Minehead route

HT11
HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
edited February 2021 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Fingers crossed, we'll be on Minehead Club site at the end of April. We re driving down the M5 and usually follow site route instructions ie coming off at Jct.23 towards following A39. However, I read that a member recommended  carrying onto Jct.26, heading back to Taunton and on to Minehead on the A358. Is this a better towing route for long caravans please? I know roads can be upgraded overtime so wondered what  other caravanners think ?

Thank you

 

 

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #2

    HI HT11

    I don't know if it was my recommendation? Personally I found the A39 from the M5 from the east not a particularly good road. Whilst carrying on down the M5 to junction 26 and heading back was the easier route. I should add that that buses go along the A39 but I found it a slow route. At the time we had an eight foot wide motorhome which probably added to my conclusion via Taunton was better.

    David

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2021 #3

    I do the A358/39 relatively regularly, my stepson living at Countisbury. Whilst reasonably negotiable, it is a tedious route.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #4

    Travelling south on the M5, junction 23 is your best option. At present Junc 25 is being upgraded, I don't know when the completion is due. Junc 26 is OK if travelling northbound. We live in S Somerset. smile

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited February 2021 #5

    Having driven through both towns I would have to say that Bridgewater is easier as the A39 is picked up a short way down the A38 from the motorway and skirts around the northern side of the town whereas going through Taunton is more built up with several roundabouts and industrial/commercial areas to  take into consideration so the wrong time of day could pose problems.

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited February 2021 #6

    Yes David - it was you ( for which I m grateful) but it didn’t say why you drove further down ! Roads can also be upgraded so I thought I would just check if anything had changed. Keep your info coming though !

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited February 2021 #7

    Are there many lay-bys en route suitable for a caravan stop please ? 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #8

    You might be better pulling off for a rest at Sedgemoor Services and then doing the final run in one go (don't use Bridgwater Services, they're very awkward and are due to be replaced.)

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,046 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #9

    It’s certainly a final leg of journey to check carefully, single carriageway most of way. Only pull in we did, was at Washford, down to Cleeve Abbey car park, which is drive through with care. It’s only around 300 metres detour off A39, but it does depend on your outfit, how busy car park might be, and it’s a good way from Bridgwater. We were in a small MH, so had no issues, but different towing. The route is a real pain in the bum if you end up following anything large, as there is little in the way of overtaking opportunity. But it is very scenic, one to just ample along and enjoy if you can. 

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited February 2021 #10

    Thank you for that

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #11

     I'll just add that laybys near the M5 are often full due to business trip users, on both the junction 23 and 25 routes there aren't many places to stop. At present I can only recall a lay by near Dunster Castle but you are only ten minutes away from Minehead! Have a safe trip we like the Minehead site, have used it a lot. smile

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited February 2021 #12

    Parking.

    There is a large out of town shopping complex on the A38 going into Bridgewater from the motorway it has plenty of parking plus an ASDA and Sainsburys

    Probably the same if going via Taunton. Look on Google maps

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2021 #13
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  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #14

    Agree with other posters re A39 route well signposted off the A38 and there is now a good bypass around Cannington so there maybe some laybys a few more roundabouts have been put in as we noted December 2019 when visiting friends, we lived in one of the Polden Hills villages for 25 years and again knew the A39 route well.

    Enjoy your break.

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited February 2021 #15

    A lot of useful info there - thank you

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