Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Where to take a break on A303 with 17m-old?
MiriamW · 31/08/2002 12:10
We're off on our first long car journey with my rather active 17m-old ds. We want to take a break somewhere halfway between London and Cornwall to let off steam - any suggestions? I'm almost tempted to take M4/M5 in order to get the benefit of the service areas (yes I'm desperate!), but that would make the journey longer, as we're in the very South of London.
SoupDragon · 31/08/2002 13:09
There's not a lot on the A303 up to Stonehenge and that's as far I as I travel along it from S London. There are small service stations with Little Chef "restaurants".
We used to travel this route to Cornwall for our family holidays when I was little and we used to stop on Dartmoor and have a picnic. Sometimes there were ponies there to look at.
We used to leave at 4am or something ridiculous!
Have fun! I have many many fond memories of Cornish holidays and in my memories, it never ever rained
fairy · 31/08/2002 14:49
There is a Little Chef and Burger King about 2 miles onto the A303 when you join it from the M3. There are them all the way along really, another one soon before Stonehenge I think?
But there are plenty of services and petrol, also once you hit Wiltshire you also get alot more lay-bys. Hope this is helpful, we go down there regularly from Hampshire with our ds's and we have never had a problem so far.
helenmc · 31/08/2002 21:36
Really really a nice pub at Wanborough next door to swindon - its got a great play ground and I think a it might have a bouncy castle and rabbits/chickens/pony, a couple of miles off junct 15 on the M4. I think it's called teh King's Head.
If you want a stopover (would recomend as it is a LOOOOOONG way to get to Cornwall) - Roves Farm outside Swindon is another briiliant farm with B&B.
This year we stooped at Stourhead (NT) which is just gardens with restaurant , toilets but great to run round.
Have a lovely holiday - Devon and Cornwall are one the best places in the world!!!
allatsea · 01/09/2002 11:17
There are some Little Chef's on the A303, I stopped at the Countess Services recently and they were excellent with me and 6 month dd, although there isn't a lot of running around room for your 17mo. The A303 also goes near Longleat safari park
charliesmummy · 03/09/2002 23:15
If you want to stop and let off steam, just past Stonehenge there are signs for Farmer Giles Farmstead, £4.95 for adults and under two's free. Its about 5 miles off the 303. We go about once a week and its a good way of letting my ds have a run around and see some Tractors and horseys at the same time!.
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