msp1

Driving up to London at the end of the month. Getting bored of motorway driving for obvious reasons. Looking at the map the A4 runs parallel with the M4. Does anyone have knowledge of this road. Are there seections worth diverting to for increased driving pleasure or is it littered with speed cameras. Normally do the journey in 2 hours 15 mins. How much extra time would this route take??

Mike

Leg@cy

iTrader: (2)

Got a lot of time on you're hands??

For the 'longer' journey I'd stick to what you know.....

I can imagine that anything other than the more direct route will take you into more trouble than you bargined for.....

Only detour if you really need to ......

try it out when you got time??

You got time on your hands??

Flat 4x4

I know what you mean about getting bored, try the alternatives when you're in no hurry. I've done 4 different routes from Cardiff(ish) to North Bucks and the longest on paper is normally the quickest or at least most consistent.

The trouble with getting to London itself is that the M4 is really the best option the nearer you get !

polarbearit

erm, i'd say it depends on time of day... But I usually find the M4 good for some top speed testing at the right time of day(only my private bit obviously ) or only in a 2CV , particularly the bit from where england starts to Swindon! Won't mention any numbers!

As to the A4, its not quick (unless the M4 is blocked, and even then I tend to use other roads more minor roads)!

msp1

thanks for the replies so far, I think

Got a lot of time on you're hands?? yes, all day

For the 'longer' journey I'd stick to what you know.....

I can imagine that anything other than the more direct route will take you into more trouble than you bargined for.....

Only detour if you really need to ......

try it out when you got time?? I've got all day

You got time on your hands?? yes, all day

Sorry couldn't resist

Leg@cy

iTrader: (2)

Well at least it kept you busy!!!!!! He HE......

.... how do you get them on the posts???

Cheers

ps which bit of s wales u from...... not too specific...

Cheers

Phil

5903

Mike

Let the train take the strain !

Nils ;-)

hades

There's some not at all bad bits of road a bit north of the M4 if you've got all day. Seem to remember (starting from one junstion up the M5) going across country around Dursley, somewhere called birdlip (not that far from Stroud, and then across. Can't tell you exactly where as I tend to make it up as I go along.

I once did Bristol-London on back roads as the M4 was closed, using "solar navigation" - i.e. that was is about East, so I'll take that turning, using unclassified roads wherever possible. Took about an hour longer than a good run on the M4, although I was getting a little "enthusiastic" on those back roads

TAZMAN

B4040 North of the M4 can be fun!!

V5

The A4 from Calne through to Newbury is a fast, open piece of road if you catch it at the right time.

I second the vote for the B4040. It runs from just north of M4 J18 through Malmesbury to Cricklade and it's a great little road; I used to love it on my bike Great for a good thrashing!

msp1

Thanks for the replies, I'll get the map out later.

Phil - smilies can be found at http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/

To see how they get inserted try to edit this post

From Cardiff way, see you at CVC

Cheers

Mike

[Edited by msp1 - 11/11/2002 7:00:18 PM]

phd

Mike,

Depends how far away from the M4 you want to go.....and which part of London you want to end up in.

When I lived in North London I regularly came back via the Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester route (and returned the opposite way).
For my journey it was actually shorter than M1/M25/M4, but obviously took longer.

A few suggestions from some of the routes I have used..(note I would have been going from Swansea so would have taken the Heads of the Valleys road to Abergavenny)

1. Try the A449 through Usk, then A40 to Gloucester, or alternatively, take the A48 North from Chepstow to Gloucester. After Gloucester head for Chelthenham still on A40.

Follow the A40 to Oxford and then pick up the M40 to London.

If you're enjoying when you get to Oxford, rther than get on the M40, take the A34 to Bicester, then take the A41 to the M25/M1

Happy motoring

Pete

uncle buck

Old severn bridge, junc18 M4, head south and join A420. Past Castle Coombe to Chipenham, pick up A4 Calne, Marlborough, Hungerford, Newbury, Theale and rejoin M4 for final stretch to London. It's a good drive

You might consider stopping at Avebury and Silbury Hill if you're into ancient monuments. Enjoy.

UB

Fat Boy

Come off at the Bath junction (top of the Hill, you'll know what i mean), 1st left, 1st right (don't know name of road), eventually (Approx 5 miles)you'll come to a T junction turn right and then right again back over motorway on bridge. Now stay on this road past Castle Combe, through Devizes etc and then A4 through Marlborough etc. Great roads (most of them)and stay on the A4 until Hungerford where I rejoin the M4 as it gets too suburban after that, although you can go on to Reading if you want. Alternatively turn off to Salisbury from Marlborough and then up M3/A3 to London. A4 adds about one to one and a half hours , although I once did it and only added about half an hour to my journey (4 am). Lots of nice places to stop like Marlborough, Hungerford and Castle Combe etc. Lots of speed cameras on final bit of A3 etc but not so many on A4 but have your wits about you , occasionally hand held jobs nearer Devizes and a couple of yellow gatsos as well.

msp1

Thanks UB and Fat Bloke

Route is planned.

Mike