The best roads in the UK to test drive a car

After buying a home, a car is the second most expensive purchase most people will ever make – so a good test drive is crucial to make sure that the car is right for you.

Ideally, your journey should include a variety of roads, so you can ensure you’re just as comfortable driving the car through built-up areas as you are traversing country lanes and going down the motorway.

But sometimes you just want a scenic route where you can test your driving ability and enjoy the view, and 250,000 miles of roads, Great Britain offers something for everyone.

Top roads for test drives in England

Snake Pass (A57): This serpentine road crosses the Peak District between Sheffield and Manchester and climbs to almost 1,700 feet, offering beautiful views of the Pennines and a panoramic view of Manchester on clear days. With its climbs, descents and tight turns, it’s a road every car enthusiast should drive.

Newquay to Padstow coast road (B3276): The scenic route along the north Cornish coast offers narrow roads with hairpin bends and drivers-eye views of Watergate Bay, Mawgan Porth beach, the Bedruthan Steps rock formations and Trevose lighthouse.

Top roads for test drives in Wales

The Black Mountain Pass: This demanding road through the Brecon Beacons is as famous for its turns and drops as it is for the amazing landscape and has appeared on Top Gear several times. Start north and drive south for the best experience.

The Evo Triangle (A5/A543/B4501): This trio of roads is named after EVO Magazine, which often test drives cars here. The 20-mile journey through North Wales’ rolling Denbigh Moors offers a varied route with straights, corners and turns to put your car through its paces.

Top roads for test drives in Scotland

Bealach na Bà (Pass of the Cattle): This part of the North Coast 500 route crosses the Applecross Peninsula and holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest ascent of any road in the UK – from sea level to 2,053 feet in under six miles! It’s technically challenging but those who dare are rewarded with an amazing drive.