M40 when F1 is on ?

[Josy1953]

We have just realised that Silverstone F1 is on next weekend, has anyone driven down to Southampton using the M40 when F1 is at Silverstone ? We are debating whether we should try to find a b&b and drive down the day before though we have now left it late.

[the english lady]

We have just realised that Silverstone F1 is on next weekend, has anyone driven down to Southampton using the M40 when F1 is at Silverstone ? We are debating whether we should try to find a b&b and drive down the day before though we have now left it late.

 

Relatives of mine who live northwards, if they are coming this way when Silverstone is on have learnt to try and find alternative routes.

Not sure its the actual motorway that is the problem, more likely the roads around it.

For peace of mind would it be better for you to drive most of the way down the day before, and hotel/bb the night before, rather than worrying about it on the day.

Premier Inn in Southampton is opposite the cruise terminals, and reasonable. Other stop further out so only have a short run on the morning of travel.

you should still be ok to get in somewhere.

[anniebea]

Relatives of mine who live northwards, if they are coming this way when Silverstone is on have learnt to try and find alternative routes.

Not sure its the actual motorway that is the problem, more likely the roads around it.

For peace of mind would it be better for you to drive most of the way down the day before, and hotel/bb the night before, rather than worrying about it on the day.

Premier Inn in Southampton is opposite the cruise terminals, and reasonable. Other stop further out so only have a short run on the morning of travel.

you should still be ok to get in somewhere.

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn just out side Winchester and drove in to Southampton in the morning, much less stressfull

[Adammara]

Personally, I would get past the M40 on the previous day, don't forget the Friday is practice day, Saturday is qualifying and the race on Sunday. We avoid that area when the major events at there anyway.

 

Lots of reasonable hotels past Oxford, we have stayed at Oxford, Abingdon, Newbury, and several hotels in Southampton over time. Now days we tend to use Holiday Inn, and the Express ones are quite good and a light breakfast is included. You also get award points, and we will soon have enough for a free 2 night stay!

[groovechick]

We have just realised that Silverstone F1 is on next weekend, has anyone driven down to Southampton using the M40 when F1 is at Silverstone ? We are debating whether we should try to find a b&b and drive down the day before though we have now left it late.

 

Avoid the M40 if you possibly can. We ended up travelling to/from a major family event on the same weekend as the F1 GP at Silverstone and it was awful. The traffic on the motorway was at a crawl N & S-bound with sheer weight of traffic and cars queuing to get off. Trying to avoid the snarl-up by going cross-country didn't work either as we realised too late and all the "back" roads had become blocked with people like us and local traffic.

[Adammara]

Looking at the map, I would get off the M40 at Banbury, onto the A361 to Chipping Norton and down the A44 to Oxford, its around 5 miles more, but probably quicker that weekend!

[brillo]

Do not use the route just proposed this is as bad as the M40 !

[Adammara]

By the sounds of it, you should definitely go the day before!

[crimson moon]

We will be travelling to Southampton from Dudley in five weeks time and will be avoiding the M40 like the plague.

 

We take the M5 to just past Gloucester (junction 11A) and take the A417 up over Birdlip and then stay on the A417/A419 to the junction of with the M4 just south of Swindon. Then it's a quick dash on the M4 towards London to the junction with the A34 at Chieveley Services then south on the M4 to the M3 and M27.

 

We find it a slightly quicker, but much prettier, route than the M40

[Josy1953]

We will be travelling to Southampton from Dudley in five weeks time and will be avoiding the M40 like the plague.

 

We take the M5 to just past Gloucester (junction 11A) and take the A417 up over Birdlip and then stay on the A417/A419 to the junction of with the M4 just south of Swindon. Then it's a quick dash on the M4 towards London to the junction with the A34 at Chieveley Services then south on the M4 to the M3 and M27.

 

We find it a slightly quicker, but much prettier, route than the M40

 

 

Thanks, that sounds like a plan because we are struggling to find somewhere decent to stay the night before, the places that we like are already fully booked.

[h3rjp]

We stayed at the holiday inn Winchester last time we sailed from Southampton. It is most of the way to the port and takes 30 minutes or so to get to Southampton. If your regular hotels are all booked up and you don't mind breaking up the journey it's not a bad bet (modern and clean too).

[Florry]

You could try the Potters Heron

in Romsey. Not stayed there but it's often my back up plan.

Edited July 4, 2016 by Florry

[mondas42]

Damm, forgotten all about that. We are travelling to Southampton on the Friday this week, and I would normally use the M40 as well as the A45 that actually goes past the track. M1 and M25 for us now.

[paul_a142]

We will be travelling to Southampton from Dudley in five weeks time and will be avoiding the M40 like the plague.

 

We take the M5 to just past Gloucester (junction 11A) and take the A417 up over Birdlip and then stay on the A417/A419 to the junction of with the M4 just south of Swindon. Then it's a quick dash on the M4 towards London to the junction with the A34 at Chieveley Services then south on the M4 to the M3 and M27.

 

We find it a slightly quicker, but much prettier, route than the M40

 

Just bear in mind the roadworks between Jn 4A and Jn 6 We went down to Cornwall last week and the traffic was horrendous through there :mad:

 

Regards.

 

Paul

[cruiser1955]

From July 8 to July 10 traffic coming down the A5 and A43 will be diverted via the centre of Towcester, Milton Keynes for the A5/A422, Buckingham bypass, and Finmere before re-joining the A43 south of Banbury turn off. The A43 between Towcester and roughly Banbury will be one way to and from Silverstone. At the best of times this is a busy route and is mainly single carriageway in each direction.

 

Based on previous years, once you are past J15 on the M1 southbound traffic runs well as most southbound F1 traffic leaves at Northampton.

[Adammara]

Have to disagree with you Cruiser1955, the A43 is now dual all the way from Northampton to Junction 10 of the M40 Cherwell Valley Services.

 

The Silverstone section was opened in 2002. My maternal grandparents lived in Silverstone village for many years, it would handy now if I wanted to go to the Grand Prix!

[cruiser1955]

Have to disagree with you Cruiser1955, the A43 is now dual all the way from Northampton to Junction 10 of the M40 Cherwell Valley Services.!

 

Maybe my reply wasn't clear. The A43 is dual, but at the time of the GP, both carriageways are used to direct traffic to Silverstone. The single carriageway route I was talking about was the diversion.

[Adammara]

Sorry misunderstood! We found out the hard way once, and we had a caravan in tow!

 

When we tried the alternative route for us, down the A1, round the M25 and onto the M3, we spent enjoyable 3 hours viewing the tarmac on the M25! In all it took us 8 hours to do the 166 miles to Basingstoke where we were staying a couple of nights pre cruise.

[cruiser1955]

Sorry misunderstood! We found out the hard way once, and we had a caravan in tow!

 

That's OK. They have had signs up about the disruption/diversion for the last 3 weeks or so. Love watching the GP but some years the roads can be chaotic. Still, it's good for the local economy.

 

Hope you enjoy your return to Cunard - there is still something special to me about the elegance of the Queens.

[Josy1953]

Hotel in Winchester booked for Saturday night. We have never tried to find a hotel so late, I was astounded how many places were completely booked up. The hotel has reasonable reviews on Tripadvisor so we will go with open minds.

 

Lesson has been learned, in the past we have never left on a Sunday and have usually driven down the day before but this time we thought that having a 3:30 check-in and being Sunday we thought that we would be OK to travel down on the day.

[lancashire_cruisers]

We're also traveling down this weekend and realised a couple of weeks ago that it clashed with the British GP.

 

Luckily we managed to book a room at the Hilton Ageas Bowl including car parking for the duration of the cruise.

 

After a hideous year last year we're so looking forward to getting away and relaxing!

[kevinyork]

We're also traveling down this weekend and realised a couple of weeks ago that it clashed with the British GP.

 

 

 

Luckily we managed to book a room at the Hilton Ageas Bowl including car parking for the duration of the cruise.

 

 

 

After a hideous year last year we're so looking forward to getting away and relaxing!

 

 

 

We stayed at that hotel for the first time in May. A great hotel, easy to get to as just off the motorway and has lovely rooms. It has a nice restautant (Beefy's) but the retail park nearby has lots of places to eat too. This will definately be our hotel of choice for future cruises.

[Scorpio41]

Damm, forgotten all about that. We are travelling to Southampton on the Friday this week, and I would normally use the M40 as well as the A45 that actually goes past the track. M1 and M25 for us now.

 

Last time we travelled down on GP weekend they were queues on the M1 a couple of junctions back from the Silverstone junction for the A43.

Our friends were stuck in it for hours. we however pulled off and went round.

[lancashire_cruisers]

We stayed at that hotel for the first time in May. A great hotel, easy to get to as just off the motorway and has lovely rooms. It has a nice restautant (Beefy's) but the retail park nearby has lots of places to eat too. This will definately be our hotel of choice for future cruises.

 

It's our favourite Southampton hotel now. We stayed there last year prior to a sneak peak at Norwegian Escape.

[insanemagnet]

Our friends were stuck in it for hours.

 

I am always astonished by people who don't use the available technology to avoid such problems.

 

For example, the navigation feature in Google Maps on Android has built in free traffic information and will automatically put you on the quickest route.

Edited July 8, 2016 by insanemagnet