London to Spittal (Wales)
Discussion
In a couple of weeks i will be making my way to Spittal, but i'm setting off from East London.
Entered the start and destination in to Google and it tells me to use the M4, from the M25, but i know that's going to be an absolute arse ache. Even more so with the speed restriction in place.
Although it may be a longer drive, would it be worth coming off the M25 at the M40, on to the A40 and then M5, to join the M4 at the bridge and then drop down.
Or just stay on the A40 all the way?
The missus is not keen on fast paced single road driving and overtaking (which would be quick and easy in the X5M), as much as i'd love to press on, so that would only be the down side to sticking with the A40. She would much prefer a steady 70 all the way.
Entered the start and destination in to Google and it tells me to use the M4, from the M25, but i know that's going to be an absolute arse ache. Even more so with the speed restriction in place.
Although it may be a longer drive, would it be worth coming off the M25 at the M40, on to the A40 and then M5, to join the M4 at the bridge and then drop down.
Or just stay on the A40 all the way?
The missus is not keen on fast paced single road driving and overtaking (which would be quick and easy in the X5M), as much as i'd love to press on, so that would only be the down side to sticking with the A40. She would much prefer a steady 70 all the way.
Once I tried to take the A5 to Wales. It was soooo slow going, and I felt absolutely shattered after an hour and a half, I got on the motorway. Trucks, traffic lights, roundabouts, people turning off into garden centres, people pulling on to the road, it all takes its toll.
Driving that sort of distance, unless the goal of the trip is to drive, its much easier on the motorway.
With the Mrs in tow, I’d be thinking about the most brainless way to get to the destination, so you actually have a chance to reply to her nagging / conversation and you don’t end up in a row at the end of the trip about how you never listen.
Ooops, sorry, that last bit was probably a bit more confessional that might be appropriate.
Driving that sort of distance, unless the goal of the trip is to drive, its much easier on the motorway.
With the Mrs in tow, I’d be thinking about the most brainless way to get to the destination, so you actually have a chance to reply to her nagging / conversation and you don’t end up in a row at the end of the trip about how you never listen.
Ooops, sorry, that last bit was probably a bit more confessional that might be appropriate.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 20th April 18:51
The last hour of the journey will be pretty slow whichever way you go, but a journey doesn't have to be about speed. If you've got the time (and will need comfort breaks) go cross country and join the M4 at Swansea and enjoy the scenery.
Personally, with that sort of distance I'd want the least amount of hassle as possible - from the roads and the Mrs.
Or, let her drive to Leigh Delemere, swap over, she falls asleep and then you take the scenic route 2nd leg.
Personally, with that sort of distance I'd want the least amount of hassle as possible - from the roads and the Mrs.
Or, let her drive to Leigh Delemere, swap over, she falls asleep and then you take the scenic route 2nd leg.
I would use the M4 all the way, if it was me. Have a break towards the end of the M4 then enjoy the last bit after the motorway refreshed. No real point in going cross country through the so called market towns along the M4. Why get stuck in Swindon traffic when you can just sail past on the motorway. Spend some time driving round Wales relaxed during your stay, don't do it as part of an 8 hour trip, which it probably would be if you go cross country.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Plan now seems to be to set off early, circa 3am to get there for 9am. It's light around 6am now, so only a few hours of night driving.
With that, i guess the M4 all the way may be the best route to take.
There should be few cars on the road at that time, especially if we go mid week.
On a different note, any recommendation of roads in the area that i can go drive enthusiastically on my own?
Plan now seems to be to set off early, circa 3am to get there for 9am. It's light around 6am now, so only a few hours of night driving.
With that, i guess the M4 all the way may be the best route to take.
There should be few cars on the road at that time, especially if we go mid week.
On a different note, any recommendation of roads in the area that i can go drive enthusiastically on my own?
We do that route fairly regular but to the next village along - Ambleston c2miles I guess.
When I lived in north London I tried doing other routes such as up the M40 and through mid wales, nice as though the scenary was it was never quicker than the M4.
Now I live nearer Cambridge we always go A14 to Birmingham and end up coming down the M5 and joining the M4. I prefer this route as it is more interesting than feeling like the never ending M4 route from London.
Either way it is a long old drive but does get better when the M4 ends and A48 begins.
When I lived in north London I tried doing other routes such as up the M40 and through mid wales, nice as though the scenary was it was never quicker than the M4.
Now I live nearer Cambridge we always go A14 to Birmingham and end up coming down the M5 and joining the M4. I prefer this route as it is more interesting than feeling like the never ending M4 route from London.
Either way it is a long old drive but does get better when the M4 ends and A48 begins.
as for roads I liked the B4329 from Haverfordwest and up and over the presilli mountains (big hill really, not snow caped as mountain would sort of suggest). Just slow down through the villages.. often camera vans watching.
Newport and the Parrog is a nice place to go and you can put the car on the beach at the Parrog. North Pembrokeshire generally is less touristy and better for it, south is the tourist area, busier and worth a day trip to say Tenby.
Newport and the Parrog is a nice place to go and you can put the car on the beach at the Parrog. North Pembrokeshire generally is less touristy and better for it, south is the tourist area, busier and worth a day trip to say Tenby.
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