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Hi

Just wondering if anyone could tell me rough driving time from Sheffield- Cornwall (Nr Newquay- Trevornick site nr Holywell Bay).

Been to Mullion (further down) twice, once in 2003 but that was just 2 adults, small nippy car- took 5hrs something (with stops). Time before was in the 90's as a kid, 4 adults in small car +luggage and my grandad driving more sensibly, took about 8hrs+ (with stops), and other time I went to Cornwall was broken up by an overnighter in a travelodge nr Bristol I think so can't remember.

This time though, it's an (underpowered IMO) Zafira, 1.6ltr with 2 Adults 2 kids, luggage, pram and all camping gear/tent.

I know the route anyway from going before, down the motorways and main A road, then taking it from there (god I HATE the M5!), but wondering how long it might take and where you would recommend to stop (obv. going to have to stop unscheduled maybe too for toilet breaks!). Usually just stop at random places on the motorways but he likes to get going and keep going til he's there whereas I like to stop a few times for rest (will be making him!).

Need to make sure we pack the car Fri PM and he has plenty of sleep because not only does he drive a wagon all week at work, he will be driving all the way there and early AM too (can check in at 12- always been 4PM checkins before as gone for static vanc etc). 2 yrs ago he hardly had any sleep, woke up, set off at 4am, down to North Devon (which is obviously a shorter distance) and then got there WAY too early, so drove quite a distance to Woolacombe I think it mightve been, and I actually caught him almost nodding off at the wheel which is obviously something I don't want him to do!!!

PS.. I never pay TOO much attention to AA Routeplanner for times as obv. they can't account for stoppages/traffic/weather.

Don't know if it helps but we've just been down to Cornwall - stayed at a site nr Mevagissey which I know is the other side.

We live about a 35-40 min drive from Bristol and we were towing a caravan.  It took us 4hrs 45 mins and we had a comfort break at the services at Exeter.

The AA route planner is ok but it is only approximate.  I would add on time for stops and a bit more to allow for any roadworks etc to give you a rough estimate of journey time.

Hope you enjoy your 1st outing in your tent and most importantly I hope the sun shines for you

Hi

I live in Cornwall and you are right to try and arrive AM, after lunch the traffic jams just build and often on a Saturday there is an accident thrown in for good measure which causes havoc. One thing I would suggest is that after Exeter retune you radio to the local radio station Pirate FM 102.2 or 102.8 you should get the station quite soon after Exeter as Pirate gives good traffic reports. In Devon before Exeter there is also Radio Devon approx 104.4 they provide traffic reports as well

hi we do nottingham to plymouth with van by night it takes just over 5 hours that is cons,tant driving, but we did add breaks on as wll so about 6 then from plymouth to trevornick about just 1 hour 45 mins, as we are there in the summer as well, so leave at least 8 hours, they have a holding field with you can stop in if you arive early and wait there, report to reception and they will send for you when your pitch is ready.if at all possible i would leave sheffield by evening, after rush hours and travel by night down its a good road and just head for the holding field which is next door to park  (and also is the holywell bay leisure park) have a few hours kip, then go over to reception in morning and feel fresh and ready to set up on your pitch, you won't feel so tired if you ddrive non stop then straight on to pitch.

good luck on your decision

Hi

do this route from leeds every year and have done so for the last 9 years approx 7 hrs towing caravan, stopping off at jct 17 on the M5 and going to the asda/walmart just off slip road.24 hr store so a good brake can be taken.set off approx 5.00 pm get to asda about 4 hrs into trip about 208 miles,Lots of people seem to stay for the night at the asda but i push on and get to the site and get my head down when there.

Tim

Ey up everyone,

Ta for your replies so far, I am tempted to go Friday night (tomorrow) just because I am excited and love travelling at night BUT it means my other half driving for his job all day then a few hours rest (sleep if he can, once he's packed car with me) then set off night time, driving through to night. Say if we set off at about Midnight and allow for 4 half hour stops, and that takes roughly 8 hours, then we will get there at 8am ish which is 4 hours too early, which would be ok for me but then means all 4 of us trying to sleep in the car (baby and 2yr old included who will probably be wide awake after sleeping on the way). So maybe not the best idea as we would probably be exhausted. So I am thinking maybe set off about 3am, try to go to sleep at about 10 (earlier for other half), get there about 11 so not too early.

Just don't want to be too exhausted to do anything once we get there, is that what others would do with kids or do you think setting off later eg 4 or 5 or even 6am, that way we get more sleep but will probably hit traffic later on.....

Quote: Originally posted by tressls on 18/6/2009

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Ey up everyone,

Ta for your replies so far, I am tempted to go Friday night (tomorrow) just because I am excited and love travelling at night BUT it means my other half driving for his job all day then a few hours rest (sleep if he can, once he's packed car with me) then set off night time, driving through to night. Say if we set off at about Midnight and allow for 4 half hour stops, and that takes roughly 8 hours, then we will get there at 8am ish which is 4 hours too early, which would be ok for me but then means all 4 of us trying to sleep in the car (baby and 2yr old included who will probably be wide awake after sleeping on the way). So maybe not the best idea as we would probably be exhausted. So I am thinking maybe set off about 3am, try to go to sleep at about 10 (earlier for other half), get there about 11 so not too early.

Just don't want to be too exhausted to do anything once we get there, is that what others would do with kids or do you think setting off later eg 4 or 5 or even 6am, that way we get more sleep but will probably hit traffic later on.....

 

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Check with Trevornick if the pitch will be empty, if so they will let you on it as soon as reception opens and can book you in.  Altervatively park up in the holding field and use the facilities.

Before we got our caravan we went camping to Trevornick in the summer hols a few years ago and set off from Swindon at 5am.  We got there about 8.30am with only one stop (full car with 3 young kids). 

When we got there our pitch wasn't free (we didnt expect it to be) but as a previous posters says they are well geared up for this and direct you to the holding field next door where you can park up, book in and go and use the sites facilities, most pitches are free from about 10am and they will get you on ASAP.

Travelling to Cornwall is bad in the Summer but if I read your post correct and you are going this weekend (20 June) then I'm not sure you will have too much of a problem - traffic won't be anything like it would be in the summer hols.  The M5 around J19 (Avonmouth) is where any delays are likely to come down this end (how the Highways Agency can explain continous roadworks on this patch of mororway for 12 years I will never know, someone has made a packet).

I'm from Barnsley originally so I would have a 'lay-in' and set off about 4am - you should be past Avonmouth by 7 to 7.30ish and probably get to Trevornick about 10.30.

Trevornick was OK, we are not really into the entertainment scene so it has a lot of facilities that we didnt use but it was not noisy, WC blocks are good, pitches are level and the beach is great.  Perranporth down the road is lovely place, parts of Newquay look a bit tatty but Sealife Centre on the front is worth a visit.