A414?

[birdcage]

A couple of people have told me that the A414 is a decent road.

From where I live in London (St Johns Wood) I go out through Watford Essentially to get to the Aylsbury bypass if I fancy a drive out.

Where would I pick up the A414 and is is a decent drive?

Thanks

[Chris71]

birdcage said:

A couple of people have told me that the A414 is a decent road.

From where I live in London (St Johns Wood) I go out through Watford Essentially to get to the Aylsbury bypass if I fancy a drive out.

Where would I pick up the A414 and is is a decent drive?

Thanks

The only stretch I know is that from Chelmsford to Harlow and it's nothing worth writing home about. It gets very busy during peak hours too (although admittedly a couple of twisty bits are vaguely entertaining when there's no one around). That said, some of the B-roads north of that stretch are pretty good. The B184 has its moments, for example.

If you dig out the 'best roads' thread in the Herts and Beds forum there are loads of decent roads not that far outside the M25. The A507 from Baldock to Buntingford isn't a bad start.

[Puggit]

A414 also runs from M1 at St Albans to A1(M) at Hatfield. If you're coming from London, then you'd get on from M25 jc21.

It's a dual carriageway with lots of roundabouts - it's got lots of acceleration/deceleration and some tight bends, but is plagued by idiots.

It used to be enjoyable 15 years ago, but alas no more.

[dougc]

Nothing special - just a bit of dual carriageway. Its good for getting to and from good roads quickly but in itself, its a bit of a non-entity. If you really want to try it out, come up the M1 to J6, take the A405 to St Albans and pick up the A414 at the end of the old M10. You'll end up in Harlow.

A much better bet is to stay on the M1 to J13, come off on the A507 and stay on it all the way to Baldock via Shefford. At Baldock, the section to Buntingford is a blinder. One of the best roads around. Watch for bikes and be careful through Cottered. If its a sunny day, stop for a cheeky half in the pub in Cottered and watch the assorted weekend toys go by.

Carry on the B1038 eventually ending up at Newport where you turn South to pick up the M11 at Bishops Stortford/Stansted for a quick run back. For a more fun alternative, go around the b. Stortford ring road to the B1004 and head for Ware via Much Hadham. At Ware take the aforementioned A414 for a leisurely cruise back to the M1.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

The A1060 between Chelmsford and Hatfield Heath is quite nice too if you're at that end of the A414. Not so great when busy as there aren't that many overtaking spots, but when you're out there alone it's a lovely country road to fly down, with some nice bends and gradient changes.

[ChapppeRS]

Sigh. I wish I still lived in Essex

[Chris71]

ChapppeRS said:

Sigh. I wish I still lived in Essex

I needed to go to an event near Safron Walden at the weekend so I took the B184 for old times sake. Many happy memories of that road (and deserted late night runs along the A414) when I lived in Chelmsford and spent my weekends in London.