dorset

[Andrew_5105555]

We are having a change this year we normally go to cornwall,this year we are going to a site called rowlands waite in bere regis dorset,i am unsure of the best route from wigan lancashire,has anybody any info on best way and approx travel time+also this area of dorset ta andrew.

 

[chelsea1]

We went to Wareham forest touring park in bere regis in may.

Its a very nice area with good access to the coast, wareham itself is only minutes away by car (ideal for shopping/groceries/fish and chips/cashpoint etc)...futher on from there you have access to the coast - Swanage/studland etc...swanage beach looked very nice (we didnt stop there)..but it looked lovely and clean.

Further up towards studland bay - also looked very nice but these are national trust beaches so you have to pay to go on them.

Bournemouth and Weymouth also arent too far from here, again nice beaches and plenty to do.

sorry cant help you with the travel, im in Devon...I would imagine you would do M6, M5 and then downwards??!!! (perhaps someone else could help on directions!)

 

[sharpy]

not sure about the route down, but we've stayed here a couple of times, great site, great walks and great area. you'll have a fine time, i'm sure.

 

[rayc]

Andrew, I live on the outskirts of Poole about 5 miles from Bere Regis. There are several routes for you to choose most as long winded as each other and the choice would depend on your time of travel. If it were me, and all other things being equal, I would stay on the M5 and leave at Junction 25 taking the A358 to join the A303 going East. Leave at A3088 and bypass Yeovil onto A37 direction Dorchester. Join the A35 and follow directions for Ringwood/Poole etc. When you get to the roundabout junction of the A35 / A31 take A31 and at next roundabout take exit right and follow the road up the hill by passing Bere Regis town centre and the site is at the top on the right.

Have a great time in a beautiful part of the country. Ray

 

[rayc]

Andrew, I live on the outskirts of Poole about 5 miles from Bere Regis. There are several routes for you to choose most as long winded as each other and the choice would depend on your time of travel. If it were me, and all other things being equal, I would stay on the M5 and leave at Junction 25 taking the A358 to join the A303 going East. Leave at A3088 and bypass Yeovil onto A37 direction Dorchester. Join the A35 and follow directions for Ringwood/Poole etc. When you get to the roundabout junction of the A35 / A31 take A31 and at next roundabout take exit right and follow the road up the hill by passing Bere Regis town centre and the site is at the top on the right.

Have a great time in a beautiful part of the country. Ray

Andrew, I see you ask for travel time. I regularly drive solo from Poole to Glasgow and would expect to get to Mancxhester area on M6 in about 5 hours but could ber much longer. I have not towed that far north for a number of years but I remember Holegate Lancs to Poole taking about 7 hours when travelling late Saturday evening.

I think a time of 8 - 10 hours would be realistic depending on time of travel.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Alternative route would be from M5 go east on M4 to junction 17 and off at Swindon, turn right over the M4 onto the A350 signposted for Melksham, Chippenham, Warminster, etc. This will bring you onto the Poole to Dorchester road (just south of Blandford Forum). At this roundabout turn right towards Dorchester and Wareham would be the first off at the next roundabout. The road from the M4 south is pretty good regards towing with very few nasty problems. Incidently Studland Beach (as mentioned in a previous posting) not only is it a national trust beach but is also a nudist beach so be warned.

 

[Russ2]

Haven't ben to this beach for some time, but as far as I know the nudist bit is only at the far end, and there are plenty of warnings. I seem to remember it was featured in the BBC 2 programme about the National Trust. Beautiful beach

 

[rayc]

Further to the bit about Studland beach there is no charge to use any of it. There is acharge to use the National Trust car Park at Studland but you do not have to use it. You could catch a bus in Poole and stay on it across Sandbanks Ferry or use the ferry as a foot passenger. You can then walk the whole length of the beach ( seem like miles). There is a section in the middle which is clothing optional but at Studland end and the ferry end nudity is not the done thing.

 

[papafulton]

Agree with A350 being a good road as we have travelled this road a few times, One point to make is do go off M4 at junction 17 but note this is not Swindon Junction(Swindon is J15)

William

 

[RayS]

Ray C has sent you a good route - we're a helpful clan !

You will be looking at around 300 miles. I live near Wincanton but previously in Parbold and that trip was 267 miles.

Beware the motorway section near Bristol - can be very congested at peak times, but there is no sensible alternative.

 

[Geordie]

OK then all you chappies from that part of the world, I would like to know your opinions on the route Ive taken a few times when heading down the Bournemouth way, which was suggested to me by a trucker after I had gone the A36 Bath route on my first trip. Roll downhill from Scotland onto the M6 , M5, M42,M40,A34,M3, M27,A31. Do you think this is the better option to the M5 and the route Ray talked about or am I way off target and circling the globe . Your opinions would be of great benefit to me as I will be heading down that way in just over a weeks time.

Thanks Geordie

 

[Jimbob1]

Hi Geordie,

I reckon you are spot on with that route,very direct and an excellent route.Happy Caravanning and enjoy your hliday.Jim

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi geordie the route u have listed is the one i am taking on friday,this seems the most direct and avoids the m5 at bristol,thanks to everyone for there advise. andrew.

 

[Geordie]

Thanks for that guys, I was'nt sure if I'd been taking best route, I have never had any problems with these roads but maybe Ive just been lucky ( about a dozen times ).