Mid way stop Cornwall

fat50

Hi, some advice needed

We, 2 adults and a 6 year old, are travelling from Watford to Looe in Cornwall on a Monday morning. A303 route looks preferable at the moment (unless you know better)

Can anyone reccomend a nice child friendly place to stop midway to stretch our legs and have lunch. Don't mind if it's a bit of a diversion off route and don't really want a 'chain' restaurant.

Thanks in advance

newnhak

I have stopped at Honiton before on my way to Plymouth and it was quite nice - may suit your needs although they have a market on the main road. dont know if it runs on a Monday - it could make it difficult to park.

And the M4/M5 would probably be a quicker route although I am presuming you want a more leisurely drive.

warehouse

Hi Fat50,

We drive from Watford to Cornwall a few times a year and don't stop. Even though the A303 seems shorter, it's actually much much slower than the motorways, (unless there's an accident of course). We can easily make Plymouth in under 4 hours non stop, and even the most bored kid can just about manage that.

I'd suggest you try to make Exeter, then once the road turns to an A road there are many more frequent places to stop, and all much nicer than the service stations.

Vickim37

Exeter is possibly a bit big for what you want, Honiton is nice dont think market is on on a monday or how long do you want to stop for as you can divert easily to Exmouth for beach, there are a lot of pubs on the road with large playgrounds and good food - I find this can be a good alternative as can large garden centres and farms if you google farm shops/parks most have a cafe and are reasonable to look in. If you decide on Exeter head for the quay area a coiuple of eating places a playground the other side of the river -harvester pub/restaurant next to the playground feed the ducks and swans.

if you wait til further a field there is trago mills near newton abbott something for everyone there. choice of food, playground which is free animal park free, might want to google as not 100% on right road

iwannabeonthebeach

Honiton market is on a Saturday and I would recommend eating here http://the-otter-inn.co.uk/

dangers

If you decide on the m4/5 route, then I can recommend coming off the m5 at junction 19, taking the A369 towards Bristol and then almost immediately turning right again. This road leads you into Portbury. When the road takes a sharp left corner, take the right fork and follow the road around until you get to a very nice pub called The Priory. It's only a few mins drive from the m-way, does good food including a decent kids menu and has a garden (although no equipment for them to play on).

ICATQ

The A303 is not the best route at this time of year (anytime really!)and it is worth checking the HIghways Agency website as they were doing road works which will have a significant impact on your journey!

Personally I either go motorway to Devon (almost weekly) or if I have longer then I go down from Oxford to Salisbury to Dorchester and along the A30/A35 to Exeter. Plenty of places to stop along that route, albeit a bit longer.

DCFC79

The easier route if i was doing that route would be motorway,

Barneysmom

It's not the best route but if I was going that way, I'd have to have a look at Stonehenge

jebervic

I go from Watford to St Austell throughout the year, we always stop at Bristol (Cribbs Causeway) very close to the motorway and petrol at supermarket prices rather than service station. Bristol is also a great place to visit. Journey is M4 then M5, looking at about 1 hr 45 mins to Bristol from Watford and another 1 hr 45 to Looe.

fat50

Thanks everyone, we have decided to use the motorway route, just hope the weather cheers up a bit for next week.