Hi Mark,

Yes I know both routes you describe, from a misspent youth going to North Devon every other weekend surfing. So I used to avoid the traffic in the summer and drive the back route, and usually could get around with out hold up and get from Alton to Croyde usually in about 3.5-4 Hours, in a split screen VW camper.

The roads round there are quite good on the whole and I found them pretty quiet, I was tempted to carry on the A30 to Yeovil but needed to make reasonable time hence me jumping onto the A303 for a few miles.

Cheers

Adrian

Buggered Off, to a modern none leaky car, heart's still ticking