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1 Minute Read

The UK’s Most Beautiful Roads

Posted by - Tim Earnshaw on 18 January 2023
Categories: Advice, Road Trip Inspiration

There are times when the utilitarian efficiency of a motorway is the best way from A to B. But as a recent survey of 2,000 British drivers by Drivalia has found, the majority of us (59%) will take the scenic route to our destination whenever possible, while almost three-quarters (74%) feel calmer for having done so.

Most interesting of all was the hotly contested vote for the title of the UK’s most beautiful road, resulting in an (unofficial) top five that we present below. If you’ve been thinking of checking your car out of Windrush classic car storage for a weekend away, read on for all the inspiration you need.

Kendal To Keswick, Lake District, England (22% of votes)

Tied for the title of Britain’s most beautiful road, this enchanting stretch flows through the Lake District, flanked by Lakeland fells and skirting the banks of shimmering Lake Windermere. To drive it once is to be smitten for life, and you’ll be in good company – both William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge took inspiration for their poetry from this unforgettable landscape.

Kendal To Keswick, Lake District, England (22% of votes)

Loch Lomond To Glencoe, Scotland (22% of votes)

Scotland also fought its corner in the Drivalia survey, with this flagship route across whisky country picked out by record numbers of drivers. Overseen by ancient crags and dusted in mottled green, highlights along the way include the sprawl of Argyll Forest Park and the region’s lesser-visited gem, Loch Tulla. No wonder it casts a spell.

Loch Lomond To Glencoe, Scotland (22% of votes)

The Coastal Way, Wales (20% of votes)

Follow the epic 180-mile Coastal Way around the perimeter of Cardigan Bay and you’ll watch the landscape transform in real time, from azure seas to imposing mountains. Factor in the historic castles, binocular-ready sea life and coastal towns where a cream tea always awaits and you could easily take a week over this third-placed stretch.

The Coastal Way, Wales (20% of votes)

Snake Pass, The Pennines, England (19% of votes)

Starting out at the bustling market town of Glossop and carving through a region of rugged Peak District gloriously untouched by modernity, Snake Pass is arguably the nation’s greatest hill climb. By the time you reach Ladybower Reservoir, you’ll be wide-eyed, invigorated and ready for a restorative lunch.

Snake Pass, The Pennines, England (19% of votes)

Cheddar Gorge, England (19% of votes)

Set in a picture-perfect pocket of Somerset, the B3135 offers long horizon-kissing straights for open-jawed reflection – but stirs in a little excitement with sweeping bends, corners that need a firm hand to navigate at pace and a maximum gradient of 16%. With the UK’s largest and most spectacular gorge enveloping you, the biggest challenge might be keeping your eyes on the road.

Cheddar Gorge, England (19% of votes)

Then get your beauty sleep at Windrush classic car storage

After exploring the UK’s scenic routes, keep your vehicle stunning inside and out with Windrush prestige car storage in the Cotswolds and London. For every model and vintage, our long-term car storage team has the expertise to tend to everything from cosmetic details to deep mechanical elements.

You might have heard about the famous Windrush twelve-step induction process that kick-starts the most exacting classic car storage service around. But that’s just one strand of our complete offering, which includes a rolling maintenance schedule, bespoke to your vehicle, however long you’re using our long-term car storage.

Discover more about Windrush classic car storage. The team is waiting to hear from you on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk

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the-best-uk-race-circuits-to-drive-main-original-1653573900.jpeg?w=1024&h=728&scale
1 Minute Read

The Best UK Race Circuits To Drive

Read Article
There’s no shortage of fabled international race circuits, of course – but don’t overlook the gems closer to…
Read Article
There’s no shortage of fabled international race circuits, of course – but don’t overlook the gems closer to home. Considering the UK’s negligible size, these isles punch well above their weight, offering a choice of stellar tracks within day-trip distance from Windrush’s classic car storage in central London and the Cotswolds. Better still, many of the very best are yours to drive. From big names to cult heroes, here are eight of our favourite UK race circuits to drive, as chosen by Windrush’s long term car storage team.    Goodwood Motor Circuit Founded in 1948 and the only race track in the world to remain in its original form, the 2.3-mile Goodwood circuit comes with a side order of nostalgia. As the scene of all-time-great drives by Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark and more, the location is almost overwhelmingly evocative – but you’ll need every last drop of focus to negotiate the deceptively challenging six corners and chicane. Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit Presiding over the Irish Sea and in the shadows of Snowdonia, Anglesey is a cinematically stunning location, no doubt explaining the repeat business from car magazines and motoring TV shows (Chris Harris of Top Gear memorably called it a “playground for cars”). A one-time army training camp, the track opened for business in 1989 and was refreshed in 2007 as a state-of-the-art 2.1-mile circuit that’s fast, smooth and challenging. Isle of Man TT Mountain Course From May 28th, the world’s greatest bikers will take on the 37-mile route that slices through the island nation’s public streets and rural stretches. Either side of the TT event, however, the Mountain Course is yours to enjoy, starting at the Grandstand (where daring drivers can clock 100mph), around the notorious Gooseneck, and often with stunning views of the Irish Sea.     Cadwell Park Now approaching its 90th anniversary, Cadwell is nicknamed the ‘mini-Nürburgring’ for its twisty and undulating Woodland section, not to mention the notorious Mountain jump that sees bikers leave the asphalt and hang in the air for seconds on end. With track days running throughout summer, it’s a great connoisseurs choice. Santa Pod Formerly a WWII air base, Santa Pod has blazed a reputation in modern times as ground zero for the UK and Europe’s drag racing scene. It’s the ultimate location to test your launch control and acceleration over the 1/4 and 1/8 mile, although as the host of 80-plus events, you’ll need to book early for the Run What Ya Brung and Drift What Ya Brung public track days.      Oulton Park Home of the British Touring Car Championships, British Superbike Championship and British F3/GT, Oulton Park follows the natural contours of the Cheshire countryside and is all the more challenging for it – drive this hard-surfaced 2.69-mile track and you’ll negotiate everything from shifting gradients to blind crests, not to mention the treacherous Knickerbrook Corner. Silverstone GP A no-brainer, admittedly – but as the national treasure location for the British Grand Prix (an event it first hosted in 1948), every motoring enthusiast should get the chance to drive that fabled track at least once in their life. Silverstone might be iconic, but don’t be overawed – you’ll need your wits about you for the Maggotts and Copse corners that have felled many a professional. Millbrook Proving Ground Arguably Europe’s greatest vehicle testing centre – and certainly one of the largest, at 700 acres – Millbrook is generally closed to the public while the car sector’s manufacturers put their works-in-progress through their paces. There’s a back door for enthusiasts, however, with the Total Car Control and Dynamic Driving Masterclasses pairing you with a pro driver/instructor to find out what your vehicle is really capable of. Then cool your tyres with Windrush classic car storage Pushing your vehicle to the limit is an undeniable thrill, but after going to extremes, it’s even more important to wind down the right way afterwards. When your tyres cool, come to Windrush long term car storage in London or the Cotswolds. We’ll listen to your needs, then create a bespoke car storage programme that works for you. From the pace-setting twelve-step induction process that greets you, to the rolling maintenance programme for long term car storage clients, we’ll keep your car primed for action and ready to beat your lap speed record. Windrush would love to tell you more about our classic car storage solutions. Get in touch on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
five-foodie-road-trips-main-original-1657527026
1 Minute Read

Five Foodie Road Trips

Read Article
Fuelling up is one of the great joys of motoring. Next time you find yourself with a lazy…
Read Article
Fuelling up is one of the great joys of motoring. Next time you find yourself with a lazy Sunday, check your vehicle out of Windrush classic car storage and hit the road for the best sights and sustenance the UK has to offer. Here are five of the best foodie road trips taken recently by our long term car storage team. Let us know if we’re missing anything on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk The Yorkshire Fish & Chip Trail The North is rightly proud of its chippy credentials, and the tourist board’s canny Fish & Chip Trail map hits up local heroes like Scotts in Helmsley (recently voted fish and chip shop of the year), Blakeley’s in Brighouse and Whitby’s hard-to-miss Magpie Café. Find a seat with views of the twinkling waterfront before you open your box and life doesn’t get much better.    The West Scotland Whisky Trail Travel with a co-pilot to take full advantage of this winding westerly coastal route from Campbeltown to the Isle of Skye and Fort William. From the smoky Islay malts that light a fire in your throat to the decade-aged golden swirls of the Talisker Distillery, Scotland’s finest drams await. The South East’s Café To Café Run One breakfast good, two breakfasts better. Start your café-to-café run at Jenner’s in Maidenhead – an acclaimed family riverside eatery also known for its car meets – then cross the Thames on the A4, skim past stately Cliveden House and head for the mods ‘n’ rockers mecca that is the Ace Café. The Yorkshire Ale Trail Once again entrusting the wheel to a friend, follow the Yorkshire Ale Trail map that threads through the county’s best pubs, breweries and beer festivals. If hitting the full 30-plus ale locations is a little too much of a commitment, at least make time to sup at local legends like the West Riding Refreshment Rooms (situated in the original 1848 Tudor waiting rooms of Dewsbury train station) and Ripon’s Royal Oak (a repurposed 18th century coaching inn).      The Dorset Coast Stick a pin in the Jurassic coast and you can’t go wrong for food: the whole region understandably has some of the UK’s freshest seafood and a new generation of chefs doing exciting things with it. But be sure to draw a circle around Lyme Regis, in particular, where The Whole Hog is leading a gang of local street food merchants beating the restaurateurs at their own game. Then come home to Windrush classic car storage Every great road trip should end with the perfect car storage procedure. At Windrush, we treat our clients’ vehicles with the same care and attention we would our own. Pull into our luxury car storage in London and the Cotswolds, and you’ll feel the Windrush difference immediately, as we get started with the renowned twelve-step induction that beds your car down the right way. And that’s just the start of our long term car storage solution. However long you’re staying with us, we’ll keep your vehicle primed and ready to roll, with a made-to-measure maintenance programme that factors in everything from tyre pressure to fuelling. At Windrush, that’s just how we do it. Windrush’s classic car storage team is ready to tell you more. Drop us a line on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
the-worlds-best-ice-drives-main-original-1670303080.jpeg?w=1024&h=576&scale
1 Minute Read

The World’s Best Ice Drives

Read Article
When winter bites, there are two courses of action for the car enthusiast. The first is to power…
Read Article
When winter bites, there are two courses of action for the car enthusiast. The first is to power down your vehicle for the season, either by planning your own long term car storage solution or by turning to the professionals at Windrush. But the second option is to embrace the sub-zero conditions and embark on one of the grandest adventures that off-grid motoring has to offer. Perhaps you’ve always been intrigued by the idea of an ice drive, but didn’t know where to start. This winter, take the plunge and try one of these five frosty routes picked out by Windrush’s luxury car storage team. Pello, Finland The Finns claim to have invented ice driving, and whether that’s true or not, the Scandinavian nation certainly has some of the finest stretches. Head for Pello in Lapland, check your vehicle over at the village of Juoksenki, then follow the Arctic Circle ice road that connects the borders of Finland and Sweden. Spellbinding in its untouched beauty, the route enjoys the best driving conditions between December and April. Arjeplog, Sweden Cross the border to Swedish Lapland and you’ll find a bewitching wilderness whose centrepiece – Lake Uddjaur – is a connoisseur’s choice amongst ice drivers. There’s a number of professional rally schools operating in the area who’ll supply all the gear – right down to the thermal underwear – and equip you with the stud-tyred BMWs and Volvos in which experienced drivers can potentially top out at over 60mph. Abondance, France Mother Nature is responsible for some of Europe’s most incredible ice roads, but head to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the French Alps and you’ll be awestruck by the continent’s biggest man-made circuit. Whether you bring your own car or rent the most popular Porsche Cayman and Alpine A110 models, Abondance’s hairpins and S-bends mean you’ll need your wits about you. If you’re staying at the ski resort of the same name, fit this once-in-a-lifetime experience into your holiday itinerary at all costs. Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia Mongolian winters are perishingly cold – with temperatures routinely dropping to minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit – but you’ll find good cheer at Lake Khövsgöl in the northwest province of the same name. As the location of the annual Festival Of Ice, the ancient lake hosts myriad activities, from bone throwing to archery. But with ice as thick as 160cm, the most exciting pursuit is simply turning the key and heading for the horizon. Lake Baikal, Siberia Make no mistake, crossing this forty-mile natural skating rink in deepest Russia is not for first-timers – but if you’re a veteran ice driver seeking the ultimate challenge, Lake Baikal is the equivalent of Everest. Set in a bleakly beautiful landscape, the lake’s rough, bumpy, pitted surface – with the occasional foot-wide crevasse – means a local guide is essential, but if you make it across, you’ll have the kudos of all in the ice driving community. Warm up at Windrush classic car storage Come in out of the cold at Windrush’s long-term car storage facilities in London and the Cotswolds. We know exactly what warms the cockles of a cherished vehicle, and we pledge unbeatable attention to detail for the duration of your stay. You’ll notice the Windrush difference in our renowned twelve-step induction process, and that’s just the start of a prestige car storage service that always goes the extra mile, with ongoing maintenance and checkovers right through to the moment we hand back the keys. Rely on Windrush for luxury car storage with a warm welcome. We’re ready and waiting for your inquiry on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
  • the-best-uk-race-circuits-to-drive-main-original-1653573900.jpeg?w=1024&h=728&scale
    1 Minute Read

    The Best UK Race Circuits To Drive

    Read Article
    There’s no shortage of fabled international race circuits, of course – but don’t overlook the gems closer to home. Considering the UK’s negligible size, these isles punch well above their weight, offering a choice of stellar tracks within day-trip distance from Windrush’s classic car storage in central London and the Cotswolds. Better still, many of the very best are yours to drive. From big names to cult heroes, here are eight of our favourite UK race circuits to drive, as chosen by Windrush’s long term car storage team.    Goodwood Motor Circuit Founded in 1948 and the only race track in the world to remain in its original form, the 2.3-mile Goodwood circuit comes with a side order of nostalgia. As the scene of all-time-great drives by Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark and more, the location is almost overwhelmingly evocative – but you’ll need every last drop of focus to negotiate the deceptively challenging six corners and chicane. Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit Presiding over the Irish Sea and in the shadows of Snowdonia, Anglesey is a cinematically stunning location, no doubt explaining the repeat business from car magazines and motoring TV shows (Chris Harris of Top Gear memorably called it a “playground for cars”). A one-time army training camp, the track opened for business in 1989 and was refreshed in 2007 as a state-of-the-art 2.1-mile circuit that’s fast, smooth and challenging. Isle of Man TT Mountain Course From May 28th, the world’s greatest bikers will take on the 37-mile route that slices through the island nation’s public streets and rural stretches. Either side of the TT event, however, the Mountain Course is yours to enjoy, starting at the Grandstand (where daring drivers can clock 100mph), around the notorious Gooseneck, and often with stunning views of the Irish Sea.     Cadwell Park Now approaching its 90th anniversary, Cadwell is nicknamed the ‘mini-Nürburgring’ for its twisty and undulating Woodland section, not to mention the notorious Mountain jump that sees bikers leave the asphalt and hang in the air for seconds on end. With track days running throughout summer, it’s a great connoisseurs choice. Santa Pod Formerly a WWII air base, Santa Pod has blazed a reputation in modern times as ground zero for the UK and Europe’s drag racing scene. It’s the ultimate location to test your launch control and acceleration over the 1/4 and 1/8 mile, although as the host of 80-plus events, you’ll need to book early for the Run What Ya Brung and Drift What Ya Brung public track days.      Oulton Park Home of the British Touring Car Championships, British Superbike Championship and British F3/GT, Oulton Park follows the natural contours of the Cheshire countryside and is all the more challenging for it – drive this hard-surfaced 2.69-mile track and you’ll negotiate everything from shifting gradients to blind crests, not to mention the treacherous Knickerbrook Corner. Silverstone GP A no-brainer, admittedly – but as the national treasure location for the British Grand Prix (an event it first hosted in 1948), every motoring enthusiast should get the chance to drive that fabled track at least once in their life. Silverstone might be iconic, but don’t be overawed – you’ll need your wits about you for the Maggotts and Copse corners that have felled many a professional. Millbrook Proving Ground Arguably Europe’s greatest vehicle testing centre – and certainly one of the largest, at 700 acres – Millbrook is generally closed to the public while the car sector’s manufacturers put their works-in-progress through their paces. There’s a back door for enthusiasts, however, with the Total Car Control and Dynamic Driving Masterclasses pairing you with a pro driver/instructor to find out what your vehicle is really capable of. Then cool your tyres with Windrush classic car storage Pushing your vehicle to the limit is an undeniable thrill, but after going to extremes, it’s even more important to wind down the right way afterwards. When your tyres cool, come to Windrush long term car storage in London or the Cotswolds. We’ll listen to your needs, then create a bespoke car storage programme that works for you. From the pace-setting twelve-step induction process that greets you, to the rolling maintenance programme for long term car storage clients, we’ll keep your car primed for action and ready to beat your lap speed record. Windrush would love to tell you more about our classic car storage solutions. Get in touch on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
  • five-foodie-road-trips-main-original-1657527026
    1 Minute Read

    Five Foodie Road Trips

    Read Article
    Fuelling up is one of the great joys of motoring. Next time you find yourself with a lazy Sunday, check your vehicle out of Windrush classic car storage and hit the road for the best sights and sustenance the UK has to offer. Here are five of the best foodie road trips taken recently by our long term car storage team. Let us know if we’re missing anything on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk The Yorkshire Fish & Chip Trail The North is rightly proud of its chippy credentials, and the tourist board’s canny Fish & Chip Trail map hits up local heroes like Scotts in Helmsley (recently voted fish and chip shop of the year), Blakeley’s in Brighouse and Whitby’s hard-to-miss Magpie Café. Find a seat with views of the twinkling waterfront before you open your box and life doesn’t get much better.    The West Scotland Whisky Trail Travel with a co-pilot to take full advantage of this winding westerly coastal route from Campbeltown to the Isle of Skye and Fort William. From the smoky Islay malts that light a fire in your throat to the decade-aged golden swirls of the Talisker Distillery, Scotland’s finest drams await. The South East’s Café To Café Run One breakfast good, two breakfasts better. Start your café-to-café run at Jenner’s in Maidenhead – an acclaimed family riverside eatery also known for its car meets – then cross the Thames on the A4, skim past stately Cliveden House and head for the mods ‘n’ rockers mecca that is the Ace Café. The Yorkshire Ale Trail Once again entrusting the wheel to a friend, follow the Yorkshire Ale Trail map that threads through the county’s best pubs, breweries and beer festivals. If hitting the full 30-plus ale locations is a little too much of a commitment, at least make time to sup at local legends like the West Riding Refreshment Rooms (situated in the original 1848 Tudor waiting rooms of Dewsbury train station) and Ripon’s Royal Oak (a repurposed 18th century coaching inn).      The Dorset Coast Stick a pin in the Jurassic coast and you can’t go wrong for food: the whole region understandably has some of the UK’s freshest seafood and a new generation of chefs doing exciting things with it. But be sure to draw a circle around Lyme Regis, in particular, where The Whole Hog is leading a gang of local street food merchants beating the restaurateurs at their own game. Then come home to Windrush classic car storage Every great road trip should end with the perfect car storage procedure. At Windrush, we treat our clients’ vehicles with the same care and attention we would our own. Pull into our luxury car storage in London and the Cotswolds, and you’ll feel the Windrush difference immediately, as we get started with the renowned twelve-step induction that beds your car down the right way. And that’s just the start of our long term car storage solution. However long you’re staying with us, we’ll keep your vehicle primed and ready to roll, with a made-to-measure maintenance programme that factors in everything from tyre pressure to fuelling. At Windrush, that’s just how we do it. Windrush’s classic car storage team is ready to tell you more. Drop us a line on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
  • the-worlds-best-ice-drives-main-original-1670303080.jpeg?w=1024&h=576&scale
    1 Minute Read

    The World’s Best Ice Drives

    Read Article
    When winter bites, there are two courses of action for the car enthusiast. The first is to power down your vehicle for the season, either by planning your own long term car storage solution or by turning to the professionals at Windrush. But the second option is to embrace the sub-zero conditions and embark on one of the grandest adventures that off-grid motoring has to offer. Perhaps you’ve always been intrigued by the idea of an ice drive, but didn’t know where to start. This winter, take the plunge and try one of these five frosty routes picked out by Windrush’s luxury car storage team. Pello, Finland The Finns claim to have invented ice driving, and whether that’s true or not, the Scandinavian nation certainly has some of the finest stretches. Head for Pello in Lapland, check your vehicle over at the village of Juoksenki, then follow the Arctic Circle ice road that connects the borders of Finland and Sweden. Spellbinding in its untouched beauty, the route enjoys the best driving conditions between December and April. Arjeplog, Sweden Cross the border to Swedish Lapland and you’ll find a bewitching wilderness whose centrepiece – Lake Uddjaur – is a connoisseur’s choice amongst ice drivers. There’s a number of professional rally schools operating in the area who’ll supply all the gear – right down to the thermal underwear – and equip you with the stud-tyred BMWs and Volvos in which experienced drivers can potentially top out at over 60mph. Abondance, France Mother Nature is responsible for some of Europe’s most incredible ice roads, but head to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the French Alps and you’ll be awestruck by the continent’s biggest man-made circuit. Whether you bring your own car or rent the most popular Porsche Cayman and Alpine A110 models, Abondance’s hairpins and S-bends mean you’ll need your wits about you. If you’re staying at the ski resort of the same name, fit this once-in-a-lifetime experience into your holiday itinerary at all costs. Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia Mongolian winters are perishingly cold – with temperatures routinely dropping to minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit – but you’ll find good cheer at Lake Khövsgöl in the northwest province of the same name. As the location of the annual Festival Of Ice, the ancient lake hosts myriad activities, from bone throwing to archery. But with ice as thick as 160cm, the most exciting pursuit is simply turning the key and heading for the horizon. Lake Baikal, Siberia Make no mistake, crossing this forty-mile natural skating rink in deepest Russia is not for first-timers – but if you’re a veteran ice driver seeking the ultimate challenge, Lake Baikal is the equivalent of Everest. Set in a bleakly beautiful landscape, the lake’s rough, bumpy, pitted surface – with the occasional foot-wide crevasse – means a local guide is essential, but if you make it across, you’ll have the kudos of all in the ice driving community. Warm up at Windrush classic car storage Come in out of the cold at Windrush’s long-term car storage facilities in London and the Cotswolds. We know exactly what warms the cockles of a cherished vehicle, and we pledge unbeatable attention to detail for the duration of your stay. You’ll notice the Windrush difference in our renowned twelve-step induction process, and that’s just the start of a prestige car storage service that always goes the extra mile, with ongoing maintenance and checkovers right through to the moment we hand back the keys. Rely on Windrush for luxury car storage with a warm welcome. We’re ready and waiting for your inquiry on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
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