From Bridgewater to Barnstaple there’s twisty little roads and the odd long straight, You also go through some lovely villages and can go up the 1 in 4 hill between Lynton and Lynmouth if you want. When you hit Barnstaple you’ll probably get stuck in traffic but don’t worry, You’ll be out of there soon. Between there and Bideford are some duel carriageways to overtake anyone thats got in your way. Then your onto the Atlantic highway, A faster road with wide sweeping bends and the occasional twisty section that goes all the way to Indian Queens and the A30.
Its about 130 miles in all, About 5 or so more miles than going the M5/A30 route. It also takes about 1:15 hours longer to drive but its a lot more fun and there’s a hell of a lot more to see along the coastal way.
Note - DON’T go in the school holidays, You WILL get to see the back of a slow moving caravan for mile upon agonising bloody mile, And nothing pi$$es off a driver more than having the perfect road before them and being forced to do 25mph !