Navigating the Peaks: A Rally Legend’s Guide to the Lake District’s Ultimate Driving Roads
For those who truly appreciate the art of driving, the Lake District offers a landscape that is both breathtakingly beautiful and exhilaratingly challenging. It’s a place where the weather, often dramatic and unpredictable, only serves to heighten the sense of adventure. This is precisely why we’ve assembled a formidable trio of performance vehicles – each a testament to engineering prowess and driver engagement – to explore these iconic routes: a thunderous Aston Martin DBX S, the nimble Toyota GR Yaris, and the legendary Audi Quattro 20v. Our mission? To uncover the Lake District’s most rewarding driving roads, guided by a true icon of motorsport.
Rain or shine, the Lake District beckons. And on this particular Tuesday, the heavens have opened, mirroring the very essence of this unique region. Prepared for the elements, we find ourselves at Dovenby Hall, the hallowed ground of M-Sport, with three exceptional machines poised for action: a brand-new Aston Martin DBX S, boasting a colossal 717 horsepower; a sprightly, near-new Toyota GR Yaris, packing a potent 276 horsepower; and a vintage but unbowed 1989 Audi Quattro 20v, delivering a respectable 217 horsepower.
The mere presence of these cars is enough to draw attention, but the real draw is the man who emerges from the polished halls of M-Sport: Malcolm Wilson OBE. A name synonymous with rally success, Wilson’s career trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary, spanning roles as a champion driver, meticulous test driver, formidable team manager, influential principal, and now, a significant figure in global motorsport as the FIA deputy president for sport. To have him join us for a drive in these incredible vehicles feels less like a Tuesday outing and more like a pilgrimage.
Having recently spoken with Wilson at Autocar’s Britain’s Best Driver’s Car shootout, held partly in this very region, I harbored a suspicion that the Aston Martin, a marque he’s known to admire – having owned a DBX 707 himself – would certainly pique his interest. The GR Yaris, a car that his team at M-Sport has fiercely competed against in the World Rally Championship, would also likely capture his attention.
The Audi Quattro, it must be admitted, was something of an unexpected addition. In fact, we’d already had to give it a jump start that morning, a gentle reminder of its classic nature and the location of its 12V battery. Yet, Wilson’s focus immediately settled on the Quattro. With an almost magnetic pull, he gravitated towards the rally homologation special, making it clear from the outset that he had no intention of relinquishing the driver’s seat.
Observing this from the sidelines, his son, Matthew Wilson – a world-class rally driver in his own right, a multiple top-five finisher in the WRC, and the current team boss for the M-Sport Dakar team – and I shared a knowing glance and a chuckle. We then divided the remaining two vehicles between us, and so began our exploration of the Lake District’s finest tarmac. The objective: to learn from two of the area’s most passionate petrolheads about their preferred driving routes and the roads that truly define this spectacular landscape.
While Autocar may not visit this part of the country as frequently as we might like, recent road tests have reignited our fascination. The Lake District is a place where intimate local knowledge is paramount, especially when navigating the throngs of tourists, cyclists, and walkers that can transform otherwise perfect driving roads into congested arteries.
As I settle into the plush confines of the Aston Martin DBX S, taking up the rear position in our three-car convoy, I have the perfect vantage point to absorb the unfolding spectacle. The Audi, having had a period to charge its battery, is surprisingly agile as Malcolm sets off. By the time we’ve navigated the driveway of Dovenby Hall, the distinctive rear of the Quattro has already diminished into the distance.
The Audi, with its characteristic warble and purposeful gait, had all but disappeared. Matthew, however, was more than content to set a spirited pace in pursuit, and this set the tone for the entire day.
Our initial journey takes us through the charming streets of Cockermouth. This isn’t a random choice; Malcolm, with windows down, waves and exchanges greetings with familiar faces, eliciting smiles from locals who clearly remember him. He remains a beloved figure in the community, a local motorsport legend, a fact that might surprise those who opposed the development of M-Sport’s circuit nearby.
Soon, our true route begins. We head south, passing through the hamlet of Brackenthwaite, before hugging the imposing flank of Grasmoor and tracing the shoreline of Crummock Water. The road immediately begins to undulate and curve, demanding attention. After a brief stop for some essential action shots, we push on towards the village of Buttermere, passing by the lake and through Gatesgarth.
It’s mid-November, and as we drive through the lakeside woodlands, the fallen leaves create a vibrant carpet of yellows and greens, piled high on either side of the road. In the Aston Martin DBX S, I find myself subconsciously holding my breath whenever an oncoming vehicle appears, carefully managing the considerable power at my disposal. Honestly, the Wilsons, Sr and Jr, out in front, appear to be relishing the experience far more than I am at this moment, though I am at least treated to a glorious V8 soundtrack.
Our destination: Honister Pass. Even on this damp morning, the scenery is utterly captivating. Water streams down the steepest sections of the road, and the landscape evokes a scene from a Tolkien novel. Enormous boulders, as if tumbled from the heavens, litter the valley floor. At the summit, the entrance to an old slate mine, now home to the Sky Hi Cafe, stands marked by weathered stone plinths.
“If it were tourist season, we wouldn’t be here,” Matthew explains as he procures coffees. This pass becomes incredibly busy with cyclists and mountain bikers – Matthew himself is an avid participant – and the road is notoriously narrow and winding. Nevertheless, it’s an unmissable destination, provided you choose your timing wisely.
While we pause for refreshment, Malcolm recounts a childhood memory of collecting slate for his family’s fireplace in Workington at the tender age of seven. “They told my dad to keep the sliding doors of the van wedged open as we drove down,” he recalls, “so we could dive out if the brakes failed!”
With a slight protest, we eventually persuade Malcolm to surrender the driver’s seat of the Audi. “I had two Quattro road cars when I was driving for Audi Sport in the 80s,” he reminisces, “but they weren’t 20-valve models like this. They had significantly more turbo lag; the power delivery was very much on or off, and you had to wait for it. This version is so much better.”
Now, it’s time for a switch. Malcolm takes the helm of the DBX S for the next leg, Matthew slides into the Audi, and I find myself at the wheel of the Toyota GR Yaris. We descend the eastern side of Honister Pass towards Seatoller, where the road widens and the gradients and radii become more forgiving, allowing for swifter progress. We continue through Borrowdale and north along the River Derwent. The panoramic views from the windscreen remain consistently epic, with the majestic Scafell Pike visible to the right.
The scenery, however, is about to shift dramatically. Keswick’s charming town centre is soon behind us, and we head north past Bassenthwaite Lake and Dodd Wood. Turning north-east at the lake’s northernmost tip, we set our sights on Uldale and Caldbeck.
Suddenly, the landscape transforms into open moorland. The tourist traffic vanishes. The road straightens out for significant stretches, offering excellent visibility over crests, with very little else to contend with. It’s clear that this is one of Malcolm’s favoured test routes; his pace quickens with a palpable sense of familiarity. It’s as if he’s orchestrated the absence of farm trailers and slow-moving MPVs that might typically frequent these roads. The route features fast, cambered corners and plenty of gradients to maintain an engaging drive. This, he later admits, is also his preferred way to access the M6 to the east, bypassing the congested A66.
After a few exhilarating miles, we pull into a spacious gravel car park to swap vehicles once more. A few minutes later, we repeat the process to share our initial impressions. Malcolm is effusive in his praise for the Aston Martin, particularly its ability to disguise its substantial size, weight, and speed with such benign and accessible handling. He also appreciates the Toyota, acknowledging its sheer driving fun. However, he expresses a mild reservation about the overwhelming amount of information and electronic intervention that bombards the driver. “Who needs to know all of that?” he questions, a sentiment that resonates with the purist in all of us.
Both Wilsons, however, are even more enthusiastic when discussing the Audi Quattro. They express astonishment at how its performance levels feel so remarkably well-suited to real-world driving, even decades after its production. They marvel at its smooth initial grip, steering response, ride quality, and handling balance when a sufficient amount of speed is applied. Compared to modern machinery, its sense of aliveness is truly remarkable.
From this point, it’s a short drive back to M-Sport for both Malcolm and Matthew, their afternoons made more interesting by a few hours spent as impromptu petrolhead tour guides. I sense, however, that neither of them minded the deviation from their packed schedules.
This journey through the Lake District, guided by a motorsport luminary, has been more than just a drive; it has been an education. It underscores the enduring appeal of raw driving pleasure, the thrill of challenging roads, and the camaraderie forged by a shared passion for performance vehicles. Whether you’re seeking the ultimate sports car driving experience or simply the most scenic route to appreciate automotive engineering, the Lake District, with its iconic landscapes and demanding tarmac, offers an unparalleled canvas for discovery.
If you’re inspired to explore these magnificent driving roads yourself, consider consulting local guides or specialized driving tour operators who can help you navigate the Lake District’s hidden gems safely and effectively. Don’t hesitate to book a test drive of a performance vehicle that suits your adventurous spirit. Your own unforgettable road trip awaits.
