Late Night Arrivals

onepjg
onepjg Forum Participant Posts: 282
edited February 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi All

We are staying at Broadway next Thursday, and were wondering if we would be allowed to arrive at the site about 11.30 pm on the Wednesday evening and stay overnight in late night arrivals area, presuming they have one, before checking in whenever suits the site staff the next day. Quite happy to pay, not trying to get a free night, just prefer to avoid coming around the M25 at 9am on a work day. Is this allowed or are they solely for people booked in who arrive late?

Peter

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Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #2

    Have a word with site staff, LNA is normally for "late" arrivals for the day concerned not for "early" arrivals for the next day

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited February 2017 #3

    I think the answer is in the name --- Late Night Arrivals. -----How that is interpreted by the Warden is down to the controversial " Warden's Discretion. "

    Why don't you give the site a ring and speak to the warden and see what his/her personal interpretation of LNA means.

     

    Cheers............................K

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #4

    Ring the warden and ask but you'll probably have to make a booking for the Wednesday.

    Have you considered breaking your journey elsewhere so that you're not driving so far on Wednesday?

  • ChemicalJasper
    ChemicalJasper Forum Participant Posts: 437
    edited February 2017 #5

    If you had the Wednesday booked.....who's to say what incident could happen to you on the way, delaying your arrival!?!

    Personally I'd rather face the traffic or get an early start and find somewhere to stop for brunch near the destination, than FACE the LNA, but each to their own!

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited February 2017 #6

    I suspect the LNA area is intended for unplanned late arrivals and not for people to plan to stay there. It might be full with a 'genuine' late arrival.

    There is a LNA area there but it's often full of parked cars.

    I agree with CJ......the thought of arriving and setting up in a car park at midnight seems far worse than just getting up early and driving there the next day (something that we regularly do......including crossing the M25. It's just another motorway, after all).

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,403 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #7

    What route are you planning to take? If you're coming along the M4 for any distance I'm sure there are folk who could suggest a stopping off point en route. Then a leisurely drive to arrive refreshed at Broadway for 12 on Thursday.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #9

    Hillhead is a "populer" site for LNA for next day bookingsundecided

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #10

    We stay at Broadway or Morton quite often ,and usually takes about 4 hours and never had a problem with the M25 ,we leave at 8am and with a stop arrive just after 1 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #11

    Do you go via M4 or M40 ?

  • onepjg
    onepjg Forum Participant Posts: 282
    edited February 2017 #12

    Hi All

    We go via the M40. I have tried to contact the warden, since late morning, but can't get through. I would be happy enough to pay for the extra night, and as I said in my post I would not be looking for early entry to the site the next day, but would happily wait for the wardens to tell me when I could check in which would presumably be the usual time. I think selfish is a bit harsh as I'm asking, I'm happy to pay so ...

    In my experience the M25 at 8am can be very bad. With kids in the car I'd rather travel the night before and hopefully avoid the tailbacks.

    We are always happy to go the night before, and have even stayed in motorway service stations. The kids love it, its one big adventure, We've never had any trouble stopping at places like that and personally the dog soon lels us know if anyone's about, and ultimately its an extra night away in the van for us.

    Each for their own I suppose.

    We'll probably book the wednesday and stay in LNA.

    Thanks

    Peter

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #13

    When you say you will probably book the Wednesday don't forget that you will have booked a pitch on site and not the LNA. What happens if you arrive to find the LNA already occupied by someone who is using it legitimately and for its intended purpose? I do not think they are there for planned use in this way, they are for those unfortunate, unplanned and unforeseen circumstances. Some may just play the system and pull the wool but that really would not be helpful or fair to fellow members who may just be in a real need would it.

  • N1805
    N1805 Forum Participant Posts: 1,092
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    edited February 2017 #14

    If as you say you are happy to go the night before why not find a site on the way & make it part of the holiday, somewhere new for all the family.  I like other posters believe the LNA is for those having pre-booked & unfortunately have problems on their way to site causing them to arrive late.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #15

    Thank you for telling us what you believe. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #16

    There is room for more than one on LNA at Broadway,and it is available also to those who are running "late",which gives the opportunity to get on site before 1200hrswink 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2017 #17

    content removed

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #18

    Its a better route off the M25 ,then M40 and A44 from Oxford Bypass

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #19

    The crucial thing here is that LNA usage should be managed by those managing the site not just assumed and 'used' by us as part of our pre-planned holiday just because it is convenient '! Some sites have several LNAs, some none but where they exist their use should be managed properly.

  • JollyKernow
    JollyKernow Forum Participant Posts: 2,629
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    edited February 2017 #20

    So, you've tried and failed to contact the site so you're going ahead and stay in the lna? Did you not get a reply after you left an answerphone message?

    The point mickysf makes above is right, also what if, after the op has taken his place for the "early arrival", a genuine late comer arrives to see there's no spaces?

    As I said earlier, rather selfish.

    JK

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #21

    M25,M40,A40 then A44, then relax smile

  • onepjg
    onepjg Forum Participant Posts: 282
    edited February 2017 #22

    Hi

    For clarification I won't leave work until just before 6 on the Wednesday evening. We had planned to leave home about half six and travel to the M40 services. I then considered pushing on to the site, arriving about 11pm. Its not something I've done before so rather than assuming, I phoned the site on Sunday. No answer, but I left a message. Haven't heard back yet. I then decided to ask on CLUB TOGETHER to see other peoples experiences. As we would arrive very late, I don't think there is much chance of me taking someone else's genuine LNA spot. Indeed not knowing the site I though it best to ask. I don't have the option of breaking our journey elsewhere as finding sites to let you check in at 9pm are fairly few and far between, understandably. I understand that if I did this and the LNA was full when I arrived, I'd be in a difficult spot. However if this happened, it wouldn't affect anyone other than us. I'm asking on here and I'm also asking the site.

    I repeat - selfish seems a bit harsh .......

     

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #23

    I have never been in the same situation. When my wife and I used to weekend with children she worked for a while as receptionist at a doctors surgery near home. The surgery finished at 6pm and so I would arrive there with the outfit at around ten past so that there was enough space to turn the caravan on the car park. We would head off at about 6.20 and the destinations were such that they were reachable by 8pm. Some times only just!!

  • JollyKernow
    JollyKernow Forum Participant Posts: 2,629
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    edited February 2017 #24

    So, if you turned up in the LNA for your next day arrival and found it full, what would you do about "being in a difficult spot"? If you can't find anywhere to stay at 9pm how's that going to work at 11pm? I have worked at Broadway and have found that if the lna is full there is nowhere else but to park in the arrivals lane, blocking it for any site traffic, along with possibility of waking quite a few of your fellow campers.

    Your advice on this thread so far has been to stop elsewhere or travel early in the morning, no one has condoned doing what you plan. Ultimately the staff that manage the site can decide to agree with your plans or not.

    I hope you get sorted satisfactorily.

    JK

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #25

    But if everyone does this ,won't the LNA be full up all the time ???

    every where we go we have to go round the M25 or part off it and if necessary we just leave early to "clear" that bit of the route 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2017 #26
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #27

    Just a couple of thoughts, should one plan to 'use' the LNA in this way and occupy the last place would you be willing to up steadies and leave site if a genuine user is unfortunate to arrive after you? We can't assume probability of need can we? Surely if LNAs are used as planned stop overs in this way then that stops them being used correctly when needed. Afterall, non of us plan to break down or get stuck in accident traffic etc. Also, such 'abuse' of LNAs  would very soon become common place for those who just wish to suit themselves and plan for their late arrival, not quite right that at all in my opinion.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2017 #28
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #29

    Where as I think that some think that these sites are run for the benefit of individuals (often themselves) rather than the general customers. (not directed at you David)

  • onepjg
    onepjg Forum Participant Posts: 282
    edited February 2017 #30

    Thanks Deleted User User, I appreciate your post.

    Out of interest, how many times have people seen the LNA area full, on sites with more than one spot ?

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2017 #31

    +1, fair point AD