Travelling from Dorset to Essex, Advice please

PDC

Personally given your travel requirements I would favour driving. As said if you avoid peak hours on the M25 then you 'should' be fine. Even if you hit some traffic I would imagine it will be quicker and more stress free than the train option.

PasturesNew

The M25 isn't a problem. Yes it gets snarled up here and there, but we only ever hear about bad incidents, or particularly long tailbacks.... outside of top commuting times thousands of drivers use it every day.

I've used it a few times, very few times, over the past 20 years or so and never got stuck anywhere.....

I'd choose a car over public transport as it's door to door and you want to bring stuff back. Also, at the destination, you'll probably need to pop here, pop there, etc - and a car eases that as you just hop in it and go.

Also, you don't need to worry about your dog... whether he's happy, in the way, still attached to the lead, the wrong side of a barrier, tripping people (including you) up etc....

Car...

PlymouthMaid

I used to drive the route from from Devon to Essex regularly. I found train a right faff as I needed 3 trains to get to Romford. M25 can be a nightmare but a necessary evil. Just make sure that you stop at a services before you hit it for a wee and refreshment and then any holdups are more bearable. I used to go M5 , M4 , M25 rather than using the A303 and it would take 4.5-5 hours unless there were accidents etc.

SapphireDreams

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone, it is very much appreciated.

I need to go to the Chelmsford area of Essex, not sure if that's north essex or not. I did wonder about flying, but yes, my phobias would probably make it not possible, and I'm not sure if dogs can go on planes either.

Does anyone know if taxis across london are generally happy to take dogs? I know I've had a few problems down here, with them refusing.

And are there any days in the week which are particularly good or bad on the M25? If driving I was thinking of doing it Monday or Friday, but wonder if they might be the worst days.

giraffe69

Friday afternoon is often quite bad on the M25. I think dogs are ok on buses(upper deck) and tubes. In taxis I believe its up to the cabbie.

flea72

Chelmsford is mid essex. As already said, its up to the taxi driver whether he takes dogs or not. Most dont mind ones small enough to carry, but anything labrador sized and i think youd have a problem

As for best day to travel there isnt one. If theres an accident or breakdown, then you can sit for hrs at 8pm on a tuesday. However avoiding the main junctions at peak times is best. So try to hit heathrow around 11-2pm, with A12 before 4pm or after 7pm

Southend1

Easyjet from Newquay to Southend then x30 airport bus to Chelmsford?

macman

I don't think EJ take dogs...and if they did, they'd want you to pay for a seat for it.
Driving 2 hours west to Newquay to fly east for 30 mins makes no sense.
Going by rail, and coming into Waterloo, the OP can access the Waterloo and City line via a short staircase-nothing long, and no escalators. Then it's a 3 min ride to Bank, with trains usually deserted outside rush hours. At Bank, there is a travelator to street level, not an escalator. This is a very gentle moving ramp, no steps.
From Bank, it's a five min walk or brief bus/cab ride to LP St.
Or as previously suggested, with luggage and dog, get a cab from W'loo to LP St.