Motorways
Hi All
Am setting off down the M4 next month and wanted some advice about motorway services! i.e. which ones should we use and why? and which ones to stay away from? am traveling down M4 onto M5, got loads of questions like do we get our own car park for caravans? or do we share with HGV if so do you stay with van or lock up and just go into facilities?
This would be first time on very long motorway trip so need to know some do's and don't s please?
Many thanks to one and all
Comments
-
Hi - if you can get as far as Chippenham on the M4 for your first stop, there are Leigh Delamere services but they do get very busy at peak times. Instead, if you leave the motorway at J17 and take the first exit there is a very good locally owned "pit stop" park - originally for HGVs but now open to the public which does good refreshments and is likely to be less busy - it's within half a mile of the junction so easy to get to and back on to the motorway.
For the M5, we choose Cullompton services - there is a large dedicated caravan parking area before the main car park and it tends to be less busy than Taunton Deane or Exeter services. (Also, if you need to refuel, prices are significantly less than either of the other two.
Hope that helps.
0 -
slowly service stations on motorways are getting better for caravans. Newer ones have drive in drive out bays especially for caravans. Some services have websites and give information on this worth checking out.
0 -
At all costs avoid Bridgewater services on the M5, otherwise I just drive into motorway services, park if I can, and drive out if I can't. They all vary according to day, date and time.
A non-motorway stop which we regularly use is at Cribbs Causeway mall at junction 17 of the M5. If you follow coach parking signs to the furthest end of the multiple car parks you can park by the highest entrance to Msrks and Spencer. Some people are paranoid about not leaving a caravan unattended, but the customers of that store are eminently trustworthy and we go in together for coffee and a sandwich. And their toilets have shorter queues than those on the motorway where coach parties of pensioners are in full flow. Or worse still, slow flow.
2 -
Another thing to remember is fit your hitch lock if you are leaving your outfit in the Motorway service area. There are some not very nice people out there nowadays.
2 -
Personally I avoid Membury (just after June 14 westbound) and use Chieveley at Junc 13. These do involve a rather round about route to get to them and parking with the HGV's, however are better than the dedicated bays at Membury. These are drive in reverse out, not in itself a problem, but are on the main in route. Due to the speed some vehicles enter the car park, it can be very hazardous reversing back when it is busy.
0 -
We have always found Leigh Delamere services on the M4 to be one of the better motorway stops as it is so large compared to many others. On the M5 the Gloucester Services have superb facilities for caravans and motorhomes, why aren't all services like this!!!
David
1 -
We rarely stop off in motorway services. When we do one of us stays with the outfit whilst the other goes off to use facilities. Gives us each a chance to stretch our legs as we find caravan parking/lorry parking usually is well away from main building. Might have a coke before setting off again. We don't stop long, probably less than 30 mins and usually refuel on the way out.
0 -
As soon as the main school holidays start from mid July onwards (end of June in Scotland) the motorway services can be very crowded. The worst times are around lunchtime when the lorry drivers quite rightly need their break. So avoid travel that will involve stopping at peak times. If travelling south an early start will help on the M5 as there are often long delays through Bristol and around Weston super Mare. Sedgemoor Services are an M5 service stop north of Bridgwater, not too bad when things are quieter, the northbound one has a good amount of separate van space. I haven't seen the refurbished southbound one recently but hope it is now similar. Good luck!
0 -
We stopped at Sedgemoor southbound three weeks ago and the caravan park certainly hadn't been refurbished then. Just an area of muddy waste land full of horrendous potholes. One to be avoided if at all possible. Also made the mistake of stopping at Bridgwater northbound last year and having negotiated narrow approach roads and chicanes found myself having to reverse into a bay alongside the multi-storey car park. The whole area smelled like a public toilet and was disgusting. Agree, Gloucester sets the standard that all others should follow.
0 -
Gloucester, like Tebay, is run by an independent company, which I think is family owned, and both aim to source food locally, and generally treat customers, and I believe staff too, as if people mattered. Everything else is run by massive chains.
It's actually worth taking a diversion from your planned route where possible to include these places!
You're right, David, we need more like this.0 -
They spent months doing the fuel area, I was hoping the rest would be revamped.
At least the northbound site is ok.Exeter Services aren't the easiest to reach if travelling south. Travelling north of Bristol Michael Wood services (north and south) have newish areas for vans, north is slightly better. Gordano nr Bristol is always very busy.
0 -
Another vote to avoid Bridgewater at all costs.
And another plus for Gloucester South
There was another thread running on the same subject but reading through that would take an age! I think you have your answers here - have a great break.
0 -
I do not know the services on your route but the simple answer is that they all provide parking for caravans and it is just where you go that varies. Some put you in with the lorries and others have dedicated areas, you just have to follow the signs.
The newer services are generally the best but you will find all sorts parking in caravan spots as they do not seem to police them.
1 -
There was an attendant at one services I stopped at - Harrogate? that area anyway - and he demanded to know what the reason for my stop was - which I didn't like much as his attitude wasn't great - and he then informed me I would have a 20 minute wait for a slot to park up!!! In the event one slot was vacated - but there would be no way I would idle for 20 minutes waiting! AND there was oceans of room in the Bus park!
0 -
I also think Gloucester services are very good, especially the farm shop there.
0 -
When we were there on a very busy day, the attendant was letting folk park in the bus park. They were only there a few minutes though, so, attitude apart, the reason for his question might have been were you making a 5 min loo stop or 30 min drink / food break. We were lucky and got a space as it was vacated.
0 -
I think you are talking of Sedgmoor southbound. But Sedgmoor northbound is very different and has very good caravan/Motorhome parking space - in a big tarmac area marked as Overflow parking. Go on up the left hand side, past the Starbucks, and drive on towards the exit to reach it. Even at busy times there is usually space there.
0 -
Recently went down to St Ives and stopped at Cornwall services https://www.cornwall-services.com/ They have a dedicated caravan park which is easy to pull up and exit. Really clean and good for fuel if you are getting low. www.touringviews.co.uk
1 -
It's quite a new service area and very clean, as you say, KP. I thought a few more caravan spaces wouldn't have gone amiss.
0 -
That'll be the day!
I hear we're getting electricity soon.....
2
