London to Cornwall drive
Discussion
M4/M5 route is definitely quicker due to higher constant speeds if a little odd as you get past Bristol, but if you don't mind the occasional bottle neck the A303 is a much more interesting drive. Just don't do it on Bank Holidays and Friday evenings/Sunday evenings as everybody has the same idea and can add a good hour or two to the drive as you get to the Henge and beyond.
Once you're in Cornwall itself they have massively upgraded the A303 and onwards mostly to dual carriageway and so past Devon you fly through the rest.
Once you're in Cornwall itself they have massively upgraded the A303 and onwards mostly to dual carriageway and so past Devon you fly through the rest.
tamore said:
ta for that mikey.
looking to get to falmouth in time for lunch at stein's chippy so shouldn't hit any of the bottle necks. 6.30 start from south east london to miss the meleé here too.
glad to hear the road past exeter has been upgraded too. was a nightmare last time we went.
thats the time I usually do it if I can. early start and a nice lunch in Padstow.looking to get to falmouth in time for lunch at stein's chippy so shouldn't hit any of the bottle necks. 6.30 start from south east london to miss the meleé here too.
glad to hear the road past exeter has been upgraded too. was a nightmare last time we went.
Roll on summer.
I go back to Devon pretty regularly and I take the A303. It can get pretty snarled up around the Salisbury/Stonehenge type area, but I just leave late. Less plod around in the evenings too. 
One thing I do try occasionally is dropping down onto the A30. If the A303 is clogged - which it frequently is in tourist season - then the A30 is more pleasant and even has a few amusing stretches of road. Even when the A303 is really bad it seems to be quicker, but the A30 is less boring.
Anyway, back on topic, I'd guess the M5 is the way to go if you're just after a swift journey. You can get at least as far as Exeter before the motorway disolves and the Bristol area usually seems to run pretty smoothly.
One thing I do try occasionally is dropping down onto the A30. If the A303 is clogged - which it frequently is in tourist season - then the A30 is more pleasant and even has a few amusing stretches of road. Even when the A303 is really bad it seems to be quicker, but the A30 is less boring.
Anyway, back on topic, I'd guess the M5 is the way to go if you're just after a swift journey. You can get at least as far as Exeter before the motorway disolves and the Bristol area usually seems to run pretty smoothly.
Chris71 said:
I go back to Devon pretty regularly and I take the A303. It can get pretty snarled up around the Salisbury/Stonehenge type area, but I just leave late. Less plod around in the evenings too.
One thing I do try occasionally is dropping down onto the A30. If the A303 is clogged - which it frequently is in tourist season - then the A30 is more pleasant and even has a few amusing stretches of road. Even when the A303 is really bad it seems to be quicker, but the A30 is less boring.
Anyway, back on topic, I'd guess the M5 is the way to go if you're just after a swift journey. You can get at least as far as Exeter before the motorway disolves and the Bristol area usually seems to run pretty smoothly.
not after the quickest journey, just one that's fairly free flowing. a30 sounds interesting, especially if we can clear london without a problem.One thing I do try occasionally is dropping down onto the A30. If the A303 is clogged - which it frequently is in tourist season - then the A30 is more pleasant and even has a few amusing stretches of road. Even when the A303 is really bad it seems to be quicker, but the A30 is less boring.
Anyway, back on topic, I'd guess the M5 is the way to go if you're just after a swift journey. You can get at least as far as Exeter before the motorway disolves and the Bristol area usually seems to run pretty smoothly.
One thing to bear in mind - I'm down in the Westcountry at the moment - it's haymaking. Drove back from Glastonbury on the '303 this morning and picked up about five different tractors on the the various single lane stretches.
Had a superb drive down on Tuesday night though - forgotten how much fun a bog standard Focus can be with a bit of trail braking into deserted roundabouts...
Had a superb drive down on Tuesday night though - forgotten how much fun a bog standard Focus can be with a bit of trail braking into deserted roundabouts...
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