The West Country's true driving appeal lies just beyond the M5. We chart the ten most visually arresting roads within reach of Exeter, from the deep coastal lanes of the South Hams to the high, exposed moorland.
Exeter is uniquely positioned as a launchpad for the discerning driver. Turn west, and the landscape rapidly gives way to the vast, granite-strewn expanse of Dartmoor, where the roads follow ancient contours and demand constant attention to sightlines. Head north, and you find the steep, wooded valleys of Exmoor, offering sheltered runs that test a car's low-end torque and the driver's forward observation. To the south, the coastal lanes provide a totally different rhythm, threading between high Devon banks before opening out into sudden views of the sea. It is a region of contrasts, rewarding those who are happy to let the landscape, rather than the stopwatch, dictate the pace.
A short but surprisingly intense stretch of coastal road. It pitches and rolls along the cliff tops, packing a dense concentration of sharp corners into a relatively brief run.
Holiday traffic chokes the tighter sections in July; it is a road best reserved for a crisp, empty winter morning.
A major link road that manages to retain a rural, pastoral feel. It sweeps easily across the landscape, requiring little more than a light touch on the wheel and an appreciation for the rolling Devon countryside.
Potholes frequently gather on the apexes near Cullompton, requiring a tight, defensive line.
Rising from the gentler Devon valleys toward the Somerset border, this route provides a quiet, uncluttered drive. The corners are open and predictable, making it a soothing, scenic transit rather than a test of nerve.
The crests on the approach to Morebath tend to hide slow-moving tractors until the very last moment.
A varied, undulating route that cuts northwards towards the coast. The surface quality changes frequently, asking the driver to continuously read the road rather than settling into a fixed pace.
Farm traffic dictates your average speed through the narrower agricultural stretches, so patience is a strict requirement.
Skirting the western edge of the national park, the A386 provides twenty miles of broad, well-sighted tarmac. It is a relaxed cruise that trades outright driving challenge for continuous, rolling views of the high tors.
The long sweeping bends near Tavistock hold onto standing water long after the rain has stopped.
Tracing the line of the River Teign, this road offers a low-level, sheltered run through deep woodland. It is flowing rather than frantic, allowing for a steady rhythm as it follows the contours of the valley.
Watch for heavy aggregate lorries pulling out from the quarry entrances near the northern end.
The main artery leading out of Exeter and up onto the high moor. The climb is engaging, mixing sweeping dual-track sections with narrower, technical chicanes that demand precise positioning.
Locals treat the run towards Moretonhampstead as a commuter route; it is usually best enjoyed mid-week when the traffic thins out.
Running deep into Exmoor, the A396 traces the valley floor before climbing through Wheddon Cross. It rewards smooth, measured steering inputs, flowing between ancient hedgerows and over old stone bridges.
Sightlines through the woodland sections are compromised in full summer leaf; it reads much better in late autumn.
A sharply winding, highly technical stretch of the South Hams coastal route. It strings together tight bends and sudden gradient shifts beneath heavy tree cover, with only occasional flashes of the sea below.
The tarmac gets remarkably greasy under the canopy after a light shower, catching out the unwary on the tighter downhill left-handers.
The B3387 cuts a decisive path across the eastern edge of Dartmoor, trading woodland for open, heather-strewn horizons. The surface is smooth and flowing, letting the driver look up and take in the sheer scale of the moorland topography.
Early morning mist often lingers in the dips near Widecombe, so keep your speed down and expect wandering livestock.
Drop a start and end anywhere on the map, tune your route and Drivelines builds you a drive.