4D,
This is the route we use & most of it (bar about 20 miles at either end) is dual carriageway.
From Swindon take the
A420 to Oxford (this is a single carriageway, about 20/25 miles)
Join the A34 (first exit) towards the
M40.
At the Junction with the M40, take the first exit towards Birmingham/Northampton on the M40
At the next junction (10), follow the road to Northampton, this is the
A43.
Follow the A43 to Northampton. Go under the M1, and at that roundabout go straight across, at the next roundabout turn right and follow signs for the
A45.
This takes you onto the Northampton ring road, but all of this is dual carriageway.
Follow the A45 through Wellingborough. (From here it should be signposted Peterborough).
It’s then dual carriageway until Rushden, and it's about 20 miles from here to the A1
When you hit Thrapston (at the Junction with the A14), the road becomes the
A605, which you can follow all the way to Peterborough.
This will bring you out on the Junction of the A1, and from there it depends what sort of pub you like.
You can head into the City Centre if you want a pub walking distance from the ground, or there are a few nice pubs which are about 5 mins to DRIVE into the City.
I don’t drive particularly slowly, but on Saturdays it usually take me about 2 hours from Home to get to Swindon.
However, this will be a Bank Holiday weekend, so it might take a bit longer.
Hope this helps