Manchester to Cornwall
Manchester to Cornwall
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Scho

Original Poster:

2,479 posts

219 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
quotequote all
Hi all,

Off to Cornwall this weekend.

I'm thinking of setting off around 4am friday morning hoping to steam down taking advantage of the lack of traffic. I'm starting to wonder if there is there any point setting off this early and running into the start of rush hour further down south?

I'll be heading back as late as possible on sunday night, again, hoping for a clear run.

Basically, I'll do anything to avoid traffic!

Any tips?

Also, Any great driving roads down there i should check out?



blackburn

2,339 posts

214 months

Wednesday 9th December 2009
quotequote all
You may catch a bit of traffic in the Bristol area, or you may be lucky (if you make good time)... Shouldn't be any major problems else where this time of year.

You could consider turning off the M5 at j27 and taking the link road to Barnstaple, Bideford and then A39 to Bude, Camelford, Wadebridge, St Columb etc - depends which part of Cornwall you're heading for: if it's mid or west you'd be best to hack down the M5 and then A30. I only bother with the A38 if I want to go to Plymouth specifically on the way down.

Where are you headed?



Edited by blackburn on Thursday 10th December 00:00

Wacky Racer

39,825 posts

263 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
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Watch for unmarked Police cars on the M5 around Worcester........

GTO Scott

3,816 posts

240 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
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Keep an eye out for the average speed cameras in the various sets of roadworks on the M5 - most are a 50mph limit.

blackburn

2,339 posts

214 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
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Great roads? Hmmm...

Some folk rate the coast road between Newquay and Padstow. It's ok if you're in the area. However the road back to the A39 from Padstow has some good corners, though it's only a short run.

Glynn Valley from Liskeard to Bodmin is ok if there's no traffic. Not good if busy. Bodmin to Camelford can be fun too (road to 'valley truckle') or valley truckle to camelford to Wadebridge to St Columb.

At one time the roundabout at Trekenning (St Columb) was the best in the county (it's where I learnt to get my knee down on a bike) but I think the surface has gone off a bit now.

I like the road from Truro to Falmouth and then through to Helston - but it does have cameras now and many more restrictions. Penzance to Lands End has prospects, then Lands End to St Ives (with good photo opportunities if you like old tin mines).

HTH

Edited by blackburn on Thursday 10th December 00:22