M25 - should I go clockwise or anti clockwise?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Boring thread alert

Travelling from the far north down to Brighton at the end of August and my sat-nav has two routes. One clockwise and the other anticlockwise on the M25.

I've never driven on the M25 before - am a comfortable driver on motorways etc so the actual driving isnt concerning me, but the potential for delays/tailback etc is something I'd like to try and plan ahead for.

So.....which way should I go?

Thanks - I'll bear those suggestions in mind for sure. I've been to the Sea Life centre in Tynemouth and we were around the whole thong in about 1 hr so that has put me off them generally but this one may have more to see.

I really hope you have a tech savi navigator as they do need to keep an eye on the traffic and make the decision as late as possible!!!

Ah the bridge or Heathrow that old chestnut. Check the traffic on Google maps just before you leave. And get a passenger to check again just before you have to make a lane choice.

Everyone that refuses to go via Dartford crossing is because that have been stuck in a traffic jam. Not just any traffic jam, a 4 hour going absolutely nowhere traffic jam.
Tends to stick in the memory.

General traffic around Heathrow is pretty awful, and there are usually roadworks.

I'd go Dartford unless the traffic is showing red on the day.

We just use Google Maps directions which seem to be pretty up to date.

Am I right in thinking at dartford there is both a bridge and a tunnel?

You just need to use something with live traffic travel times.

Heathrow way is usually bad just after Heathrow the M3 junction and the next one, drives me crazy 🙄

Not over the scary bridge. I'd go the other way.

There is a bridge and a tunnel, but they are one way. So coming down from the North you'd go over the bridge, going back you'd go through the tunnel.

I hate high bridges like that so when I was taking my son to scout camp in Hertfordshire a couple of years back I drove round the whole of the M25 (to drop him off and then go home) to avoid going over the bridge. That was fun (if you're weird like me )

The bridge goes north to south. Tunnel south to north

Look on Google maps and turn on your traffic overlay. Red is bad basically

@takingmytimeonmyride

Not over the scary bridge. I'd go the other way.

There is a bridge and a tunnel, but they are one way. So coming down from the North you'd go over the bridge, going back you'd go through the tunnel.

I hate high bridges like that so when I was taking my son to scout camp in Hertfordshire a couple of years back I drove round the whole of the M25 (to drop him off and then go home) to avoid going over the bridge. That was fun (if you're weird like me )

Just had a look - it looks just like the Forth Bridge which I always love driving over.

Forth bridge is longer I reckon.

I'd honestly get Waze for satnav. It runs off Google maps for actual mapping but you get really good real time updates from other people using it. It updates itself if there's a big jam ahead and reroutes you.
Tilgate nature centre is sweet, about £7 per head, Drusillas is good but very expensive. SeaLife centre is a good one but like you say about an hour and done. Probably worth checking out the pier for rides, probably works out cheaper than Chessington.

@GrrrlPwr other way round. Tunnel south to north ( unless brudge closed due to high wind). Bridge north to south.

Sorry just reread!