A338 road (England)

A338 road (England) is a primary A-road in southern England, connecting the coastal resort of Bournemouth with the historic university city of Oxford. Spanning approximately 28 miles (45 km), it traverses the counties of Dorset, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire, serving as a vital link between the South Coast and the Thames Valley. The route passes through significant towns including Ringwood, Salisbury, and Hungerford, intersecting with major roads like the A31, A303, and A34.

Route description

The southern terminus of the A338 is at a major junction with the A35 in the Bournemouth suburb of Holdenhurst, near the Bournemouth International Centre. It heads north through the New Forest district, bypassing the market town of Ringwood via a dual carriageway section. Continuing into Wiltshire, the road skirts the eastern edge of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty before meeting the A30 near Salisbury. North of Salisbury, it runs concurrently with the A345 past the Stonehenge World Heritage Site landscape before diverging near Amesbury. The route then progresses through the Vale of Pewsey, passing close to the Savernake Forest before entering Oxfordshire. Its northern section runs through the Ouse Valley and the North Wessex Downs, terminating at a roundabout interchange with the A420 on the eastern outskirts of Oxford, near the University of Oxford's Headington campus.

History

The road was originally designated as part of the Ministry of Transport's early 20th-century road numbering scheme in 1922, initially running from Bournemouth to Hungerford. Its alignment follows ancient trading and droving paths, including parts of the Harold's Way long-distance route. Significant upgrades occurred in the 1930s under the Trunk Roads Act 1936, and the Ringwood bypass was constructed in the late 1970s to alleviate congestion in the town centre. The route's importance increased with the expansion of Bournemouth Airport (formerly Hurn Airport) and the development of the Oxford Science Park. Historically, it provided a key connection between the ports of the English Channel and the industrial centres of the Midlands, bypassing the congestion of London.

Junctions and landmarks

Key junctions along the A338 include its start at the A35 in Bournemouth, the interchange with the A31 at Ringwood, and the complex junction with the A303 and A30 near Salisbury. It meets the A4 at Hungerford and has a significant confluence with the A34 at the Wantage bypass. Notable landmarks adjacent to the route include the King's Park stadium, the Salisbury Cathedral spire visible from the southern approaches, the Wilton House estate, and the Uffington White Horse in the distance. The road also passes near the Membury services on the M4 motorway and the Didcot Power Station cooling towers.

Future developments

Proposed improvements focus on easing congestion at the A31/A338 Ringwood junction, with plans under consideration by Dorset Council and National Highways. There are long-term aspirations to dual the remaining single-carriageway sections between Salisbury and Hungerford to improve resilience and connectivity to the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Environmental assessments are ongoing, given the road's proximity to protected landscapes like the New Forest National Park and the North Wessex Downs AONB. Integration with the Oxfordshire Local Transport and Connectivity Plan may also see enhanced public transport corridors and cycling infrastructure along parts of the route to support sustainable travel between Oxford and Bournemouth.

Category:A roads in England Category:Transport in Dorset Category:Transport in Wiltshire Category:Transport in Oxfordshire