User:Nicholasjf21/M5 Motorway

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The M5 from above

The M5 Motorway [1] is a major holiday route part of England, and goes from Birmingham to Exeter. Whilst perhaps not renowned worldwide either as a result of its cultural connections or beauty, the M5 remains an important arterial route for the British holidaymaker, connecting the United Kingdom's Midlands with the beautiful coastline and countryside of the South-West.

Understand[edit]

The Willow Man, a landmark visible from the M5

The road was built in the 1960s-1970s and is a major tourist route during summertime, Easter, Christmas and other major British holiday dates. Destinations include Minehead, Exmoor, part of the Land's End to John O'Groats road trip.

Drive[edit]

Intersections[edit]

The motorway joins the M4 just outside of Bristol near Bradley Stoke, known locally called the Almondsbury interchange. The interchange then offers routes to both Wales and London. Meanwhile, the Birmingham side merges with the M6 and offers trips up to Scotland.

General Advice[edit]

This a motorway and so the speed limit is 70 mph/115 km/h for cars (lower for other types of vehicle) and certain other road-users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles operated by learner drivers, are prohibited. If you wish to drive more slowly and take in the countryside, it would be advisable to choose a different route.

Traffic[edit]

As on many other British motorways, traffic can be a problem on the M5.

For current traffic flow information, see [2], [3] or [4].

Eat[edit]

British service stations have long been famed for their gastronomical 'experiences' so if you can spare the time it is often much better to leave the motorway and find something to eat in a neighbouring town or village. But for those in a rush or fans of mass-market, homogeneous chains, there follows a list a what delights you can expect to be available on your journey:

  • Frankley Services [5] is near Birmingham and is run by Moto. Burger King, Eat and Drink Co., Marks and Spencer Simply Food (Southbound), Costa Coffee.
  • Strensham Northbound Services. Operated by Roadchef. Soho Coffee Co. & Grill, McDonald's, Costa Coffee, Pizza Hut Express.
  • Strensham Southbound Services. Operated by Roadchef. Soho Coffee Co., Hot Food Co., McDonald's, Costa Coffee, Pasty Presto
  • Michaelwood Services [6]. Close to the towns of Wotton-under-Edge and Dursley in Gloucestershire and is run by Welcome Break. Starbucks, Eat In, Burger King, KFC.
  • Gordano Services. Operated by Welcome Break [7]. Eat In, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, Waitrose.
  • Sedgemoor (North) Services. Operated by Welcome Break [8]. Starbucks Coffee, Burger King, Eat In (Restaurant)
  • Sedgemoor (South) Services. Operated by RoadChef [9]. Costa Coffee, The Burger Company, RestBite (Restaurant).
  • Bridgwater Services, TA5 6TS [10] is near Bridgwater in Somerset, run by Moto. Costa Coffee, Burger King, The Eat and Drink Co., West Cornwall Pasty Company.
  • Taunton Deane Services. Taunton Deane services is a motorway service station near Taunton, run by RoadChef. Costa Coffee, The Burger Company, RestBite (Restaurant).
  • Cullompton Services, Cullompton services is near Exeter run by Extra. McDonalds, Costa Coffee.
  • Exeter Services, [11] is near Exeter run by Moto. Burger King, The Eat and Drink Co., Harry Ramsdens, West Cornwall Pasty Company, Costa Coffee, Marks & Spencer Simply Food

Off The Motorway[edit]

The following towns are a few miles from the M5.

Sleep[edit]

Frankley Services[edit]

  • Travelodge (Southbound)

Strensham Services[edit]

  • Days Inn, in Northbound services, but accessible by a bridge for southbound drivers.

Michaelwood Services[edit]

  • Days Inn Hotel

Gordano Services[edit]

  • Days Inn Hotel

Taunton Deane Services[edit]

  • Days Inn Hotel

Exeter Services[edit]

  • Travelodge

Go next[edit]