Mark & Wendy

Arctic Silver 987 Boxster S

Renault Twingo (Pink Thunder)

 

[Albert7787]

I'm new to this driving roads malarkey so any information on decent driving roads is much appreciated. Might just try some of this run at the weekend.

Many thanks

 

[JohnCRS]

Mark, living in Great Ayton I know your route well. Best done early morning or evening to avoid traffic. The 1257 is notorious for bikes which often lean into the middle of the road, and is therefore policed heavily at peak times. Just take care, but on a good day it is one of the best.

A shorter version is to go from Helmsley directly towards Pickering, but before you get there turn left to Hutton Le Hole and from there along Blakey Ridge to Carlton and return. Again, great off peak with good sight lines so you can avoid the sheep.

Another of my favourites is the B6277 from Barnard Castle to Alston. It just gets better and better the further you go towards the north west.

Have fun

 

[kennyrobinson]

I know it's stated UK but i'll get some Swiss & Italian roads sorted as I do these mountain every year & for those who haven't had the chance to sample these then they are mental !!!!

 

[ian harvey]

Not a great response, surprisingly. A little further south than John or Mark's suggestions, the road from Brigg to Horncastle in Lincolnshire is a great road. Take the A1084 to Caistor and then join the B1225 all the way to Horncastle. It is mainly quiet, fast, safe and passes very few built-up areas. It is possible to find space and enjoy some challenging roads that are undulating and quite twisty for the most part with good visibility.

Return via Cadwell Park or Wragby and Market Rasen or go further south towards Woodhall Spa, Sleaford, Grantham or Bourne. All very good and so much quieter than more obvious places like North Yorkshire or the Peak District.

Have fun, be sensible.

 

[Briggy]

B4521 between Ross On Wye & Abergavenny. 20 miles of twisty B road, with very little traffic. Not that many places to overtake, but I see on average 2 cars going in the same direction in any given run, so not that much of a problem. No idea what the scenery is like as you have to concentrate. Good thing is that you can spent the vast majority of the time below the speed limit without trying, so no need to worry about risking any points.

Cheers,

Bryan

 

[chrisbradley]

For anyone with a little time on their hands I can recommend driving the North Coast 500 - google it if you are unfamiliar with it.

Best driven over 5 - 7 days - start Inverness Castle and travel clockwise to Applecross, and North to Durness, then East to John o Groats and then South to inverness.

A lot of the roads are single track but you will see more sheep than cars if you go in the right month - April/May recommended.

Chris

 

[greg_harm]

Not sure how many would turn up for a Sunday morning drive from R3 to Abergavenny or Brigg and back in time for Lunch be a hell of a drive though. Without pointing out the obvious the idea is for routes in your local area where like minded enthusiasts can jump in the car, meet, possibly have a coffee and share information regarding a start and finish point on some of OUR Regions best kept secret roads. That said we do tend to travel a lot from R3 so never say never.

I personally love the drive to Kielder and back via either Hexham or the A68 looking at the possibility of a late evening drive some time soon.

 

[markSTI]

Not sure how many would turn up for a Sunday morning drive from R3 to Abergavenny or Brigg and back in time for Lunch be a hell of a drive though. Without pointing out the obvious the idea is for routes in your local area where like minded enthusiasts can jump in the car, meet, possibly have a coffee and share information regarding a start and finish point on some of OUR Regions best kept secret roads. That said we do tend to travel a lot from R3 so never say never.

I personally love the drive to Kielder and back via either Hexham or the A68 looking at the possibility of a late evening drive some time soon.

Great stuff. The Kielder drive was epic.[]

Mark & Wendy

Arctic Silver 987 Boxster S

Renault Twingo (Pink Thunder)

Next week a Mini (hopefully a cooper S) or a BMW of some sort.

 

[JohnCRS]

We frequently travel to and from Edinburgh from Teeside and our favourite route is the A697 via Coldstream. Especially late on a summer's evening there is no traffic and the cameras are fixed and well known.

 

[markSTI]

We frequently travel to and from Edinburgh from Teeside and our favourite route is the A697 via Coldstream. Especially late on a summer's evening there is no traffic and the cameras are fixed and well known.

Cheer John

Mark & Wendy Arctic Silver 987 Boxster S Renault Twingo (Pink Thunder) Next week a Mini (hopefully a cooper S) or a BMW of some sort.

 

[andyrut783]

Just done the A66 across to A 686 over the top to Penrith. Lovely drive/ views

 

[Mike M]

One of my favourites:

A690 out of Durham towards Crook then A689 up to Stanhope, at Stanhope take the B6278 then the B6282 to Middleton in Teesdale then the B6277 up to Alston. If you take the wrong road dont worry' the roads through the moorlands are amazing. Not too busy and plenty in the area to stop off at. High Force, Killhope Mining Museum to name a few.

 

[kennyrobinson]

Chris Bradleys post on the North 500 route. It's fab but in reality you can do about 750 miles from start to finish. This goes (the best route) anti-clockwise all around the Scottish Coast.

If you don't want to do the European Alps or haven't a Passport or here illegally then this is the one for you

 

[chrisbradley]

I did 1200 from start to finish Kenny - but I was starting and finishing in Washington, Tyne and Wear !