A new addition to our competition series, the Pennine 1000 is a stunning journey exploring  the hidden gems across the backbone of Britain

This thrilling four-day event will see us rallying across the hills and mountains of northern Britain, taking in the stunning scenery of the Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales, the Cheviots and the Southern uplands of Scotland. We will pass through unspoiled villages, explore beautiful landscapes and drive along some of the most dramatic and satisfying roads anywhere in the country. 

Day one sees us setting off from the start line at Northumberland’s historic Slaley Hall which we stay at for all four nights and heading south into the majestic Northern Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales beyond. The distinctive rolling countryside plays host to heather moors, free-ranging sheep, wildflower meadows and ancient woodland, with the occasional reminder of the area’s mining and industrial past. 

We head across the country towards Hadrian’s wall on our second day and venture over the border into Scotland’s Southern Uplands. Here we will have the roads pretty much to ourselves, as we climb up and across a landscape of heavily glaciated mountain valleys, with tumbling upland rivers, and through ancient forests and characterful market towns.

On the final day, our route takes us northwards into the heart of the Northumberland National park and across the rolling hills of the Cheviots, straddling the Anglo-Scottish border. and to the northernmost quarters of England. This is an undisturbed part of the country, crisscrossed with the routes of ancient cattle drovers and with the ruins of ancient hillforts peppering the landscape.

The regularity will take place on quiet roads which you can enjoy to their fullest while testing the skills of your navigator. There is no night-time driving and the route will be on tarmac. 

Unfolding over four days In June, this stunning journey along the UK’s longest mountain range is sure to reignite your sense of adventure and rekindle your love of the Great British countryside. 

Arrival

Our adventure begins at the historic Slaley Hall a magnificent Edwardian 5-star hotel set in 1,000 acres of Northumberland moorland and forest. Arrive for check in at 2pm and register your car – afterwards you can take advantage of the facilities: book a spa treatment, take a dip in the indoor heated pool, or play a round of golf on one of their two 18-hole championship courses. 

Rally Day 1

We set off under the starting flag at 9am and head south across the river Derwent into Yorkshire before rising up into the hills and moors of the North Pennines. The landscape opens up into a patchwork of heather moors and peatlands, and as the road climbs higher we pass historic mines and limestone escarpments. These are roads to be savoured, with stunning views in all directions. 

Before long we make our way into the wild isolation and big open skies of the Yorkshire Dales and we are soon rewarded with a breath-taking drive past the iconic arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct on the historic Settle to Carlisle railway line. Not long after, the road passes between Yorkshire’s famous three peaks: Whernside to the North and Inglebrough and Pen-y-ghent to the South east, each standing at well over 2,000ft.

Looping down through the Bowland Fells the road takes us a mile or so east of Britain’s geographical centre before bearing eastwards towards Skipton and its famous castle. At the day’s halfway point, we begin to head back north through Wharfeldale and Bishopdale with through iconic landscapes of drystone walls, small stone farmhouses and bleak but beautiful moors. We head through Aysgarth past its famous falls before heading up towards Arkengarthdale, the most northerly of the dales within the National Park. Its largest village, Langthwaite, is famous for being used in the title shots for the classic series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.

As the day draws to an end, we head through the historic market town of Barnard Castle with its famous medieval fortifications set high on a rock above the river Tees, before circling around the Derwent reservoir and back to the beautiful surroundings of Slaley Hall. 

Rally Day 2

Heading westward, today’s route takes us alongside the nearby ruins of Hadrian’s Wall, what was once the wild north-west frontier of the Roman Empire, with Caledonia beyond. 20 miles or so further on we are crossing the modern-day Scottish border and entering the sparsely populated Southern Uplands beyond, with their hillside farms, open moorland, fells and forest. It all feels like a very well-kept secret.  

Beyond the market town of Moffatt, we pass the natural amphitheatre of the Devil’s Beef Tub and then skirt alongside the banks of the river Tweed. The views hereabouts are awe-inspiring – although not as high as the famous peaks in the Highlands further north, the mountains of the Southern Uplands still boast numerous summits of over 2,500ft. 

Turning south we pass through handsome market towns such as Selkirk and Hawick, the traditional heart of the Scottish Borders’ textile industry. With the Cheviots visible across to the east, we make our way back across the border and around Kielder Water, the biggest made-made lake in Northern Europe and through the densely wooded terrain – England’s largest forest – that surrounds it. 

Rally Day 3 

Today it is all points north as we set off through Northumberland National Park, the northernmost park in England, an area that has somehow remained off the well-beaten tourist trail.

Our route takes us along the celebrated Roman road of Dere Street, rising and falling steeply with several blind summits, and passing through numerous through picturesque villages. The road takes its final twisting climb though the majestic Cheviot hills before reaching the Scottish border at Carter Bar, site of many a photo opportunity. Leaving the main drag, we head out on narrow winding roads through heather moors and rough grassland, and past small tumbling rivers. Reaching the historic border town of Coldstream, we make a strategic dash to the northernmost point on our trip for a visit to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum. Located in his hometown of Duns, the museum pays tribute to the former world champion whom many celebrate as the greatest F1 driver of all. 

As we turn back southwards, we pass along the eastern fringe of the Cheviots – this is one of England’s least populated areas and the quiet roads head through sleepy villages. We eat up the miles through rolling countryside that features Iron Age hilltop forts, craggy hillsides and unspoilt landscapes. 

Back at the hotel it is time for a well-earned rest before a celebratory dinner, as trophies are awarded, and glasses are raised.