Early ferry from Harwich

philipgoh
philipgoh Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited April 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We're planning our first overseas trip with our caravan and were going to set off from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. The ferry departs at 9am, and we live about 4 hours away from the ferry terminal.

Has anyone ever camped overnight at the ferry terminal car park? My wife who caravanned as a child claims that her family used to do this when catching an early ferry to France. 

I'm keen to avoid setting off early in the morning and would appreciate any insight into how other caravanners deal with morning ferries.

Comments

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #2

    Haven't stopped over there myself but it seems that people do as its quite a large area.  We live about 50 miles away so will leave home about 0530hrs to give us some contingency.  Call Stena at harwich to check, in any event have a good trip

  • philipgoh
    philipgoh Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited April 2016 #3

    I got the following reply from Stena regarding camping on the docks.

    -------------------------------------

    Thank you for your e mail.

     

    We do have an area in the front of the check-in booths in Harwich that you can park up for the night with campers or caravans. This happens a lot during the summer period. We do have an overnight ferry at 23.00hrs which we need to keep the main part of the
    area free but after this time you could park anywhere in this area as the morning departure check-in opens at 07.15hrs.

     

    If you follow the signs as if you are going on the ship as you approach the port the area in question will be obvious and there may also be vehicles already parked up depending on when you arrive or there may be staff still around.

     

    I hope this information has helped.

    --------------------------------

    So it looks like we will be camping on the docks!

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #4

    Great info philipgoh

  • anothersunrise
    anothersunrise Forum Participant Posts: 264
    edited April 2016 #5

    We're planning our first overseas trip with our caravan and were going to set off from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. The ferry departs at 9am, and we live about 4 hours away from the ferry terminal.

    Has anyone ever camped overnight at the ferry terminal car park? My wife who caravanned as a child claims that her family used to do this when catching an early ferry to France. 

    I'm keen to avoid setting off early in the morning and would appreciate any insight into how other caravanners deal with morning ferries.

    Write your comments here...when do you go? We are doing a 9am ferry too 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #6

    We catch the Harwich ferry most years and stop on a CL in the Manningtree area. It's only 30 minutes max easy drive to terminal. Drive to Cl, arrive early afternoon, put feet up, glass of red, unwind, no hassle. Get up following morning and pack up and leave
    at 7.30 after uninterrupted nights sleep. Why bother with sleeping at noisy ferry terminal?

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