Reading to SE Cornwall

[HarveyB]

I've got all day later this week to drive from Reading to Whitsand Bay.

I'll not be a hurry.

How would you do it? Where's good for lunch?

Cheers

HB

[PGM]

I did this and went down to Basingstoke, M3 and A303 to Exeter with some little detours off the main road - was pleasant enough, although a lot of people complain about the traffic. Lots of pubs en-route too.

[driverrob]

Oh Whitsands bay! Me and my mates would cycle out there from Plymouth most weekends when I was about 16. Happy days. The best part was the path down from the road was so steep and dangerous you never got old people or families with little kids down on those miles of sand. Haven't been there for years. Hope you enjoy it.

[Puggit]

I live in Reading, and use the A303 most of the time but never during peak times!

Never stop though, as it's only 2.45hr to Axminster

[tuffer]

If you are going to use the A303 then get your foot down, I hate getting stuck on the way home from work Seriously, watch out for Camera vans between Andover and Amesbury, its a nice quick stretch if no one is about but could be a if you get seen!

[hugoagogo]

i was going to start a thread asking about driving to exeter

this A303, it's a fairly main road then i suppose? how long from M3 to Exeter?

[tuffer]

Hour and a half.

Edited to add, not on a BH weekend and can sometimes feel like 8 hours.

Edited by tuffer on Monday 2nd July 16:37

[Puggit]

hugoagogo said:

i was going to start a thread asking about driving to exeter

this A303, it's a fairly main road then i suppose? how long from M3 to Exeter?

The A303 was the major route down to the SW for a while, it was built to replace the A30 which passed through too many towns to be upgraded.

A lot of the route is now motorway standard dual carriageway without a hard-shoulder, but there are quite a few roundabouts and 3 or 4 pinch points where it goes down to one lane - Stonehenge being the worst.

As mentioned speed cameras are prevelant (some static gatsos and real talivan threat).

It is plagued with caravans and numpties in the summer months - in the winter it's better than using the M4/M5 - certainly far less boring.

[hugoagogo]

have they started sending NIPs to german addresses yet? if not, I should be alright

[Gingerbread Man]

What time should I leave it till at night before attempting to drive from Cambridge to Gwithian in Cornwall? Or shall I just shoot myself now and save myself the pain? I think I need to buy a helicopter.

[tuffer]

You need to leave your place at about 3pm on a Bank Holiday Friday if you want to get the full experience....Should get you crossing the Tamar some time Sat afternoon

[Dogwatch]

The A303 gets a bit dire between Ilminster and Honiton. The tree-huggers have vetoed any improvements to the twisty, single lane bit through the Blackdown Hills.
As an alternative you can turn onto the A358 to Taunton and cut through to the M5. It was announced that this would be upgraded as a bypass for the untouchable Ilminster-Honiton section but I don't suppose much has happened.

Fixed and mobile Scameras hiding in every bush in Somerset.

[dcb]

Gingerbread Man said:

What time should I leave it till at night before attempting to drive from Cambridge to Gwithian in Cornwall?

7 or 8 pm.

Gingerbread Man said:

Or shall I just shoot myself now and save myself the pain?

maybe.

Gingerbread Man said:

I think I need to buy a helicopter.

Bottom of the range is a Robinson.

About 44K IIRC. Add in a few thou for licence,
maintenance, and it's still less than a brand
new 911.

[Gingerbread Man]

I think i'd want something a bit bigger that doesn't look like it's depending on wishful thinking to stay airborne. Maybe a Merlin.

[pugwash4x4]

Dogwatch said:

The A303 gets a bit dire between Ilminster and Honiton. The tree-huggers have vetoed any improvements to the twisty, single lane bit through the Blackdown Hills.
As an alternative you can turn onto the A358 to Taunton and cut through to the M5. It was announced that this would be upgraded as a bypass for the untouchable Ilminster-Honiton section but I don't suppose much has happened.

Fixed and mobile Scameras hiding in every bush in Somerset.

really? i haven't seen a scamera down taunton way for ages! lots of speed cameras though. most of the scamera lot seem to inhabit the area around the mendips nowadays.

if you go down the A303 there are some truly excellent roads you can blat across near stonehengey.