St Just Cornwall

Dogman2
Dogman2 Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited December 2015 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

has anyone taken their caravan to st just in Cornwall, close to Lands End. I'm thinking of going for the summer holidays but the lanes look quite narrow on google maps. What's the best route?

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,089 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #2

    If you stick to A30 you should be fine, unless you have a very long or very wide outfit. Last few miles getting to a particular site could be tight, so you will need to check Google Earth, OS maps and DONT rely on a Sat Nav. Big tractors, Milk Tankers get
    through daily, but be aware of busy times. Might pay to phone particular site you have in mind for best route in as well. 

    Well worth the effort by the way, glorious bit of Cornwall, very unspoilt, some great Summer Shows and beaches and walks like nowhere else! Enjoy!

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #3

    I would have thought the A3071 from Penzance your best route but like TTDA says check with the site.

    The AS site >Trevedra Farm< at Sennen is definitely easy to get to.

    peedee

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited December 2015 #4

    We went to st Just stayed at Trevalor Park very nice site, going we used A30 then A3071 no problem but going back we used this B3306 coast road not a wise decision you tend to meet a lot of coaches carrying tourist, not recommended stick to the A3071 ect
    and you will not have a problem

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited December 2015 #5

    Your summer holidays or the kids ?,there is a big difference regarding mobility around,Lands End, Porthcurno, Sennen Cove ,ect. Some of the roads are narrow but Cornwall would not be so pretty if it was all Motorway or A roads. If you drive with caution
    and be prepared for the unexpected you should'nt have much trouble. We prefer early Spring and Autumn the seasons seems better and quieter and as our Son lives in Helston, we also take the caravan down in the Winter for Xmas,it can be and usually is 3 degrees
    + warmer than most of the U.K.

  • Dogman2
    Dogman2 Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2016 #6

    Thanks for the advice, I will check with the site as well, local knowlege is always a bonus! We have to go main weeks unfortunately due to work and school commitments so thinking of driving through the early evening the rpevious day most of the way from
    the midlands.If you know any good stopping places for a rest or even overnight stay to break the journey id appreciate it.

    Happy New Year by the way!

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #7

    Dogman, as far as stopping places are concerned, it depends if you want an overnight break (in which case Minnows AS just off the M5 near Tiverton might suit - good for walking the dogs along the canal towpath) or just a couple of hours break ( in which case keep going on the A30 till just after the services near Moretanhampstead  and then the lay bys  are set back from the road to give you a bit of protection from passing traffic, or there is the new service area near Victoria, but that might be a bit busy in summer).

    As others have said, your journey down should be no problem, just take it easy on any lanes near the site you're heading for.

    Enjoy it and a Happy New Year to you and yours too! Happy

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,089 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #8

    Great advice from all! Services at Okehampton are very good, around half an hour from end of M5 at Exeter. Car parking is good for caravans, and has an adjacent fenced off field for dog walking. Garage is ok, little restaurant adjacent. Easy to get off and
    on dual carriageway, on a good run, leaves you with around hour and half to Penzance.

    Be aware that there are some awful roadworks ongoing on the A30 around the Temple/ Bodmin area, likely to affect most journeys all through next year. If you can time things away from busy periods it will help a little!

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #9

    Yes, those roadworks are only a 4 mile stretch where they are doing the last part of dualliling but it's likely to cause real problems. There are signs saying that 2 lanes in both directions will be open at peak times next summer, though quite how they will do that remains to be seen. Going to be a bit of a nightmare, though the obvious alternative via Camelford and Wadebridge is likely to be even worse! Sad

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,089 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #10

    Sadly, unlikely to bother us this yearSad, too far to go in only four days away, unless I can get some cheap Riviera Sleeper tickets to commute!
    Sure to be lots of other roadworks to try our patience! A1 seems to have been our bête noir last year, so hoping for easier travelling this year!

  • Dogman2
    Dogman2 Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2016 #11

    Had a look at the two sites recomended and the Trvaylor one looks to suit us best...the Real Cornish Ale seems to be swaying the decision making process though!

    Pity about the road works I will have to plan our travelling times carefully to minimise the impactUndecided

  • Si Jo Tom and Ems
    Si Jo Tom and Ems Forum Participant Posts: 58
    edited January 2016 #12

    We found Gwithian farm the best location. Its not where you are looking at, but close enough.

    http://gwithianfarm.co.uk/

    There is only a short stretch of single carriageway road after you reach the end of the A30, putting you in gunning range for Lands End, Sennen, St Just, Falmouth, and the must see Minack Theatre at Porthcurno, Lamorna Cove etc Site clean, flat pitches and well run, evenings wise there was a Curry van, fish and chip van, pizza van. Pasties in the morning a good shop and recently refurbished shower block. Great pub across the road.

    Stop over is a no brainer, the Jamaica Inn(http://www.jamaicainn.co.uk/)  is only 1hour out from New Quay, big carpark, great breakfast in the morning or lunches etc and far more interesting than any service station. We arrive circa 0200, I do contact them so they know we are coming.

     

     

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,089 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2016 #13

    Wherever you stay Dogman, don't be tempted to tow your van along the coast road between St Ives and St Just. It is a stunningly beautiful drive, but in places is only one vehicle wide and has some tight bends on it! You might get away with an Eriba but not
    much else! (Yes I know big buses do it, but they are not someone's pride and joy!)

    It is something to do when you are there though, tiny villages with some great pubs, very interesting mining heritage, and if you get up to Cape Cornwall, the best sunsets in the SW!

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited January 2016 #14

    Wherever you stay Dogman, don't be tempted to tow your van along the coast road between St Ives and St Just. It is a stunningly beautiful drive, but in places is only one vehicle wide and has some tight bends on it! You might get away with an Eriba but not
    much else! (Yes I know big buses do it, but they are not someone's pride and joy!)

    It is something to do when you are there though, tiny villages with some great pubs, very interesting mining heritage, and if you get up to Cape Cornwall, the best sunsets in the SW!

    Write your comments here...I did it... From experience don't do it. coach driver just stopped folded his arms after turning the engine off, passengers got off and helped unhitched the van and shoved into field got back on coach and left us to struggle with
    van, this was premover days 1983 "happy days"