Hi all, Sorry, didn't quite know where to ask this. It relates to getting to campsite near durdle door. I have put the location in to multimap and from where I live (West Midlands basically on A5 near Lichfield), it tells me to go down the A34 for much of the trip south, around Oxford and Newbury. I had never thought about this as the old M5 looms large when I think of going south.
Has anyone 'done' this route? And if so, how does it go in terms of services - especially loo breaks :-)
Thanks
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It's probably the best route and is for the most part dual carriageway. M5 takes you a bit to far to the west. Services at the A34/M4 junction would probably be about right for a stop....Mick
I live near the A34 and can confirm that your route nearly all of the way to Dorset would be dual carriageway. In addition to the services where the M4 and A34 cross there are some more about 30 miles south - just after the A303 junction. Further south you would join the M3 then the M27 here there is a full M-way service station.
I live north of Winchester practically on the A34 and travel south on that route regularly. The A34 only goes as far as Winchester and then you have to get onto the M3 at J9 and then the M27 towards Bournemouth. The M27 peters out just west of Southampton and automatically turns into the A31 towards Ringwood.
There is a Little Chef and services just south of Oxford I believe and there are services on the A34 just before Winchester (Sutton Scotney Services)...toilet, cafe, petrol etc.
From Winchester through to just west of Southampton is always busy although outside of the rush hours the traffic makes good headway. There can be a few hold-ups during busy periods (rush hours, Bank Holidays etc.)
There are often tailbacks getting past Ringwood but again it depends on the time of day as to how bad these are. There are odd cafes and petrol stations all along the way.
West of Ringwood (at Ferndown) there are two ways you can go. You can take the lower road (A348 and A3049) by-passing Bournemouth and Poole and then on to the A351 towards Wareham before turning right onto the A352, or the higher road (turn right at a roundabout and continue on the A31) and then at Bere Regis take a B road (I think it is the B3071) south towards Durdle Door.
The lower road is a jungle of roundabouts through busy little towns on the outskirts of Poole and Bournemouth which I used to avoid until I got a satnav and then it became a piece of cake. If you don't have a satnav I would suggest the higher route via A31. Not a lot of difference in time/mileage.
Generally it's all a pretty comfortable route providing you choose the times right.
Hope the above helps...lovely part of the country...I hope you enjoy it.
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Hi fifidi, I was wondering the same thing too, but bob seems to of answered the question. One thing though, although the A34 is dual carraigway, are there many roundabouts on it? They do my head in, especially on the A5 heading towards Wales if I remember correctly.
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Hi, if you join the A34 at J9 of the M40 (a terrible traffic blackspot and a roundabout) and then head south, the next roundabout is at the entry for the M3. There used to be one at the junction for the M4 but they have built an underpass there. I use the A34 for Dorset and if going to Poole or Bournemouth use the route described above, but for Weymouth I tend to get off just above Winchester at the A303 and head for Salisbury, Blandford and Dorchester. I'm going to try the other rout above this year though.
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Great advice from everyone - I have booked today and will be looking forward to investigating coastal erosion, fossils, arches, stacks and stumps (Son is in year 8...) as well as a cream tea I am sure....x
Looks as if you'll be going to Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre then!
I tend to pick and mix my routes to Dorset - M5 as far as the Taunton exit, then Yeovil etc. looks the longest but actually seems the quickest, but leaving the M5 at the Cirencester (Birdlip) turnoff and heading South is more interesting (popped into Stonehenge returning from our most recent trip) and have used the M40/A34 suggestion.
On reading your post I tried to seek Google's opinion.
It came up with a map showing the sea at the top of the page, Lulworth, with Weymouth to the right and Bridport further to the right. OK so far - its an upside-down map! Unless it's Australia? Zooming out confirmed that it was indeed in Tasmania!
Hi. A more direct route (less milage and more scenic) Take the M42 then M40. Pick up the Fossway (A429) from the M40 (junc 15) Head for Wellesbourne, Morton in Marsh, Stow on the Wold, Cirencester. (services at A419 junc. Little Chef)
At Cirencester take A419 south to M4. Then A346 to Marlbourgh. A346/A338 to Salisbury via Tidworth. Then A354 to Blanford Forum. and on to your destination.
The above route will miss most of jams. And give various options at the small towns for breaks on the way.
If i,m going Weymouth side we go M5 way....Poole A34 ...I think if Durdle door you will be better A34 but beware round Ringwood and Wimbourne gets busy
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Topic: A34 to Dorset
