Cycling UK Forum

Hi, We are planning a trip from Bristol to Salcombe this summer,

We are wondering if anyone can recommend some routes, campsites etc

We would prefer to cycle on quieter roads obviously etc

Also please suggest a timescale for the trip - we are thinking about 6 days possibly?

I would highly recommend the A379 from Dartmouth to Kingsbridge as it's got great views of the coast and reasonable for traffic levels, Highlights along the route are the views of Blackpool Sands, Kingswear and the ride along Slapton Sands pictured below.





If you are going to go from Paignton to Dartmouth the Higher Ferry is the cheaper 50p v £2.00 but the Lower Ferry is more interesting.

Thanks for the reply, Yes it is an excellent spot, I go down every year as our friends have a farm at beeson (about half a mile from the picture!)

Its a very unusual area with the cricket inn there etc!

Could you recommend anywhere before dartmouth? - i think we have the trip sorted down to cheddar, then on to wells - its just the step between there and the south coast that we are pondering over

chris

One of my favourite roads in the area is the A396 from Dunster to Exeter. Dunster to Tiverton is quiet, wooded valley from Wheddon Cross to Tiverton with excellent optional diversions at Dulverton and Bampton. There is a hill a couple of miles long up to Wheddon Cross but it's pleasantly shaded in summer. Tiverton to Exeter is more open and busier but has highlights of Bickleigh Castle and the Fisherman Cott pub at Bickleigh Mill bridge.

Personally I would also recommend the A379 from Exeter to Paignton, it's busier than later on but the views are great.

Ok, thanks again for that advise. Would you not say that Dunster is a little too far west to be included in the trip?

Chris

Well...I regularly ride from Plymouth to Taunton via Exeter, Tiverton, Bampton, Dulverton, Dunster and Crowcombe in 7 hours before catching the train back home again.....so if you are thinking of 6 days for Bristol to Salcombe you're gonna need a diversion or two!! I would happily ride from Wells to Dunster, via Glastonbury and then the Levels to Bridgwater (pop in to St J Cycles!!) and on to Dunster.

Ok that sounds like a good idea!

Im just thinking about YH's on the route - I believe there is one in minehead?

*looks on website*


yep one in minehead and two others within 50 miles of that

Is minehead to exeter possible in 1 day?

Hi Rob! Welcome to the forum.

Have we met somewhere else?

chris.batts wrote:
Is minehead to exeter possible in 1 day?

It's 41 miles.

Mick F wrote:Hi Rob! Welcome to the forum.

Have we met somewhere else?

Of course!!!

Brilliant, this is coming together nicely!!

Welcome by the way! - should have said that before!

As I live on the A379 between Dartmouth and Torcross I know that it can become busy during the main holiday season, a problem increased by it being very narrow (for an A road) with a good quota of hills as well. However the scenery is first rate. I do use the ferry from East Portlemouth into Salcombe but this is not particularly easy with loaded bicycles as there is a steep flight of steps at the other end.