What are the most spectacular roads in England?

Located on the island of Great Britain, in the northern part of Europe, England is a country that shares borders with Scotland and Wales and covers an area of 130,279 square kilometers.

The roads in the country offer a bit of everything, with coastal drives, mountain roads and very steep streets. When travelling to England, you can’t miss Snake Pass, one of the best drives in the UK. At 512m (1,679ft) above sea level, the pass connects Manchester and Sheffield in Northern England and provides a challenging drive across the Pennines. For those preferring the most difficult challenges, don’t miss Hardknott Pass, one of the steepest roads in England, with a gradient of 1 in 3 (about 33%) or Porlock Hill, the steepest A road in England.

If you prefer different experiences, the country hosts the Stocksbridge Bypass. Featuring numerous reports of paranormal activity, it’s one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world. Or the stunning Swindon's Magic Roundabout, an insane 6-circle traffic junction within the Borough of Swindon. It has five smaller roundabouts directing traffic clockwise while cars travel counterclockwise around the inner circle. It's one of the world's 10 best roundabouts.

Osea is a tidal island situated in the estuary of the River Blackwater in Essex, East England. Twice a day, the tidal causeway to the island disappears with the tides, leaving the area out to sea. It’s one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.

Darwin Road is a gravel road located in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf.

Harthope Moss is a mountain pass at an elevation of 628 m (2,060 ft) above sea level, located in County Durham, in England. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

The Strood is the only road to Mersea Island in UK. It’s covered by the tide twice a day for one week during the month. It’s one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.

Snaefell Mountain Road is a leading motorsport destination located on the north east of the Isle of Man.

The A39 Road is an extremely beautiful and rewarding drive to make in south-west England. The drive is definitely worth it, with stunning views and landscapes.

Located in historic County Durham, England, the paved B6277 is said to be the highest B-road in Britain.

Killhope Cross is a mountain pass at an elevation of 629m (2,063ft) above sea level, located in England. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

England offers a diverse range of driving experiences, blending industrial art, historic villages, and coastal routes that are literally disappearing into the sea. For the road enthusiast, these five stretches represent the best of English driving, combining scenic beauty with unique technical and environmental challenges.

Located in South Yorkshire, England, Jenkin Road is among the steepest climbs in the UK, boasting a maximum gradient of 17.2%.

Chew Reservoir is a reservoir at an elevation of 488m (1,600ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in Greater Manchester, England. It was the highest constructed in England right up until 1971.

Located in London, the capital of England, the M25 is an orbital motorway that almost completely encircles the country’s largest city. Officially known as the London Orbital Motorway, it is one of the busiest and most controversial roads in the United Kingdom. Loved by very few but used by millions, the M25 is essential for London’s transport network, linking counties, cities, airports, and major routes across the southeast of England.

Located in the English county of North Yorkshire, Tan Hill Inn is the highest pub in Great Britain, at an elevation of 528m (1,732 ft) above the sea level.

Black Hill is a mountain pass at an elevation of 607m (1,991ft) above the sea leevel, located in the Cumbria/Northumberland border, in northeast England. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Beachy Head Road is a great coastal route on England’s southeast coast. Stunning views but take extra care on windy days.

If you're scouting for pubs that combine history, great food, and spectacular views, consider heading to the UK's highest inns. From the captivating moors of North Wales to the scenic dales of North Yorkshire, these pubs offer more than just a pint.

Located in the Borough of Gravesham in Kent, Vigo Hill is one of the toughest roads of England, hitting a 25% gradient.

While motorcyclists account for only 1% of total road traffic in the UK, they represent a staggering 19% of all road fatalities. In regions like the East Midlands, where scenic rural A-roads meet heavy industrial corridors, the risk for bikers is particularly high. Understanding which sections are classified as having an "unacceptably high risk" is essential for any rider navigating this part of England.

Located in the Peak District of England, Bamford Clough could be the steepest road in the world. A road sign warns drivers of a 35 percent gradient and that the way ahead is 'unsuitable for motor vehicles'.

We looked at the latest DVLA and UK Gov statistics to find the most dangerous situations on UK roads. From age and gender to left vs right turns, we’ve statistical found the most common situations for road accidents. For instance- statistically, in the UK, you are most likely to have an accident as a 20-29 female, driving a car to work, when making a right turn on an urban road at a T junction.

Located on the Norfolk Cambridgeshire border, in England, the infamous Welney Wash Road is one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.

Every motorist knows that driving can be dangerous every time that you get behind the wheel, but there are some roads that are much more dangerous than others. Road safety is paramount and you should always drive carefully, especially when you are driving on the UK’s most dangerous roads where there are many accidents each year. So, what are the UK’s most dangerous roads?

Spur Battery is an artillery battery at an elevation of 334m (1,095ft) above the sea level located in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It was built in 1902.

London is a global laboratory for urban mobility. As the city pushes for higher cycling adoption, the conflict between historic narrow streets and modern heavy vehicle traffic remains a significant safety challenge. While London lacks the extreme mountain passes found elsewhere on this site, its complex roundabouts and congested intersections represent a unique form of "urban danger" that requires specialized infrastructure to mitigate.

Recent analysis of government crash data reveals a stark contrast in motorcycle safety across the United Kingdom. While urban congestion in London accounts for the highest volume of incidents, rural A-roads in regions like Wales present a significantly higher risk of fatal outcomes. For riders, understanding these patterns is the first step toward effective risk management on the road.

Located in County Durham, in North East England, the road from Newbiggin to Westgate is a quiet, singletrack road. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Dowgang Hush is a mountain pass at an elevation of 600m (1,968ft) above the sea level, located in Cumbria county, in North West England. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Stainmore Summit is a mountain pass at an elevation of 443m (1,453ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Cumbria and County Durham, in England.

For some road enthusiasts, the thrill of a journey isn't just about the curves or the scenery, but the legends that linger in the mist. Britain’s long history is etched into its tarmac, with dozens of routes claiming sightings of phantom hitchhikers, Roman legions, and unexplained phenomena. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, these ten roads offer an eerie atmosphere that is perfect for a late-night expedition.

Cycling in the UK has seen a significant surge, with over 7.5 million regular riders. However, the intersection of historic urban layouts and heavy motorized traffic creates significant "blackspots." While cycling is an excellent mode of transport, understanding the technical hazards of major city arteries is crucial for safety. Here are eight of the most notorious areas for cycling incidents in the United Kingdom.

The four small patches of rubber in contact with the road are the most critical safety components of any vehicle. In the UK, poor tire maintenance is a factor in over 15,000 accidents annually. On high-consequence routes, where weather conditions can shift from dry tarmac to standing water in minutes, tire health isn't just a legal requirement—it’s the difference between maintaining a line and a total loss of control.

Nestled within the picturesque Nottinghamshire county in the East Midlands of England lies Rufford ford, an ancient river crossing that has stood the test of time for over a millennium. This historic site, spanning Rainworth Water east of Mansfield, has recently garnered significant attention after viral videos of cars crossing it.

The United Kingdom offers a diverse tapestry of driving landscapes, from the technical mountain passes of the North to the disappearing coastal roads of the South West. For the road enthusiast, these iconic routes provide more than just scenery; they offer a masterclass in British road engineering and natural beauty. Before heading out, ensure your vehicle is expedition-ready, with particular focus on tire integrity and braking systems for the steep descents ahead.

While the United Kingdom maintains high overall road safety standards, its rural and mountainous topography presents unique challenges. Problematic terrain, including sharp hairpins, craggy hilltops, and extreme gradients, can catch even the most experienced drivers off-guard. When navigating these four notorious stretches, planning and mechanical preparation are more than just suggestions—they are essential for survival.

Planning a road trip through the UK is a challenge of selection. While the north offers the Highlands, the South and West of England contain some of the country’s most historically significant and technically demanding coastal and rural roads. This 7-day itinerary avoids the typical tourist traps and focuses on the engineering marvels, steep gradients, and high-consequence cliffside drives that define the English landscape.

Located in the Borough of Gravesham in Kent, Lockyers Hill is one of the steepest and toughest roads of England.

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