Unlocking Britain’s Best Driving Roads: A Rally Legend’s Guide to the Lake District
As an industry veteran with a decade spent immersed in the automotive world, I’ve witnessed countless vehicles grace our nation’s asphalt and asphalt alternatives. Yet, few experiences rival the visceral thrill of exploring exceptional roads, particularly when guided by someone who has not only mastered them but helped shape the very machinery that traverses them. This year, our journey took us to the breathtaking Lake District, a region synonymous with dramatic landscapes and, as it turns out, some of the United Kingdom’s most captivating driving arteries. To truly capture the essence of these routes, we assembled a potent trio of performance machines: the formidable Aston Martin DBX S, the nimble Toyota GR Yaris, and the iconic Audi Quattro 20v.
Our expedition began at the esteemed M-Sport facility in Dovenby Hall, Cumbria, a location deeply intertwined with the WRC and rally heritage. The air, often thick with the scent of rain in this famously verdant corner of England, was punctuated by the promise of adventure. We were joined by a luminary whose name is etched into rally history: Malcolm Wilson OBE. Beyond his legendary career as a rally driver, Wilson’s influence spans decades as a team principal, a driving force behind M-Sport’s global motorsport endeavors, and even as a recent deputy president for sport within the FIA. It’s the kind of pedigree that commands attention, and it certainly captured ours when he expressed an interest in our chosen stable.
While the Aston Martin DBX S, with its commanding 717 horsepower, and the tenacious Toyota GR Yaris, a road-going homologation special derived from M-Sport’s WRC adversaries, both held significant appeal, it was the unassuming Audi Quattro 20v that drew Wilson’s immediate attention. This 1989 classic, producing a more modest 217 horsepower, might have seemed like an oddity beside its more contemporary stablemates. Yet, for Wilson, it represented a tangible link to a formative era of his career and a benchmark against which modern performance is often measured. He claimed the driver’s seat without hesitation, a clear signal that the Quattro held a special place in his automotive heart. His son, Matthew Wilson, a accomplished rally driver in his own right and the current team boss for the M-Sport Dakar team, and I were left to pilot the Aston and the Toyota, respectively. Thus began our exploration of what Malcolm Wilson deems the premier driving roads in the Lake District.
Our initial sortie saw us navigating the charming, albeit occasionally congested, streets of Cockermouth. Malcolm, ever the ambassador, wound down the Quattro’s windows, greeting locals with a familiar wave and a nod. The sight of the legendary rally figure in a car that defined an era clearly resonated with the community, a testament to his enduring local celebrity status. As we left the town behind, the landscape transformed. The roads began to twist and turn, embracing the dramatic contours of the Cumbrian fells. Following the shores of Crummock Water, we were treated to vistas that were both serene and spectacularly wild. The autumnal foliage, clinging tenaciously to the trees, painted the lakeside woods in hues of gold and vibrant green. Piloting the potent Aston Martin DBX S, I found myself acutely aware of the car’s considerable width and power, carefully managing its performance through the tighter sections as oncoming traffic presented itself. Up ahead, the father-and-son duo in the Quattro and GR Yaris seemed to be setting a more spirited pace, their progress a testament to their innate connection with these demanding routes. The V8 soundtrack of the DBX S, however, offered a magnificent accompaniment to the unfolding scenery.
Our route soon led us to the imposing Honister Pass, a ribbon of tarmac that snakes its way through some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery. Even under a sodden sky, the pass presented a scene straight from a fantasy epic. Water cascaded down the steep inclines, and colossal rocks, seemingly dislodged by ancient forces, littered the valley floor. At the summit, the entrance to a disused slate mine, now repurposed as the Sky Hi Cafe, stood as a stoic monument to the area’s industrial past. “If it were tourist season, we wouldn’t be here,” Matthew explained as he procured much-needed coffees. The Honister Pass, he elaborated, is a haven for cyclists and mountain bikers, its narrow, serpentine nature demanding respect and careful timing to fully appreciate. Malcolm then shared a poignant childhood memory: accompanying his father to collect slate from this very pass, the brakes on their van deemed so unreliable that they were advised to keep the sliding doors open, ready to bail out if needed. It’s a story that underscores the raw, untamed nature of these roads, a characteristic that makes them so compelling for drivers seeking an authentic connection with their machine and their environment.
Reluctantly, Malcolm ceded the driver’s seat of the Quattro. His reminiscences of the 1980s, when he campaigned Audi’s rally machines, highlighted the evolution of performance. He recalled the potent but often abrupt power delivery of his earlier Quattro road cars, a stark contrast to the more refined, progressive nature of the 20-valve model. “This one is so much better,” he declared, emphasizing the significant strides made in turbocharger technology and engine management.
The dynamic reshuffled, Malcolm took the helm of the Aston Martin DBX S, Matthew settled into the Audi, and I found myself behind the wheel of the Toyota GR Yaris. Descending the eastern flank of Honister towards Seatoller, the road widened, its gradients and radii easing, allowing for a more fluid and rapid progression. We continued through the majestic Borrowdale valley, following the course of the River Derwent. The panoramic views remained awe-inspiring, with the majestic peak of Scafell Pike a constant companion on our right. This section, with its open vistas and sweeping curves, provided a taste of the raw power and stability of the Aston Martin, allowing its formidable chassis and potent V8 to stretch their legs.
The character of the landscape shifted once again as we bypassed the bustling market town of Keswick and headed north past Bassenthwaite Lake and Dodd Wood. Turning north-east towards Uldale and Caldbeck, the terrain transitioned to open moorland. Gone were the dense woodlands and tight turns, replaced by longer, straighter stretches, offering excellent visibility over crests and dips. This, Malcolm later revealed, is one of his favored routes for accessing the M6, an intelligent bypass of the often-congested A66. The road here felt faster, punctuated by fast, cambered corners and invigorating gradients. It was clear Malcolm’s pace quickened with a palpable sense of familiarity, as if he had an unspoken arrangement with the local farmers and slow-moving vehicles to ensure an unimpeded run. This stretch truly showcased the agility and responsiveness of the GR Yaris, its rally-bred DNA evident in its eager turn-in and composed attitude through the sweeping bends.
After a few exhilarating miles, we pulled into a large gravel car park, a designated rendezvous point for car swaps and impromptu debriefs. The impressions were immediate and enthusiastic. Malcolm, despite his affinity for the classics, was effusive in his praise for the Aston Martin DBX S. He marveled at how a vehicle of such considerable size, weight, and power could be engineered to feel so intuitive and manageable. The Toyota GR Yaris also garnered significant approval. He lauded its inherent fun factor, acknowledging its status as a truly engaging driver’s car. However, he did express a slight reservation regarding the sheer volume of digital information and electronic interventions the Yaris presents to its driver, questioning the necessity of such constant data streams.
It was, however, the Audi Quattro 20v that truly captivated both Wilsons. They spoke with genuine awe about how its performance envelope, even by today’s standards, felt remarkably well-suited to real-world road driving. Its ability to progressively generate grip, respond to steering inputs, and deliver a compliant ride when pushed with just the right amount of aggression was particularly noteworthy. They emphasized its “alive” feel, a characteristic often lost in the pursuit of outright speed and refinement in modern performance cars. The sensation of connection, the palpable feedback through the controls – these are the elements that elevate a driving experience beyond mere transportation.
As our excursion drew to a close, we found ourselves with a short drive back to M-Sport for Malcolm and Matthew. The afternoon, though extended by our impromptu automotive tour, was clearly one they relished. The opportunity to share their passion for driving, to showcase the remarkable roads that have shaped their careers, and to reflect on the machines that have defined different eras of performance, seemed to be a welcome diversion from their demanding professional schedules.
This journey underscored a fundamental truth: exceptional driving roads are not merely a collection of tarmac and turns; they are canvases upon which automotive excellence can be truly appreciated. The Lake District, with its breathtaking landscapes and challenging topography, offers precisely that. Whether you’re drawn to the raw emotion of a classic like the Audi Quattro, the agile prowess of a modern hot hatch like the Toyota GR Yaris, or the uncompromised luxury and performance of an SUV like the Aston Martin DBX S, the right road can transform a drive into an unforgettable experience.
If you’re seeking to rediscover the joy of driving and explore some of the most rewarding tarmac in the United Kingdom, don’t hesitate to plan your own adventure. Consider engaging with local driving communities or reputable automotive tour operators who can guide you to these hidden gems, ensuring you experience the best of what regions like the Lake District have to offer. Your next great driving memory might just be a scenic route away.
