England’s topography is rarely dramatic by Alpine standards, but what it lacks in sheer altitude it repays with intense character. From the claustrophobic slate corridors of the Lake District to the sweeping cliff-tops of the Cornish coast, these ten routes deliver the best views the country has to offer from behind the wheel.
When you are looking for scenery in England, the map dictates a certain kind of driving. The dramatic topography is mostly pushed to the edges—the severe gradients of Cumbria, the plunging limestone gorges of Somerset, and the jagged coastlines of the South West. These regions produce roads that were laid down by geography rather than engineers, meaning they twist, rise, and fall with the land. While a few of these routes offer wide, sweeping bends, many are technical exercises in managing momentum and reading sightlines. The visual reward is high, but you have to earn it.
A technically demanding coastal route that weaves its way out of Dartmouth. Despite being a primary road, its tight radius corners and steep gradients make it a thoroughly engaging drive that rewards smooth, deliberate inputs.
Local buses use this route extensively; give them a wide berth on the sharper bends where their overhangs cross the centre line.
Running parallel to the ocean, this coastal road balances tight, engaging corners with a consistently smooth surface. It rewards a measured pace, allowing you to string the sweeping bends together while taking in the expansive Atlantic views.
The verges fill with parked cars near the popular surf beaches in high summer, drastically narrowing the available road width.
Clinging to the rugged Cornish coastline, the B3306 is exceptionally winding but remarkably well-surfaced. The constant lateral transitions require precise steering and an appreciation for the changing sightlines as the sea vanishes and reappears.
Late afternoon sun can blind you heading westbound towards St Just, turning the technical corners into a guessing game.
This is a highly technical stretch linking the southern Lakes, featuring a dense succession of tight, blind corners. The varying width and unpredictable surface mean it demands complete concentration, though the glimpses of water through the trees are superb.
The narrow sections over the blind crests often hide slow-moving tractors, so absolute caution is required on the approaches.
Tracing the escarpment edge through the Cotswolds, this mostly flowing secondary road provides generous sightlines and gentle gradients. The driving is relaxed and pleasant, perfectly suited to taking in the honey-stone villages and gentle rural landscape.
The surface quality varies significantly as it passes through the small villages, so keep an eye out for sudden potholes near the verges.
The A592 offers a sweeping, long-distance journey through the heart of the Lakes, climbing steadily over Kirkstone Pass. Its smooth tarmac and flowing alignment make it less punishing than the tighter passes, rewarding momentum and reading the camber.
The pub at the summit is a popular stopping point; northbound traffic tends to bottleneck there around lunchtime.
A beautifully surfaced stretch that flows gracefully through the Staffordshire countryside. The corners are well-sighted and medium-speed, rewarding smooth inputs over raw aggression while offering rolling views of the peak fringes.
The dips into the wooded sections near Oakamoor hold moisture long after the open stretches have dried, so adjust your pace accordingly.
Climbing through Cheddar Gorge, the B3135 threads between dramatic limestone walls before opening out onto the Mendip Hills. The road is nicely wide, allowing you to settle into a rhythm once the initial twisty climb eases off and the horizon expands.
Watch out for wandering sheep and sudden changes in camber once you clear the tree line and enter the open moor.
Hardknott is famously punishing, combining a rough single-track surface with brutal gradients and unrelenting hairpins. It is a route that rewards careful sightline reading and decisive car placement, offering a stark, desolate beauty that feels utterly remote.
The descent off the eastern side is notoriously steep and requires absolute patience, especially when the stone surface is slick with rain.
Honister Pass traces a formidable sequence of tightly wound bends across a smooth but demanding surface. The views of the fells are extraordinary, but the sheer density of the corners demands continuous line-choice and concentration rather than idle sightseeing.
The slate mine at the summit provides a clear marker, but be prepared for heavy tourist traffic around it on summer weekends.
Drop a start and end anywhere on the map, tune your route and Drivelines builds you a drive.