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Boasting some 630 miles of coastal paths, gorgeous sandy beaches, and some of the finest local cuisine in the country, it’s no wonder that the South West is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Millions of travellers visit this delightful corner of the UK each year, with the vast majority coming during the summer months.
That can give the summer months a wonderful atmosphere, but the sheer number of people — and drivers — can pose other problems. For example, homeowners who are moving into a new property during the summer season can quickly encounter issues that make the process more challenging than they expected.
The solution? Get informed, and plan accordingly. If you’re moving to the South West, this page is for you. We’ll run through everything you need to know about navigating your summer move as smoothly as possible.
Moving to the South West During Summer: What To Keep In Mind
Summer is Popular With Tourists
One of the reasons why the South West is so popular is that it’s home to so much green space. On the other side of the coin, the abundance of greenery comes at the cost of roads. It can lead to a lot of traffic in the summer months. With only a few roads allowing access to key areas in the region, residents and tourists often find themselves in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
That can be manageable when your end destination is a holiday resort, but it can be stressful when you’re racing against the clock to move your belongings into your new home.
The Kids Are Off School
The influx of tourists can lead to busier roads during the summer months, and that’s only ramped up when the kids are off school. The school holiday period is when the South West’s roads are at their busiest, since it’s not just a time when families from elsewhere in the UK come to visit, but also families who live in the South West are also out exploring in their vehicles. You may well be one of those driving families yourself one day, but first, you’ll need to move into your new property.
Timing Is Key
You can encounter traffic in all parts of the country, but the South West is a whole other level. At its worst, getting stuck in traffic congestion really can add hours to your journey, which is a lot of time to lose on moving day.
Timing your journey to minimise the risk of delays will give you the best possible chance of avoiding the stress of finding yourself in backed-up traffic, racing against the clock.
Practical Tips When Moving to The South West in Summer
OK, so they’re the challenges that moving in the South West during the summer months can bring. The question is: is there anything you can do about them? Happily, the answer is absolutely yes. Moving across the South West in summer is more logistically challenging than in other parts of the country, but it’s not insurmountable.
The most straightforward way to streamline the moving process is to work with a company that specialises in South West removals. At Britannia Lanes, our local expertise allows us to navigate the busy South West roads as efficiently as possible, giving you peace of mind that your items will arrive at your new home exactly when they need to.
If you’re planning to move your items yourself, or you’re just looking to avoid traffic so that you can arrive early while we handle the move, then the following tips should help.
Plan Your Route Wisely
It’s not always possible to choose your route when moving to the South West. If you’re moving to Cornwall, for example, then you’ll have to deal with the A30. At that point, your departure time becomes the most influential factor.
Devon and Somerset typically offer slightly more flexibility. When assessing which route you take, consider using tools and apps to check historical traffic data for that route. Google Maps, for example, offers insights into traffic patterns for specific days/times.
The Best Times of Day To Travel
Beating the traffic is a lot easier than trying to navigate it. Data shows that getting an early start — even around 5 am if coming from London — is the best strategy for reducing time spent in traffic.
Be Flexible If Possible
It’s not always possible, but if there is some flexibility for moving day, then it can be worthwhile taking it. Midweek sees a lot less traffic than weekends, for example, and you’ll experience even less traffic if you can wait a few weeks until mid-September, which is when things start to quieten down.
Photo by Jon Foster on Unsplash
Summer Moving Tips and Considerations
It’s not just in the South West where summer can pose moving challenges. The season can affect the process across all locations. Planning to move in the summer? Keep the following in mind.
There’s Higher Demand For Removal Services
Summer is the most popular time to move in the UK, which means there’s higher demand for removals services. August, which brings pleasant temperatures and the school holidays, is the busiest period, followed by July and September. If you’re moving during these periods, then book removal services early.
Summer Heatwaves Can Impact Certain Items
A summer heatwave can cause damage to some items, especially if they’re sat in a traffic jam under intense sunshine all day. Vintage wine, wooden furniture, artwork, vinyl records, and candles are just some items that are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Working with a removals company that understands how to take care of your belongings is key.
Britannia Lanes: Your Expert Partner For Removals South West England
At Britannia Lanes, we have more than 50 years of experience delivering expert removals services to home-movers across the South West. With genuine local knowledge, our family-run business is the partner you need to have full peace of mind that the logistics of your move are in trusted hands. Let us deal with the challenge of moving your belongings across the busy South West by getting in touch today.