Driving from Kent to Norfolk

[EleanorRugby]

We are going on holiday on Saturday to Norfolk, staying on the east coast north of Great Yarmouth.
I think best route is M25, M11 then A roads. Dh (who grew up in Essex) thinks better to get off M25 at jct 28 and then A roads through Essex and Suffolk
On the route planner I used online the mileage is very similar but I think best to stay on motorways for as long as possible!

Is there anyone who has travelled either route recently or know this journey well and can advise.

Thanks

[SoupDragon]

Whenever I travelled from S London/Surrey, I always went M25, M11, A11...

[SoupDragon]

This was over 16 years ago though!

[jaundicedoutlook]

Went up to North Norfolk a few months ago from W. Kent. m25, m11 absolutely the way to go unless there is some ghastly roadwork/accident en-route. Found it a much faster journey than I expected, albeit we left at the crack of dawn...

[oddfodd]

Oh gosh yes to the M11. It's never very busy (because it doesn't really go anywhere) but it's an awful lot faster than A roads.

[SaulGood]

I live in Norfolk and have family in Kent. We tend to go M25, M11, A11 but mostly because we like to break at Birchanger and we're creatures of habit. If MIL and FIL are with us, we go A roads more often as they prefer that route.

It doesn't actually make a lot of difference.

Have a nice holiday.

[MegBusset]

M25, M11/A11, A47.

Do not go through Suffolk a roads, it will take you all weekend!

[MegBusset]

Where are you staying?

[SaulGood]

Aaah the A47 Acle Straight. Dullest road ever.

[MegBusset]

It's not that dull, there are plenty of cows and windmills to look at...

[SaulGood]

I live in Norfolk. I trip over cows and windmills the second I step out of the back door.

It's a peculiar road the A47 (the Norfolk bit). Sometimes it's barely an A road, sometimes it just goes on and on through a vast expanse of nothing as you dream of pitching your car into the ditch just to break up the tedium.

[LBOCS]

I would ALWAYS go M25, M11, A11. I grew up in London and went to uni in Norwich. My ex lived in Essex and the Suffolk roads were his preferred route too but that's only any good really if you would have to go back on yourself to get to M25/M11, which for a lot of Essex you would. From Kent I'd definitely hop on M25 and stay motorway for as long as possible.

[MegBusset]

Yes but then you end up in Great Yarmouth so it's all worthwhile!

[EleanorRugby]

Thank you. I am glad that the majority agree with me that M25/M11 is the better route. It just seems a no-brainer to stay on the motorway for as long as possible (that's why dh chose the other option, he is not really known for his map reading skills)
We're staying in Winterton-on-Sea, really looking forward to it (but not the drive to get there!)
I remember visiting Great Yarmouth in my late teens and do just remember driving along roads that were seemingly never-ending....

[MegBusset]

Oh,Winterton is amazing... My favourite beach, and a jolly good village pub :)

[SoMuchToBits]

If you go via Suffolk, do pop in and visit me. We never have visitors, as we're not on the way to anywhere.

[MegBusset]

And don't go through Great Yarmouth to get there... Come off the A47 at the roundabout past Acle (A1064 signposted Caister), left on the B1152, cross over the A149, through Martham and you're there!

[JassyRadlett]

We go often (from S London) and agree with everyone else.

Right down to stopping at Birchanger Green services. It's exactly half way for us.

You see pigs on the A11 as well. It's all happening.

[EleanorRugby]

Glad to hear it MegBussett. It does look lovely from the photos.
We have always holidayed in the UK since having dc but this is the first year that we have booked accommodation which is walking distance to the beach.

[marshmallowpies]

We do the A12 from London to Suffolk and it is pretty grim in some sections - but last Friday we did the journey back after spending a week there in no time all, roads all amazingly clear. It's the South Circular I really hate...

[Katymac]

Wave at me on the way past.....I live about 6 miles from Winterton

[icclemunchy]

I live in west London but was born 'n' bred in gt Yarmouth.mwe always go m25, m11, a11. Especially now they've finished the road at thetford.

I second Megs route just watch out for the sharp corner at billockby (fleggborough)

[LBOCS]

From South London I wouldn't go M25, I'd go Blackwall tunnel, A13, M11, A11.

But I digress :)

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Christ that's a long way out of your way. The A12 is much more direct.

[SoupDragon]

From South London I wouldn't go M25, I'd go Blackwall tunnel, A13, M11, A11.

Surely that depends where in South London you are. From where I am, it's a short trip to the M25 and then round to the Dartford crossing.

[JassyRadlett]

We're more SW (and the M25 easily accessible) so the M25 anti-clockwise usually works out faster.

This is possibly the most British thread in MN history.