Rediscovering Our Roads: a Staycation Guide to the Uk and Ireland, by Ferrari Portofino M
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Ferrari North Europe REDISCOVERING OUR ROADS: A STAYCATION GUIDE TO THE UK AND IRELAND, BY FERRARI PORTOFINO M The new Ferrari Portofino M is an impeccable companion for exploring the UK and Ireland’s most spectacular roads and rediscovering the British Isles’ hidden gems. ‘M’ stands for Modificata. The updated Portofino has subtle visual changes from its predecessor (which received one of the world’s most coveted design accolades, the Red Dot: Best of the Best), to make it look even more assertive. The main changes are under its pulse-quickening skin, including more power from its 3.9-litre V8 turbo (612bhp, an increase of 20) and a new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It’s also the first 2+ spider from Maranello’s stable to offer a five-position Manettino, including Race mode, making it adaptable to a more expansive range of driving conditions and missions. It promises to make the road trips documented in this compendium all the more rewarding. So, the last year hasn’t all been bad news. And while, for now, it’s still difficult to invite you, our friends and appassionata, to visit Italy, there’s plenty of the good life to enjoy right here in the UK and Ireland until we’re able to travel further again. Within this guide, you’ll discover our recommendations for the dozen best places to enjoy a Portofino M (or, indeed, your own wheels) throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; roads that are exciting, scenery that is jaw-dropping, and experiences that are fun and Instagrammable. We’ve also suggested nearby destinations that, if you squint, could be in Italy, and how you can savour a taste of bella Italia courtesy of Britain’s population of Italian chefs, baristas, ice cream makers and others. Journey well and don’t spare the prancing horses. ENGLAND DARTMOOR, DEVON The painterly bleakness of Dartmoor has encouraged the growth of many legends, not least that of the Hairy Hands – disembodied hirsute mitts that suddenly grab at one’s steering wheel or handle bars and force the victim off the road. It’s a ghost story that pertains to the Postbridge stretch of the B3212, Lorem ipsum dolor Ut enim ad minim veniam, Duis aute irure dolor Excepteur sint occaecat sit amet, consectetur quis nostrud exercitation in reprehenderit in voluptate cupidatat non proident, adipiscing elit, ullamco laboris nisi velit esse cillum dolore sunt in culpa qui officia sed do eiusmod tempor ut aliquip ex ea eu fugiat nulla pariatur deserunt mollit anim incididunt ut labore commodo consequat. idest laborum ferrari.com et dolore magna aliqua Ferrari North Europe which was purported to have seen an unusually high number of motor vehicle accidents in the early 20th century. So, you have been warned. The B3212 might have a soulless name, but the unfenced undulating tarmac through the wilds of the moor is brimming with character. It towers and swoops over hills and down valleys, split by crystal streams and edged by treacherous bogs. More than haunting spectres, the main danger here are the sheep, and occasionally cattle, that like to sit prone in the road beyond the crests. If arriving in Devon from the east, the B3212 starts at Exeter and runs west under the A30, reaching Dartmoor National Park at Dunsford. From there, it’s a 25-mile burn that cuts through the middle of the moor to Yelverton, which should take around 45 glorious minutes. Plymouth lies just 12 miles to the south. The great thing about Dartmoor is it’s quiet, even in the summer, so you’re unlikely to be trapped behind traffic for long. There are 160 tors across the moor, which refer to where the granite is exposed and makes for natural landmarks for hikers. As for man-made landmarks, you may wish to stop off at Bovey Castle, a mansion built in 1907 which is now a five-star hotel and spa. Less luxurious, but even more eye-catching is the notorious Dartmoor Prison, located in Princetown. Built in 1809 to house prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars, notable former inmates include Kray acolyte Frank Mitchell, aka ‘The Mad Axeman’, who managed to escape from this nick in 1966. The prison is still taking guests and has its own museum. Princetown is a good place to stop for refreshments, with The Plume of Feathers and the Prince of Wales (Prince Charles technically owns the prison) catering to both tourists and screws. In addition to Bovey Castle, lunch and four-poster beds can be found along the route at the popular Two Bridges Hotel, perched on the banks of the West Dart River. For a truly stand-out gastronomic experience, though, we recommend Gidleigh Park. Located in Chagford, six miles west of Moretonhampsted, the Michelin-starred restaurant is overseen by Chris Eden. The menu changes with the seasons, but aged beef fillet cooked over coals with bone marrow is among the classics. There are 24 bedrooms to let you sleep off the weighty wine list. Petrolheads may enjoy Moretonhampsted Motor Museum, which has over 150 vintage and classic cars and bikes, many of them pre-war. They’ve even got a Trotter brothers’ three-wheeler. Further information: www.visitdartmoor.co.uk www.boveycastle.com www.dartmoor-prison.co.uk www.twobridges.co.uk www.gidleigh.co.uk www.moretonmotormuseum.co.uk Ferrari North Europe SNAKE PASS, PEAK DISTRICT The A57 that stretches across Derbyshire’s Peak District is better known by a more emotive name; the Snake Pass. The A57 starts in Sheffield, to the east, and ends in Glossop in the direction of Manchester. The Snake Pass itself runs from the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashopton, its tarmac rising through the forest and wriggling north west across the Pennines for 14 thrilling miles, plateauing at 510m above sea level. Such is the magnificence of this road and the scenery it affords that Sheffield synth-pop icons The Human League named a tune after it. Comic character John Shuttleworth has also performed a song called ‘Incident on Snake Pass’ about a shunt he claims to have suffered in a Ford Anglia. In fact, the moniker comes not from the sinuous ribbon of road but from a pub which used to be located close to the reservoir called The Snake Inn, which in turn took its insignia from the serpent on the Cavendish arms belonging to the sixth Duke of Devonshire. There are still many excellent pubs to be enjoyed in the area, catering for motorists, cyclists, walkers, and the local farming community. The Ladybower Inn is on Snake Pass and does food and rooms. One of the region’s most charming pubs is the Packhorse Inn in Little Longstone, which has been serving weary travellers since 1787 and is owned by local brewery Thornbridge. Try the award-winning Jaipur pale ale and the a la carte venison haunch. The Old Hall Inn, on the District’s western edge at Chinley, has not only one of the best beer gardens but also characterful bedrooms with four-posters. Their Sunday roast is to die for. Luxury digs are available at Fischer’s Baslow Hall, to the east, a handsome manor with well-tended gardens and a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant that attracts foodies from afar. Dishes change with the seasons, but might include pan-fried John Dory with a lemon verbena and ginger bisque. There’s plenty to do in the area, including a visit to the stately Chatsworth House. Do explore the caves at Castleton, particularly Peak Cavern aka ‘The Devil’s Arse’, where local resident Jarvis Cocker recently recorded music. And grab a Bakewell tart from its birthplace, Bakewell. The town’s aforementioned brewery, Thornbridge, make a raspberry jam-flavoured beer in homage to the dessert. Further information: www.visitpeakdistrict.com www.packhorselongstone.co.uk www.old-hall-inn.co.uk www.fischers-baslowhall.co.uk www.chatsworth.org www.peakcavern.co.uk BUTTERTUBS PASS, YORKSHIRE DALES Ferrari North Europe Yorkshire is not short on epic roads, and the crown jewel is the Buttertubs Pass. Hacking its way over the moody moors, the 6.8 mile-long road – officially titled Cliff Gate Road - weaves its way north from the market town of Hawes to the rural village of Thwaite. It earns its name from the 20m-deep limestone potholes located beyond the tarmac, for in ye olden days dairy farmers would stop at the summit on hot days to rest, and they would stash their butter in these potholes to keep it from melting. More recently, it has featured on the UK section of the Tour de France. Get ready to react to copycatting Mamils hidden in the dips, therefore. At points, the gradient after leaving Hawes reaches 18 percent. At the summit, one is rewarded with stirring views of the high moorland between Wensleydale and Swaledale. The approach down to Thwaite features a spine-tingling hairpin mapped out by dry stone walls. As you thunder up the hill from Hawes you’ll pass the lavish Simonstone Hall Hotel. Its restaurant does a blinding roast on Sundays, though the kitchen is known to close early. Beyond Thwaite, on the B670 driving east are the Farmer’s Arms, for warm pints from its own microbrewery, and the 17th century Punchbowl Inn, which offers four-star accommodation and what is described as Yorkshire food with a modern twist, such as beef and black sheep casserole with dumplings, and wild garlic risotto with crispy hen’s egg. For Wallace & Gromit fans, no visit to this specific acreage would be complete without giving worship to the local crumbly cheese.