An afternoon in Somerset

An afternoon in Somerset

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Twilkes

Original Poster:

478 posts

146 months

Monday 29th February 2016
quotequote all
I will have 6 hours to get from Southampton airport to Bridgwater pn a Friday.

Any suggestions for a) funky roads to drive on; b) things to see; and c) any good 1hr walks?

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

193 months

Monday 29th February 2016
quotequote all
Without putting a huge amount of thought into it, I'd skirt round the top of Eastleigh and head to Romsey, up the A27 to Salisbury, the ring road may be a bit slow. A30 towards Shaftesbury then up through Gillingham, up to Shepton Mallett, left across the Mendips, down Cheddar Gorge, and along the A38 to Bridgwater.

This won't take 6 hours, so add diversions as you see fit. smile

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

193 months

Monday 29th February 2016
quotequote all
Alternative route is along M27 to junction 1, over new forest to Fordingbridge, then take b road to shaftesbury. This will take you down zig zag hill (turn round and go back up!).

Walking at top of here is great, also the Mendips will be good.

Another place to stop would be Haynes motor museum. Head along a303 after Gillingham on route above, you can then pick up a road to Bridgwater from there or go back up to Shepton Mallett and continue as before.

tuffer

8,880 posts

274 months

Monday 29th February 2016
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
Without putting a huge amount of thought into it, I'd skirt round the top of Eastleigh and head to Romsey, up the A27 to Salisbury, the ring road may be a bit slow. A30 towards Shaftesbury then up through Gillingham, up to Shepton Mallett, left across the Mendips, down Cheddar Gorge, and along the A38 to Bridgwater.

This won't take 6 hours, so add diversions as you see fit. smile
When you get to Salisbury keep heading North and have a play on Salisbury Plain, Tidworth --> Everliegh --> Devizes --> Tilshead --> Chitterne --> Warminster.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

193 months

Monday 29th February 2016
quotequote all
tuffer said:
When you get to Salisbury keep heading North and have a play on Salisbury Plain, Tidworth --> Everliegh --> Devizes --> Tilshead --> Chitterne --> Warminster.
Also a good idea. smile

standards

1,179 posts

225 months

Monday 29th February 2016
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
Without putting a huge amount of thought into it, I'd skirt round the top of Eastleigh and head to Romsey, up the A27 to Salisbury, the ring road may be a bit slow. A30 towards Shaftesbury then up through Gillingham, up to Shepton Mallett, left across the Mendips, down Cheddar Gorge, and along the A38 to Bridgwater.

This won't take 6 hours, so add diversions as you see fit. smile
Definitely recommend the bit on the Mendips after Shepton Mallet: the B3135 I think to Cheddar-the Mendip Motorway.

Twilkes

Original Poster:

478 posts

146 months

Saturday 5th March 2016
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
Alternative route is along M27 to junction 1, over new forest to Fordingbridge, then take b road to shaftesbury. This will take you down zig zag hill (turn round and go back up!).

Walking at top of here is great, also the Mendips will be good.

Another place to stop would be Haynes motor museum. Head along a303 after Gillingham on route above, you can then pick up a road to Bridgwater from there or go back up to Shepton Mallett and continue as before.
Thanks for this - which B road to Shaftesbury?

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

193 months

Saturday 5th March 2016
quotequote all
Twilkes said:
Thanks for this - which B road to Shaftesbury?
M27 J1 - B3078 to Fordingbridge. Turn left on way out of Fordingbridge centre to continue on B3078 to Cranborne.

B3081 from Cranborne to Shaftesbury (initially got to turn right couple of times after Cranborne to stay on route).

egor110

17,365 posts

210 months

Sunday 6th March 2016
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Get to bridgwater as quick as possible, then head over to minehead and your on exmoor.