Good roads around the Quantocks?

[Chris71]

Can anyone recommend any interesting roads around the Quantocks or the southwest tip of Exmoor?

I've up there a few times mountain biking in the past but never really explored the area on four-wheels.

[R12many]

A358 to Bishops Lydeard and then left onto the B3224 past Lydeard St Lawrence. Across the junction at Elworthy and then up the hill onto Exmoor. Keep on the B3224 without turning off at all and you will eventually end up at Bampton. Turn left and head back towards Wiveliscombe, Norton and then Bishops Lydeard again. Earlyish on a Sunday morning and you can make 'very good progress'. Very popular with bikes but they can get in your way if you're quick in the bends as most can't corner for toffee

[sgrimshaw]

R12many said:

A358 to Bishops Lydeard and then left onto the B3224 past Lydeard St Lawrence. Across the junction at Elworthy and then up the hill onto Exmoor. Keep on the B3224 without turning off at all and you will eventually end up at Bampton. Turn left and head back towards Wiveliscombe, Norton and then Bishops Lydeard again. Earlyish on a Sunday morning and you can make 'very good progress'. Very popular with bikes but they can get in your way if you're quick in the bends as most can't corner for toffee

+1 for the route, but I think you're remembering it wrong.

Also, after Raleighs Cross you turn right to stay on the B3224 which will take you towards Wheddon Cross, Exford, Simonsbath. At Simonsbath take the B3223 to Lynmouth etc. The section from Simonsbath to Lynmouth is across the top of Exmoor and is really open with some excellent corners.

To go to Bampton, you actually go on the B3190.

Another road to not miss, is the A39 between Minehead and Lynmouth ... best done in that direction IMHO. Fantastic road and views, plenty of room for passing if you have the oomph.

[R12many]

Yes you're right, the B3224 turns into the B3190 outside the pub. There's been a few police cars up there the last couple of weekends so take care.

[sgrimshaw]

R12many said:

Yes you're right, the B3224 turns into the B3190 outside the pub. There's been a few police cars up there the last couple of weekends so take care.

Thanks for the heads up

[Dixy]

Also when you get to Whedon Cross turn right and take the road down to Timberscombe, then turn around and come back up the hill, would make an awesome hill climb.
Along all of those routes some of the bends go all the way around.

Edited by Dixy on Saturday 21st July 11:33

[Dixy]

R12many said:

. There's been a few police cars up there the last couple of weekends so take care.

Thanks for the warning, if the sun wakes me early I often take Elise along the 358 to Dunster, left up to Whedon Cross, Left to Rallies, Down to Cedar Falls and then back along the 358. It can be quite spirited.

[R12many]

Maybe we should organise a Sunday meet at the Raleghs Cross pub? Come to think of it, I think someone already does.

[Dixy]

The Pub is for sale.

[Chris71]

Thanks all.

What do you reckon is a better bet at this time of year, stay south of the moor or go up onto Exmoor itself?

[sgrimshaw]

Chris71 said:

Thanks all.

What do you reckon is a better bet at this time of year, stay south of the moor or go up onto Exmoor itself?

Up onto Exmoor.

[Chris71]

Well, that was rather awesome. Took the B3224 and the B3223. Love the fact that it's good right from the moment you turn off the A358. I thought there'd be miles of mediocre stuff before it suddenly got good on Exmoor, but it's a great route practically from the moment you leave Taunton. Loved the final hairpins at the Lynton end of the B3223 and amazed how quiet it was for the first week of the school holidays. Didn't have a chance to explore the B3227 or the A396, so I shall leave those for another day.

Now I just need to concoct a good route from Chard to the Bishops Lydeard avoiding the centre of Taunton.

[Dixy]

You did not use the 358 did you.
Combe St Nicholas, straight across at the Eagle Tavern, right after the Holman Clavel, down through Blagdon Hill, left just after the Owel garage in Trull, across Silk Mills and Right at Cross Keys.

[Chris71]

Dixy said:

You did not use the 358 did you.
Combe St Nicholas, straight across at the Eagle Tavern, right after the Holman Clavel, down through Blagdon Hill, left just after the Owel garage in Trull, across Silk Mills and Right at Cross Keys.

I did, but only because I was pushed for time so I decided to just sat nav it to Bishops Lydeard.

I'd probably try and work in the road that goes through Corfe and maybe the A30 up through Yarcombe for good measure.

[sgrimshaw]

Dixy said:

You did not use the 358 did you.
Combe St Nicholas, straight across at the Eagle Tavern, right after the Holman Clavel, down through Blagdon Hill, left just after the Owel garage in Trull, across Silk Mills and Right at Cross Keys.

If doing that, I would stay on Trull road and either turn left into Galmington at the mini roundabout to pick up the A38 Wellington Road, then right at the roundabout towards Silk Mills or stay on Trull road until you reach Taunton, then just follow A38. That part of Taunton is not normally very busy.

However, another option ... although it's a bit longer.

Instead of turning right after the Holman Clavel, go straight across.

This is a very quick road and I have never seen cameras on it.

Either turn right at the Hemyock crossroads or the next one (signposted Wellington), and drop down onto the A38.

Then go through Wellington and take the B3187 towards Tonedale, and onto Milverton.

From Milverton take the B3227 to Wiveliscombe, turn right onto the B3188 (signposted to Watchet) just as you enter Wivvy and go past Cotleigh Brewery (or stop there and fill up - they have a shop!!).

The B3188 will take you to the Elworthy crossroads at which you turn left onto the B3224.