Roadtrip: I need some direction....

[mk1_4dr]

Right then gents.

 

This weekend we're going to the RR gathering at Prescott Hill (GR9 4 Bugatti pervin') and, once the show is over on Sunday, Charlotte and I are going to carry on south towards Cornwall as Ive never been before.... This bit is relatively easy, M5 from Cheltenham to Exeter then the A30 across Cornwall before finding our way to Helston.

However, the following Friday Ive kind-of bought tickets to a music festival near Ashford, 340ishmiles away.

So, my issue is that I need to get from Helston in Cornwall (we've got to be out of the van for 10am) to Headcorn In Kent before 10pm.

With us doing said trip in escRot, if I can get away with not doing the M25 on a bank holiday Friday afternoon that'd be great. Ive looked into taking the coast roads but Im told that Brighton and such will be an absolute ballache too. Anyone got any decent ideas? Has anyone done a similar trip before? Or should I just man up and trust escRot to not boil up in traffic.

 

Answers on a postcard, or alternatively, in this thread.....

[John F]

You'll be much better off taking the M25, then M26/M20 to Ashford. The coast road can be a bastard at any time of day.

[nigel bickle]

If you're desperate take the A34 south from the M4 at Newbury and follow the M27/A27 around. However- I really dont recommend that unless the m/way is shut!

Add several hours thanks to grief around Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Lewes etc etc etc.

 

M25 /M20 is almost certainly the better option

[Albert Ross]

Why not just go through the middle of London? Are you exempt from the LEZ charging?

[mk1_4dr]

Why not just go through the middle of London? Are you exempt from the LEZ charging?

 

Ergh. Surely London would be an total ballach, rather than the utter ballache that the M25 presents itself as. I have no idea about the LEZ either, is it not pre '73 the same a free tax/black plates?

 

So, it seems the A303/M25/M20 is the best route from rural Cornwall. Also the quickest route....

I think Im just being soft really, Ive never had any problem with overheating in escRot, and its not so uncomfortable, just a bit warm inside if its a hot day.

[Albert Ross]

Seriously, plan a route through The Smoke, certainly better than the M25.... I used to do it all the time when I lived down there, I could make up 45 minutes from Maidstone to COlnbrook, over the M25 users. Got me a longer dinner. Less miles too!

 

Edit.... Used the AA route thingy. A30/A303 to Bullington, A34S to Winnall/Winchester, A31 to Guildford, A246E, then South on the A25 to Wrotham Heath, merge to the A20, into Maidstone, then A229/A274 to Headcorn. It adds 25 minutes onto the Motorway times, and about 5-10 miles dependent on the exact route through/around on ring roads. Worth a go, and you can stop for a nice lunch...... Hic!

[hairnet]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Hel ... psrc=0&z=8

 

wonderful but how feckin long

 

stay off the m4 for a larf then m25 m20 to get down to ash

 

feck ashford stay in helston lol

[mk1_4dr]

Hmm, Mark, that looks like quite a nice run actually.

Im certainly not wanting to 'do' the coast road as such, and I'd like to steer clear of major cities where possible(hence why the prospect of the big smoke doesn't make me giddy)

Im also not too bothered about driving further/longer if the route is a bit nicer than 7+hours of motorway.

[hairnet]

youve got a week id DEF avoid motorway.....

 

ps i might follow you down as i want to go to sparkford cos i havent done the museum and have got monday off and cant be arsed going to cadwell for a trackday lol

[andrew e]

Take the motorway. I can offer sticking BBC M25 in google then putting the link on a smart phone mind. How about Mercdesbenz world at brooklands (its free!) as a midwayish stop off?