Oxford Cardiff - Interesting route?

[.blue]

Hey all,

Traveling from Oxford to Cardiff and the route I normally take is via the A34 and M4.

Are there any routes that will be more interesting, perhaps even avoiding the Severn Bridge toll?

Normal journey time is a bit less than 2.5hrs, so this should be around 3 hours tops.

Thanks

[SJobson]

You could come up with better than this if you took B-roads, but A40 towards Cheltenham, left down the A436 just before Andoversford, go round Gloucester and take the A48 along the Severn down to Chepstow before getting on the M4.

Definitely better at a quiet time, though, or you'll be frustrated by traffic.

[StripeyNick]

When I drive back from Silverstone to Cardiff, I come through Oxford. Going there, I go M4 and A34 etc but coming home I will take the A40 all the way to Gloucester but whereas the previous poster has said to go down the A48 to Chepstow, I continue on the A40 which takes you across to Ross On Wye. It's a lovely twisty road. Very entertaining and I only drive a smart!

From Ross then you head straight down the A449 to meet the M4.

Another alternative is to head onto the A40 towards Ross but part way along, there is a turning which will take you to Monmouth. That's another alternative.

I guess it all depends how direct you want to go.

[.blue]

Thanks both.

Ended up taking SJobson's route as it was a bit shorter. Traffic was annoying at places, took an hour just to get out of Oxford!

But then the sun made an appearance which added to the fun of the great roads - so much much nicer than munching up miles on the M4. Took around 3.5 hours in total, so not too much longer time-wise.

Think I've got a new favourite route back for this commute

[Puggit]

Not an entire route, but the B4425 from Burford to Cirencester is a top notch road. Blinding straights, and some good corners.

Then take the A433/A46 down to M4 jc18.

It's a great way of missing out a large section of the M4 if there are jams.