Motorway stopping off... Forums

newsbits

Sorry if this sounds a bit thick but is there any protocol on where to park up on motorway service areas in the UK? My impression from the forum is that the continent is more forgiving with regard to motorhomes. In fact welcoming is probably nearer the mark. What about over here? Go with the trucks or just grab a car slot and go for it!
Any problems with using the A road pull ins that the truckers use to stretch your legs?

hymmi

Where ever we stop, we park in a far corner out of everybodys way so we can eat, drink and have our afternoon nap,as long as you fit in a parking space without overhanging to much.We don't park with lorries to noisy.A roads yes laybys.

autostratus · Moderator

You're right. The Continent is more welcoming to motorhomes and encourages them by providing much dedicated parking space. They even provide dumping facilities on some of the motorway stopping places.

In the Uk you may find on some mway service areas that you are directed as a caravan to the area for HGVs. Not a pleasant experience particularly at busy times.
On some others there way be a dedicated caravan area but that may be 'invaded' by solo cars. One bad one for this is the small area at Maidstone which is the last stop before either the tunnel or cross channel ferry. Or the first, of course on your return. We have had to ask cars to move to an empty car parking spot to enable us to park on 2 seperate ocassions.

These service areas seem to be very ready to charge a fee for overstaying their limit time but not as willing to encourage responsible parking.

SidT

On the new service area on the M6 toll road there are long bays on the outside of the car park, as it not a particularly wide car park you don't have too far to walk to get into the main building and the entrance ( to the car park )is narrow enough to stop HGV's getting in. That is if you can afford the £6 toll to be on the road in the first place.
Sid

newsbits

Thanks for the guidance all...leave for germany thur afternoon, overnight by coach, then drive back saturday, left hooker! wrong side of the road! 380 miles on roads I've never seen before! on my ownsome!!! All say ah! Should be a breeze!!! I'll post the outcome. Cheers again, Phil
PS I think I've remembered everything!!!!!

Anonymous

Being an ex-tugger I always tend to follow the signs for caravans on to the lorry section. One problem this can cause is that you cannot always get back to the petrol station on the way out as you are routed via the lorry part of the filling station which only has diesel & large nozzles. I remember a couple of years ago doing a U turn with my caravan to everyone's annoyance as I just had to have some petrol before going any further!
On the way back from the Show at York on Sunday I pulled into Birch service area on the M62 & noticed a couple of motorhomes as big as mine parked in the car area so I went in there. OK so we took up part of the space behind but it wasn't very busy so not a problem.
Think I will do this more often. Exclamation