anyone from the south east (ashford area) know

[imthinkingaboutlunch]

how to drive to canterbury without it being a fucking nightmare! i've had to drive there and back twice nearly every day for a good 2 years now and it's just hell ive considered going there via folkestone because that road is always so much easier and calmer but it's ridiculous to make that much of a detour just to get to canterbury. i've heard though that's there's a sort of secret way to get there through chartham that not many people know about and i can't for the life of me find it. has anyone heard of it or know an easier way/time from ashford-canterbury? thanks!

I'll ask DH later. He drives between East Kent and William Harvey hospitals .

I like the sound of a secret route through chartham! If you discover it, please share!
I drove to Canterbury last week for the first time and junction 10 literally terrified me. Not as bad as I expected though

Sorry, totally unhelpful post

thank you so much dappled!

I drove round J10 twice the other day having failed to spiral to my exit

No new info from DH I'm afraid. Just straight down the A28.

Dad used to drive down the A28, turn off at Shalmsford street then round the little back roads from there, he reckoned it cut out the most congested bit of the A28. I have no idea if that is any easier though or if he was mental (he had a lot of secret routes places, and I'm pretty sure some of them were to annoy my mum)

Yep, turn right down Shalmsford Street, then cut across Chatham Downs? Used to go that way years ago when I worked in CT1.

The whole of Kent just appears to be a car park most of the time. I hate j10 m20 as well! I only have to do that part of the county once a week though.
No advice Op, but I sympathise

I'm just here because I'm excited to see people on here who are close to where I'm from

dappled you did well to get round j10 twice! I'm impressed! I struggle to get halfway round with those bleeding traffic lights & lorries who can't decide what lane they want

Have you considered Swan Lane / Blind House Lane (Sellindge) through to Stone Street? Lived here all my life - not Ashford but nearby - and much prefer this route versus A28... it’s a bit of a detour but not as far as Folkestone. Never tried them so can’t vouch for ease of access, but there are also routes through Brook / Hastingleigh (to Stone Street) and Brabourne / Stowting, also up to Stone Street and on to Canterbury.

yesterday i went down shalmsford street and through Nackington and it was a dream! no traffic or cunts trying to push in frontal would defo recommend. thanks everyone!