CLC 50 GREATEST UK TOURS_pdf_5

Take a Triumph
through a ford...
or vice versa
Cat & Fiddle loop
28 miles, 1-1.5 hrs
The eponymous pub at the top of the Cat &
Fiddle pass has re-opened for refreshments
following a refurb and the road that runs
past it is fabulous if you avoid the traffic and
speed cameras. From Macclesfield, take the
A537 towards Buxton, then come back down
the A54 (equally stunning) to Algreave. Finally,
chill out along the woodland lanes through
Wildboarclough back to the A537.
WALES
Evo Triangle
110-mile round trip from Oswestry, half a day
Reach this road-testers’ favourite via the
enjoyable B4391, west of Welshpool or Oswestry.
Keep going past the top of Bala, turn right at
Fron-goch and then left onto the A5. The triangle
starts at Cerrigydrudion; stay on the A5 to
Pentrefoelas, right onto the A543 all the way up
to Sportsman’s Arms, right again onto the B4501
and back to the A5.
Brecon Beacons & Black Mountain Pass
120 miles, four hours for all routes in a loop
from Abergavenny
There are lots of tempting routes across South
Wales’s Brecon Beacons. We’d pick the B4560
between Llngynidr and Garnlydan, the A470
between Brecon and Merthyr and the A4067
from Abercraf to Sennybridge. But they’re all
understudies to the mighty A4069 Mountain
Road, Brynamman to Llangadog.
North Wales Expressway to Anglesey
Chester to Holyhead; 85 miles, two hours
(or much longer with stops)
Can a dual carriageway be a great drive? If it
has dazzling views of sandy bays and ancient
castles, and it tunnels through mountainsides,
yes. What’s more, it links Chester with Snowdonia
and Anglesey. Once over the bridge, turn right
for Beaumaris or follow the Expressway to
Holyhead… and a ferry to Dublin?
Portmeirion tour, 2/7/23 to 6/7/23
Various day trips, four nights
Staying in the magical Italianate village of
Portmeirion, this event sets off to different sights
Enjoying your
car with likeminded
people
each day, with every trip involving some of the
superb driving roads west Wales has to offer.
£1475pp. See countrylanetours.co.uk
Welsh Coast and Valleys 500,
June & September ’23
500 miles, seven days
A long and beautiful route running from
Llandrindod Wells in the heart of Wales right
round the Gower, Pembrokeshire. Snowdonia
and Anglesey to Llandudno. Running twice in
2023 with Scenic Car Tours at £799 per person.
See sceniccartours.com
NORTHERN IRELAND,
EIRE, ISLE OF MAN
Isle of Man TT course
37.73 miles, at least 16 minutes 42 seconds
Why should the bikers have all the fun? Away
from TT week, the Isle of Man returns to normal
and the Tourist Trophy race course reverts to
being open public roads once more. Stretches
outside the larger towns of Douglas, Kirkmichael
and Ramsey are smooth, fast, scenic and
enjoyable – none more so than the mountain
section of the A18 over Snaefell.
Causeway Coastal Route, Belfast-Derry
130 miles not including inland loops, two days
Like Scotland’s North Coast 500, this trip from
Belfast to Londonderry has its own website and
is much promoted. It features a succession of
impressive sea views with the option to turn
inland for various scenic loops, or stop at many
Maybe catch
some on-track
action on the way
attractions including the remarkable Giant’s
Causeway. See causewaycoastalroute.com
Mourne Coast Route
102 miles, one day
Head the other way out of Belfast for North
Down, the Ards Peninsula, County Down’s coast
and the mighty Mourne Mountains, via the little
ferry across the mouth of Strangford Lough.
Newry is your end-point
.
Waterford, Killarney and the
Ring of Kerry Tour, 5/6 to 11/6
500 miles, four nights
Includes return ferry travel from either Fishguard
or Holyhead, four nights in hotels and a proper
roadbook to cover five days of touring the best
scenery southern Ireland has to offer. £899pp.
See sceniccartours.com
Tour of Ireland, 3/6/23 to 11/6/23
500-plus miles, eight nights
Upscale tour around the coast of Ireland picking
out the best roads, scenery and hotels. Price and
itinerary was still to be confirmed as we went to
press, but check classicgt.co.uk
SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND
South Cotswolds
30 miles, two hours (not including pub lunch)
Ideal for older, slower cars – if they can climb
hills. From Nailsworth, tackle the hairpins of
‘The W’ onto Minchinhampton Common, then
through Stroud and out for a loop through
Painswick, Cranham, Sheepscombe and Slad.
54