A66 stopover en route
Hi, does anybody know of a place we can pull over with the caravan on the A66 between Scotch Corner and Penrith? Unfortunately we won't be able to get there until about 11pm so think most campsites will be ruled out, so looking for a lay-by off the road. I had considered stopping at Scotch Corner services but have been told it's a no-no for caravans. Thanks
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Well I've done that route many times and while there are a few good long laybys past Barnard Castle that are slightly off the main road (like the photograph) but as you can see it's remote and even at night it's always a busy road and the road noise and wind buffering could be quite pronounced. Sedbury layby just off Scotch corner might be good if there are spaces?
One idea might be to check if overnight parking is allowed at Rheged? I have actually seen caravans there during the day.
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It’s years since I went that way. Can one still park at the Stainmore transport cafe and truck stop? Or further on at the train station in Appleby?
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The big layby just after Scotch Corner going West wasn’t open when we drove past a week ago, lots of cones and digging equipment in there. We have used a nice CL just before Scotch Corner, and arrived well after 10.30pm by arrangement. Think it’s one at Brompton on Swale. There are a few more CLs over at Cliburn.
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A wee bit further north.....Englethwaite Hall has a late arrival area which I have used a few years ago.
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Excuse me for not agreeing with you but approximately 6 years ago I had a problem when leaving a site near Oban to travel south.A phone call to the wardens at Englethwaite Hall and I was requested (and did!)to park in the late arrivals area and report in the morning!!!!!So according to you that was all a dream was it!!!!!!!!!
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I have just had a look and you are correct in that a late arrival area is not advertised although as above!
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I really don’t think club LNAs should be used other than for genuine unforeseen reasons of lateness. They are not for planned overnight stays. As you say quite rightly, you’re suggestion of a lay-by is really the only option available unless a private site is willing to allow this.
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It's not that they don't advertise one there isn't one full stop. If you look in the Sites Directory on page 171 it clearly states in black and white No late night arrivals area. There is an arrivals lane in front of reception and you may have been advised to park there. It is NOT A LATE ARRIVALS AREA. There is only room for one outfit to park in this area without blocking the site entrance. It is misleading to suggest that this could be used as a LATE ARRIVALS AREA. I am sure if people are running late, then the wardens would try to accommodate them by possibly directing them to an unused pitch.
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Since you can only book a pitch, not the late arrivals area, you could well end up with the same problem as intending to use a lay-by. Finding it already occupied. It would be a shame if this emergency facility was abused.
I wouldn’t class planning arriving at 11pm as anything but blatant misuse.6 -
I think you should stop at a proper campsight wherever you will be three hours earlier and pay the fee.
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We drove West to East over the A66 yesterday. It was foul weather, windy and drizzling from Penrith right over the top of Stainmore, much better then on, and dry and sunny by the time we reached Scotch Corner. There are quite a few lay-by’s, going both directions, but nothing on Earth would have us parking overnight in one as they are very close if not directly adjacent to traffic flying past, and, most were full with resting up HGVs, so you are simply not guaranteed to find a space anyway. The only place off the road is the businesses like Mainsgill, or the horribly run down services at Stainmore.
Might be better to retime your journey, or book a site of some kind away from route.
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That change of weather happens so very often on that route!
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Same all along Pennine spine Corners😁 We live in the rain shadow, it all gets dumped on western Sheffield (or Manchester🤣) before it ends up watering my garden rather pathetically. Mind, we have known the reverse effect as well if it’s an Easterly storm. I find it interesting. We usually have an East or West couple of choices for breaks, keep an eye on things. It’s 10c warmer here than it was up in D&G last week. And a lot drier.
Hope the OP had a rethink. We love the A66 route, so scenic, but it’s one that has few stopping overnight breaks without coming off. We used to use a nice CL at Browson Bank, but that’s gone now. There’s a good basic CL at Cliburn as well, but it’s grass only.
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There’s a good basic CL at Cliburn as well, but it’s grass only.
tda, there's a second, all grass one in the village itself. We are on it at present, The Grange Court.
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I noticed a small loop road off the A66 just West of Appleby starting at approx grid ref 667217 which might do as an overnight stop. Don't know when you are heading across country but Appleby Fair will be Thursday 9 June 2022, for 6 days, which falls in the week following the Jubilee celebrations.
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Yes, saw that one on our way into other, looks nice, enjoy👍
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