Synopsis Driving in the 1950s wasn’t the traffic fuelled stressful bore that it is now. With fewer cars on the road, driving was less of a means to an end and more of a pastime, with a family drive often being a much looked forward to Sunday treat. The introduction of the motorway in 1958 gave a new efficient and most importantly speedy way of getting from A to B and killed the leisurely Sunday drive off forever.

Travel back in time to this golden age of motoring in the wonderful BBC series Britain’s Best Drives. National treasure Richard Wilson (One Foot In The Grave, Merlin) armed only with an old guidebook, takes on six of the nation’s favourite drives from 1958, seeing Britain through a car window. Leaving his modern automatic at home, Wilson hits the road in a variety of classic cars including a Mini, Morris Minor and an Austin A30. As with every road trip Wilson meets a wealth of colourful characters, all with valuable insights as to how the routes have changed and how Britain has changed with it.

Buy Britain's Best Drives: Journeys Back to the Golden Age of Motoring from Amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Verdict
We have to admit a bias here, one of Richard’s Best Drives is in Cornwall and it is one that we are very familiar with, as he drives down the road into St.Ives that we have walked many times. We love this DVD and despite the fact that many of our roads are clogged up these days Richard and his filming crew manage to create a gentle drive around Great Britain.

The scenery is breath-taking, he meets some delightful people, his commentary is not intrusive and there is more humour than we are perhaps used to from the man who played Victor Meldrew. It is perfect weekend viewing, take a drive around some of the best beauty spots without leaving the comfort of your home, instead stay curled up on the sofa with a cream tea!