London to Stranraer or Liverpool?
Discussion
Bringing a car back to Northern Ireland - ferry pre-booked for 2 hour crossing at Stranraer, but that was from Stafford.
Now going from North London, Google suggests Stranraer is 7 hours odd away.
If I leave by 10am, what sort of traffic can be expected, assuming M1 is optimal route? (Gives 10 hours before sailing)
Alternatively, do I play it safe, and transfer to Liverpool, only to be bored out of my skull with 8 hours (overnight) on the ocean, but a chance to see "the sights" - although what to do for a few hours after the shops close until time to embark?
Never driven for more than 3 odd hours at a stretch, but was fine having done so, and covered the 300 miles or so.
Now going from North London, Google suggests Stranraer is 7 hours odd away.
If I leave by 10am, what sort of traffic can be expected, assuming M1 is optimal route? (Gives 10 hours before sailing)
Alternatively, do I play it safe, and transfer to Liverpool, only to be bored out of my skull with 8 hours (overnight) on the ocean, but a chance to see "the sights" - although what to do for a few hours after the shops close until time to embark?
Never driven for more than 3 odd hours at a stretch, but was fine having done so, and covered the 300 miles or so.
PJ S said:
Bringing a car back to Northern Ireland - ferry pre-booked for 2 hour crossing at Stranraer, but that was from Stafford.
Now going from North London, Google suggests Stranraer is 7 hours odd away.
If I leave by 10am, what sort of traffic can be expected, assuming M1 is optimal route? (Gives 10 hours before sailing)
Alternatively, do I play it safe, and transfer to Liverpool, only to be bored out of my skull with 8 hours (overnight) on the ocean, but a chance to see "the sights" - although what to do for a few hours after the shops close until time to embark?
Never driven for more than 3 odd hours at a stretch, but was fine having done so, and covered the 300 miles or so.
Stranraer is a nightmare to get to, and I've only done it from Cheshire. The few times I've done it it's taken me 4 hours. Liverpool is right at the end of a quick motorway, and if you left London at 10am you could be there for 14:00 on a good day.Now going from North London, Google suggests Stranraer is 7 hours odd away.
If I leave by 10am, what sort of traffic can be expected, assuming M1 is optimal route? (Gives 10 hours before sailing)
Alternatively, do I play it safe, and transfer to Liverpool, only to be bored out of my skull with 8 hours (overnight) on the ocean, but a chance to see "the sights" - although what to do for a few hours after the shops close until time to embark?
Never driven for more than 3 odd hours at a stretch, but was fine having done so, and covered the 300 miles or so.
If you've interested in football you could go and see Goodison Park or if you have to, Anfield. Keep the doors locked on your car though, and don't park up anywhere dodgy near there for a walk around. Lots to do in the city centre though, around the docks and Liverpool One. Some nice restaurants too.
You could always pop to Chester Zoo on your way to Liverpool by taking the M56. Then you're about 40 mins away from Liverpool through the tunnel.
Having done all the possible routes would chose to go to VIA Holyhead, fast ferry to Dublin and then drive up to NI. This way the trip is broken into shorter, more equal sectors. Imo The drive to stranraer is a pain in the hole, esp the last leg from Carlisle. VIA Liverpool the crossing is too long for me. Benefit of via Holyhead is if you have time you can drive the evo triangle as it,s en route.
Mazdarese said:
If you've interested in football you could go and see Goodison Park or if you have to, Anfield. Keep the doors locked on your car though, and don't park up anywhere dodgy near there for a walk around. Lots to do in the city centre though, around the docks and Liverpool One. Some nice restaurants too.
Anfield is not the nicest area granted, however if your car is locked and you show no valuables it will be safe parked up, Liverpool is not even in the top 10 urban areas for car crime these days I believe.Much better things to do in Liverpool than look at a couple of stadiums especially decrepit ones in the case of Goodison.
Have a walk around the albert dock and waterfront, Liverpool One is worth a look if you like shopping. Also check out the Anglican Cathedral and pay £5 for a ticket to the top if its clear, you will be at the highest point in Liverpool and have some really nice views across Merseyside. Blackpool tower can be seen on a clear sunny day.
JuniorD said:
Having done all the possible routes would chose to go to VIA Holyhead, fast ferry to Dublin and then drive up to NI. This way the trip is broken into shorter, more equal sectors. Imo The drive to stranraer is a pain in the hole, esp the last leg from Carlisle. VIA Liverpool the crossing is too long for me. Benefit of via Holyhead is if you have time you can drive the evo triangle as it,s en route.
Evo triangle? Something to do with the magazine I presume?I did Bradford to Stranraer 5 years ago, when I came back with the Honda, but took the direct route to the M6, rather than the M56 (65?) towards Manchester.
I can't remember exactly how long it took, but I ended up arriving sooner than expected, so had a good 90 minutes or more, before embarkation.
Decided to remain with the Stranraer crossing, when switching dates, but changed to the next sailing, thereby giving myself a couple of additional hours.
Is there much difference in traffic volume/flow between the M40 and M6?
Was thinking the M40 as that'll take me past a Tesco petrol station where I can fill up on their 99 RON stuff, and points for the missus.
Is there much difference in traffic volume/flow between the M40 and M6?
Was thinking the M40 as that'll take me past a Tesco petrol station where I can fill up on their 99 RON stuff, and points for the missus.
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