"Graham Harrison" wrote in message
news:jNednTDyOq2CLTPYRVnyuQA@bt.com...
>
> "c'mon baby light my feu" wrote in message
> news:1169071119.264574.172210@s34g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>> On Jan 17, 10:49 pm, "HH" wrote:
>> > Please give me an estimate of the driving time by motorway from south
> Wales
>> > to Windsor, with a deviation to Stonehenge. Many thanks.
>> >
>> > Also, how long would it take if one avoided the motorways? In this
>> > case,
> can
>> > you recommend a scenic route?
>> >
>> > HH
>>
>> 4-5 hours
>>
>> scenic bristol-bath-trowbridge-stone
>> henge-andover-m3-bagshot-ascot-great park-windsor
>>
>
> Assume you start from Cardiff. Use the M4/M48 as far as Chepstow and
> make
> a quick side trip up the A466 to Tintern Abbey. Back at Chepstow cross
> the
> Severn Bridge on the M48 and continue on the M4 then down the A46 to Bath.
> Probably 3 or 4 hours allowing a stop at Tinterne. Ignore Tintern and
> I'd
> guess a bit more than an hour. Bath is a day stop all on its' own.
> Bath
> has several "Park and Ride" car parks on the periphery. You park for
> free
> and pay for the bus into town - GBP2.10 per person I think. Given the
> traffic in Bath I use it every time.
>
> The obvious route from Bath to Stonehenge is A36 then A303 except I'd
> leave
> the A36 just south of Warminster and cut across through Chitterne and
> Shrewton. That bit is about an hour (I did it last Sunday).
> Alternatively come South out of Bath on the A367 through Radstock, pick up
> the A37 through Shepton Mallet and continue to Castle Cary (maybe 45
> minutes) which is a nice little village with one of the smallest goals
> you'll ever encounter and a fine Market House.
>
> From there to Stonehenge you can either go to Wincanton and along the A303
> (about an hour) or cut across through the villages of Bruton, Brewham,
> Maiden Bradley, Longbridge Deverill and Sutton Veney to join the A36 just
> south of Warminster and then pick up the B390 via Chitterne and Shrewton
> to
> Stonehenge. Slower roads but much nicer that the A303 - maybe 90
> minutes.
>
> The obvious route from Stonehenge to Windsor is A303/M3 all the way to the
> M25, up to M4, back along the M4 towards Bath(!) and finally the A355 to
> Windsor. About 90 minutes but beware of the traffic in the early
> mornings
> which could double that journey time. The last bit can be shortened
> distance wise by A322/A332 but I'm not sure it's easier or quicker.
>
> The alternative is south from Amesbury/Stonehenge to Salisbury (30
> minutes)
> beautiful Cathedral. The A30 through Stockbridge B3049 to Winchester
> (another Cathedral city) A31 to Guildford (modern Cathedral - there's a
> theme developing here!) and then A3/M25/M4/A355. That drive alone is
> probably 3 hours minimum.
>
> You don't say when you propose to do all this. The A303 past Stonehenge
> is
> a major traffic artery and at holiday times (which includes Friday nights
> and Sunday nights all year) can become very (very) congested. A two hour
> journey along the A303 at such times can easily become 3 hours.
>
>
Thanks for this lovely detailed reply (to somebody else's query!). I've
saved a copy as we intend to go from Ireland to France via UK landbridge in
September. We are going to take 3 days or so to cross Wales/England from
Pembroke to Folkestone and Stonehenge is one place we do want to divert to.
On the way back from France we intend doing the same thing, spending 3 days
or so crossing UK perhaps diverting to Oxford.
I had printed out routes from AA website, but personal suggestions are great
as a computer routefinder doesn't generally take into account scenic routes
(unless of course you give it specific suggestions using the "via" option.
I've got a Tom Tom so that should help.
Any suggestions for cheap/convenient places to spend our overnights would be
welcome. I had thought of Premier Travel Inns but according to their website
they will only allow 2 adults per room and we will have 3, we preferably
would rather a triple room. Travelodge's look like good value if booked in
advance. Any other suggestions of either hotels or which towns to stop over
at anybody??
Thanks
Anne Marie
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