BA - The Club - Epic Drives: The British edition

Shrewsbury, Shropshire to Black Rock Sands, Gwynedd

Says who: Jack Noble
“My favourite drive starts in the beautiful rolling pastureland to the west coast of Shrewsbury, heading through small villages (on the B4396) and across the border into Wales. The hills start to get bigger and dotted with sheep as you journey through Llangynog and the Berwyn Mountains. Follow the zig-zag roads into Snowdonia (on the A4212), before turning right onto the B4391. The views of the mountains and lakes here are spectacular. Take a downwards glide to Porthmadoc, where, on the high street you’ll see a turn to Black Rock Sands – a glorious sandy beach on the northern shore of Cardigan Bay.”

Aberdeen to Braemar, Aberdeenshire

Says who: Deborah Ratcliffe
“The South Deeside road from Aberdeen to Braemar runs along the River Dee, twisting and turning its way through forests and moorland. The river meanders, sometimes lazily as it broadens out and sometimes rushing and gushing as it careers over stony narrows. Each season brings a new vista: flaming reds, gold and ochres in autumn and a riot of greens in spring. The river too changes with the season – after heavy rain it becomes a lethal waterway but in drought it’s a trickle of its former manic self!”

Penrith to Cockermouth, Cumbria

Says who: Claire Coady
“Take the A66 from Penrith and drive west through the North Lakes. Head past Threlkeld, St John's in the Vale, Keswick and Derwentwater, then go up past Bassenthwaite Lake to Cockermouth. It's a beautiful route. You pass Blencathra, Skiddaw, Grisedale and Castlerigg Stone Circle (stop off here, it's wonderful). You’ll also pass the Bishop of Barf, a memorial to the 18^th-century Bishop of Derry who drunkenly bet he could climb Barf on his horse. He didn’t succeed. Keep going all the way to Workington, where the road splits. Head north and you can admire the beautiful and remote coastline of the Solway Firth.”

Wensleydale to Swaledale, Yorkshire

Says who: Christine Pearce
“I adore the scenery on the drive between the Yorkshire Dales of Wensleydale and Swaledale. Leave behind the bustling market town of Hawes, after stocking up with Wensleydale cheese, taking a quick detour to Hardraw Force waterfall before tackling the notoriously steep ascent of Buttertubs Pass. Admire the view into “the Tubs” after gazing down onto the splendour of Swaledale. Make sure you drive into the village of Reeth for lunch before pressing on to Grinton, over the moor and back to Wensleydale. Bolton Castle beckons and more waterfalls await you at Aysgarth. Explore the village of Askrigg before returning weary but enthralled to Hawes.”

Dousland to Princetown, Devon

Says who: Alan Simcock
“I was brought up on the edge of Plymouth and the five-mile stretch of road from Dousland (just northeast of Plymouth) to Princetown in Devon (B3212) gives you a real feel of the wildness of Dartmoor, especially around the Devil's Elbow – a twisty bit of road over Devil's Bridge. Princetown was originally established as a prison for captured Frenchmen during the Napoleonic wars, so there's a lot of history there (and a museum, too). But most of all, it’s the wildness of the moorland and the beautiful bleakness of the climate that impresses in a way that few other places in England can.”

Round trip from Heamoor via Carfury and Madron, West Cornwall

Says who: Jude Fossett
“I love driving the small winding roads from Heamoor through Carfury and up to the Ding Dong and Greenburgh mines then back along through Madron. You’re enclosed by tall Cornish hedges until you reach the mines and then the landscape opens out and you’re able to see both the south and north Cornish coasts from one spot. It's quiet, with the hedgerows and moors full of beautiful colours while the distant sight of Gulvars Quoit remains stark against the blue sea and sky. Park up and walk to Nine Maidens stone circle (also known as the Boskednan Stone Circle) and breathe in the wonderful clean air.”

Wannock to East Dean, West Sussex

Says who: Samantha Bowles
“From riding my pony along parts of this road as a young girl to driving along it in my first classic car, the Jevington Road (C40) from the village of Wannock through to the A259 at East Dean in East Sussex is my favourite road. The section from Jevington Village out towards Friston Forest is lined with magnificent oak and beech trees, which reach across the road from either side and form a dappled shady arch. I’ve always loved driving along with the hood of my car down, breezing along under this peaceful tree-lined canopy and bursting out into the sunshine with the Downs and forest in front. Now, 30 odd years later, I still drive this route in my current classic car – hood down of course!”