You don't need to devise a trip to Germany's autobahn for a turn in a supercar, nor do you have to be made of money to get your thrills. The UK is stacked top-to-toe with exceptional motoring routes for experiencing views as well as torque, plus for enthusiasts, the birth of a variety of temporary hire services specialising in luxury cars has given rise to better and better road trips. So grab a girlfriend, pack a capsule wardrobe, and get out into the hills.
Premium on-demand rental services like THE OUT and Starr Luxury are here to make sure you're humming through the rolling hills in style as well as comfort. If you're quick off the draw, you'll be able to take advantage of THE OUT's limited edition Individual Collection - a curated fleet of bespoke cars from Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, including the Jaguar F-TYPE Heritage 60 Edition with a 1960s-inspired SV Bespoke specification and the super high-tech Range Rover Sport SVR. Starr Luxury, meanwhile, will service you with performance cars like Aston Martin's Vantage and DB11, a Lamborghini Aventador or a Mercedes AMG.
Now that you have your car sorted, here are four fantastic UK routes to attempt for your next adventure:
Yorkshire Dales
This route includes the famous Buttertubs Pass, described by Jeremy Clarkson as 'England's only truly spectacular road.'
Begin your adventure at Wensleydale Creamery for a spot of its famed cheese, before joining the A684 towards Buttertubs Pass, stopping off to enjoy the breath-taking view of Hardraw Force; the highest waterfall in England at 100ft.
After admiring the falls, continue on to the pass itself to and marvel at the rolling greenery of the Yorkshire countryside.
Complete your descent and follow the B6270 towards Reeth, turning onto Arkengarthdale Road and driving alongside the tranquil Arkle Beck stream towards the Charles Bathurst Inn.
Here, the 'mirror menu' is changed regularly to reflect the seasons, and offers well-deserved hearty local dishes, such as a delicious beef and ale casserole featuring beef from the nearby Cogden Hall and the locally-brewed Black Sheep ale.
Alternatively, you could head towards the former 18th Century shooting Lodge and similarly Michelin starred dining house, The Yorke Arms, in the charming Nidderdale Valley, where pioneering Head Chef Frances Atkins, who uses locally grown produce to craft her seasonal menu, will have you sampling all sorts of British delights with a continental twist.
The Cotswolds
Extravagant stone manor houses, winding country roads and enchanting rolling hills – there's nowhere quite like the Cotswolds to experience a quintessentially English drive.
Start your adventure in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, where you can explore the beautifully preserved tea rooms of yesteryear and peaceful river scenery.
From here you can take the B4632, past green pastures, ancient market towns and breath-taking landmarks such as the 65ft Broadway Tower, as you make your way towards Cheltenham.
National Trust property Snowshill Manor and Gardens is well worth a brief detour. Home of infamous treasure-hoarder Charles Wade, you can discover his fascinating story and take a moment to enjoy the the pretty gardens.
A half-hour drive from Cheltenham, the Lords of the Manor hotel is situated in the picture-perfect village of Upper Slaughter. As well as welcoming rooms to rest in, the restaurant has enjoyed Michelin star status for 8 consecutive years. Head Chef, Charles Smith, has a CV that boasts stints working Marcus Wareing, Alyn Williams and Gordon Ramsay. Try the acclaimed Ravioli of Norfolk quail breast, one of many highlights on the seasonally inspired menu.
Berkshire
Just a stones-throw from London, this is the perfect drive for that 'escape' feeling. So if you and your squad are in need of a bit of mindfulness, this is the drive to choose.
Leave behind the traffic and congestion of the M25 and exit at junction 13 near Staines, passing traditional country pubs and ancient landmarks as you follow signs for Old Windsor.
Keep to the A308 and make sure you take time to stop and admire the scenery. Stop at Runnymede Meadow to discover where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, take a moment to admire the beautiful banks of the Old Windsor Lock, or pop into the Royal Farms Windsor Shop, near Datchet.
Finish your journey at the nearby Michelin-starred Tudor Room and admire the bright collection of hand-painted artworks and antique sculptures as you enjoy the grill menu or seasonal lunch menu, both made using the freshest ingredients foraged from the kitchen garden.
Wales – Betwsy-y-Coed & Llanrwst
Start at the beautiful Llyn Clywedog reservoir, for a moment of quiet reflection next to the soothing, shimmering waters, before taking the B4518 North towards the A470 – your passage for this magnificent and mountainous driving experience.
As the road bends towards the market town of Dolgellau, you'll see the imposing Cadair Idris. Almost 3,000 feet tall and one of the most popular mountains in Wales, it also acts as a marker point for a stop in the neighbouring village of Llanelltyd, where you can enjoy a for meal at Michelin-starred Bwyty Mawddach.
Here, locally born-and-bred Head Chef, Ifan Dunn – former Welsh Young Chef of the year - expertly combines locally sourced food with the finest Italian methods, all served in a gorgeous sun-soaked barn conversion, rightfully earning its place in the 2018 Michelin Guide.
This break will serve you well for the travels ahead, as you rejoin the A470 and enter the winding, mountain-side roads that Snowdonia is known for. Enjoy the awe-inspiring drops around you – and keep an eye out for over-confident sheep straying into the road.
Keep flowing along this beautiful stretch of road before gently descending down past the tranquil, welcoming town of Betws-y-Coed and on into the peaceful market town Llanrwst.
Natasha Bird is the Former Executive Editor (Digital) of ELLE.
