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Road Map Heathrow Airport to Cornwall

I'll be renting a car at Heathrow airport in London and driving to Penzance, Cornwall where I'll stay for a week, then driving to Newquay for another week and then on to Port Isaac for the 3rd week and finishing up driving to Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds to visit with a friend for several days. She doesn't drive and her road directions are very sketchy, so I'm looking for a good, detailed road map/atlas to plan the drive to Penzance, which is about 300 miles, and then on to the other locations. This will be my first time driving on the 'other side' of the road, (I'm from the US), and I'd like to have the whole route mapped out before I pick up the car. I know some books are huge and heavy, and I don't want those. I'm 70 years old, and like to have all my 'ducks in a row' before a trip like this. Any suggestions on where to get the maps I need? Thank you.

Posted by
32508 posts

When are you coming, Arlene? You can probably get what you need from Amazon. If you are driving without the benefit of a co-pilot for most of the drive I'd strongly suggest using a sat-nav, especially if you can bring one from home and are used to it before you make the journey. As this is your first time driving on the left having to keep track of an atlas which is on the left seat when you are zipping along in traffic at 70 mph could be "interesting". If you go direct to Penzance from Heathrow you are looking at over 5 hours of straight driving (if the traffic gods play along) on the M4 to Bristol, the M5 to Exeter and then the A30 through Devon and Cornwall. That could be quite "challenging" after a long trans-Atlantic flight. I wish you well.

Posted by
7 posts

Hi Nigel, Thanks for your suggestions. I've never used a GPS navigation system; quite honestly they drive me nuts! I hate listening to them 'talk', and if you just use the viewing screen (most of which are quite small), it's not much better than looking at a printed page. I've briefly looked at Amazon, but didn't have time the last few days to see exactly how they show the maps, see how big the pages are, weight of the book, etc. I've gone ahead and printed out step-by-step directions on www.theaa.com site and it's terrific. I've got separate pages for each of the 4 journeys and I may just keep those on the front seat or taped to part of the dashboard. I've also gone to a website where I can visually see the entire countryside as I move the map around and I've followed each road that was recommended by theaa site. It seems to be right on. I'm not coming there until July, so I have plenty of time to explore further. Also, I'm lucky enough to be flying first class where the seats fully recline, so hopefully I'll be reasonably well-rested after the flight. I drive from Illinois to Florida every winter (actually I'm leaving tomorrow) and that's a 1275 mile trip. I break it up over several days, but doing a 5-6 hour drive is not a problem for me. I appreciate your suggestions and comments; thanks so much. I've wanted to see Cornwall for a very long time, and I'm really looking forward to this trip. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.

Posted by
1443 posts

Hi...we got some great paperback map books from AAA (AA in the UK) that do by the mile grids. They worked pretty good for us...I was curious about Port Isaac from watching Doc Martin. I believe there is a lot of down and around pennisula driving...no short cuts. You really might like to try GPS. We started using it for garage saling and it saves a lot of time not having to back track. PS I'm 65 so if I can do it you probably can too.

Posted by
13800 posts

No advice about your route or maps, but agree with Kathleen that I have interest in Port Isaac from Doc Martin as well. The opening credits always awe me and I love the harbor scenes, or when he is racing thru the small village streets or when they are driving on the moors. Many, many years ago I went to the watersplash that featured in the opening scenes of All Creatures Great and Small and was not disappointed. Would you do a trip report when you get back? (Titled Port Isaac?? lol)

Posted by
7 posts

Hi Pam, Thanks for getting back to me. My interest in Cornwall goes back 40 years; however, since watching Doc Martin, Port Isaac was definitely on my list. I'll spend 7 days there. You might be interested to know that the "school" where Louisa teaches is no longer a school. It is now a B&B with a pretty upscale restaurant. I inquired for room prices, as I thought it would be a kick to stay there; however, they were way out of my budget. Converting British pounds to US dollars, it came to $183 per night, which I simply couldn't manage (especially since I'll be in Cornwall for 23 days total). At any rate, I'm staying at a B&B just a 5-minute walk into town. Thanks again for writing.
Regards, Arlene

Posted by
9110 posts

Two steps: 1. Get the horrible map from AAA or any cheap basic map from a book store. That and the road signs will get you out of the airport and headed west. 2 Order Michelin #503 from Amazon for detailed use in Cornwall. If that scale is still to small (wich it probably isn't), get some Ordnance Survey maps for specific areas.

Posted by
7 posts

Hi Ed, Thanks for the suggestions. Actually the website www.theaa.com is Britain's version of our AAA, and they gave me turn-by-turn directions all the way from Heathrow to Penzance, and then on to the other villages I'll be visiting. Very precise, very clear, very helpful. I've printed it all out and will use that. I'll also take a look at the Michelin book from Amazon; thanks for suggesting it. Have a great Holiday ! Regards, Arlene

Posted by
16024 posts

Arlene, I have a EuroAtlas softcover road atlas for the UK which is not heavy or cumbersome. Size is about 8x11 and the maps are very detailed (1:300,000). It is easier to use in the car than big maps which you have to unfold. It served us well for a driving trip to Bristol, Bath, the Cotswolds and lots more in between. They probably have it onAmazon but I didn't check.

Posted by
9110 posts

Watch out for those turn-by-turn directions!!!! There's not a doubt in my mind that you'll miss a turn. I don't need a map for most of the UK; I know where the turns are and still miss them. All it takes is being in the wrong lane when the exit pops up and you're screwed. If you have a map, you can figure out how to wiggle back or press on. With directions, once you're off them you're without a reference. The other part is that, unless you precisely reset your odometer as you make a turn, you'll miss how far it is to the next event. Do it your way, but please take some kind of map.

Posted by
32508 posts

Arlene, It must be frustrating to ask a simple question and get lots of well meaning advice back. That's the sort of folks we are. Those of us with specialist knowledge love to share it with the hope it will benefit others. Am I right that you have made multiple journeys to England even though you have never driven here? In your previous journeys have you noticed the significant differences in driving over here? My wife suggested that its not so much a question of 'ducks in a row' as you say, its when some of them turn out to be geese and they don't like being in a row. You're aware most cars are manual shift? You know about the signage, particularly that on the road? You are comfortable with multiple road roundabouts? I'm glad we have time to help you with things; I do worry very much about the turn by turn directions, for all the reasons Ed said. I hope Florida is lovely and warm. Wish I had lovely and warm...

Posted by
7 posts

Hi Nigel, I'm happy to receive any and all comments coming my way. It's also nice that you and Ed are so concerned for me. To put your mind (and your wife's mind) at rest: I spent 6 weeks in the UK several years ago, although I did not do any driving (3 weeks in London, 3 weeks in the Cotswolds). In all the research I've been doing for this trip, I've seen many, many pictures of road signage and am comfortable with them. I also watched a video on YouTube showing driving on M4. The car I've reserved has automatic transmission. I grew up in New Jersey, where we had tons of roundabouts, so they don't scare me. Regarding turn-by-turn directions: When I leave Heathrow I'll be on M4 and make no turns until the interchange with M5. I continue on M5, again with no turns, until I reach A30. From there the instructions I have are like this: At 40 miles enter roundabout and take the 3rd exit; At 47 miles enter roundabout and take the 1st exit;
At 51 miles enter roundabout and take the 2nd exit, etc., etc. all the way to Penzance. Then the same to Newquay, Port Isaac and Bourton-on-the-Water. I'll do a conversion to kilometers and mark down both, as I don't know how it will show on the dashboard. The car I have here allows me to switch the odometer between miles/kilograms, even though I've only used miles. As I said to Ed, I know I can't fall off the edge of the earth; I'll only be driving in daylight, and if I get lost and have to ask for directions, that's OK. When I was in the UK I found everyone to be extremely helpful when I asked for any directions, or about public transportation, etc. I always approach with a smile and haven't been disappointed. Thanks again for your suggestions and concern; it is much appreciated. Regards, Arlene

Posted by
32508 posts

Just one comment then, don't bother with kilometers - you won't need them in England. We're still on miles and yards here...

Posted by
9363 posts

You can plot out your whole route on www.viamichelin.com, too. Nice to have in the car instead of having to flip through atlases, and they give turn by turn directions with route numbers, too.

Posted by
32171 posts

Arlene, It's unfortunate that you're reluctant to use a GPS (Sat Nav), as I've found they can be really useful on occasion, especially after making a wrong turn and not being able to easily get back to the desired location. However, I should also add that GPS units can also be WRONG at times, so it's necessary to continuously double-check the directions they're providing, using local road signs or landmarks (or a Map when necessary). I always travel with both a GPS unit along with a good Map (usually Michelin). Happy travels!

Posted by
143 posts

Hi - We do not like using a GPS so we depend on the British AA Atlas. It is fantastic - if there is a bend in the road it shows. You can buy one from amazon I believe. Get the largest size possible. It's flat so fits right at top of your suitcase. Driving alone, you can plot our your trip (or use the list you've been given) but it is important to have an atlas too so that if you miss a turn you can figure out how to get back on the right track. Highly recommend the AA atlas. J blake

Posted by
1021 posts

It sounds like you've got things well in hand for your set itinerary. I think you'll want to have the capability of taking side trips that spring up along the way, such as to some of the charming villages in the Cotswolds. So get the AA large scale map. It isnt all that large or heavy. There are alternatives depending upon the technology you have. I have always traveled with the AA map, but this past summer for the first time I didn't consult it at all. I relied on the maps I had taken pictures of and stored on my ipad. I also had the TomTom SatNav app on the ipad and our unlocked iphone which proved very useful. For emergency roadside assistance, your AAA card has a number to call for travel outside the USA. If you have American Express, there's an 800 number to call for assistance "anywhere." Fortunately, I've not had to test either of these services to see if they are of any use. You'll probably want to have a mobile phone along on your journey for peace of mind. That's another subject about which much has been written on these boards. We went with 3 (a service provider) for our ipad and unlocked iphone 3gs's and were generally happy with the phone and data service, though it was sketchy in parts of London and non-existent in some of Derbyshire.

Posted by
7 posts

Hi Tex, I apologize for not responding sooner, but I've been a little hectic, including driving 1300 miles from Chicago to Florida. Thanks for all your suggestions; they are appreciated. I don't have an AmEx card, but my VISA does allow me to call for help along the way. My cell phone will work fine in the UK (although not too cheaply), so I can use it if necessary. I think I've got most everything taken care of. Thanks again for your commehts. Have a wonderful happy New Year.
Regards, Arlene Davis

Posted by
113 posts

I would consider getting a cheap pay as you go phone for mobile usage.