Now the alternatives shown to Marg6's route, via Penrith is an awfully long slow way round for no great benefit, via top of Windermere is NOT a route I'd choose to tow down, the narrow hump back bridge with a blind sharp left narrow bend IMMEDIATELY after it at Clappersgate is no fun in a solo car, certainly you'd need both sides of road to get a caravan over bridge/round bend, and it's a busy road! After that the A593 down to Coniston is narrow and windy with a fair number of things (rocks, trees, tree stumps etc.) that stick out of the roadside to your left to catch the unwary in a wide vehicle, bad enough in a car! I use the CAMC camp site just south of Coniston village quite a lot and their advised access to them regardless of where you come from is approach them from the south rather than north to avoid those hazards, and it's sound advice. It's technically a doable towing route, but risky and no fun IMHO!
I'm very familiar with section from M6 on the 'best' route until I turn off A5092 at Lowick Green for Coniston, and it's a pretty good road. I have driven the rest of it to Ravensglass (without caravan) a fair while ago, but have no recollections of anything 'nasty'. Few places it gets a little squeaky if a HGV comes the other way, but not really a problem, bit more hilly as you head north towards Muncaster, but nothing exceptional.
I know the Lakes well, and no shrinking violet about where I'll drag the van, and categorically there are plenty of roads you will not get a caravan down (in one piece!) in the region, don't be tempted to cut corners, or follow ordinary car sat nav routes, unless you want to feature in local press as 'Another Numpty Tourist gets Caravan Stuck!'. Stick to the A roads, treat B roads with suspicion, and don't think about an uncategorised road (unless you already know it!).
Please AVOID going over Corney Fell at all costs if towing a caravan! It's mostly single track road and not for the faint hearted even if not towing, in fact there is a sign at the turn off that says Unsuitable For Caravans!
We live in Barrow, and from Lancaster the route we would take with a caravan would be M6 to junction 36, then follow the A590 to Greenodd, turn right at the roundabout and follow the Whitehaven signs, via the A5092 to Grizebeck where it becomes the A595, then stay on the A595 (following signs for Workington and Whitehaven) all the way to Ravenglass.
It will not be a fast journey and there are some narrowish, twisty, steep roads in places, but all perfectly fine as long as you take your time. Just please do not be tempted to cut across Corney Fell when towing - check it out on Google maps if you need convincing!
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Topic: route
via mobile 24/7/2023 at 8:08am
lovely drive for car though.
