Overnight stop but where?

Mr Sambambles
Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
edited April 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Off to Scotland from Norfolk soon. Due to circumstances not certain what day or  time we will be setting off. Possibly won't even know until the day before. Have any of you just pulled up in a quiet lay by or side road and slept there for the night? In the Motorhome so self contained. Hoping to get as far as Durham but just can't be sure so can't book a site. Want to get as far as we can on the first night. Your experience would be much appreciated as usual. 

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Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #2

    What about the site at Durham Grange? Ring as you set off. I'm sure you'll find some decent CL just off the main A1 again ring as you leave. Personally I wouldn't want to use a lay by.  We accidently left Caen port when arriving on a late ferry, we had been told that we could overnight in the secure area. We and several other another motorhomes parked in the car park literally outside the port. It wasn't a restful night despite ensuring the cab doors were locked and using bungy clips we didn't sleep.

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
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    edited April 2017 #3

    If you can't get as far as Durham Grange what about Hargill House just off the A66 a couple of miles from Scotch Corner.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited April 2017 #4

    Couple of good suggestions and thank you for that. The preference would be CL. However as its likely to be bank holiday week availability may be a problem hence if we get stuck is wild camping a good idea? 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #5

    I would never choose a layby to spend the night in. Noisy, dirty, dangerous and putting yourself in a vulnerable position unnecessarily.  

  • youngalan
    youngalan Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited April 2017 #6

    CL 1624 in the 2017 handbook is just off the A1 - it should be ok for a night stopover.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited April 2017 #7

    I would never regard a lay by as a safe place to stop and one at the side of the A1 is likely to be very noisy and I am not sure there are any now. As an alternative to the two club sites mentioned there are services at Scotch Corner which might work although parking for outfits is limited there and you have to reverse into position.

    Durham Grange does have late night arrivals pitches so if you book that and arrive late you should still be OK.

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited April 2017 #8

    We tend to overnight at the club site at the junction of the A1/A66 (Richmond Hargill House site) however we start a bit more south than you.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,073 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #9

    A lot of the laybys on the A1 are now closed, and have never been nice or safe. If you come off A1 at Scotch Corner, head down A66 for a few easy miles, there is a nice CL called Browson Bank. We have used it to arrive very late with owners permission, and not bothered with hook up so cheaper. However, it is grass, so might not suit your MH. There is a very big layby just off Scotch Corner/A66, will have trucks in it, but is set back off road, so a tad safer. Has a cafe/greasy spoon as well. We have used services at Durham as well, for a couple of hours break, but not nice, and it was years ago. Durham Grange has a LNA, outside barrier.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,073 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #10

    Just recalled a fairly quiet wild camp spot as well. If you take lorry route off A66 towards Barnard Castle, not far after crossing Tees Bridge near Egglestone Abbey, there is a large pull in on the left. Not sure how busy road is though.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #11

    from Campingcar-infos.com the 'aire' at Darlington....actually 'parking tolerated day and night'....checkout the website for a pic or use google maps street view.

    Accès/adresse :
    Chesnut Street
    Car Park
    DL2 DARLINGTON (County Durham)

    Latitude : (Nord) 54.52991° Décimaux ou 54° 31′ 47′′
    Longitude : (Ouest) -1.54761° Décimaux ou -1° 32′ 51′′

    Tarif : 2013
    Nuitée de 18 h à 8 h : 4 £
    Journée de 8 h a 18 h : 4 £

  • keithfiddy
    keithfiddy Forum Participant Posts: 27
    edited April 2017 #12

    Hi Balero boy 

    From Norfolk take A17 then A1 to Scotch Corner then A66 West.Pull in to our Richmond Hargill House Site on spec it's well worth a try as it's only 3 miles from Scotch Corner.If no luck stop at Mainsgill farm shop and cafe a further 5 miles where car park is at least an acre and has a very nice owner. 40 miles on is Penrith Truck stop 10 acre park for a small fee and good food , not greedy spoon.

    Hope this helps.

    Re Keith.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited April 2017 #13

    Thank you all so much for your really helpful information. 

    It has given us some good options to explore before just grabbing a few hours in a lay by. ( as a last resort of course ) . I think I will give the owners a call well before and explain the situation and see what the options are. If any one else can add to that it would be most appreciated. 

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