M5 Gloucester services

johndailey
johndailey Forum Participant Posts: 520
100 Comments
edited July 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We intend staying for an overnight stop in the caravan at Gloucester (North bound) M5 services. Has anybody had any bad experiences there? All comments welcome please.

Comments

  • Tomorrow
    Tomorrow Forum Participant Posts: 130
    edited July 2016 #2

    Never stayed overnight at any services but they are nice services.Happy

  • johndailey
    johndailey Forum Participant Posts: 520
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #3

    Never stayed overnight at any services but they are nice services.Happy

    Write your comments here...Thanks for the reply. We have stopped for a break at both North and South bound and I agree that they are pleasant. If we do stay overnight, it will be a first for us so don't know what to expect.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #4

    As services go, Gloucester is one of the nicest, but, expect noise at all hours and you will be charged £23 for the privilege, although you get a £5 voucher back to spend inside. It won't buy you two  coffees though!  There is a very nice CL a bit further up just off M5, easy to get to and a fraction of the price. Look under Upton on Severn, sorry, can't recall name at moment.

    Edit: The Willows

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited July 2016 #5

    This is the best service station we have stopped at, with or without the caravan. With the caravan, it has excellent dedicated parking.

    I would never spend the night on a service station though.

    Where are you travelling from / to that requires you to stop here? 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #6

    I recall one of our regular solo posters, Pippa, had stayed overnight not long ago and reported back all was ok. (Might be in the Motorway Service Report area.) We used the northbound section for a stop in May, at 6.30 am, it was quiet and very little was open so don't expect too much if you want food etc.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #7

    Motorway Service Reports is at the top of the Caravan and Motorhome Chat section.

  • johndailey
    johndailey Forum Participant Posts: 520
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    edited July 2016 #8

    Thanks to all for the replies. Ian, we are travelling from West Cornwall to Scarborough and the Gloucester area just off the M5 seems about half way. You have confirmed that there must be better places to get some kip than a service station. Brue, I will
    look at Motorway Service reports as you have kindly indicated. We are now looking at a CS (Camping and Caravan site near Dursley). It is far cheaper than the service station and part of the site is a pub! where good food is reported to be served not to mention
    a well earned pint!

     

     

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #9

    Thanks John, hope all goes well, enjoy your holidays!

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #10

    That's certainly quite a trek John D! Hope your journey goes well.Happy

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited July 2016 #11

    John - we have travelled from Yorkshire to Cornwall every year for many years and have always done it in one hop - about 6 - 7 hours towing a caravan. We set off about 3am to avoid the worst of the traffic.

    Scarborough is a bit further (and I don't know where you are in Cornwall or your circumstances) but I agree that you're doing the right thing to chose a 'proper' site for a stop-over.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited July 2016 #12

    John, enjoy the comfort and security of a CL/CS, nice as Gloucester Services  are, to my mind they are not secure, they are also twice the price....Cool

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #13

    Or the Tewkesbury CC site, maybe. It's only a few minutes off the M5 and the route takes you via Morrisons where you could refuel at reasonable prices.

  • Johnny00
    Johnny00 Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited July 2016 #14

    We went from Northamptonshire to Cornwall but stopped overnight at West Hill Farm in Highbridge, Somerset, which I would recommend.  It is quite close to the M5 and and there is an Asda with fuel in Highbridge about 5 mins from the site.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #15

    We went from Northamptonshire to Cornwall but stopped overnight at West Hill Farm in Highbridge, Somerset, which I would recommend.  It is quite close to the M5 and and there is an Asda with fuel in Highbridge about 5 mins from the site.

    I know the CL, Johnny, and it is good. I think it's a bit far south for JD's needs though.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited July 2016 #16

    We're doing the Yorkshire to North Devon run in just over a week and stopping off (becasue we can - no time constraints) at a CL near Tewkesbury No. 712, just off M5 Junc9. Wouldn't ever dream of stopping overnight at a service station when for a few miles
    you can have a field and be disturbed by birds/cows/sheep etc rather than HGV's and the like. Enjoy Scarborough.

  • johndailey
    johndailey Forum Participant Posts: 520
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    edited July 2016 #17

     

    We're doing the Yorkshire to North Devon run in just over a week and stopping off (becasue we can - no time constraints) at a CL near Tewkesbury No. 712, just off M5 Junc9. Wouldn't ever dream of stopping overnight at a service station when for a few miles
    you can have a field and be disturbed by birds/cows/sheep etc rather than HGV's and the like. Enjoy Scarborough.

    Write your comments here...Thanks Paul. We also intend visiting Harrogate, Knaresborough, York, Filey and Whitby. I was born in Yorkshire so I am familier with most of it. Enjoy North Devon - a lovely part of the country.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #18

    I was most impressed with the Gloucester services when we stopped at both north and south services for a short break earlier in the year. The only comment I would make about the north bound services is that the caravan parking is very much nearer the motorway
    than the southbound so I don't think anyone would get a good nights sleep stopping there overnight

    David

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited July 2016 #19

    As services go, Gloucester is one of the nicest, but, expect noise at all hours and you will be charged £23 for the privilege, although you get a £5 voucher back to spend inside. It won't buy you two  coffees though!  There is a very nice CL a bit further
    up just off M5, easy to get to and a fraction of the price. Look under Upton on Severn, sorry, can't recall name at moment.

    Edit: The Willows

    I go along with this. It is The Willows at Naunton about 2 or 3 miles Nth on the A38 from junc 1 of M50

    Stayed overnight last year for £10

    Excellent site

  • partimefranky
    partimefranky Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited April 2018 #20

    We are travelling from Burnley to Looe in Cornwall with our van and just want somewhere on the M5 to stop for our dog and a brew. Never done motorway services before with the caravan so could anyone recommend a service station to stop at around half way. Thanks

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #21

    Gloucester service station is half way. Stop for your tea break there. 

  • Kontikiboy
    Kontikiboy Forum Participant Posts: 304
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    edited April 2018 #22

    Hi Part-timer,

    Have a look at Sedgemoor South on the M5 between J21 and J22.  If the distance suits you, it is a good pull in for caravans, with plenty of space and a place to walk your dog.    There is an extra layer of level rough ground near the lorry area which the caravanners and campervans park, and an expensive but nice Cornish Pastie van!

    And if you need a good camping shop, Highbridge Caravans is just a half mile from J22.

    BillC

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #23
    Gloucester Services are probably the only ones we'd use overnight, especially if very late or early. In fact we have been in them around 5.30am and they're very quiet, don't expect any 24 hour fast food, the set up is quite different. See here for kitchen opening times.They've got good facilities including showers. 

    For a rest break in the day they are very good and you can stock up on farm food etc.

    This year we're overnighting at Cheltenham race course site, we've booked non EHU for £14.50. That is another easy to access site from the M5.

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