Driving from Berkshire to Cornwall - best route
03 September 2010, 04:24 PM
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Driving from Berkshire to Cornwall - best route
Hi all,
I am driving to Cornwall on holiday soon and I live near Bracknell. I am not sure whether to do the old trusted M4/M5/A30 route, or to try the M3/A303/A30. Mileage-wise (and time wise according to Google Maps) theres not much difference, I am not sure what either route will be like on a Friday morning, and was wondering if anyone had anything useful to add about both routes ? Is there much stop/starting on the A303 because of roundabouts ? I would rather just get on the motorway and cruise along but the A303 route would be more interesting...
Dave
I am driving to Cornwall on holiday soon and I live near Bracknell. I am not sure whether to do the old trusted M4/M5/A30 route, or to try the M3/A303/A30. Mileage-wise (and time wise according to Google Maps) theres not much difference, I am not sure what either route will be like on a Friday morning, and was wondering if anyone had anything useful to add about both routes ? Is there much stop/starting on the A303 because of roundabouts ? I would rather just get on the motorway and cruise along but the A303 route would be more interesting...
Dave
03 September 2010, 04:38 PM
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Having done Kent to Cornwall and back recently I insisted the A303 would be best. I don't think I will ever go that route again during holiday season, it was a friggin nightmare with massive (miles and miles) of tailbacks both on the way there and on the way back.
Now out of peak season it might be less problematic. Oh and it's not roundabouts that are the issue, it's the bottlenecks caused by so many sections of dual carriageway narrowing down to single lane stretches of road along the A303 and A30.
Now out of peak season it might be less problematic. Oh and it's not roundabouts that are the issue, it's the bottlenecks caused by so many sections of dual carriageway narrowing down to single lane stretches of road along the A303 and A30.
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 03 September 2010 at 04:41 PM.
03 September 2010, 04:44 PM
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A303 is a bit of a nightmare if your going during holiday season as has been said, if it's Friday next week I'd say you'd probably be ok. Much prefer the a303 route, it's a bit more interesting than the m4/m5 journey
03 September 2010, 04:54 PM
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Being Cornish and having lived in Wokingham for many years (until 2008) DEFINITELY go M4/M5. As is said above, too many single carriageway bits and roundabouts etc.
When I lived in Surrey I came down one way and back the other and clocked the mileage between the M3/M25 junction and the A303/M5 junction. Going M4/M5 was only 20 miles more than going the A303 so not much in it. But the M'way route is quicker unless there's a hold-up for some reason.
As for the best time to travel, out of season, as it is now, just avoid rush-hour in the SE. So leaving before 3pm on a Friday is good.
Enjoy!
Dave
PS: have done Indian Queens (C'wall - the Newquay turn off the A30) to Calcot, Reading in 2 hours 40 mins (via private roads obviously .....)
When I lived in Surrey I came down one way and back the other and clocked the mileage between the M3/M25 junction and the A303/M5 junction. Going M4/M5 was only 20 miles more than going the A303 so not much in it. But the M'way route is quicker unless there's a hold-up for some reason.
As for the best time to travel, out of season, as it is now, just avoid rush-hour in the SE. So leaving before 3pm on a Friday is good.
Enjoy!
Dave
PS: have done Indian Queens (C'wall - the Newquay turn off the A30) to Calcot, Reading in 2 hours 40 mins (via private roads obviously .....)
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03 September 2010, 11:08 PM
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04 September 2010, 09:12 AM
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04 September 2010, 02:23 PM
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You did'nt say where in Cornwall you're going too, you may want to consider M4 M5 A39 if it's North Cornwall you're headed for, but as said before avoid the A303 like the plague, i always work on the theory that if a caravan turns over on the A303 it'll block both lanes, but if it turns over on the M5 it wont block all three!
04 September 2010, 06:07 PM
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http://www.cornwallcam.co.uk/evenearlier.htm
http://www.cornwallcam.co.uk/ ... for photos of the day ..... (though not every day).
Dave
http://www.cornwallcam.co.uk/ ... for photos of the day ..... (though not every day).
Dave
04 September 2010, 08:07 PM
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Coverack - nice easy place to get to then 
Lots of nice places to visit around the area. National Seal Santuary in Gweek, maybe Flambards in Helston (not that I've been for 30 years though
), St Michaels Mount, the Minack theater and of course plenty of beaches. Hope the weathers good for you.
Lots of nice places to visit around the area. National Seal Santuary in Gweek, maybe Flambards in Helston (not that I've been for 30 years though
), St Michaels Mount, the Minack theater and of course plenty of beaches. Hope the weathers good for you.
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