Brit Stops. Have you used them?

Mr Sambambles
Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194

Just wondering if any of you folks have used Brit Stops ?

They appear to be a good way of low cost but also perhaps a fun way of stop overs. Are there many places to visit in East Anglia? 

Would be good to hear what you think of them. 

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2016 #2
    The user and all related content has been deleted
  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #3

    We bought the Britstops book a few years ago for a good look cost us £16, we decided that unless we were desperate it wasn't for us. Many of the pubs state' Free' if you buy a meal/drinks, which is in itself fine if that is what you normally do, we don't.
    Also with pubs most parking is just in the carpark, again not my idea of a restful night. We haven't yet used Aires in France but that's not to say we won't when we don't have the trailer with us, but it will not be a car park type. Luckily there are lots
    of really nice Aires in France. UK is still a long way behind in that respect, but if you don't mind staying on car parks or you are lucky to find a nice out of the way place to park then give it a try, what have you to lose. the fee is payable each year and
    I think its now £21.

  • mhparking
    mhparking Forum Participant Posts: 155
    edited July 2016 #4

    We had a Britstops book last year but only because I won it in a competition that I entered by mistake. We didn't find any of the entries suitable so never used it. The current cost (2016 book) is £27.50 + £3 p&p.

    On the point of Aires in France and the UK being "a long way behind", that's not surprising given the lack of real support/demand. What we do have, though are CLs/CSs and THSs during much of the other year (even if that is the other club
    Smile).

    Graham

  • statusMoty1
    statusMoty1 Forum Participant Posts: 225
    edited July 2016 #5

    We bought it at a show and used it once...coincidently heading to Norfolk but more Lincolnshire ...it was ok, we were In a field behind the pub...the pub said dog friendly but when we went for evening meal we had to sit outside dogs not allowed inside quickest
    meal we have ever eaten it was cold and windy. We never bought it again though it wasn't for us, and the pub we stayed in was free to anyone passing not exclusively for Britstop members etc. Though I will add we felt very secure and not in the car park with
    other pub users.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #6

    There are also the Practical Motorhome magazine Nightstops (haven't tried them.)

  • mhparking
    mhparking Forum Participant Posts: 155
    edited July 2016 #7

    There are also the Practical Motorhome magazine Nightstops (haven't tried them.)

    Nightstops are different from Britstops. They are CLs, properly certificated by the MCC, but branded separately from other MCC CLs through the link with PMH.

    Graham

  • mhparking
    mhparking Forum Participant Posts: 155
    edited July 2016 #8

    the pub we stayed in was free to anyone passing not exclusively for Britstop members etc.

    As are most pubs which allow camping without a site licence or certification.

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

    Thanks Graham, that's helpful, I don't know much about them. (previous post.)

  • mhparking
    mhparking Forum Participant Posts: 155
    edited July 2016 #10

    Thanks Graham, that's helpful, I don't know much about them. (previous post.)

    Unlike the CC and C&CC, the MCC has no membership restriction on use of its CLs (at least one other exempted organisation with a few CLs is the same).

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited July 2016 #11

    Thank you for all your feedback so far. Its really helpful. They seem to mention stops at vineyards and Farm shops etc. We are off to the Norfolk Motorhome Show later this week and they are bound to be there.
        If the general feeling is  doubtful then we will look at the alternatives. More feedback would be very welcome. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #12

    There are also the Practical Motorhome magazine Nightstops (haven't tried them.)

    Nightstops are different from Britstops. They are CLs, properly certificated by the MCC, but branded separately from other MCC CLs through the link with PMH.

    Graham

    i think om roght in saying that you dont have to be a member of the mcc or to buy any 'book' to ise these....

    for the odd stopover, i have used a couple of the pub stops mentioned above....served the purpose at the time.

  • mhparking
    mhparking Forum Participant Posts: 155
    edited July 2016 #13

    There are also the Practical Motorhome magazine Nightstops (haven't tried them.)

    Nightstops are different from Britstops. They are CLs, properly certificated by the MCC, but branded separately from other MCC CLs through the link with PMH.

    Graham

    i think om roght in saying that you dont have to be a member of the mcc or to buy any 'book' to ise these....

    Absolutely right. There is no requirement in law for CL/CS use to be restricted to members of the certificating organisation so the fact that the CC and C&CC do so is for their own reasons. Legally, in all cases, it is up to the land owner as to who is allowed to use a CL/CS but those signed up to the CC and C&CC risk losing their certificate if they allow non-member use. The MCC has no such restriction, either for its "ordinary" CLs or those branded Nightstops.

    As far as pubs, vineyards, farm shops or anywhere without a licence or certificate are concerned, they can allow camping by any caravans/motorhomes so long as they abide by the restrictions on numbers of units and nights.

    Graham

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited August 2016 #14

    We use pub stops a lot.  We like moving around and if we plan on eating out we find a pub stop for that night.  The money you save on a site fee goes towards the cost of your food.  I always like to look the pub up on google first and check out the menu
    and any comments on tripadvisor.  At the end of your evening when you turn in, you put the blinds down and it doesn't really matter where you are.  We've never had a broken night in a pub stop and next morning you're up and away anyway.  We've found quite
    a few stops just by finding a pub we like the look of and asking if they mind if we stay overnight.  The Lord Nelson in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk is a lovely old pub, which serves great food and they let you stay.  Get there early though because it's very popular.
     We are on wild camping for motorhomes, which has a big list of pubs and wild camping stops.

  • SallyGS
    SallyGS Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited August 2016 #15

    We are long term club members (25yrs+) & users of Britstops in the last 18mths. Both useful. We use our motorhome during all 4 seasons. Plus points for Britstops = hardstanding pitches, we view this as essential in the wetter months with our front wheel
    drive van. They aren't by any means all at pubs, we've used both their pub stopovers and other varied places. Never had a disturbed nights sleep. We haven't used Britstops in East Anglia - but that's because we haven't been to the area since having the option.