Buttertubs Pass, a winding mountain road in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, has been hailed as England's most spectacular drive by former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson. The route, which runs from Simonstone near Hawes to Muker and Thwaite in Swaledale, is celebrated for its dramatic landscape and distinctive name.
The pass takes its name from the 20-metre-deep limestone cavities that line the road. According to folklore, farmers travelling to Hawes market would store butter in these potholes to keep it fresh on hot days, while others suggest the holes themselves resembled butter tubs. The striking scenery attracts residents, visitors, and geology enthusiasts alike.
Clarkson, who drove the route in a Ford Escort RS Cosworth during his programme Clarkson's Car Years, described Buttertubs Pass as "England's only truly spectacular road" and included it among his all-time favourite roads. The pass, which reaches an altitude of approximately 528 metres (1,732 feet), was also featured during Yorkshire's hosting of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart.
Visitors have praised the drive on Tripadvisor, with one calling it "outstanding" and noting the spectacular views across the Dales. Another said photographs do not do the route justice, while a third recommended stopping for a picnic or continuing to the Tan Hill Inn, a 17th-century pub and England's highest, located a 20-minute drive away. Hardraw Force, England's largest single-drop waterfall, is just 10 minutes from the pass.
Despite its beauty, the route's steep gradients, hairpin bends, and precipitous drops mean it is not suited to nervous drivers. However, for those who tackle it, the experience is described as awe-inspiring and humbling.
