Need help to plan Swansea-> Guildford roadtrip

[dkmech]

Me and my friend are going to another friends parents' summer party near Guildford. We are leaving on saturday morning to arrive some time in the afternoon (probably best get there before 4-5pm).

While m4 was an obvious choice I thought we might do the touristy thing and drop by stonehenge as its on the way. (both me and my friend are foreign to this land ). Apart from stonehenge we wanna know if there is anything else worth a quick visit. Like a town or village which is famous for really tasty cheese or pies that we could drop by and buy. Or maybe a pub with most amazing meals. Or an incredible cafe that serves awesome cookies.

At the moment the route is Swansea -> Stonehenge -> Guildford (well, Bookham actually). We plan to leave at about 10am, but we are flexible and if more stops appear on the route we are prepared to leave earlier.

If suggestions start coming in I'll make a map and will try to paste them there so we can see where the gaps are.

Just make sure whatever you suggest can be enjoyed fully in at most 30 minutes, and doesn't cost much, as we are students It must also be within easy reach of our main route.

[5lab]

stone henge is pretty out-of-the way tbh. its quite a long way south, and not *actually* that impressive.

why not do something silly - ie a tour of as many tesco carparks/pubs beggining with the letter g etc..

[schmunk]

Theres a road that runs parallel with the m4 just south of it, between newbury and bath i think, its a lot more scenic than the m4.

Me and friend used it as he hates motorways, on way to melksham to see some girlies for a weekend.

Dont remember its name.

That'd be the A4...

[dkmech]

We are going to leave the m4 as soon as possible after the severn bridge. And head to Stonehenge along the funkier roads. Stonehenge looks reasonably on the way and its something every tourist feels like they have to tick off. I'd rather drop by on the way tomorrow than just go there on purpose. Am not expecting much. But this is the reason why we want more exciting stops on the way. And if something REALLY cool comes up we might abandon stonehenge if needed. So keep on suggesting.

[shiato storm]

That'd be the A4...

i would have said that too... makes you wonder eh...in the old days [when everything was black and white] it was the only way to wales. and it was 3 cars wide, so you could belt down the middle and play high-speed chicken with like-minded people going the other way!

[5lab]

3 cars wide, so you could belt down the middle and play high-speed chicken with like-minded people going the other way!

nothing's changed there

[shiato storm]

yes. well, its just now the road is marked as tow lanes only (one in each direction), it used to be three - two either side and one in the middle...!

[5lab]

aye. used to be called a suicide lane didnt it?

[dkmech]

If you wanna chat about the finer points of A4 lane system get your own thread lol.

I want suggestions for places to visit! : Will the hexus community fail me? I don't believe it!

Come on guys!

[dkmech]

In the end we went to Lacock (ye olde English village) and stonehenge (ye olde English pile of stones, yes it was rubbish but the box is ticked now ). We also saw the white horse and found Wonka bars at a petrol station on the way - we were trying to find some for ages

The party was good too. All in all a good weekend! Thanks for your help ladies and gentlemen.

[EvilMunky]

a strangr route to take - swansea to guildford via stonehenge.

weird lol

[Jonny M]

Speaking of crazy roads in the South of England, anyone else find taking the A303 to Exeter to be full of roadkill, and steep drops designed to make you hit things?

Edit: Yes we listened to Kula Shaker

[5lab]

the a303 is nice when its empty, but the coast road (a30??) is much nicer with amazing views..

[dkmech]

a strangr route to take - swansea to guildford via stonehenge.

weird lol

Its not that much of a detour. About 50 miles extra to drop by Lacock and Stonehenge compared to a straight drive. Gave us an option to visit those places without wasting a whole day to get there and back. Was a nice diversion on the way too.

[EvilMunky]

oh without a doubt its much nicer than sitting on the m4.

is the a303 that dual carriageway which would be nice were it not for roundabouts all the goddamn time

[schmunk]

oh without a doubt its much nicer than sitting on the m4.

is the a303 that dual carriageway which would be nice were it not for roundabouts all the goddamn time

No, that's the A1...