The Plan Day 2: West Country Wander

Plan for Day 2: Torquay to Bridgwater
(382 miles, approx. 8.5 hours driving)

... and 322 miles further than driving between these two places directly. Day 2 starts with a lot of dancing around avoiding using the ferry at Dartmouth, followed by a long drive along the A379 to Plymouth. It looks like I could take the A381 for a bit near Kingsbridge, but it looks from the google streetview as if that right-turn isn't going to happen.

The most westerly point of my journey is this roundabout. Glamorous.

                                 © Copyright David Long and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Through Plymouth and across the Tamar I'll then be heading through St Austell and Truro to Helston, where, at the roundabout to the south of the town, I will be at the most southerly point on my journey. 12 miles later and I will reach the most westerly point on my journey just outside Penzance, pirates permitting. Next up, after the longest stretch of dual carriageway so far, is Newquay. The directions get a bit complicated, and eventually it's back onto the A39 for a long trek to Barnstaple, with a quick pop into Bude. Off to Ilfracombe and then back to the A39 for the fourth time now.

Yeah... will be going down that then!
 © Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence 

Now comes the reason I am going around Britain clockwise. The epic drive to Lynmouth and Minehead. This involves the steepest A-road in Britain, Porlock Hill, which I shall be driving down. Seemed more sensible than going up. There are photos and more details on this road over at CBRD: http://www.cbrd.co.uk/photo/the-improbable-a39/

Eventually I will reach Bridgwater and the end of Day 2. My directions are as follows:

• 1. A3022 to one-way system
• 2. Take A379 towards Dartmouth
• 3. Right, up other end of A3022
• 4. Left onto A385 to Totnes at A380
• 5. After Totnes left onto A381
• 6. At Halwell, left onto A3122 towards Dartmouth again
• 7. Miniroundabout right onto A379 to Stoke Fleming
• 8. Follow A379 for ages to Plymouth
• 9. After Laira Bridge, slip road to A374 Torpoint, follow signs for (A386)
• 10. On A386 head left to take A3064 signposted to (A38)
• 11. Right at major traffic lights for (A38)
• 12. Left onto A38 slip road towards Saltash
• 13. Follow A38 to Dobwells
• 14. Take A390 at roundabout
• 15. At St Blazey, A3082 to Par, keep following back to A390 St Austell
• 15. At Truro A39 towards Falmouth
• 16. Follow A39 until A394 to Helston
• 17. Stay on A394 to Penzance, right onto A30 towards Hayle
• 18. After Redruth, A3075 to Newquay
• 19. A392 towards Newquay then at next r/b right A3058 to St Cm
• 20. Follow A3058 (St Cm) to left onto A3059 (St CM (A39))
• 21. At St CM A39 towards Wadebridge
• 22. A3073 in and out of Bude (missable junction, tourist sign)
• 23. A39 to Barnstaple then A3125 Roundswell
• 24. Follow A3125 then A361 to Ilfracombe
• 25. Follow A361 then A399 to A39
• 26. A39 To Bridgwater.

Hmm, direction 26 sounds simple...

The route in maps:

Torquay to Penzance

Penzance to Bridgwater