Best driving roads

Tachographs are designed for the road. Our devices are fitted into vehicles the length and breadth of this country and many others. But not all roads were created equal.

Talk to anybody who enjoys driving, and they will have earmarked a few good roads near to where they live to blast around. Finding a length of tarmac that is either challenging, beautiful, or both, is a life long obsession. But most of these roads will be enjoyable because they stick out from the norm in that area. If you live in a concrete jungle, half a mile of country road that would otherwise be fairly nondescript will seem like a God send.

So what are some of the UK’s elite roads? Ones that aren’t just good for their area, or the country at large, but can compete with great driving roads around the World? Here are a few we’ve found.

B3306 – St. Ives to St. Just

St. Ives, the popular seaside town in Cornwall, is already a picturesque place, and is about as far removed from city living as one could hope for in England. There is very little in the way of a nearby town either, with just a handful of tiny villages dotted around. One town nearby (read: 14 miles away) is the similarly named St. Just. Connecting these two is the B3306 (not every good road can have a cool name like “Route 66”), a twisty, winding road that skirts along the coast. Not only are you ploughing through beautiful English countryside, but the tight turns will keep you on your toes.

A39 – Minehead to Barnstaple

Similar to the above stretch of road, the A39 takes you through some of southern England’s most stunning vistas. But unlike the B3306, this road doesn’t hug the coastline the whole way. While it does include a stretch of sheer sea cliffs, you’ll spend most of your time in Exmoor National Park. You’ll be tackling huge hills, and even bigger open stretches of land. It’s hard to beat this road for variety.

B3135 – Cheddar to Ashwick

What is the first thing that pops into your head when someone mentions Cheddar? Ok, it’s probably cheese. But the second thing to pop into your head will likely be Cheddar Gorge. The B3135 starts in the famous tourist attraction, and makes for a temptingly dangerous first couple of miles, as you know any mistake in the quick and sharp corners will result in you crashing into a million year old rock face. But once you are out of the gorge, things change up, and you’ll find the rest of the route either lined closely with trees, or scything through open fields.

A82 – Loch Lomond to Loch Ness

This road may be 140 miles, making it ill suited for those looking for something for a quick tear around on a Sunday afternoon, but in terms of sheer scale of things to take in over the journey, nothing compares to the A82. Starting at the biggest lake in the UK, Loch Lomond, you’ll go on to take in 10 lochs in total by journeys end. You’ll also pass Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK. In between, you’ll be treated to thick woods, waters edge drives, and breathtaking stretches of Scottish Highland, all ending at the world famous Loch Ness. You won’t need to see Nessie to make the journey worthwhile – you would have already conquered a monster!