Open Features: National Trust Relieves Bank Holiday Getaway Stress
Sally Williams says the National Trust is playing its part in making road journeys less painful this weekend.
The National Trust is joining the drive to make the August bank holiday journeys in England less painful by setting up its own unique network of alternative ‘motorway service areas’.
The Bank Holiday is traditionally one of the busiest weekends for holiday traffic. According to the Highways Agency this coming Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime and Monday afternoon are expected to be the busiest on the roads this weekend, especially on the main holiday routes, as people set out and return from short breaks or day trips.
As Mark Harold, National Trust Director for the South West, explained: “This weekend many holiday makers will make the journey to the South West heading for the beautiful coast and countryside, and with Britain’s roads taking the brunt of the holiday traffic we’re encouraging people to plan around the congestion to make the journey an enjoyable part of the holiday.”
Instead of a hurried burger and loo break at a motorway service area, the National Trust has identified over 30 of its places which are conveniently located only a few miles from motorway junctions and A roads.
These places, which include built properties and countryside locations, can provide a more relaxing break with plenty of space to park, picnic, walk the dog and enjoy tasty local, seasonal food during the holiday getaway.
Ideas include Killerton, an 18-century house with a choice of two tea-rooms, and picnic areas in its beautiful gardens and parkland, just seven miles from Junction 28 of the M5- a stretch of motorway that’s expected to see more than 3,500 vehicles an hour heading for the West Country at peak times. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-killerton
Other suggestions include Stourhead, a magnificent landscape garden and mansion just 2˝ miles off the A303. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-stourhead/
Chartwell, is also well worth considering as a break for people heading around the M25 towards the Channel Tunnel and Dover
ferries as it’s only 6 ˝ miles from Junction 5 of the M25.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-chartwell/
The full list highlighting the major holiday routes, is on the National Trust website at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bankholiday
The National Trust initiative ties in with the ‘Don’t just drive, Discover’ campaign launched by the Highways Agency for the summer holidays. The Agency, which manages England’s network of motorways and major A roads, has been urging families to plan their journeys as much as they plan their holidays and take breaks to avoid tiring and stressful drives.
"In contrast to the daily commute, the holiday getaway is made up of longer, often unfamiliar journeys,” said Steve Crosthwaite, head of the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre.
“The desire to arrive by a certain time, together with all the expectation that has built up over many months and a long journey ahead, mean the stress factors can be greater. No-one wants a bad start to their summer holiday, so we're encouraging drivers to help themselves to avoid delays where they can."
"Just a few minutes checking the weather and traffic conditions before you set out can take a lot of hassle out of your journey. You should allow plenty of time for your journey and include a rest break every couple of hours.”
