We go to Cornwall a couple of times a year. Coming from East Yorkshire its quite a long trip 350 miles or thereabouts. The route we go is down M1 to M42 then M5 onto A30. Journey times vary whoever you speak to. I have a couple of mates who one says 6hrs another says he's done it in less but when not much traffic. Personally i do it in about 6 and a half hours with 2 stops. My first stop is at Strensham services and my second at Taunton Dene (i like to fill up with shell) both of these are on the M5. We always take our own sarny's and a flask. The fill up at Taunton i try to make it do so i stop there on way back fill up to get me home. Over the years that A30 has got much better especially now Bodmin is bypassed, i think there's only one stretch to do now. The M5 is a good motorway by that i mean the views the land and things you can see (has anybody seen the Glastonbury Tor from it). We always say the journey is part of the hol the anticipation on arriving is there when going down. When you stop at service stations you always get the feeling everyone is doing the same and having a cuppa on there way to Cornwall. I thought i would start this thread to to see what other backroomers experiences are with this long journey. Where do you stop off, what sights do you look out for. Anyone know of somewhere good to stop on A30.
|
Have been to Cornwall nearly every year since I was very little and loved the journey nearly as much as the holiday! Piling into the back of the van with quilts etc at 3am, sleeping for a bit (Health and what?) and watching the sky go through the different shades of blue into sunrise. Arriving around 7am (Old 1.6 Veedub Transport, 60mph cruise!) just as the place is beginning to awaken and the first hardcore surfers are hitting the waves.
Lovely!
|
You are bringing back many memories to me now ... of leaving London at 5-00am and flying down the M4/M5 in my V8 Rover and stopping at the Happy Eater (or was it The Little Chef) where ya pick up the A30 from the M5 ... I used to meet up with my Brother, his Daughter and her friend - great times!
On the way back we'd sometimes stop in the Jolly Diner, just past Honiton.
They've dualled the A30 under that old iron bridge on the Goss moor now so that just leaves the section at Temple just b4 Bodmin which is a pain in the grass!
I would hazard a guess that its gonna be busy on the frog n' toads this year owing to the reccession and the Euro exchange rate.
|
|
I was doing the Worcestershire (Strensham) section to Devon regularly in the 1970s.
We used to join the M5 at Strensham, which was run by Kennings in those days.
Sometimes the gate we were not supposed to use was shut, so it was down to Tewkesbury.
My other memory is the M5 extending further south west over the years.
When I first did the journey as a child passenger, you has to drive through Bristol.
I always liked going under the Clifton suspension bridge, and I thought the few flyovers in the centre of Bristol were very space age.
When the M5 bridge over the Severn Estuary opened it cut a long time from the journey.
We had a family friend near South Petherton and the motorway ended outside her house, seemingly for years, before it was extended yet again.
Taunton was another bottleneck, albeit a pleasant one.
A cousin of mine worked on the M5 where it crosses the Somerset Levels.
She was an engineer for the local water company.
The area is very marshy and piledriving deep foundations was not an option.
I was told the M5 effectively floats on the marshland and is kept in one piece by sluices and pumps.
|
When the M5 bridge over the Severn Estuary opened it cut a long time from the journey.
Am I missing something, or do you mean the bridge over the AVON estuary, (Avonmouth)?
|
...Am I missing something, or do you mean the bridge over the AVON estuary, (Avonmouth?)...
Well spotted, although the large muddy patch on the right as you travel south west is the Severn Estuary.
And Strensham, where I started, is only a mile or two from the Severn, so I suppose there's a link in my mind.
|
|
|
I always take a rest at J17, Patchway off the M5. 24 hour Asda & Morrisons - why pay over the odds in a service station?
I was caught up in these road works on my last trip to Cornwall - if you can navigate around these, especially the M1 & M42, it will save you a lot of time:
Speed camera warnings come from the alerts my Snooper gave and the SPECS ones are absolutely 100% accurate.
The laser, truvelo & gatso I could not and neither did I see the devices so I guess they must be mobile ones?
All 4 road works - don't floor it until you are outside of the 50mph limit. All have a final SPECS camera 50 or so metres just before the national speed limit signs - sneaky or what?
M1 50mph speed restriction SPEC, LASER & Mobile enforced J28 to J25 North & South due to end 29 Oct 2009
M42 50mph speed restriction SPEC, TRUVELO & GATSO enforced J11 to J9 North & South due to end 29 June 2009.
M5 50mph speed restriction SPEC & Mobile enforced J4 to J4a Southbound due to end 30 July 2009
M5 50mph speed restriction SPEC & Mobile enforced J8 to J9 Southbound due to end 15 October 2009
Get ready to be ripped off too - parking is now £3 - £6 for a mere 3 to 4 hours in most places.
Cheapest we found was St Ives - go to the train station car park £1.50 for 4 hours.
Padstow all the car parks were full when we arrived so the next day we went to Rock (get there early too small car park) £3.00 for four hours, and caught the ferry across - £3.00 per adult.
Mevagissy serves more of a choice and by far 'cheaper & better quality' fish & chips than Rick Steines place does in Padstow by the way!
If you are thinking of doing any tours by boat in the Fowey region - the river there is currently a huge boat park and for the biggest container ships you will ever see - and that is all you will see!
Edited by Tron on 13/05/2009 at 21:24
|
Forgot to mention!!!
Check for the road being closed overnight (10pm to 6AM) in these road works
Yes we got caught out - I think they are doing bridge repairs or something like that.
M42 J11 to J9 North & South.
Edited by Tron on 13/05/2009 at 21:39
|
|
|
|
Brentus,
yup, stop at Strensham, wife's a Costa addict. I'm in Cheshire so a bit closer, but it's always a surprise to get to Bristol and realise I'm only half way. After that it's simply eyes peeled for something appealing off the motorway / dual carriageway. I've driven miles following those "turn left at next jn for the Mucky Duck" signs but they usually turn out well and it's a break.
JH
|
SWMBO's bladder always seems to cry enough at Two Bridges.
|
Whilst Cornwall was a place we didn't enjoy I agree with others that the trip to the south west from Yorkshire at the moment is tortuous.
I've done South Wales twice in the last month. Miles of 50 limits on the M1 and M42. I'd recommend leaving the M1 at jcn 28 just before the 15 miles of SPECS controlled 50 and using the A38 to Lichfield.
|
I will be heading down to the west country from Kent on Saturday.
I normally use the M4/M5 route, but my work colleagues all reckon the A303 is better so am thinking of giving that a go this time.
|
I haven't done the M4/M5 for years andy - in fact I live down here now but I'd always go 'uopcountry' on the A303/M3 etc, then you've just got the dreaded M25 to suffer!
|
|
There's a nice pub., just off M4 J15 about 1/3 mile up the A346 towards Marlborough. Great for a bite & a pint or so.
|
|
|
Davey,
I wish you had posted that info two weeks ago!
Yep, as mentioned - re route going true West as early as possible if you can!
If I was going tomorrow, knowing what I do now, travelling again from East Yorkshire I would use and please check to make sure I have got this right if you do decide to use it:
M62/M1/A616/A628/M67/M56/A556
or
M62/A627/M60/M56/A556 and pick up the M6 just South of Manchester.
For the 50 or so miles extra - add 1 hour - the road works on M1 and the M42 will cripple you for a lot more!
|
Going to Cornwall or anywhere else, we always have a look at the National Trust guide and try to arrange stops at their places, even if it means going a few miles off the route.
You get somewhere pleasant to stretch your legs and a reasonable cup of tea or lunch or whatever.
If you've a bit of time to spare, you can look at the house too.
|
Hi everyone
Will be going down again in just over 4 weeks. Got some cracking comments on this thread very useful. I know the A38 very well so i will have a look at this on the map. To be honest i just set the cruise to 50 in these road works and just let the world pass by as you say. What i am after now is does anyone know of a good stop off on the A30. Mother in law will be coming and she also is a costa addict so def stop at Strensham.
|
You could do worse than the Jamaica Inn at Bolventor comrade Brentus - not cheap though!
There is the Penland eating house on the RHS of the A30 just before the Bodmin turnorf, and there are shops and eating houses at Victoria a few miles W of Bodmin but you'll have to pull off the new section of the A30 for that one.
Smashing weather at the moment, won't last though ;(
|
I used to go from Leeds to Devon on a regular basis... little to no time difference when using the M62 -> M6 as opposed to the M1 -> M40. Easy to do in a shade over 4 hours late at night with no stops.
|
I've got a trip down to devon using the M5 from the midlands.
Journey is estimated at just over 3 hours but i notice on the traffic web site there is road works between junction 4 and 4a and 8 and 9 southbound.
Are these worth avoiding, if so what is the best road to use?
Thanks,
|
Has anybody else noticed strange objects by the M5 northbound carriageway after (I think) J20? There is a dinosaur, a couple of camels and an odd-looking wicker object. I have always wondered what they are all about.
|
Robert yeah seen them what is it all about. Has anybody seen the Glastonbury Tor on the southbound M5 yet. You have a very short window to see it, if i remember its about 200yards before the first sign for Jc 23 look to your left and its a very long way in the distance you really have to be precise to see it.
|
|
When we arrive at our caravan at crantock the welcome pack always mentioned this Jamaica inn place. On our last visit i realised it was quite close to A30 Perro. Mind you i don't like spending a lot of dosh.
|
We visited the Jamaica Inn for lunch a few years ago, and was told in a slightly snotty way that they couldn't accept us as they were expecting a coach party in about 10 mins and had to prioratise that ! I said that we were ready to order now, which i would have thought would have given them time to cook our order before the coach passengers would even have sat down, but they still refused ! Although being very irritated at their attitude we stayed for a drink as we were thirsty, and after about half an hour when there was still no sign of this coach, they had the nerve to come over & ask if we still wanted to eat as they didn't now think it was going to turn up ! We politely refused their kind offer ! Despite holidaying in Cornwall at least once a year, we have never gone back !
|
>>> Mind you i don't like spending a lot of dosh. <<<
You & me both comrade - my idea of eating out is to take our flasks of tea and homemade nosh and, well - eat out!
|
Having just returned from our latest trip, i need to tell you this. When travelling down i noticed on the A30 huge hold ups, there were no road works. I have noticed this before. I am talking serious hold up a few miles of tail back. Further investigation revealed this is a common occurance. Apparently this is more so on a Saturday. This is due to most people starting and finishing thier hols on a Sat (it's known as changeover day). What causes this is the A30 goes from dual carrieage way to single then back to dual. It is at a place called Temple i think (shell garage on left before dual starts again). I remember when coming home it even gets a mention on the 5 live traffic update. How can you avoid this here are a couple of my suggestions. Leave your destination early when coming back no later than 9.00am (from Newquay that is). Friend left at (9.30am hit just a bit of tailback. Another friend left at 7.30am no tailback at all. I left at 10.00am but decided to try and miss this i went down the Atlantic highway A39 then cut across to A30 near Launceston. The only place i got held up was Camelford for a bit and it looked to me people coming into Cornwall had actually turned off the A30 and doing the same route in as i was going out. Going this way i kept moving all the time the mileage was negligible so worth a try. This time instead of second service stop at Strensham i went to one on M42 think its called Hopgood service, lot better service area.
|
"think its called Hopgood service"
Hopwood Park near Solihull - agreed it is better than Strensham. Strensham is the first services on the M5 south so deals with all M6 and M42 traffic so gets very busy - I'd dread to be there lunchtime tomorrow!
|
For Shell there's a good one on Cribbs Causeway, just off J17 M5 - and not far from the Asda Walmart supercentre, so they price match Asda fuel, and of course Asda has a huge cafe at much cheaper than service station prices.
Dont think this has been mentioned yet --> www.offmotorway.com/
|
Brentus - good useful advice. I'll be coming back on the 22nd from St Ives. last year we left East Herts (very close to the Essex border) at 4 am. Steady 95 (ahem) saw me past Heathrow in 55 mins - a record - and having breakfast in Boscastle at 9am. Definitely the way to go for me and the 3 midgets (wife and kids...) a full day exploring or on the beach on day one. The Golf turning in about 48 despite the speed. Needed a new air mass meter (£75) whilst down there and had a substantial hiccup moment on the motorway the previous year that didn't repeat itself. Must be the SW having an effect on it - wonder what it'll do this year? I've just deferred the decision to buy an S-Max until the spring, I'll report back if this is found to be a bad decision!!
|
The other issue with the A30 at Temple, apart from being a bottle neck, is that its an accident black spot - there have been some quite nasty head-ons there over the years.
|
My preferred mode of travel is the 08:55 out of Yeadon (oops, I mean Leeds/Bradford) arriving Newquay 11:10, touching down in Bristol en route. Just sufficient time to read The Times and eat two fresh choc au pains purchased at LBA. Followed by a couple of weeks backpacking along the wonderfully scenic South West Coast Path. One of the joys of travelling alone...well sometimes.
|
We did the journey the other week and stopped over at the "Days Inn" at Michaelwood Services, near slimbridge on the M5. Really excellent place to stay, cheap, clean well equipped and lovely staff. A big step up from the travel lodge type places and certainly better than the Hilton at Stansted we stayed at recently.
On the map it looks like a 20 mile detour to get back to the southbound carriageway but there is a shortcut directly back to the M5 south.
They are also doing a deal at the moment whereby stay two nights, get one free - those nights aren't consecutive.
From West yorkshire we did M62/M60/M56/M6/M5 down and M5/M6/M62 home. Not much in it as far as I can see.
Almost apologetic to bring this up, but the M5 south of Bristol is the home of the middle lane owner occupiers club. Never seen a motorway with so many people mimsing down the middle with no cars in sight for miles in any lane around them.
Lovely place cornwall though, we hired a '61 split screen VW camper down there and it's a excellent way to spend a week in the West.
Edited by Citroënian {P} on 18/07/2009 at 11:36
|
Citreon
Definately agree about the middle laners never seen as many anywhere in the country and i have driven the length and breadth of it. I even heard the missus comment about the middle lane hoggers.
|
The first time i ever went to Cornwall I was advised to leave for home early on the Saturday as virtually everyone checks out of their accomodation at 1000 and that creates one long traffic jam, almost the whole length of the A30 !
I always make sure that we are underway by 0800 and have never had a problem.
|
Andy
Agree my mate set off to come home at 7.30am never had a problem. apparently its the change over day. But that route i took this time is worth a look.
|
Well already excited first trip this year will be June. My normal route from East yorks is M62-M18-M1-M42-M5-A30 to Crantock.
That was a stink last year them long roadworks on M1. Anyone know of anything different to expect this year. I have already read on another thread that the cameras are to stay on M1 once road works finish if they haven't already.
Does anybody know of a better route.
|
M1 roadworks are there until the end of this year.
One alternative is to leave M1 at junction 28 (where the 50 limit starts) and use the A38 - Derby, Burton, Lichfield - usually a quiet dual carriageway. There's a few roundabouts to break up the journey and a short stretch of 40 limit round Derby, but it's a route I still use sometimes.
Near Lichfield you can either join the M6 toll (expensive for a short trip), or the A446 (single carriageway 50 limit with cameras for about 5 miles) to link with the M42.
Edited by daveyjp on 19/01/2010 at 20:39
|
Yeah thanks for that Davy. I did consider doing that A38 job , ive have done that quite a few times over the years (not going to cornwall though). There's a big roundabout near Lichfield near a place called Wall. Its called if i remember Muckley corner. I have actually gone to join the M6 from here i cant rememeber name of road but it brings you at Jc9 walsall. I take it that toll part must be closer. Do you think there would be a big advantage to be gained. Another post mentions going round manchester to pick it up.
|
The drag from Muckley Corner to Walsall is a long, dreary 30 limit with cameras and vans. Not to be recommended.
It's 12 miles from Lichfield to the M42. 7 of those are on dual carriageway A38, then from Bassett's Pole it's 5 miles on the A446. It's single carriageway, and with only one overtaking opportunity, but there's only 1 camera each way, and it's 60 mph for all but 1 mile near the Belfry. There is no way I'd go round it by choice, even a truck will only delay you by 2-3 mins (I live in Lichfield so use this weekly).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where do you stop off
Get off at J21/M5. Turn off before Hewish, and go past the old church in Puxton, which has a considerable lean on it, towards Sandford, noticing the mistletoe in the trees on the left as you go. When you get to Sandford, turn right, then in 70 yds. right again into the entrance to the cider works, and park neatly near the shop. Buy enough 5L containers of cider to last your stay in Cornwall. Fill 'em up again on the way back.
|
Nothing to stop you following the A38 from Derby to Liskeard.
|
>>> Nothing to stop you following the A38 from Derby to Liskeard. <<<
Better orf doing the A30 from Exeter iffi, and its worthwhile considering the A39 on the return journey due to possible long hold ups in the holiday season on the A30 @ Temple, East of Bodmin.
|
I think there are now gaps in the A38 from a road numbering point of view, so following it might be difficult.
For example, it conks out at Tiverton, and doesn't resume until Exeter.
The old A38 through the likes of Cullompton is now the B3181.
There will be similar examples further up the country.
|
|
Agree Perro. Look at my post last year friday 17th July. Thinking about stop offs i usually do one at strensham & later at taunton where i fill up. Home made sarny's and a flask by the way. I am interested in stop offs. had some good suggestions on thread though. Thats a good un about cider farm but could be a bit out of way maybe.
|
>>> Look at my post last year friday 17th July <<<
Ah! say n'more ... I envy you - coming to Cornwall in June, as Shaw said "It's better to travel than to arrive"
I used to know the owners of the penlan eating house where that Shell garage is near Temple, but the missus (nice woman) got the ole dreaded C very young, and he sold up shortly afterwards.
I used to stay with this chap ~ www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUoWdP_ipOc and we'd jump into my van and go to the eating house for our brekkie.
I've had some wkd cider in Cornwall - and some wkd headaches come the morn :-)
|
Perro my stops used to be based usually where the shell garages were. I actually pulled in to that one at temple, i got out of the queing traffic filled up then joined it again. I always go to Crantock. But have days travelling around, your never more than 45 mins from anywhere in Cornwall at Crantock. I took em all to that cider farm 1 year, the one thats about 10 mile further south cant remember name of road.
For the record i am not greatly fussed now whether i stop at a shell garage. I always say to everyone when driving down on the M5 look out for the glastonbury tor. Difficult to spot but you get a very small window where you can see it.
|
|
|
|
Funny you mention this iffi. My colleauge at work who has many more years experience of doing the long road to Cornwall. Actually said during one of our many get togethers discussing he said when we mentioned A38 Lichfield etc, ''you can keep on the A38 thats the old road''.
We often sit down and get the maps out and reminiss.
|
the old road
Once upon a time, when the major improvements were fairly new, I drove to Cornwall on a motorcycle, and tried to keep to the "old road", at least from Exeter onwards. It was as twisty as of old, and quite hard to keep to - due to improvements. There was very little traffic on much of it - a few cars and horses - and it was a glorious and sunny late Spring day. Garages and eateries, all boarded up, but which had been *so* busy, passed. A few pubs had a little extra custom. I needed petrol, and it was hard to find! The trip took *hours*, and it was glorious.
|
We're off on the long trek to Murrayton near Looe on June 19th.
Dare I say with the CRV and the caravan behind it?:)
That means we have to travel on a saturday to get a lie in o Sunday in preparation for a 3am start on Monday ( Midsummers Day) to watch the sunrise on our annual trek from Looe to Polperro for breakfast, via the coastal cliff path.
Not a lorry or a person in sight at that time of day. Perfection!
Pat
|
Now listen up there missus, we don't want none of them caravans down ere blocking up the blimming roads :)
Does you do the coast path to Pol perro Pat (up, down, up, down etc., etc.)
When I used to leave S.E. London en route to Cornwall back in the 70's & 80's, I'd jump in my ex plod V8 P6, put the pedal to the metal, and literally fly to the Happy Eater at the end of the M5 at Honiton, but what a waste - there is soooooo much to see, ideally one should try to make the journey part of the holiday (me thinks)
Here's the link to BBC Radio Cornwall for travel news ~ www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_cornwall/
The best prog is mid day til 3-00pm Mon to Friday, its a phone in prog (no musak) and the host is Lawrence Reed who I've listened to for 14 years now.
|
I promise to stay out of your way Perro and the caravan at least, won't go any further down than Looe.
Yes we do walk that path and wonderful it is too.
We leave about 3.30am on midsummersday and manage the 7.5 miles of hills to Polperro before anywhere is open for breakfast, then we usually take a boat back again.
The views and solitude are wonderful and quite often we'll just sit in silence and enjoy it.
We'll get down your end at some point during the fortnight but we normally explore with an OS map in the CRV and avoid the tourist traps!
Pat
|
3.30am that's keen Pat :) but I suppose the Sun rises about 4.45am.
Are you a Pagan by any chance (ignore that if you want)
We lived at Gorran Haven a few years back and I sure do miss those Sunrises over sea from the lounge window.
I must get over to Crantock one of these days before the hoards arrive at around Beltane.
On a motoring theme, I must say I do like the look of the new Mini countryman 4X4 ... I could just go one those + it would be ideal for the ole global warming :)
|
I think I better ignore it Perro:)
I'm a lorry driver and at the moment that's enough to be castigated for!
We celebrate life.
Pat
|
|
|
|
|