BoroFur
Well-known member
Went there last week Billy. We were down in the Malverns
Traveling to Cornwall
- Thread starter pdhmobile
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Redwurzel
Well-known member
I would avoid Gloucester Services Station - very crowded in Covid - £3.15 for a smallish sausage roll. that they would not warm up. Its a farm retail stop designed for townies.
The City of Gloucester is not too touristy unlike Cheltenham and Bath - Cathedral was used for Harry Potter 1 and quite interesting for a cathedral , next door is cute little shop that was run by Warne Brothers to promote Beatrix Potter books. It was used for some fo the current Peter Rabbit 2 film. Park near the Docks that have been completely renovated. Its easy to park and fairly cheap there unlike some tourist spots. The City is only 1.5 mile off the M5.
Wookey Hole at Cheddar Gorge is worth a stop too.
The City of Gloucester is not too touristy unlike Cheltenham and Bath - Cathedral was used for Harry Potter 1 and quite interesting for a cathedral , next door is cute little shop that was run by Warne Brothers to promote Beatrix Potter books. It was used for some fo the current Peter Rabbit 2 film. Park near the Docks that have been completely renovated. Its easy to park and fairly cheap there unlike some tourist spots. The City is only 1.5 mile off the M5.
Wookey Hole at Cheddar Gorge is worth a stop too.
Zoophonic
Well-known member
Some great tips. Not sure the Cotswolds is a bit of a faff getting to on a long drive down to Cornwall. Had a week there last year. Loved it. The only place I’d avoid is Bourton on the Water which we found too crowded and touristy. Burford was a very pleasant town to stay.
Cornwall full of places to explore. Last time based ourselves in Mevagissey a typical picturesque fishing village of which there are many.
Cornwall full of places to explore. Last time based ourselves in Mevagissey a typical picturesque fishing village of which there are many.
Boro in Devon
Well-known member
It depends on what you are looking for from a holiday.
Devon & Cornwall have lots of different things to offer, but it is a big area to drive around and the roads arent the fastest.
Generally the North Coast is rugged, but has some fantastic beaches and is great for surfing and body boarding and walks. However it gets a lot of weather, but the sea is warm until christmas.
The south is more chocolate box village and cream teas. Probably more resorts to go to on the south coast. Then you have Dartmoor and Exmoor, which are interesting but not a patch on the Yorkshire Moors.
wilkos_perm
Well-known member
We've stayed in Padstow a couple of times which was nice although expensive and proved a good base for visitng other areas. I wouldn't fancy it down there this summer as it will be packed, but if you're able to make it there out of high season then it's a fantastic area to visit, Devon also.
Muttley
Well-known member
Gloucester Services is my "on the way back" stop after Glastonbury. The breakfasts are fantastic, and I don't think that they are excessively expensive. You get what you pay for. Most motorway services will have your eyes out for very ordinary food, this is a cut above that. I've never been to Cornwall, I must go out of season because at the best of times I hate crowds let alone during a pandemic!
Redwurzel
Well-known member
Cornwall is more raw - Devon more smoothed.
Cornwall interested me more because of its rich mining heritage and NT gardens. Also Tate at St Ives. I am not a beach all day person, beaches are probably better in Devon.
The further West you go the closer the North and South coasts so for a first visit maybe look around Penzence and you can easy visit North and South coast of Cornwall. Then another year stay in Devon. We stayed in Bovey Tracy one year and that was a good point to tour from.
Cornwall interested me more because of its rich mining heritage and NT gardens. Also Tate at St Ives. I am not a beach all day person, beaches are probably better in Devon.
The further West you go the closer the North and South coasts so for a first visit maybe look around Penzence and you can easy visit North and South coast of Cornwall. Then another year stay in Devon. We stayed in Bovey Tracy one year and that was a good point to tour from.
Magicman70
Active member
Done it a few times but only on the Saturday. Traffic on M5 started well north of Bristol this half term at 0830 in the morning . Going in August but going to drive part of the way on the Friday . Anyone know what the M5 traffic is like on a summer Friday & how far I should look to go before stopping? I was thinking at least Bristol , maybe further if the traffic isn't going to be horrendous?
wilkos_perm
Well-known member
Gloucester services are brilliant. They even have that nice area out the back which is pleasant for a sit or walk around. I don't think it's any more expensive for the propoer food you get there than the rubbish in the standard services.
wilkos_perm
Well-known member
It depends what time you're doing it? We set off from here (N Yorks) around 5:30 pm last time and got to just south of Bristol without any issues (although with everyone staying in this country this year who knows?).
It worked well though as we set off early the next morning (maybe 7:30 ish) and were at our destination by 10am.
Redwurzel
Well-known member
Ref stop over - it depends if its just a meal someone wants or to visit somewhere for a few hours etc.
Gloucester Services is a bit different from other service stations, but I would not spend more than 1 hour at a service station - in fact its usually just to use the loo, as I like to get good quality without paying over the top.
I used to get a breakfast at Hardwick Hall NT restaurant - it was much better quality than a motorway, same price, much better location and only 1 mile off the M1. It was also quiet at say 10am. That was half way for me going to the Riverside.
Gloucester Services is a bit different from other service stations, but I would not spend more than 1 hour at a service station - in fact its usually just to use the loo, as I like to get good quality without paying over the top.
I used to get a breakfast at Hardwick Hall NT restaurant - it was much better quality than a motorway, same price, much better location and only 1 mile off the M1. It was also quiet at say 10am. That was half way for me going to the Riverside.
London_Boro
Well-known member
Your best bet is leave in the early hours of the morning and drive it in one go through the night with no traffic, It's a hell of a distance from the north. 
(Couple of pee and coffee stops obvs)
(Couple of pee and coffee stops obvs)
Boro in Devon
Well-known member
I used to live near Bristol and now in North Devon.
You will find that a lot of people have the same idea about travelling on a Friday or Saturday. In normal times you will find a big traffic jam where the M5 meets the M4 at Bristol (traffic from the Midlands/North meets London Traffic). The traffic is often very heavy for at least the next 20 miles through the Gordano valley to Weston Super Mare. You will then be left with the traffic going to Devon/ Cornwall.
My advice would be to get through this area either early or late in the day. Avoid the area between 10-5pm as it will be congested.
If you can stop at the Gloucester area and get on the road early, or get past it and stop south of the M4.
The best way if you can is to travel mid week. The same happens on the way home you will crawl from Exeter/Taunton to Bristol as everyone hits the motorway on a Saturday.
As a local we avoid travelling during the busy times and spend the day at the beach instead.
Boro in Devon
Well-known member
Changeover day, is the day when existing holidaymakers leave and the new ones arrive. This is traditionally Saturday, but some places will stagger it through the week to avoid travelling problems.