Travelling to the West Country

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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edited August 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi Folks - I am headed west very soon - planning a break at Tewkesbury - would it be madness to leave tomorrow - or better to wait till Tuesday?  I am talking A46, M1-M69, M6, M42 then M5.  I do it in a day in the car but not with the caravan preferably. 
Advice much appreciated. 

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  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    Pippah, it's seems to have been extra busy down here this year and some schools are still on holiday next week so I would avoid B/H Monday and travel Tuesday. There are roadworks on the M5 in Worcs., which are also slowing things down. Hope you have a safe journey, enjoy your Tewkesbury trip. Smile

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #3

    It may not be madness, Pippah. I can't speak for the other roads but the M5 was jammed with south and west bound traffic at the start of the holiday and the opposite carriageway could be busy tomorrow and next weekend. If you're going against the flow it shouldn't be a problem. 

    Edit: Cross posted with Brue

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #4

    Thanks for the prompt reply Brue - Tuesday sounds good - I can get the house really spruce for my return -
    Wink.  I was waiting for my neighbours to take back their dog and not expecting them till tomorrow or Tuesday - my dogs are very please to have the
    house back! 

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited August 2016 #5

    Yes, As A local (Within 1 mile of the Almondsbury interchange where the M4 & M5 cross) I agree with Brue, - leave it until Tuesday. Even then be prepared for hold ups between Almondsbury and Clevedon (J20) and sporadic hold ups between 20 and 25 Taunton.
     No real reason for it, it just seems to happen and then just as suddenly it clears leaving you wondering what caused it.

    As TW says, heading South you may well be OK as the majority will be heading North!

    TF

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #6

    Pippah - I'm not sure if you mean Tewkesbury is your final destination or just a break en route further South West? Whichever, I'd certainly avoid travelling tomorrow. It'll be a bit easier on Tuesday but, as Brue says, many schools return on Thursday so
    it may still be busy anyway. Hope you get sorted. Happy

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #7

    As I understand Pippah, she will be travelling south on the M5 from the M42 jcn to Tewkesbury so won't encounter the Bristol M4/5 interchange. 

    I wasn't aware of the roadworks in Worcs mentioned by Brue but might they be closed down on a Bank Hol to aid travelling?

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #8

    North of Tewkesbury, Bromsgrove towards Worcester there are roadworks on the M5, I think it's a cabling project. South of Tewkesbury there are several ongoing bridge repairs, quite a few speed limits in place.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #9

    Down here in Cornwall we somehow don't think of Tewkesbury as West Country. It's a Brummie suburb innit? 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #10

    I think Pippa is heading  further west later, wish I was too just now, good weather coming up again! Wink

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #11

    Thank you all - and you did make me laugh Laughing Tewkesbury is to overnight at - and first west country destination is the Bere Peninsula (320 miles from home) - then headed for Cornwall Saturday and the Lost Gardens of Heligan - definitely West?  Tuesday it is - so fingers crossed.  The M5 wasn't too bad two weeks ago round the road works but 50 mph slows a car considerably - however with the caravan it doesn't seem quite so annoying! 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #12

    Enjoy it, Pippah.

    Heligan is fairly west but there's another hour plus to reach 'proper' westLaughing

  • iffajobsworthdoing
    iffajobsworthdoing Forum Participant Posts: 94
    edited August 2016 #13

    The M5 through Worcestershire both northbound and southbound is a total nightmare with accidents every day in the roadworks. Be aware also that the cameras are live and catching out drivers who can't understand what 50mph is. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #14

    Thanks - all - I deploy the cruise control on those roadworks - last few times most drivers were behaving but there is always one idiot! 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #15

    I thought I was staying at Tewkesbury Abbey - until I saw the priceSurprised - can anyone recommend a basic CL not too far off the M5
    and not much further south than that? 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #16

    There's one near Upton on Severn and another near Slimbridge if that's any help?

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #17

    Pippah, must it be south of Tewkesbury? Slightly further north, near Worcester have a look at Woodlands Farm. Nice site with basic facilities (ie a loo!) and a good value pub just down the road to make life easy for yourself! Easy access from and back onto the M5 too.  Happy

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #18

    Thanks both - time I went back to CLs much more to my way of going but not always easy to find someone to book in with and not all appreciate a one night stay? 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,076 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #19

    Pippah, both Nellie and us have used The Willows CL at Upton on Severn, very nice, not far off M5, easy to find. Dog walk close by. There is also Emblem Villa I think in similar area?

    If the M5M6 is looking nightmarish, take the A46 off the M69, go over M40 and go down round Stratford and Evesham, still on A46, getting on M5 at Tewkesbury. We use this route all the time, dual carriageway for most of way, with some good stop offs to walk
    dogs. Might give you an alternative if motorway is really bad. Have a good trip, we did Heligan in July, as lovely as ever!

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #20

    Thank you TDA - I have done that route it's not bad at all - just have to watch the traffic reports I suppose and see what's going on.  I may just go for the Devil I know and do the CC&C site at Tewkesbury - I shall have a serious think though. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #21

    Thanks booked into Emblem Villa - the other was full - very nice sounding people
    Smile

    I forgot the CC&C ruling about minimum stay Undecided seems daft to me especially for sites off the big Mways. 

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