Swindon to Dartmoor... on a Friday?

Swindon to Dartmoor... on a Friday?

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Pulse

Original Poster:

10,922 posts

217 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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I'm looking at taking a quick 2-day trip to Dartmoor, from Swindon. I'd love views of others on my options:

1. Leave work early (midday, perhaps) on the Friday.
2. Leave at peak time on the Friday. This surely would be a nightmare.
3. Leave at whatever a sensible time is to avoid traffic on the Friday (6-7pm, hitting the M4/M5 interchange at 7-8pm).
4. Leave early on Saturday morning (around 6am).

I am keen to get 2 full days there, but even leaving early on the Saturday allows me to do that. Any views?

spookly

4,011 posts

94 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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I live about 20 miles south of the M4/M5 interchange, have previously worked in Aztec West and now occasionally work in Swindon when visiting clients. So I know of the potential nightmare this can be.

Some of the bad traffic is predictable. Some of it is more random, exacerbated by people not used to driving on motorways which usually happens bank holidays or whenever the weather is nice.

Once past M5 J21, it is usually ok, except when there is loads of holidaymakers off to Devon and Cornwall. If the caravans are out then the motorway is shot no matter what time you leave.

You always get hold ups, even in relatively clear traffic, as you approach Avonmouth/Gordano, and also coming up the 4 lane hill after Gordano due to the 4 lanes becoming 3 at the top of the hill. You'll then often get slightly slower moving traffic from J20 to J21.

Personally, I avoid driving home from Swindon on a Friday like the plague :-) In fact, I avoid working anywhere but home on a Friday.

We often go down to stay near Penzance. When we go, I leave pre 6am and blast down as fast as I can before there is any significant traffic. I get there far faster than should be possible even in the middle of summer.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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100000% option 1.

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
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Swindon towards Devizes head across Salisbury Plain to Tilshead, come out onto the A36 at Knook, round the Warminster bypass then take the A350 towards Poole, turn off onto the A303......

Leave at lunchtime on the Friday should be an easy drive

hopeydaze

298 posts

149 months

Wednesday 19th April 2017
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Agreed - go south and take the A303 to Exeter.

Pulse

Original Poster:

10,922 posts

217 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Saleen and Hopey, would I still be worth doing that if going on the Saturday morning? Would be a more interesting drive than the motorway either way.

I've decided to go on Saturday morning instead. It's not that long of a drive, and avoids another night in a hostel. Man maths means I can spend this money on petrol.

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Pulse said:
Saleen and Hopey, would I still be worth doing that if going on the Saturday morning? Would be a more interesting drive than the motorway either way.

I've decided to go on Saturday morning instead. It's not that long of a drive, and avoids another night in a hostel. Man maths means I can spend this money on petrol.
Yes!
I deliberatly did not put it to the A303 by Amesbury as you will hit the traffic at Countess/Stonehenge if you go that way
This is a really nice drive...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Swindon/51.10546...


Edited by Saleen836 on Wednesday 26th April 11:22


Edited by Saleen836 on Wednesday 26th April 11:24

bitwrx

1,351 posts

203 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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Saleen836 said:
Pulse said:
Saleen and Hopey, would I still be worth doing that if going on the Saturday morning? Would be a more interesting drive than the motorway either way.

I've decided to go on Saturday morning instead. It's not that long of a drive, and avoids another night in a hostel. Man maths means I can spend this money on petrol.
Yes!
I deliberatly did not put it to the A303 by Amesbury as you will hit the traffic at Countess/Stonehenge if you go that way
This is a really nice drive...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Swindon/51.10546...


Edited by Saleen836 on Wednesday 26th April 11:22


Edited by Saleen836 on Wednesday 26th April 11:24
You're missing a trick there boy.

Right at knook toward Warminster, 3rd exit at first roundabout, through the deverills and up over mere down, joining the 303 west of the chicklade single carriageway section.

Fast, and better view than the 350 as well. Plus you can pop in at Yapps to have a nosey at the traction avant and stock up on fancy booze.

ETA:
Also, Blackdown hills to Honiton is awesome fun (unless you get stuck behind something, which you will, unless it's late at night)

And, teign valley when you are down on the moor. Belter of a road.



Edited by bitwrx on Friday 28th April 21:58

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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bitwrx said:
Saleen836 said:
Pulse said:
Saleen and Hopey, would I still be worth doing that if going on the Saturday morning? Would be a more interesting drive than the motorway either way.

I've decided to go on Saturday morning instead. It's not that long of a drive, and avoids another night in a hostel. Man maths means I can spend this money on petrol.
Yes!
I deliberatly did not put it to the A303 by Amesbury as you will hit the traffic at Countess/Stonehenge if you go that way
This is a really nice drive...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Swindon/51.10546...


Edited by Saleen836 on Wednesday 26th April 11:22


Edited by Saleen836 on Wednesday 26th April 11:24
You're missing a trick there boy.

Right at knook toward Warminster, 3rd exit at first roundabout, through the deverills and up over mere down, joining the 303 west of the chicklade single carriageway section.

Fast, and better view than the 350 as well. Plus you can pop in at Yapps to have a nosey at the traction avant and stock up on fancy booze.

ETA:
Also, Blackdown hills to Honiton is awesome fun (unless you get stuck behind something, which you will, unless it's late at night)

And, teign valley when you are down on the moor. Belter of a road.



Edited by bitwrx on Friday 28th April 21:58
Actually the 3rd exit at the first roundabout will take you down narrow lanes to Sutton Veny, if you take the 2nd exit and follow the bypass and take the 1st exit at the next roundabout onto the A350 the scenery to the A303 isn't too bad

Red Devil

13,055 posts

207 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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I agree that the B3095 via Monkton Deverill is quicker and more scenic than the A350.

Each route has its drawback though.

The former means you have no choice but to go slap bang through the centre of Mere.
The latter is its junction with the A303. The right turn here can be a real PITA.
The alternative is to continue and turn right onto the B3089 (to West Knoyle).
Sod's Law says you will end up at the back of a queue at the traffic lights.
Either way you're stuck with the single lane section down Chaddenwick Hill.

I would go this way - https://goo.gl/maps/ZPYGM3txTRo
Joins the A303 at a grade separated junction at the western end of the Mere Bypass.

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Friday 5th May 2017
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So which route did you take Pulse?