As Spring Approaches & Lockdown Eases, It’s Time To Get Out On The Roads!
We’re currently all being asked to stay at home as much as possible and only travel if it’s really necessary but hopefully, the lockdown situation will ease as spring approaches, so a nice drive in the British countryside at Easter time would be a very pleasant return to normality, enjoying the fresh air, warmer weather, beautiful scenery and open roads as we travel in our lease car with loved ones – sounds idyllic doesn’t it.
And something we’re not short of here in the UK is beautiful destinations and amazing roads that take us there but of course, before planning any kind of trip out in your car, especially after lockdown when your vehicle may not have been used as much as it normally is, you should spend time carrying out a simple maintenance check to ensure everything is in perfect working condition.
A stunning view of Lake Windermere in the Lake District – definitely worth a visit in your lease car this Easter time!Ā Ā© Copyright neil hanson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Obviously, when you lease a new car with Flexed, your contract will include manufacturer warranty, breakdown cover and vehicle maintenance for your peace of mind. Your short term lease contract will also include UK road tax and 1,250 miles per month (additional mileages available), plus Fully Comprehensive Insurance cover can now be added as an extra to your lease contract with our new car Subscription service – please click here for more information.
To help you plan your special trip out with friends or family and the pet pooch too, we’ve chosen some of the most memorable routes throughout the UK, but it’s been a difficult task as there’s so many spectacular places and roads to see. So get ready for some motoring fun… fill up the tank or plug-in and charge, pack up some tasty goodies and set your sat nav to one of our 10 best driving roads in the UK and enjoy!
1. North Yorkshire Moors
If you take the A169 Whitby Road from Pickering to Whitby, you’ll find yourself on a 21-mile journey through twisty roads, mixed with long straights, that will have you enjoying spectacular moorland scenery before arriving at your destination, where you can take in the sea air and treat everyone to a tasty fish ‘n’ chip lunch at Whitby Harbour.
You could, if you’re up for it, have a go at the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey, the place that inspired Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Dracula.
2. EVO Triangle
This challenging 20-mile stretch of road in North Wales is named after the performance car magazine, EVO and is a very popular destination for motoring enthusiasts.
It’s formed by the A5, A543 and the B4501 roads and goes across the side of Snowdonia, providing you with amazing views, whilst the person behind the wheel enjoys a thrilling drive around tight sweeping bends.
Great views of Llyn Brenig Lake are on offer as you turn right onto the B4501, which then takes you back onto the A5 and into the village of Cerrigydrudion, in Conwy, Wales. There are mobile speed cameras to be aware of, as the police are very much aware of its popularity.
3. Cat and Fiddle
This is one of the most famous and challenging routes in the Peak District and is named after the pub that sits at the summit of this fantastic stretch of road.
It takes you from Buxton in Derbyshire to Macclesfield in Cheshire and is about 12 miles in total, taking about 30 minutes to complete. You start the journey off on the A53, then you join the A54 and eventually the A537.
This route is very popular with bikers, as it features a number of dramatic bends, with steep drops to the side, so it’s a road you need to have all your whits about you on!
The Cat and Fiddle Inn is the second highest pub in England Ā – 1,690ft above sea level and a great place to stop off at to enjoy the spectacular views of open moorland. The pub was sold in 2020 to a distiller, with the intention to open it as a whisky distillery, shop and pub. The views are especially awesome from Goyt’s Moss.
A section of the Black Mountain Pass road, the A4069, rising North from Brynamman in to the Brecon Beacons National park.Ā Ā© Copyright Peter Evans and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
4. Black Mountain Pass
This 23-mile stretch is probably the best driving road in Wales. The A4069 takes you through the Brecon Beacons, connecting Llandovery with Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and runs parallel to the edge of the national park.
You then take a sharp left, plunging you down a long river valley, then climb out into the hills which are at a height of 1,600ft, offering amazing views of South Wales at the top of the pass. What you need to look out for are roaming sheep.
5. South Downs
Escape the hustle and bustle of life and head off in your lease car this Easter to the scenic South Downs. This 50-mile route is not particularly challenging and there’s not many opportunities to overtake but that doesn’t matter – just enjoy the views as you cruise along, whilst taking in all the picturesque villages you’ll pass through.
Your journey starts at Chichester, where you’ll head out and stay on the A286, pulling in for a leisurely coffee break at the Weald and Downland Living Museum. Afterwards, head for the A272, going west towards historic Winchester, in the county of Hampshire.
6. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
It is one of the most spectacular natural landmarks in the UK and was forged around 1.2 million years ago. This 14-mile trip begins in Cheddar and ends in Ashwick, taking around 30 minutes to complete.
As you leave Cheddar, you’ll be struck by the most dramatic of scenery, as it offers fabulous views of the deepest gorge in England. The B3135 takes you through rocky outcrops, as it makes its way into the Mendips.
If you decide to stop for some fresh air, why not try the 274-step walk to the Lookout Tower or have a go at the three-mile Clifftop Gorge Walk for some spectacular views.
7. Dartmoor National Park
If you want to experience the delights of Dartmoor, this is the route to take. Follow the B3212 from Exeter and this will take you through the middle of Dartmoor via the market town of Moretonhampstead.
Find the B3357 at Two Bridges, then follow the signs to Tavistock. This 33-mile route will reward you with stunning views, ancient landscapes, wide open rugged spaces, fast flowing rivers and deep wooded valleys but keep an eye out for the Dartmoor sheep and ponies!
8. Glasgow to Fort William
A 140-mile road trip offering breathtaking scenery as you travel northbound along the A82, which takes you from Glasgow and into the Scottish Highlands. Many people call it the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ – it’s a three-hour journey but there might be a few stops on the way whilst you take in the spectacular views!
On the way, you’ll see Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and Ben Nevis – WOW! You’ll also travel trough Tarbet, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Rannoch Moor, before arriving at Glen Coe. Following this, you’ll head to South Ballachulish and Loch Leven, before following the banks of Loch Linnhe to the town of Fort William, where you can stop off and visit the West Highland Museum which focuses on regional life and history.
And of course, you’re in Scotland, the home of whisky, so why not travel northeast of Fort William and visit the Ben Nevis Distillery.
9. Giant’s Causeway
This 120-mile coastal route is known as one of the world’s greatest drives and has you travelling from between Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland.
There’s plenty to see along the way, including the impressive tubular suspension bridges of The Gobbins, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the stunning Ballintoy Harbour, however, it’s the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway that steals the show!
You can take a walk to see the captivating polygonal stones – 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that were created after an ancient volcanic eruption.
10. The Lake District
Visit Wordsworth country and take in the stunning scenery along some of the most picturesque roads in the UK. Start your journey from Kendal and head North into the Lake District National Park towards Bowness-on-Windermere, where you can take a ride on a boat on England’s largest lake or sit and eat a delicious ice cream and watch the world go by.
Travel up the hill from the lake and stop off in the small, pretty town of Windermere itself, where you’ll find plenty of cafĆ©s to sit in or outside on a warm day.
Afterwards, why not drive north and take in more spectacular views before arriving in Ambleside followed by Grasmere, where you can visit the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.
Please click here to find out more about our car leasing services and fantastic offers for both Business and Personal use, or give us a call TODAY on 0800 311 8290.
Drop us a quick email to talk@flexed.co.uk or chat with a member of our team NOW using our online āWe Are Here!ā service ā weāll gladly answer any leasing questions you may have.
