Places to go

Best road views in Britain

By OS Team

Published on September 8, 2016 5 min read

To mark the release of our brand new road maps, we discovered our favourite road views in the UK. Take a look at our top recommendations for that awe-inspiring driving view.

Do you love driving? Or simply experiencing a view that takes your breath away? Our guide to the UK’s best road views will take you to some of the UK’s best locations for jaw-dropping scenery and will show you that you can experience some of the best views in Britain without having to get out of the car.

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle lies on the coast at Bamburgh in Northumberland and is one of Northumberland’s most iconic views. Built by the Normans, on a rocky outcrop, Bamburgh Castle was once home to the Kings of Northumbria and provided safety to the shores of the North-East. To experience this spectacular view by car, travel through Bamburgh village and head North. Turn right onto a small street called ‘The Wynding’ which will take you to a small car park near some sand dunes. From there you can park up and take pictures of the view or simply watch the sun set over the castle from the comfort of your car. Buy OS Road Map 3 – Southern Scotland & Northumberland

Black Mountain range – Brecon Beacons

The Black Mountain range, in the Brecon Beacons is home to the popular 27-mile Black Mountain road. Once featured in Top Gear, the Black Mountain Road is popular with local driving clubs and has a series of fantastic, hair-raising bends to get the adrenaline pumping. This spectacular road is perfect for a scenic but action packed drive as you’ll be hanging on to your seat as you take in the beautiful surroundings. The hair-raising road begins at the North of the Brecon Beacons at Llandovery, where it heads south along the Black Mountains range all the way to Gwaun -Cae-Gurwen. Watch the scenery roll before your eyes as the Black Mountain range extends in front of you. For an extra bit of interest, take the drive at night and watch the sunset descend over the mountains while you sail through some of the national park’s windiest roads. Buy OS Road Map 6 – Wales

The Snake Pass – Glossop to Ladybower reservoir

The clue is in the name. With its winding corners and sharp turns, Snake Pass is not for the nervous drivers among you but certainly ascertains some eye-opening views. The name originally came about when the Duke of Devonshire named ‘The Snake Pass Inn’ after the snake featured on the Cavendish coat of arms. This nickname soon extended to become the name of the famous winding road passing between Glossop and Ladybower reservoir. Snake Pass occurs on the A57, reaching a height of 510 metres and has a series of sinuous climbs, drops, corners and bends. The road is notorious for being the first to be closed when the weather is bad but this frightful course is well worth it in exchange for the breath-taking views seen over Ladybower reservoir. Buy OS Road Map 4 – Northern England

St Michael’s Mount

This fascinating site on a prehistoric island, conjures up images of ancient worlds which have been shaped by myths and legends. The tidal island, which is home so St Michael’s Mount, is 500 metres from the mainland and exposes a picturesque road at low tide. When the tide is out, you can walk from Marazion, across the cobbled causeway to the island or at high tide you can hop onto a ferry at which takes you across the water. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the view from the road, as this is not one to be missed. Buy OS Road Map 7 – South West England

Lake Windermere

This beautiful circular drive sports some of the Lake District’s most incredible views, including Lake Windermere and Coniston Water. Take a circular drive from Windermere and up to Ambleside before heading south down the west side of the lake through Hawkshead and across Newby Bridge. Then head back up on the west side of Lake Windermere up through Storrs and Bowness on Windermere to complete the circuit. This entire drive is bordered by scenic views and has multiple stopping points where you can pull up to take in the view. Despite all round fantastic scenery, there is a particularly poignant view at Latterbarrow where the higher elevation gives you a chance to look out across almost all of Windermere’s water. If you wish to extend the drive to experience the views Conniston water has to offer then take the A593 around to Conniston for spectacular scenery. Buy OS Road Map 4 – Northern England

Surprise View – Derbyshire Dales

Famously named by Queen Victoria on her first sighting of the view, you really are in for a surprise with this panoramic experience. This unexpected highlight of the drive on the A625/A6187 from Sheffield to Hathersage, shows off some of the Peak Districts most jaw dropping views. There are several viewpoints and footpaths along this road where you can hop out of the car to view the scenery or walk the three moors of Hathersage, Burbage and Houndkirk. The Fox House Inn is situated half way along the road before dropping down into Hathersage and provides the perfect refreshment stop to take in the view. Buy OS Road Map 4 – Northern England

Have you got your own favourite viewpoints? Let us know in the comments below!

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By OS Team