I've driven in the cotswolds for a week last year. Next month planning on taking the train from London to Exeter or Salisbury and renting a car for a road trip down through Cornwall, Devon, and surrounds returning car 7 days later. From what I'm reading driving on the left side of the road in this area is not the same. Is it really that much more hazardous? THe places we want to visit would be so much easier with our own car. Any advise or suggestions you can give would be most appreciated. Thank you
Posted by
2815 posts
The road going west from Salisbury to Devon is not very good. It would be better to take the train to Exeter which does have dual highways going west - A38 to the south of Dartmoor and A30 to the north. You can reach Cornwall via either route with SE Cornwall be more favoured via the A38 and the rest of Cornwall via the A30. Of course, much depends upon which areas of Devon you wish to visit on your way to Cornwall. Obviously, if you wish to see plans between Salisbury and Exeter, the nSailsbury should be the place to take the train from London/airport.
For quality of roads, suggest you go on Google Maps and drop down onto street view so that you know what to expect. Narrow streets in some coastal villages mean that you leave the car in a car park on the edge of the settlement(s). eg. Polperro, Salcombe, Fowey, St.Ives.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1806 posts
The roads can be narrow, but if you go slowly and pay attention to passing places and where oncoming traffic is you shouldn’t have any major problems. It is good advice to have a look at your route on Google street view. Google maps defaults to the shortest route in miles, which in rural areas is not always the fastest or easiest route.
Posted by
Buckinghamshire
358 posts
I'd echo Helen's reply. In some places, notably part of Cornwall, the roads are narrow and have tight corners where it's hard to see what's coming the other way. The only thing to do, is to take your time.
Single track roads (wide enough for one vehicle only where there are passing places every couple of hundred yards or so) can be slow to navigate and it's useful to try to remember how far back the last passing place was (if you encounter a large truck coming the other way, you'll have to back up.) Also, remember that although the edges of the roadway may just look to be leaves and branches, they often cover stone walls.
Posted by
Duluth🌲
10037 posts
Keep in mind that some of the very narrow roads in Cornwall have high stone walls on either side that are hidden by green hedges, so take extra precautions there so that you don't sideswipe them.
I've rented cars throughout Europe (including 3 trips to the UK) and found that Cornwall was probably the most difficult to drive through. It didn't help that when I was there, it was very rainy and some of the roads were flooded out. :-) But as others have said, just take it slow, plan for extra time, and don't get stressed. You will make it through and see some wonderful places.
I did find Devon to be easier than Cornwall, although there are lots of narrow single track roads in Dartmoor National Park, so take precautions there. Also I would definitely download the area maps on Google Maps on your phone, or bring along a paper map as sometimes I lost cell service in the park. If you can, stick to the more well-traveled larger roads, even if it is a longer route (that was good advice I received from a local while I was there). :-)