England · Near London/8 min read

The 10 best driving roads around London.

When the M25 clears, the Home Counties offer some surprisingly engaging tarmac. From the sweeping ridges of the Surrey Hills to the quiet undulations of Hertfordshire, these ten routes reward an early start.

By Drivelines·Published 06 May 2026
REGION OVERVIEW

Escaping the sprawl

Finding a decent driving road near the capital requires accepting a few truths: you will need to leave before dawn, and you will eventually get stuck behind a cyclist. But if you know where to look, the geography enclosing London hides genuine driving pleasure. The North Downs and Surrey Hills deliver steep, wooded climbs and technical descents, while the Chilterns and Hertfordshire offer faster, open sweepers across arable farmland. It’s not the Scottish Highlands, but on a crisp Sunday morning, these arterial runs and country B-roads provide enough rhythmic cornering to justify owning a driver's car inside the M25.

Routes mapped
10
Total distance
108km
Avg curve idx
5.7/10
Map of all 10 routes in near-london
StartEnd
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10
B1037 · Hertfordshire · Spirited
Mixed widthVaried surface

White Hill (B1037)

Skirting the outskirts near Stevenage, the B1037 offers a brisk, technically engaging blast across four and a half miles. The road constantly shifts between single- and dual-track widths, demanding a flexible approach to positioning and speed. With a high curve density and inconsistent surfacing, it keeps the driver busy, rewarding those who can read the road ahead and adapt instantly.

The narrower sections have high hedgerows that completely obscure oncoming traffic, making cautious entry speeds essential.

Distance
7.6km
Drive time
0h 12m
Curve idx
6.8/10
Climb
123m
StartEnd
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09
B2126 · Surrey · Spirited
Dual-trackVaried surface

Horsham Road (B2126)

Plunging south from Abinger Hammer, the B2126 is a classic Surrey Hills cut-through. It is distinctly more winding than its neighbours, featuring a dense succession of corners that require continuous attention and accurate steering. The variable road surface adds to the challenge, meaning you must constantly assess the tarmac ahead and manage your braking zones carefully.

Cycling clubs run time trials down here on weekend mornings, so expect to share the tightest bends.

Distance
10.3km
Drive time
0h 13m
Curve idx
6.5/10
Climb
207m
StartEnd
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08
B2028 · Surrey Border · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Moor Lane (B2028)

Crossing the border near Dormansland and Edenbridge, the B2028 is a gentle six-mile run that highlights the calmer side of local driving. The surface is smooth and forgiving, carrying you along a mostly flowing alignment with just enough curvature to keep you engaged. It demands nothing strenuous, serving instead as a perfect, low-effort route after tackling the steeper Downs.

The bridges over the railway line create sudden, brief crests that can unsettle a softly sprung car if taken clumsily.

Distance
9.9km
Drive time
0h 14m
Curve idx
5.4/10
Climb
132m
StartEnd
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07
A507 · Hertfordshire · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Baldock Road (A507)

Running west from Buntingford towards Baldock, this stretch of the A507 proves that primary roads can still entertain. Wide, well-sighted, and exceptionally smooth, it allows for a confident, flowing pace through long-radius sweepers. It isn’t the tightest or most technical road on the list, but its predictable grip and open layout make it a joy for stringing together a flawless sequence of inputs.

The long straights are heavily policed at weekends; enjoy the cornering rhythm and roll off the throttle in between.

Distance
8.5km
Drive time
0h 10m
Curve idx
5.8/10
Climb
140m
StartEnd
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06
B181 · Essex · Spirited
Dual-trackRough surface

Epping Road (B181)

Snaking up from North Weald Bassett, the B181 is a longer, more demanding affair that forces you to work for your rewards. The tarmac is distinctly rough and unsettled in places, combining with a relatively high curve density to test your suspension and your concentration. It is an involving drive that asks for patience over the broken sections and rewards neat line-choice through the twistier woodland stretches.

Heavy agricultural vehicles use this route extensively during harvest season, frequently leaving mud dragged across the apexes.

Distance
16.8km
Drive time
0h 25m
Curve idx
6.6/10
Climb
276m
StartEnd
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05
B1004 · Hertfordshire · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

High Street (B1004)

Linking Widford and the surrounding countryside, this ten-mile ribbon of smooth tarmac is a highly rewarding drive. The B1004 blends brisk sections with moderately winding alignments, providing a sustained, rhythmic experience that rarely feels over-taxing. The lack of severe technical hazards lets you focus purely on stringing the corners together smoothly.

The approach into Widford tightens unexpectedly after a long flowing section, so shed speed early.

Distance
16.3km
Drive time
0h 23m
Curve idx
5.7/10
Climb
258m
StartEnd
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04
C67 · Surrey · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

Coopers Hill Road (C67)

Tucked away near Redhill, Coopers Hill Road is a quiet contour line that threads through the Surrey landscape. It flows gently, avoiding punishing hairpins in favour of long, predictable arcs that are a pleasure to navigate at sensible speeds. Although the road quality is a mixed bag, the generous width and clear forward visibility make it a relaxed, enjoyable drive.

Keep an eye out for walkers crossing near the trailheads; the verges are soft, so maintain a disciplined lane position.

Distance
8.3km
Drive time
0h 12m
Curve idx
5.3/10
Climb
150m
StartEnd
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03
B2110 · West Sussex · Spirited
Dual-trackVaried surface

Turners Hill Road (B2110)

Connecting the landscape around Turners Hill, this short, punchy stretch packs a surprising amount of engaging geometry into its four-and-a-half miles. The B2110 throws a mix of medium-speed sweepers and tighter directional changes at the driver, set against a backdrop of quintessential Sussex woodland. The surface is varied, requiring you to read the camber and adjust your pace as grip levels fluctuate under the canopy.

The transition from the shaded sections into the open straight can be startlingly bright on a low-sun winter afternoon.

Distance
7.3km
Drive time
0h 11m
Curve idx
5.6/10
Climb
82m
StartEnd
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02
B2042 · Kent · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

Cold Arbor Road (B2042)

Skirting the edge of Sevenoaks, this wide, dual-track run trades technical complexity for fluid momentum. With a relatively gentle curvature rating, it asks for smooth steering inputs rather than aggressive line management, making it an ideal warm-up route. The varied tarmac quality keeps you alert, but the prevailing character is brisk and sweeping.

Southbound traffic tends to build quickly on weekday mornings; run it early on a Sunday to appreciate the flow uninterrupted.

Distance
10.2km
Drive time
0h 12m
Curve idx
4.6/10
Climb
193m
StartEnd
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01
B651 · Hertfordshire · Easy
Mixed widthSmooth surface

Whitwell Road (B651)

Striking a line north-west towards Hitchin, the B651 is one of the Home Counties' most consistently engaging secondary roads. The surface is remarkably smooth, carrying you through a series of flowing, open curves that demand little but reward a steady rhythm. Sightlines across the fields are generally excellent, allowing you to link bends together with precision rather than heavy braking.

The section past Stagenhoe Bottom Farm opens up beautifully, but watch for early morning mist sitting low in the dips near Whitwell.

Distance
12.7km
Drive time
0h 19m
Curve idx
5.2/10
Climb
256m
// KEEP READING
Sibling guide · Scenic
Top 10 scenic drives in London
Parent region · England
Top 10 driving roads in England
Nearby · The east of England
Top 10 driving roads in the east of England
Nearby · London and the Home Counties
Top 10 driving roads in London and the Home Counties
Nearby · The Midlands
Top 10 driving roads in the Midlands
Index · Every region
All Top 10 Field Guides

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