Best driving roads from London to Bristol
Discussion
Hi guys. Bit of advice please. Picking up a new toy on Thursday and have to drive down to Bristol on Friday. Rather than the M4 drudge I was wondering if there were any recommendations for a more interesting drive featuring a nice mix of A and B roads as well as a little motorway action too. Was thinking of M40 to get well clear of London and then cutting down towards Bristol. II won't be in a massive hurry so don't mind it being further and longer than the M4 straight shot. Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks!
I would take a little tour of the Wessex Downs and the A4 Kennet Valley.
From the M40 head down the A34 to Botley and take the A420 - a great dual carriageway rising uphill :-)
Then take the A338 southwards to Wantage - there's a Shell station at Frilford to top up. Take care in the 30 limits - but enjoy the bendy bits and blasting past the slowcoaches on the straight bits.
From Wantage take the B4494 towards Newbury. A road which is truly epic; open, sweeping, good visibility. It can humble quite powerful cars prior to the Ridgeway and Chain Hill.
From Newbury take the B4000 towards Lambourn. There's a pesky 50 limit after the Pheasant pub at Shefford Woodlands, but not a major worry.
In Lambourn high street there's a decent cafe (Lambourn Cafe) on the left hand side as you enter the village. Nice coffee and/or brunch.
Then take the B4000 to Shrivenham, another epic twisty which crosses the Ridgeway again. Stand it on its nose coming down the hill as you enter Ashbury.
From Shrivenham take the A420 to the A419. Drop down to Marlborough on the A346 after crossing the M4 and join the lovely sweeping A4 West from Marlborough to Chippenham via Calne.
From Chippenham the A420 is quicker and more rewarding than Bath. Your brakes can cool dropping down to Wick and through Warmley as you approach the outskirts of East Bristol and the A4174.
Just an idea...
From the M40 head down the A34 to Botley and take the A420 - a great dual carriageway rising uphill :-)
Then take the A338 southwards to Wantage - there's a Shell station at Frilford to top up. Take care in the 30 limits - but enjoy the bendy bits and blasting past the slowcoaches on the straight bits.
From Wantage take the B4494 towards Newbury. A road which is truly epic; open, sweeping, good visibility. It can humble quite powerful cars prior to the Ridgeway and Chain Hill.
From Newbury take the B4000 towards Lambourn. There's a pesky 50 limit after the Pheasant pub at Shefford Woodlands, but not a major worry.
In Lambourn high street there's a decent cafe (Lambourn Cafe) on the left hand side as you enter the village. Nice coffee and/or brunch.
Then take the B4000 to Shrivenham, another epic twisty which crosses the Ridgeway again. Stand it on its nose coming down the hill as you enter Ashbury.
From Shrivenham take the A420 to the A419. Drop down to Marlborough on the A346 after crossing the M4 and join the lovely sweeping A4 West from Marlborough to Chippenham via Calne.
From Chippenham the A420 is quicker and more rewarding than Bath. Your brakes can cool dropping down to Wick and through Warmley as you approach the outskirts of East Bristol and the A4174.
Just an idea...
Thanks guys...especially Lodelaner for some epic advice. I really appreciate it. Think I'm going to do your drive on the way down and then mix and match everyone else's tips for the return drive on Sunday morning when the traffic should be much lighter. Once again thanks to all you guys.
Thanks guys...especially Lodelaner for some epic advice. I really appreciate it. Think I'm going to do your drive on the way down and then mix and match everyone else's tips for the return drive on Sunday morning when the traffic should be much lighter. Once again thanks to all you guys.
ewenm said:
Another option is M3-A303 to Stonehenge, then Shrewton => Chitterne => A36 => Norton St Phillip => Midford, round the South edge of Bath and A4 to Bristol.
I used to do that a lot going home to Bath. The Shrewton - Chitterne section is fun, just look out for tanks!
This. Or a mix of M4/A4 then drop down from Malborough to Salisbury Plain near Tidworth.I used to do that a lot going home to Bath. The Shrewton - Chitterne section is fun, just look out for tanks!
Puggit said:
B4425 is an amazing road.
+1 - If you're hungry I can recommend lunch at the Sherborne Arms at Aldsworth - http://goo.gl/QTJ2HCWe thought it was bad form to monopolise the car park so used this patch not far away.
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