Great driving roads around South/East Devon

[Japveesix]

Hi all,

I've just moved down to a place near Dunsford on the edge of Dartmoor and wondered what people think are the most enjoyable places to drive in the area as i really don't know Devon at all.

I gather the main road across Dartmoor (B3212) is rather nice, especially when clear early in the morning, and I'm thinking of heading along this rough route on Saturday for an explore:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

On a side note does anyone know of ay interesting car events/meets etc around the Exeter/South Devon way any time soon? - I know a lot of people from this way often end up going to Bristol/Cheddar etc for meets so wasn't sure if there is much on offer down here.

Cheers, may spot a few of you around the area

[TDIfurby]

The road between Exeter and Moretonhampstead (which funnily enough you live on now ) is a nice road

The road between Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary is nice, especially over Woodbury Common.

The Dartmoor routes are OK but you need to be wary of the 40mph Dartmoor wide speed limit, and the animals - black cattle, dartmoor ponies and LOADS of sheep (suicidal sheep too.....)

The road from Bovey Tracey up to Whiddon Down is nice in places but lots of singletrack bits which are a P.I.T.A.

Nothing else springs to mind right now.

[Stubby Pete]

A bit more detail required about what/how you drive.

I've got a japveesix but a Turbo Diesel 4x4 is more fun off road!!

There are some good roads around the South Hams, but if your V6 is in a 300zx they'll be a bit narrow!

If you want to meet up with a few PHers, there will be a few at the Exeter Kit Car Show on 23/24 October. Which reminds me, Jason are you going?

[TDIfurby]

Unlikely to be going to that, Pete, unless it is a real good show for someone with little to no interest in kit-cars? Is it free to get in? You think you might get a Phoenix front end there?

Edited by TDIfurby on Wednesday 13th October 00:25

[snowmuncher]

I think you should consider going North West

North Devon has some of the finest driving roads in the country, and depending on timing, some of the quietest

Treat yourself to a visit to the North Devon coast - Dunsford to Bude takes in some good roads, passes through some some beautiful countryside and Bude is cool.

Edited by snowmuncher on Wednesday 13th October 08:06

[maniac0796]

snowmuncher said:

I think you should consider going North West

North Devon has some of the finest driving roads in the country, and depending on timing, some of the quietest

Treat yourself to a visit to the North Devon coast - Dunsford to Bude takes in some good roads, passes through some some beautiful countryside and Bude is cool.

Edited by snowmuncher on Wednesday 13th October 08:06

If part of that roads what I think it is, watch out for tight left hander and the bottom of the very steep hill, which you can't see that well, because you've just come out of a tight right hander

[Allyc85]

I know it ends up in the north but the A396 from Exeter to Minehead is a brilliant twisty road IMO, although it is much better to do early in the morning or late in night as you can get a fair few dawdlers. Ive got the day off tomorrow so il be going up there and exploring a couple roads on Exmoor that I havnt done yet

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Edited by Allyc85 on Wednesday 13th October 16:22

[Japveesix]

Stubby Pete said:

A bit more detail required about what/how you drive.

I drive an FTO, not worried about going too fast as I love the countryside and wildlife so always enjoy the views but a quick blast here and there with some overtakes thrown in is always fun

Dunsford to Bude looks quite doable. I might consider it as I've not seen that part of the coast since I was about 4

Was out near Woodbury Common yesterday, though not in my car and didn't get to see a lot. It sounded like a war zone over there and the chinooks overhead certainly added to the atmosphere.

Up to Minehead (where I was born!) from Exeter looks good as well, though perhaps a bit far for an initial foray. I will do it at some point though as I haven't seen Minehead in many years (not sure I've missed much).

Thanks for the suggestions, hopefully I'll get out and about every other weekend or so to explore.

[TDIfurby]

Japveesix said:

Was out near Woodbury Common yesterday, though not in my car and didn't get to see a lot. It sounded like a war zone over there and the chinooks overhead certainly added to the atmosphere.

The (close-by) Royal Marines Commando Training centre uses Woodbury for training exercises, although it is still technically a public "common" with full access allowed. I need to rebuild my mountain bike so I can go exploring some of the trails up there.

[Vidal Baboon]

Dartmouth to Kingsbride via Slapton Sands , then onto South Brent is pretty awesome.

[Japveesix]

TDIfurby said:

Japveesix said:

Was out near Woodbury Common yesterday, though not in my car and didn't get to see a lot. It sounded like a war zone over there and the chinooks overhead certainly added to the atmosphere.

The (close-by) Royal Marines Commando Training centre uses Woodbury for training exercises, although it is still technically a public "common" with full access allowed. I need to rebuild my mountain bike so I can go exploring some of the trails up there.

I intend to get my bike sorted so I can explore Haldon Forest as i gather that has lots of good trails (and it's minutes up the road from me).

If the common is good I might head there as well as I can just about squeeze the bike in the back of my car