Driving the South West.
Know before you go.
Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and the moorlands are spectacular to drive — but the roads can be brutal if you don't know them. Narrow lanes, steep gradients, hedge-lined passing places and coastal villages built for horses, not coaches.
This section is built for coaches, motorhomes, campervans, caravans, minibuses and anyone who wants honest, practical guidance rather than a sat nav guess.
Coverage
Devon, Cornwall & Somerset
Vehicle Types
Coaches, motorhomes, caravans
Knowledge Source
On-the-ground local expertise
Verified by
3moors editorial team
Local knowledge, not automated routing. These guides are written and verified by people who drive these roads. Sat nav will send coaches into village centres and motorhomes down single-track lanes — this section gives you the real picture before you set off.
Choose your guide
Practical road intelligence for larger vehicles and visitors new to South West roads.
Coaches & Group Travel
Coach access routes, drop-off points, turning areas and parking for full-size coaches and minibuses across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
Motorhomes & Campervans
Which roads work for motorhomes and campervans — and which ones end in a hedge. Height bars, turning points, aires and practical routing advice.
Caravans & Towing
Steep gradients, tight bends, passing places and seasonal congestion. What caravan towers really need to know before heading into the South West.
Scenic Driving Routes
Beautiful roads worth driving slowly — moorland ridge routes, coastal approaches and valley drives that reward those who take their time.
Roads to Avoid
Roads that trap coaches, panic motorhome drivers and send caravans into passing places for hours. Know before you go.
Parking, Turning & Drop-off
Coach bays, large vehicle parking, turning points and designated drop-off areas for popular destinations across the South West.
Driving in the South West: American Visitor Guide
UK roads shock many American visitors — hedge-lined lanes, passing places, left-hand driving, roundabouts. A calm practical guide for first-time UK drivers.
Featured Drive
Atlantic Highway Explorer
A39 · Cornwall & North Devon · 2–5 days
How we rate road access
Ratings reflect typical conditions. Roads that are Easy in a car can be Difficult in a motorhome and Avoid in a full-size coach. Always check the specific guide for your vehicle type.
Known difficult places
These locations present consistent, well-documented access challenges for coaches, motorhomes and caravans. Read the full guide before attempting to visit in a larger vehicle.
Polperro Access Guide
AvoidOne of Cornwall's most restrictive harbour villages. Very narrow streets, steep approaches and extremely limited turning space.
Clovelly Access Guide
DifficultHistoric cliffside village with extremely narrow cobbled streets. Effectively pedestrian-only beyond the upper visitor parking area.
Port Isaac Access Guide for Coaches, Motorhomes & Caravans
DifficultPort Isaac is a beautiful but challenging destination for larger vehicles. Steep narrow streets, tight turns and very limited turning space mean coaches and caravans should avoid the village centre. Motorhomes should plan carefully before arrival.
Village & Destination Road Guides
Detailed access guides for individual destinations across Cornwall and Devon — parking, approach routes, vehicle ratings and known problem points.
Bude
Cornwall
Crackington Haven
Cornwall
Boscastle
Cornwall
Tintagel
Cornwall
Port Isaac
Cornwall
Polperro
Cornwall
Wadebridge
Cornwall
Hartland
Devon
Clovelly
Devon
Bideford
Devon
Woolacombe
Devon
Ilfracombe
Devon
Lynton & Lynmouth
Devon
Stopovers Guide
Motorhome Stopovers & Overnight Parking
Legal overnight motorhome parking across Cornwall and Devon — council-approved, practical and verified. Not campsites. Real places where short overnight stays are actively permitted.
Always verify before you travel
Road conditions, restrictions and access change. These guides reflect the best available local knowledge but are not a substitute for checking with local authorities, your vehicle operator, or the relevant national park authority. Never rely solely on sat nav in the South West — it regularly directs large vehicles into completely unsuitable roads.