England · Midlands/8 min read

The 10 most scenic drives in the Midlands.

The Midlands hide a spectacular network of driving roads. From the fringes of the Peak District down to the rolling heart of Herefordshire, these routes offer some of the best scenery in the country.

By Drivelines·Published 06 May 2026
REGION OVERVIEW

Beyond the motorways

It is a region that drivers too often endure rather than explore, staring at the bumper in front on the M6 or the M42. But turn off the primary routes and you find a completely different landscape: the Shropshire Hills, the Wye Valley, and the quiet agricultural expanses of Leicestershire. These are roads that follow the contours of the land, rewarding a gentle pace and an appreciation for the topography that shapes them.

Routes mapped
10
Total distance
164km
Avg curve idx
5.2/10
Map of all 10 routes in england-midlands
StartEnd
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10
A443 · Worcestershire · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Stockton Road (A443)

An unusually scenic primary route, the A443 offers wide, sweeping bends and a generous width that takes the stress out of the drive. The high-quality surface makes for quiet, refined cruising, allowing you to take in the sprawling valley views. It serves as an ideal warm-up or wind-down to a longer trip.

The wide lanes make progress easy, though the speed limits drop sharply as you enter Abberley Common.

Distance
21.3km
Drive time
0h 24m
Curve idx
4.0/10
Climb
348m
StartEnd
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09
B4214 · Herefordshire · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Bromyard Road (B4214)

This flowing secondary road cuts a steady path through classic cider-apple country. The curves are broad and predictable, making it a joy to pilot a comfortable touring car along its length. It is a road that asks for patience rather than outright performance.

The surface is generally excellent, but look out for gravel washed out from farm tracks after heavy rain.

Distance
17.9km
Drive time
0h 24m
Curve idx
4.3/10
Climb
267m
StartEnd
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08
B4352 · Herefordshire · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Merbach Bridge (B4352)

A long, sweeping journey near the Golden Valley, this road traces the contours of the Herefordshire landscape. The driving is relaxed and rhythmic, with only gentle inputs required to navigate its winding path. The rich agricultural scenery provides a deeply pastoral backdrop.

Heavy farm machinery uses this route daily; be prepared to pull over in the narrower spots to let them pass.

Distance
23.8km
Drive time
0h 29m
Curve idx
4.4/10
Climb
340m
StartEnd
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07
B4364 · Shropshire · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Ludlow Road (B4364)

Running beneath the imposing silhouette of the Clee Hills, this route blends dramatic topography with a deeply satisfying road layout. It is wide and smooth, allowing you to appreciate the scenery without fighting the steering. The transitions between corners are beautifully judged.

The descent towards Bridgnorth opens up spectacular sightlines, but the crosswinds over the higher sections can be sudden.

Distance
14.8km
Drive time
0h 18m
Curve idx
4.8/10
Climb
255m
StartEnd
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06
B664 · Leicestershire · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Uppingham Road (B664)

Sweeping through the gentle hills towards Market Harborough, the B664 is a masterclass in flowing road design. The excellent surface quality and wide, dual-track nature make it effortless to string corners together. It showcases the quiet beauty of the East Midlands landscape.

The long, open bends are heavily patrolled by cyclists on weekend mornings, so give them plenty of room.

Distance
18.5km
Drive time
0h 22m
Curve idx
4.9/10
Climb
334m
StartEnd
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05
B4197 · Worcestershire · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

Martley Road (B4197)

This is a quintessential English rural drive, linking small settlements with a ribbon of surprisingly varied tarmac. The curvature is gentle enough to let you focus on the landscape, though occasional tightening radii keep you alert. It rewards a relaxed, unhurried approach.

The dappled light through the tree tunnels makes it hard to spot sudden surface changes on bright afternoons.

Distance
11km
Drive time
0h 14m
Curve idx
5.4/10
Climb
263m
StartEnd
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04
B4555 · Shropshire · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

New Road (B4555)

Following the path of the River Severn near Highley, this route delivers a continuous sequence of mid-speed corners. The smooth tarmac encourages a flowing driving style, while the elevation changes keep the technical challenge engaging. The views over the valley are a constant companion.

Keep an eye out for walkers crossing the road near the Severn Valley Railway stations on summer weekends.

Distance
15.8km
Drive time
0h 20m
Curve idx
5.7/10
Climb
260m
StartEnd
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03
B4204 · Worcestershire · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

The Village (B4204)

Cutting across the rolling Worcestershire countryside, the B4204 combines tight, technical complexes with longer, flowing straights. It requires continuous reading of the camber and precise inputs to maintain a fluid pace. The scenery shifts from hedgerows to open vistas as the elevation changes.

The narrower sections outside the villages demand caution, particularly where tractors pull mud onto the asphalt.

Distance
20.7km
Drive time
0h 26m
Curve idx
6.3/10
Climb
414m
StartEnd
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02
B4632 · Cotswolds Edge · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

Stratford Road (B4632)

Skirting the very northern edge of the Cotswolds near Mickleton, this flowing road serves up broad, sweeping vistas across the Warwickshire plains. The surface varies, but the gradients are gentle, making it an exercise in momentum rather than braking. It provides a quiet alternative to the primary tourist routes further south.

The long sightlines northbound let you plan overtakes well in advance, though the agricultural traffic can dictate the pace.

Distance
12.5km
Drive time
0h 16m
Curve idx
4.5/10
Climb
215m
StartEnd
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01
B5417 · Staffordshire · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Oakamoor Road (B5417)

Climbing out of the Churnet Valley, this dual-track route blends open moorland stretches with tighter, forested sections. The surface is well-maintained, allowing you to settle into a rhythm through its constant undulations. The generous sightlines over the Staffordshire Moorlands make it a standout.

Traffic is lighter early on Sunday mornings, but watch for damp patches clinging to the shaded sections near Oakamoor village.

Distance
8.1km
Drive time
0h 11m
Curve idx
7.6/10
Climb
166m
// KEEP READING
Sibling guide · Driving
Top 10 driving roads in the Midlands
Parent region · England
Top 10 scenic drives in England
Nearby · The east of England
Top 10 scenic drives in the east of England
Nearby · London and the Home Counties
Top 10 scenic drives in London and the Home Counties
Nearby · The North West
Top 10 scenic drives in the North West
Index · Every region
All Top 10 Field Guides

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