Six of the best driving roads in Britain

From Cumbria to Carmarthenshire and up into Scotland, here's Sean O'Grady's selection of some of the most enjoyable roads to take a spin on

Your guide to hitting the nation's most scenic routes (Caterham Cars)

Most of us live in cities, most of us, therefore, never get our cars above 6 mph for most of the time and most of us have, as a result, long since lost sight of the romance and sheer pleasure of driving.

It’s still there though, if you could but find it. Fortunately, the researchers at gocompare.com (www.gocompare.com/motorbike-insurance/scene-but-not-heard/) as part of a drive – if you’ll pardon the expression – to calm, and possibly also boost their biker customer base, have found what they claim to be the quietest and most scenic routes in Britain.

They’ve used a combination of traffic figures from the Department for Transport and recommendations from Visit Britain, and the roads less travelled certainly look fun. These roads take drivers through some of Britain’s most picturesque areas, including the Brecon Beacons, the Yorkshire Dales and the Scottish Highlands. Maybe it’s worth plotting a trip before the weather turns?

Here are a selection:

A838 – Laxford Bridge to Tongue – Sutherland, Scotland

This 77-mile road on the north coast of Scotland passes Loch Eriboll – often used by Royal Navy ships, as well as Smoo Cave – a dramatic sea and freshwater grotto. The route is also the least used in the Scottish Highlands, with 96 vehicles a day using it.

A821 – Aberfoyle to Callander – Stirling, Scotland

Known as the “Duke’s Pass”, this road cuts through the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. It is only open between March and October and is one of the quietest roads in western Scotland, with 405 vehicles using it per day.

A44 – Aberystwyth to Rhayader – Ceredigion, Wales

Heading east from the postcard town of Aberystwyth, the A44 ascends the Cambrian mountains, passing through miles of lush green moors, hilly vistas and stunning valleys. It also passes by Devil’s Bridge, home to the dramatic waterfall which inspired Turner and Wordsworth. On average, only 431 vehicles drive along this route each day.

A4069 – Llangadog to Upper Brynamman – Carmarthenshire, Wales

This 14-mile stretch is known as the “Black Mountain Road”, and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best driving roads. The route twists and turns its way through the stunning Brecon Beacons national park. Despite its reputation among petrolheads, it is only used by 462 vehicles per day.

A686 – Penrith to Haydon Bridge – Cumbria/Northumberland, England

Spanning 38 miles between Cumbria and Northumberland, this route passes through the North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty. The first part of the route climbs the Hartside Pass to Alston, England’s highest market town. It is also one of England’s quietest A-roads, with just 800 cars using it daily.

A592 – Windermere to Penrith – Cumbria, England

Known as the “Kirkstone Pass”, the A592 is surrounded by show-stopping scenery in the heart of the Lake District. The road reaches 1,489 feet at its peak, near Ullswater, and sees just 1,266 vehicles per day. All great, but perhaps you’ve worked out the flaw in this plan. For those within easy reach of these beautiful parts of Britain... well, every day is a great day for a drive. Those more distant from these parts will still need to fight their way through congested streets before reaching a congested A-road and then a congested motorway to take them to their dream stretch. There’s always a catch.