Kent - Cornwall... where to stop for lunch

[wiggy001]

My wife, 3yo daughter and I are heading from NW Kent to Cornwall (Perranporth) on Saturday morning and I'm looking for somewhere we could stop for an hour or so for some lunch en-route. Somewhere with a few shops to wander round and a decent pub lunch would do but open to suggestions.

Going to be going M25 - M3 - A303 so probably looking at somewhere past Stonehenge, maybe Yeovil distance depending on traffic (leaving by 9.30 and aiming to stop around 12.30). Ideally not too far off our route but will detour if it's worth it.

Any suggestions?

[Rawwr]

Edinburgh.

[android]

If you're staying on the A30 all the way to Exeter I'd give Honiton a go - very 'Devon' but interesting nonetheless.

[Ray Singh]

Not specifically what you had requested, but nor was scotland!
Try the Haynes motor museum if you and your family like cars, lots for little ones to do too. A nice place to eat (Le Mans cafe).

[dirty doug]

Wincanton is where my Uncle lives & has some nice looking places that could suit you.

Lots of 'little thief' style places on A303. However...

You really REALLY want a stop on your left if you're on single carriageway parts. Unless traffic is light, right turns across both lanes will have you teaching the little 'un new words...

It's hard to recommend anywhere in particular as where you will be depends on traffic so it's probably best to just stop at the next place after you get hungry.

Enjoy Perranporth & hope for some good weather.

If you play golf, try the Perranporth links course. The maddest course I've played - don't take the woods - you will snap them in half in frustration!

[Phud]

Cartgate for a tea is always a good stop.

[Rosscow]

OP, I wouldn't bother.

Leave early (4am) and get down there for lunch. The last thing you want to do is end up wasting an hour or two mid journey only to find yourself stuck in traffic on the 303!

[hifihigh]

I was in New Alresford a couple of months ago and it seemed like a nice village. We were staying in The Swan Hotel overnight and the food there was good.

There was a steam railway there too which was interesting to have a look around.

[sp222]

The post above about leaving v early could be your best bet - Saturdays are a nightmare day to drive down here, although this could be better than last weekend as it's the end of half term and more traffic should be going in the other direction.

On the A303 there are a couple of independant ex-Little Chef places - one just past Sparkford, but the only other thing there is a petrol station. If you go further Route 303 is an OK diner place just before you get to Honiton - stick to burgers etc and you'll be OK and they have a reasonable kids menu.

There is only one place I would wholeheartedly recommend and that's called The Hog and Hedge, about 15 miles past Exeter (towards Cornwall) - exit is Whiddon Down (A382) and is far and away the best place to go with a family - food is reasonable (and good), and they have an indoor play area too.

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

Rosscow said:

OP, I wouldn't bother.

Leave early (4am) and get down there for lunch. The last thing you want to do is end up wasting an hour or two mid journey only to find yourself stuck in traffic on the 303!

Living in Kent and going to see my mum in Yeovil 2-3 times a year for the last 10 this is 100% the best advice. When the 303 goes wrong it goes very wrong indeed.

[66mpg]

Another vote for Honiton. I stopped there last year on the way back from Newquay to Guildford.

[K12beano]

Rosscow said:

OP, I wouldn't bother.

Leave early (4am) and get down there for lunch.

Better still 1:30am and get a nice Cornish breakfast.....

[MitchT]

Ray Singh said:

Try the Haynes motor museum if you and your family like cars, lots for little ones to do too.

Good call! On one of many trips from Yorkshire to Cornwall I stopped at this place. We set off really early and were at the museum by mid morning. Headed to a pub/hotel in Somerton for the night and started early the following morning for the second half of the journey. Another year we did the same and visited Fleet Air Arm museum.

Edited by MitchT on Thursday 2nd June 13:21

[callmedave]

Beaulieu is pretty much half way.

Went there a few years back, they have a lovely car museum, top gear world and a James bond exhibit, these may have changed now though.
Very nice place when we went, clean, spacious, has a little mono rail and a cafe.

https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/


Edit: - Its halfway as the crow flies, maybe not if you are A303.

[wiggy001]

Thanks for all the replies. Spend half my life driving to a schedule (I'm an IT consultant) so will be in no rush to get down there, and should be going against the traffic if anything. Driving tired is an occupational hazard so there's no way I'm setting an alarm for 3am! I'd rather take all day and have a couple of nice stops.

We've done beaulieu before (and not sure it's far enough towards Cornwall for the stop) but I'll check out the other places mentioned tonight.

Thanks again.

[essayer]

sp222 said:

There is only one place I would wholeheartedly recommend and that's called The Hog and Hedge, about 15 miles past Exeter (towards Cornwall) - exit is Whiddon Down (A382) and is far and away the best place to go with a family - food is reasonable (and good), and they have an indoor play area too.
Cheers

Seconded, great place to stop

[Cotty]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Tell me about it North Kent to Clay Pigeon Raceway in Yeovil, 3 hour kart race then home the same very long day last thing you need is problems on the road.

[bloomen]

Beer Or Lyme Regis are only short diversions away from the Honiton area and well worth a wander around.

[trickywoo]

K12beano said:

Rosscow said:

OP, I wouldn't bother.

Leave early (4am) and get down there for lunch.

Better still 1:30am and get a nice Cornish breakfast.....

Its a 4 / 5 hour journey without traffic. Leaving at 4am would get him in at 9 and 1:30am at 0630.

I did junction 6 M25 to Newquay leaving at 1900 on a Thursday and got there at an average door to door of 63 mph and 33mpg (E60 545i).

[HRL]

Travelled from Essex to Newquay on Monday and travelling back tomorrow.

Personally, I think you'll be spoilt for choice. The weathers been great here all week and we've just stopped off whenever we've felt peckish.

Hope the weather stays nice for you. Allegedly it's only 20 degrees here today but it has felt considerably warmer all week, albeit a little overcast until about 10am this morning.

In fact it's been so nice this week the wife had suggested we up sticks and move down here!