What is the best way from Dawlish to the Stokenham (Start Bay campsite)

[JHuwJ]

We are currently staying at a campsite in Dawlish Warren. We are heading to the Start Bay campsite near Stokenham on Friday. We’ve been there before, going south from the A38 Exeter to Plymouth. Google maps took us on an awful journey down minor roads that involved a lot of reversing. It was easier but still congested going back home. Google and Apple suggest a number of routes from our current campsite. Does anyone know the area well enough to suggest a good A road route?

 

[gus-lopez]

DBK would be the best bet but from my recollections of driving & working around there ,any roads are minor .Bad enough in a PVC

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

I’ve heard it said it’s best to follow a bus on the same route down there.

We have tended to go in from the Dartmouth end to get to CCC site at Stoke Fleming and the CMC site at Stokenham but from the A38 down (not from Dawlish) then A379 I think? The road to there and onward is typical, but doable (we are only 7m). It also helps when you have a Mrs who used to drive fire engines on shouts.

 

[Gellyneck]

As said, the best way is to follow the bus from Kingsbridge.
So, A384 to Totnes, A381 from Totnes to Kingsbridge and then the A379 from there.
Download the bus timetable and time it so you can wait for a few minutes on the road by the riverside before you get out of Kingsbridge and when it passes follow it.
There are a few tight bits on the route through the villages but the bus acts as a "plough" for you as the oncoming traffic stops to let it through (it's bigger than them and not owned/insured by the driver!).

 

[Pausim]

There is no “best way” of driving through the South Hams but following a bus not only gets the road cleared for you but you save on the bus fare as well.

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[Gellyneck]

There is no “best way” of driving through the South Hams but following a bus not only gets the road cleared for you but you save on the bus fare as well.

You can also save on diesel if you attach a tow rope at the first bus stop.

You just have to hope he stops at the one before your destination!

 

[DBK]

We are currently staying at a campsite in Dawlish Warren. We are heading to the Start Bay campsite near Stokenham on Friday. We’ve been there before, going south from the A38 Exeter to Plymouth. Google maps took us on an awful journey down minor roads that involved a lot of reversing. It was easier but still congested going back home. Google and Apple suggest a number of routes from our current campsite. Does anyone know the area well enough to suggest a good A road route?

I've been on most of the roads around the South Hams and my advice would be this:

A38 until you pass South Brent then turn off and follow the A3121, signposted Kingsbridge but after about a mile turn right at the (newish) roundabout, signposted Ugborough. DO NOT go straight over this roundabout despite the sign saying this is the way to Kingsbridge. That way gets seriously clogged when trucks, caravans etc meet on the narrow sections beyond the roundabout. Continue on the A3121 past Ermington to another roundabout, also relatively new and turn left here onto the A379, signposted Modbury and Kingsbridge. Follow this road to Kingsbridge, through Churchstow and then from Kingsbridge on to Chillington and eventually the campsite.

From memory there are almost no single track stretches on that road apart from the narrow bits through Chillington and Stokenham.

 

[Gellyneck]

......... and turn left here onto the A379, signposted Modbury and Kingsbridge. ......

I'm pretty certain this was the stretch of road we got our offside mirror smacked for the first time but fortunately our Mirrorguards protected the mirror fitting. The Transit van that hit us (we were nigh on stopped!) had his mirror hanging from the wiring after it!

We were heading the other way though.

It was around here and this Tesco delivery van gives an idea of the situation.

 

[JHuwJ]

In the end, I chose the A roads along the coast from Dawlish to Totnes then the A381 to Kingsbridge. The state of the roads was awful. Deep holes in the centre or even deeper holes near the verge. I don’t think I’ve been on such a long journey on such bad roads before. Once we got to Kingsbridge we managed to catch up with the local bus and were able to ‘snow plough’ our way to the campsite. Thanks a lot for that tip. I forgot how bad that drive is.

Once we got here we went for a sandwich and some sweet potato fries at Stokeley farm shop and got a few snacks from the deli. Their sandwiches are excellent. Lunch in Stokenham tomorrow and a run on the beach for Ziggy. The campsite is totally packed compared to the very few ‘vans in Dawlish Warren.

Thanks for everyone’s input on this journey.

On our way back up to the M5, I was thinking of heading along the coast to Dartmouth, A3122, A381 to Totnes and then the A385 to the A38 and on to the M5. Has anyone made that run recently?