Mastering Britain’s Majestic Motoring Arenas: A Rally Legend’s Guide to the Lake District’s Premier Driving Roads
The allure of the Lake District, a landscape sculpted by millennia and punctuated by the dramatic dance of rain and sun, offers an unparalleled canvas for the automotive enthusiast. As an industry veteran with a decade of navigating the intricate world of performance vehicles and their optimal environments, I can attest that few regions in the United Kingdom rival its breathtaking vistas and challenging ribbons of tarmac. This exploration delves into the heart of Cumbria, guided by a luminary of the rallying world, to uncover the driving roads that truly define the Lake District’s automotive soul. We’re not just driving; we’re experiencing a masterclass in how to connect with a car and its surroundings, all while appreciating the enduring appeal of iconic performance machinery.
The magic of the Lake District, as anyone who has truly experienced it knows, is inextricably linked to its ever-changing weather patterns. Today, the skies are characteristically overcast, hinting at the season’s frequent downpours. Yet, this atmospheric drama only heightens the sensory experience. To meet the conditions head-on, we’ve assembled a formidable trio of modern performance machines, each boasting all-wheel-drive prowess and a pedigree that speaks volumes. Alongside these marvels of engineering are three equally passionate drivers, two of whom carry the weight of considerable motorsport achievement.
Nestled outside the gleaming M-Sport showroom at Dovenby Hall, Cumbria, awaits this automotive ensemble. Leading the charge is a brand-new Aston Martin DBX S, a leviathan of luxury and power, churning out a staggering 717 horsepower. Sharing the tarmac is a sprightly, nearly new Toyota GR Yaris, a compact rally homologation special delivering a potent 276 horsepower. Completing the set is a venerable, yet still potent, 1989 Audi Quattro 20v, its 217 horsepower a testament to an era when pioneering all-wheel-drive technology first captivated the public imagination.
This specific selection is precisely the kind of automotive gathering that could coax a living legend out for a spirited drive. We’re speaking of Malcolm Wilson OBE – a name synonymous with British rallying success, a seasoned rally test driver, a formidable rally team manager, and a leading figure in the global motorsport business, now holding the prestigious position of FIA Deputy President for Sport. While the original intent was a casual Sunday excursion, the reality of Wilson’s demanding schedule meant it became a Tuesday adventure. Still, the prospect of these machines, and the unique challenge of his beloved Lake District roads, proved irresistible.
Malcolm Wilson is a man whose time is exceptionally valuable, and he doesn’t readily lend his expertise or presence. However, our recent encounter at the prestigious Britain’s Best Driver’s Car shootout, held both here in the Lake District and at M-Sport’s headquarters, provided the crucial insight: the Aston Martin DBX S, a vehicle he has a known affinity for (having owned a DBX 707 himself and sung its praises), held significant appeal. Furthermore, the road-going iteration of the diminutive Toyota that his M-Sport Ford team has fiercely competed against in the World Rally Championship for years, was bound to pique his professional curiosity.
The inclusion of the Audi Quattro 20v was, admittedly, a more spontaneous addition to the lineup. In fact, the historic machine required a brief jump-start this very morning – a gentle reminder of its vintage and the specific location of its 12V battery (a piece of trivia many enthusiasts relish). Yet, with an almost instinctual pull, Wilson gravitated towards the classic Audi, bypassing the more contemporary options with an understated decisiveness. He made it unequivocally clear that the driver’s seat of the Quattro was his to command.
Observing this dynamic, his son, Matthew Wilson – himself a world-class rally driver with numerous top-five World Rally Championship finishes and the current team boss for M-Sport’s Dakar operations – and I exchanged knowing glances and shared a quiet chuckle. We then divided the remaining vehicles between ourselves, setting the stage for our expedition. The primary objective: to traverse some of the Lake District’s most celebrated driving roads, guided by the intimate local knowledge of two of its most passionate automotive aficionados.
While Autocar may not frequent these northern haunts as often as some might expect, recent road testing assignments have reignited our appreciation for this region’s unique driving allure. There is an undeniable advantage to possessing local insight when navigating these landscapes, particularly when aiming to sidestep the inevitable influx of tourists, cyclists, and general traffic that can often saturate these iconic routes.
Our journey commenced with me settled into the commanding position of the Aston Martin DBX S, positioned at the rear of our three-car convoy. This vantage point offered an optimal perspective to absorb the unfolding spectacle. The Audi Quattro, having been afforded some time to idle and replenish its battery, was now ready to perform. By the time we’d navigated the gentle incline of the Dovenby Hall driveway, the distinct silhouette of the Quattro, with its signature angular rear, had already begun to recede into the distance.
The Audi Quattro, with its characteristic warble and a surprisingly agile gait, was already making impressive headway, almost disappearing from view. Matthew, unfazed, adopted a keen pace in pursuit, and thus, the rhythm of our exploration was established.
Our initial leg saw us meandering through the charming town centre of Cockermouth. This was no random detouring; Malcolm, with windows lowered on his beloved Quattro, engaged with locals, exchanging warm greetings and receiving equally warm smiles. His enduring status as a beloved local figure was evident, a testament to his deep roots in the community, regardless of any potential objections from those who might have voiced concerns about M-Sport’s operational footprint in the vicinity.
Shortly thereafter, our true expedition began. Heading south of Cockermouth, we passed through the hamlet of Brackenthwaite, eventually tracing the expansive shoreline of Crummock Water, with the imposing massif of Grasmoor forming a dramatic backdrop. The road here began its intricate dance, weaving and winding in a captivating display of natural topography. A brief pause for some essential drive-by photography ensued before we continued our passage towards the village of Buttermere, a picturesque route skirting the lake and passing through the quaint hamlet of Gatesgarth.
It was mid-November, and as we navigated the wooded stretches flanking the lake, remnants of autumn’s vibrancy persisted. Fallen leaves, piled high along the roadside, retained their vivid yellows and greens, creating a painterly scene. Occupying the Aston Martin DBX S, I found myself subconsciously holding my breath whenever an oncoming vehicle approached, meticulously managing the car’s considerable power reserves with a heightened sense of caution. Candidly, the Wilson duo, leading the charge in their respective vehicles, appeared to be relishing the experience with an uninhibited joy. At least, I had the rich, resonant V8 soundtrack as a consolation.
Our destination: the fabled Honister Pass. Even on this sodden morning, its grandeur was undeniable. Rainwater cascaded down the steep gradients, transforming the landscape into a scene that one might imagine from the pages of a Tolkien epic. Enormous, ancient rocks littered the valley floor as if strategically placed by titans, and at the summit, the entrance to a disused slate mine, now ingeniously repurposed as the Sky Hi Cafe, stood marked by weathered stone plinths.
“If this were peak tourist season, we wouldn’t be here,” Matthew explained as he collected our coffees. The Honister Pass is notoriously busy, attracting throngs of cyclists and mountain bikers – Matthew himself being a frequent participant. The road is narrow and sinuous, demanding absolute focus. However, I maintain that a visit, when timed judiciously, is an absolute must.
During our brief respite, Malcolm recounted a childhood memory: the arduous task of collecting slate for the fireplace at his family home 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 recalled, “so we could dive out if the brakes failed!” Such tales offer a visceral connection to the past and the raw, unfiltered spirit of this region.
With a slight, almost imperceptible reluctance, we persuaded Malcolm to relinquish the driver’s seat of the Quattro. “I owned two Quattro road cars back in the eighties when I was driving for Audi Sport,” he mused, “but they weren’t 20-valve models like this. They suffered from considerably more turbo lag; the power delivery was a stark on-or-off affair, and you really had to anticipate it. This particular car is so much more refined.”
For the subsequent leg of our journey, Malcolm assumed command of the Aston Martin DBX S, with Matthew taking the helm of the Audi Quattro, and I found myself at the wheel of the Toyota GR Yaris. We descended the eastern flank of Honister Pass, heading towards Seatoller. Here, the road widens, and its gradients and radii become more forgiving, allowing for more spirited progress. We then continued through the picturesque Borrowdale valley, tracing the course of the River Derwent northward. The panoramic views from the windscreen remained consistently awe-inspiring, with the majestic peak of Scafell Pike often visible just beyond the driver’s side window.
The scenery, however, was about to undergo a dramatic transformation. The charming town centre of Keswick was soon behind us, followed by our passage past Bassenthwaite Lake and Dodd Wood. At the northern tip of the lake, we turned north-east, charting a course towards Uldale and Caldbeck.
Abruptly, the landscape shifted from mountainous grandeur to expansive moorland. The tourist throngs had vanished, replaced by long, straight stretches of road, offering excellent visibility for crests and minimal traffic. This was unequivocally one of Malcolm’s preferred testing grounds, evident in the palpable acceleration of his pace, a testament to his profound familiarity with the terrain. It was as if he possessed an intrinsic understanding of when and where potential obstacles, such as agricultural trailers or slow-moving MPVs, might appear, ensuring their absence for our segment. The route presented a dynamic combination of fast, cambered corners and invigorating gradients, maintaining a captivating level of engagement. Later, he confirmed that this was indeed his preferred artery for reaching the M6 to the east, adeptly bypassing the congested A66.
A few miles of spirited driving later, we pulled into a spacious gravel car park adjacent to the roadside. This served as our designated hub for swapping vehicles once more. A few minutes later, we repeated the process, allowing for a comprehensive exchange of driving impressions. Malcolm expressed profound admiration for the Aston Martin DBX S, particularly its uncanny ability to translate immense size, weight, and speed into a remarkably benign and easily manageable driving experience. He also acknowledged the Toyota GR Yaris with approval, appreciating its inherent fun factor. However, he voiced a mild reservation regarding the car’s overwhelming influx of information and electronic stimuli, questioning the necessity of such constant data bombardment for the driver.
Both Malcolm and Matthew, however, found themselves drawn to discussing the Audi Quattro with even greater enthusiasm. They were astonished by how remarkably ‘correct’ its performance envelope felt on public roads, even decades after its conception. They marveled at its progressively engaging grip, steering response, ride quality, and handling dynamics as just enough speed was introduced. Crucially, they highlighted its tangible sense of aliveness when compared to contemporary vehicles.
From this point, it was a relatively short drive back to M-Sport headquarters for both Malcolm and Matthew. Their afternoons, already demanding, were now enriched by a few hours spent indulging their passion as unofficial petrolhead tour guides. I sensed, however, that neither gentleman truly minded the impromptu detour; the shared experience of driving these exceptional cars on these exceptional roads was its own reward.
For those seeking to replicate this unforgettable experience, consider engaging a local driving experience provider specializing in the Lake District, or plan your own meticulously crafted itinerary, focusing on off-peak times to maximize your enjoyment of these incredible driving roads. The allure of Cumbria’s automotive landscape awaits your discovery.
