Sharp Van-gles: The Steepest Streets in the UK
13/07/2025 15:32 Share
Sharp Van-gles: The Steepest Streets in the UK
We’ve all been there, crunching down the gears to raise the revs as your heavy van feels the strain of driving up an ascent that is steeper than you expected.
Indeed, in a nation with a wide-ranging topography, it stands to reason that there will be moments when driving a van laden with cargo will have to work a bit harder to make a climb.
While it is unlikely you’ll ever come across an incline that will stop your van in its tracks, it might still be worth avoiding these five particularly challenging routes which rank as the steepest roads in the UK.
6. Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset – 16.09 degrees
To get an idea of how steep Gold Hill in Dorset is, head to YouTube and search ‘Hovis Hill 1973 advert’ and it will reveal all.
The route garnered national notoriety as the setting for one of the 70s best-known commercials, which promoted Hovis bread.
Set in the 1950s, the advert it shows a young lad pushing his bicycle up the steep cobbled slope. While certainly picturesque, watching the advert will leave you feeling rather out of breath all the same.
5. Steep Hill, Lincoln – 16.12 degrees
Perhaps the most accurately named street in the country, Steep Hill in Lincoln’s medieval centre traverses shops, cafes and pubs, but requires a handrail for those who need to take a moment walking it.
Suffice to say driving a van here on a snowy day would be a recipe for disaster.
4. Blake Street, Sheffield – 16.6 degrees
If Gold Hill earned notoriety on the small screen, Blake Street in Sheffield was enshrined in film folklore as a setting for The Full Monty with the city’s skyline framed in the background.
A street that would make you double-check you’ve not forgotten to put the handbrake on, Blake Street is just one of several particularly steep streets in Sheffield thanks to its location built within and on the banks of a valley.
3. Old Wyche Road, Great Malvern – 17.54 degrees
With unspoiled natural beauty for miles around, getting a good view in the parish of Great Malvern is a rewarding experience.
In fact, that is exactly what you will find at the top of Old Wyche Road, but don’t let the modest 0.8km length fool you – this is a steep road.
In fact, it ascends a vast 17.54 degrees in those 0.8km making it a breathless challenge – whether you walk or drive up it.
2. Ffordd Pen Llech, Harlec, Wales – 20.5 degrees
There was a time when Ffordd Pen Llech briefly held the Guinness World Record for being the steepest road in the world, a status it proudly emblazoned on signage to celebrate such a coveted mantle.
However, while Ffordd Pen Llech is certainly steep, an appeal from New Zealanders irked that a street in Dunedin had been stripped of such a title led to exhaustive analysis of this disputed fact.
As it turns out, Ffordd Pen Llech’s original figures had been overstated and the steepness was rounded down to a still heft 20.5-degrees, thus losing it its world record title to its Kiwi contemporary.
1. Vale Street, Bristol – 21.81 degrees
It’s long been suspected but as of June 2025, Vale Street in Totterdown, Bristol is now officially recognised as the steepest street in England.
The status, awarded by the Ordnance Survey, cements the 21.81 degree Vale Street’s status as one of the world’s most steeply angled routes despite being only 0.2km long.
Viewed in full, Vale Street is quite a trick of the mind with the houses the line is staggered up the hill, while vehicles are required to park facing the kerb (rather than parallel) to insure against any potentially destructive handbrake-related issues.
Even then, the steepness is so pronounced, even parking a top-heavy van on a diagonal will represent some risk. Spare a thought for the postie too and don’t bother trying to move a vehicle during icy conditionsďż˝
Latest vans in stock
Renault Kangoo L2 Diesel LL21 Blue dCi 95 Extra Van
- 3 Seats
- Air Conditioning and Cruise Control
- Apple Car Play/Android Auto
- 360 Degree Parking Sensors
Citroen Dispatch M Diesel 1.5 BlueHDi 120ps Van Enterprise
- Air Conditioning
- Rear Parking Sensors
Renault Trafic Swb Diesel SL30 Blue dCi 130 Advance [Safety] Van
- Air Conditioning
- Load Through Bulkhead
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
Citroen Berlingo M Diesel 1.5 BlueHDi 100ps Van Enterprise Plus
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
- Air Conditioning
- Double Passenger Bench Seat
Volkswagen Transporter T30 Lwb Diesel 2.0 TDI 150 Commerce Plus Van
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
- Reversing Camera
- Front + Rear Parking Sensors
Ford Transit Custom 320 L2 Diesel Fwd 2.0 EcoBlue 136ps H1 Van Limited
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Heated Seats
Ford Ranger Diesel Pick Up Double Cab Raptor 2.0 EcoBlue 210 Auto
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
- Alloy Wheels
- LED Lights
- Heated Seats
Nissan Interstar F35 L3 Diesel 2.0 dci 150ps H2 Tekna Van
- 5 Year Warranty
- Air Conditioning
- Reversing Camera
- Sat Nav
Renault Master Mwb Diesel Fwd MM35 Blue dCi 130 Advance Medium Roof Van
- Air Conditioning
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
Ford Transit Custom E-340 L2 Electric Rwd 100kW 65kWh H1 Van Trend Auto
- Front + Rear Parking Sensors
- Reversing Camera
- Air Conditioning
Nissan Primastar 30 L1 Diesel 2.0 dCi 130ps H1 Tekna Van
- 5 Year Warranty
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
- Reversing Camera
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
Ford Transit 350 L3 Diesel Fwd 2.0 EcoBlue 130ps H2 Leader Van [DAP]
- Cruise Control
- Rear Parking Sensors
Renault Kangoo L2 E-Tech LL21 90kW 44kWh Advance [Safety] Van Auto
- Air Conditioning
- Apple Car Play/Android Auto
Peugeot Partner Standard Diesel 1.5 BlueHDi 100 Professional Van
- Air Conditioning
- Rear Parking Sensors
Nissan Townstar L2 Petrol 1.3 Tekna Van
- 5 Year Warranty
- Apple Car Play/Android Auto
- Climate Control
- Reversing Camera
Vauxhall Combo Cargo Combo Diesel 1.5 Turbo D 100ps Prime H1 Van
- Flex Cargo 3 Seats
- Multimedia System with Touchscreen
- Air Conditioning
- Rear Parking Sensors