Comfort stops on/just off M11/A1/M62

emjaytoo2
emjaytoo2 Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited March 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We will be undertaking our first long journey in our van in May, travelling from the Kent coast to near Hebden Bridge. It should be easily doable in a day and we intend to leave early. However, we shall need to stop for the loo and a break a few times en route and have been reading some horror stories about access/space at motorway service stations. Indeed we experienced enough problems last year doing a similar journey with our trailer tent, which was a piece of cake by comparison! Can anyone suggest any caravan-friendly stops on or just off the M11/A1/M62? We are already aware of Cambridge Services on the A14 and Peterborough Services on the A1. Some old posts I have found refer to websites listing suitable places for caravans to stop but the links don't work and/or the sites no longer exist. Any suggestions welcome!

Comments

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #2

    Birchanger just outside Bishop Stortford just off the M11.  Unless you want to stay somewhere around the Essex area don't understand why you don't come off the M25 at the A1M and continue straight North?

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
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    edited March 2017 #3

    The services at J8 of the M11 (Bishops Stortford) are ok with a Caravan, there are about a dozen Caravan spaces although anything and everything is likely to be parked in them !

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited March 2017 #4

    I  agree Birchanger is OK - Peterborough is not BUT there is a truck stop with excellent café before you get to P. Services I noticed last time I was in the car - that the lorry park has been improved otherwise I wouldn't have recommended it!  I will look it up shortly.  Ferrybridge services are ok for caravans and accessible from M62 and A1.  I think the two services you would pass on M62 are OK for caravans but I wouldn't swear to it. 

    Oneputt I think you have to go M62 from Ferrybridge - its not easy to go a long way west of the A1 (M?) further north if you follow me.  I certainly went M62 from here crossing the A1 (M?) at Ferrybridge. 

     

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited March 2017 #5

    Not sure why you say Peterborough is not OK, we have stopped many times with a caravan and MH and find them really good, park in the HGV area as directed no problems...

    M11 at Birchanger are fine, further up A1 lots of laybys to use and several diners where you can get in when not too busy.  Lots of petrol stations have facilities and you can generally pull in these for a pit stop.

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited March 2017 #6

    Not sure why you say Peterborough is not OK, we have stopped many times with a caravan and MH and find them really good, park in the HGV area as directed no problems...

    M11 at Birchanger are fine, further up A1 lots of laybys to use and several diners where you can get in when not too busy.  Lots of petrol stations have facilities and you can generally pull in these for a pit stop.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #7

    Layby's and a 'sausage, egg and bacon' sandwich and my loo is in the caravan. If I can't get in one layby then there is another a bit further along the road.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #8

    At some stage you have to go West and the road (A14) between Cambridge and Huntingdon can be a nightmare

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #9

    What about Clumber Park? Very close to A1M. We always stopped there on our travels north to see son at uni, still do if we're heading along that way. Used to be easy off at the roundabout - then the road layout changed and we'd sailed past it 😂😂😂. Use your own facilities and walk or explore depending on time allowed.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #10

    I wouldn't  recommend Peterborough services certainly not ordinary car park with our motorhome. Very tight. 

  • emjaytoo2
    emjaytoo2 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #11

    Thank you for your comments Oneputt , but experience (without caravan) and SatNav suggest that the M11 and then A1 and A1M and M62 are better for us.

    DaveFL2 - we agree, hence the request for some suggestions.

    Barring unforeseen delays, we will probably make it to Peterborough for our first stop. It is further up that is the problem.

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #12

    Would second this as a good stop, very close to the A1 and plenty of space to park. However, if your not a NT member it would be a very expensive loo stop. £7 for two. £8.75 for a family. Although the road through is a public right of way, as soon as you stop you become liable for the charge. There are plenty of roving collectors on, especially now we are getting into the better weather.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #13

    Well said sorry I missed that bit off  🤔

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #14

    Perhaps I should also add, in case folk have been there before and are surprised by the change. Until this year only one person in the car had to be a member, as the charge was for parking the car. Now each person is charged individually and only the one with the card does not have to pay.

  • emjaytoo2
    emjaytoo2 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #15

    Thank you all for suggestions so far - Clumber Park would be excellent and we are both NT members so no problem.

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited March 2017 #16

    No not car park, if you follow the directions it takes you to the HGV area which is very good and close to the petrol station if you want anything.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #17

    Thanks for the tip well bear that in mind should we need to call in there again.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited March 2017 #18

    Sorry if I was wrong with Peterborough - I thought the lorry park was bad - the car  park is a nightmare though certainly.  I still haven't found my Lorry stop in the Peterborough area - someone may know it?  Its near the signs to the Steam Railway.  And off the A1 not the motorway part. I think it is Stibbington Diner.  Makes a nice change from the normal Motorway Services. 

    I use Ferrybridge regularly with and without caravan and like it. 

    I agree with DaveFL though everything is in the van and I seldom leave it at services but do like easy parking!  As for layby parking as long as it is a proper pull in one and not on the edge of the road - fine too. 

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited March 2017 #19

    Blyth Services on A1 are easy to access and just a few miles further north than Clumber Park. Also a lot cheaper than the charges the NT now levy

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