Stop-offs at NT and EH properties
I think all we carvanners are painfully aware of the stress of finding safe and easy places to stop off en-route in the UK. Whilst I don't have an all-embracing solution to the problem, I can suggest something that also adds a bit of a cultural flavour to the experience. We are National Trust and English Heritage members and love visiting as many properties as possible on our travels, often choosing a site that gives reasonable acccess to several. We have also eased the hassle of the stop-offs on many occasions by calling at one of the properties mid-journey. The obvious potential problem is knowing beforehand whether a particular property has suitable parking for caravans or large motorhomes, but we have found many around the UK that fit the bill, and add to our long tally of properties visited.
I did think of listing our tried and tested properties here on this discussion, but I don't know the level of interest this would create. Therefore I will first ask for feedback to this idea from readers of this forum - simply, woud you like me to compile and publish a list, and if you have good tips too, please put them forward here.
Look forward to some positive feedback
Thank you.
Moderator Edit:
As this isn't about an overseas topic, the thread has been moved here into the UK Sites and Touring Section.
Comments
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As the owner of a small MH, I don’t need a list as we can fit in just about anywhere but well done for thinking of the idea.
PS. Perhaps a mod can move this from Overseas to UK?
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We frequently use NT properties en route in preference to service areas and a favourite is Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire just off the A14. Imagine our horror last weekend when we called in (unusually, in the car) to find that they have installed height barriers in the areas of car park that had previously been available to motorhomes.
We queried this at the desk and were told that they had had an invasion of ‘travellers’ that had cost them dearly. We asked about parking a motorhome and were advised that we could use the coach park ‘at weekends’. Since we rarely travel at weekends in the MH we pushed the issue and were then told we could use the disabled bays ‘as they were larger’. We looked, on the way out, and indeed the disabled bays are wider but not longer so would not accommodate the MH. Overhang is not possible due to low level posts in the borders.
We do think it is short sighted of the NT to install barriers without apparently making any provision for motorhomes which we think are regular, and probably lucrative, visitors. Their website does now state that height barriers are in place at Anglesey Abbey so the lesson for us is to check each property before going.0 -
That's worrying....
We stopped at a NT property on our way home from a weekend away this weekend ( Chirk Castle). No height barriers (yet) and parked the M/H in the car park, walked the dog, visited the castle & the coffee van and discussed rejoining the NT after a break for a few years........
If they are banning motorhomes we may rethink this....??
As the Club seem to have a marketing tie up with the NT perhaps they could lobby the NT or confirm whether CC members are still welcome.....?
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It might be worth checking out if the car park with barriers was indeed owned by NT. I do have some sympathy if it is, the cost of moving travellers on, and the clean up required can be huge, and if they have used it once, it’s on the radar. Can’t say we have come across any barriers. The NT seem to be on a charm offensive at the moment, much more welcoming, dogs welcome at more properties.
We often plan our travel days around EH, NT and HHA properties, and some private historical buildings. There are so many, and if unsure we just phone ahead. Most are fine, as they welcome coach parties. We have done it towing caravan as well as in MH.
We stopped off at Berkeley Castle last week, heading from SW into Cotswolds. Parked in lower coach park with no problems. Sudeley Castle has a large MH friendly car park as well. Kenilworth Castle (EH) is another only a couple of miles detour off our route to SW.
I suspect most seasoned tourers not having to belt up and down motorways know of such examples. Always preferable to a service station. We very rarely use any facilities on motorways, including if travelling in car.
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The idea isn’t unique. Anyone with a road map, the time to stop off, and the gumption to phone the site direct to check on parking can take advantage. We have stopped off at places and enjoyed them so much that we now find a CL close by and explore the area more. Luckily now have the time.
Everytime we use a new route to somewhere, we take a look for stopping off points for a break, a dog walk, a bite to eat. The journey is part of our holiday.
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Hi everyone,
I've forwarded this discussion to a colleague to see if I can find out anymore information about motorhomes at National Trust Properties. A moderator has also moved this discussion to UK Sites and Touring. Hopefully I will post with further information soon.
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That is a blow about Anglesey Abbey, I have visited it several times in our motorhome along with other sites. Height barriers are not usually a deterent for "travellers". It is not unknown for them to be cut away! It really is time the law was changed to make it easy to move on/prosecute those who have no regard for other peoples property.
peedee
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indeed, Peedee. the cause isn't being addressed just the symptom.
if this were a criminal offence then the police could do something about it straight away (a real deterrent?) rather than leaving it to the landowner and the courts (no deterrent at all)...
having said that, we visited Cliveden a few weeks back, on the way home from Henley. be away, there is a 'width barrier' in that the entrance gate is very narrow.....use the large vehicles (hotel) entrance.
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There is always GoogleEarth that will enable you to check out the parking suitability at the desired NT/EH property. Easier generally with a MH rather than a towed van though.
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Johnosh, if you are coming to the SW. you will find you can get into car parks at Saltram, Antony and Landhydrock NT houses with a small or medium sized Motorhome, but I have never seen it attempted with a towed caravan, and trying to tow a caravan to Cotehele would be extremely rash. Always make the phone call first.
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I wouldn’t recommend taking a towed caravan into Saltram.😯
I'm almost certain that Lanhydrok has a dedicated car park for coaches, MHs and caravans. Access is easy.
Cape Cornwall is somewhere you can park a MH but not a caravan unless the place is near empty. The approach lanes aren’t great for towing either.
Similarly, Godrevy is OK for MHs but a no-no for caravans.
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Lanhydrock does Tinny, we have used it. There are a good few NT properties with dedicated MH and Coach parking. They have been quite quick to recognise the advantage of providing larger spaces. I think Heligan has MH parking as well.
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Thought so with Lanhydrok but when you pass the signs frequently, you take them for granted and stop reading them.
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I thought so too for the big new car park at Lanhydrock, but the last time we went it was rammed. Even solo cars were being diverted into the coach parking area and entry with towed caravans would have been impossible .
But for the absolute worst NT parking n the SW is there anywhere which beats Overbecks?
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Which proves we should never take anything for granted even when we know what’s normally available.
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Stourhead & Kingston Lacey (NT) in Dorset have small CL type sites & M'home parking. I also feel a list could be helpful.
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agree, Jay.....we've used these before but it's difficult to grasp who is providing the service....
the national trust owns the land and gets its certificate from CC, but are the CLs listed in the CC book/website? not that I can remember.
does NT produce a definitive list? again, I've found some infromation, perhaps about a specific area, but not a comprehensive list....each NT 'admin' are seems to decide whether it will produce CL information, or not.
an NT link was provided in an earlier thread but is incomplete.... eg it doesn't contain Stourhead or Kinston Lacy which makes me wonder if it actually include CLs at all....
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Thanks for all the responses so far.
Although I have never seen a height barrier myself at a NT 'property' as opposed to a car park on NT land, I can't say they don't exist though. The best approach to this is to try phone ahead, though not all phones are answered, and/or check on Google satellite. We have always found NT staff helpful, sometimes reserving a coach bay for us if they haven't any booked parties. Obviously caravans are a bigger challenge than motorhomes as far as maneuvering (please no pedantic comments on spelling!) is concerned though we have never yet had to unhook.
I'm still thinking about whether to compile my own list of 'good' 'possible' and :avoid' locations.
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Have a look at the map on www.annie-and-chris.com to start you off.
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We have stayed on NT campsites. Interesting that Highertown Farm lists available for MHs and Caravans, we know the location well, and doubt we could get our very small MH down there. Teardrops and camper vans at the most. Idyllic though, unless the blasted Guardian has just voted it into top 10 campsites, then it’s swarming with the chattering classes a la Gwyneth! It was flooded last time we went, we drove in,took a look and then booked a couple of nights at Old Ferry Inn at Bodinnick.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/camping-and-glamping
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find out anymore information about motorhomes at National Trust Properties.
But, sadly, not about trailer caravans.
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The two NT CLs are listed on line, Stourhead in Wilts and Kingston Lacy in Dorset. I seem to recall you get a pitch fee reduction if you are an NT member.
Here's the Stourhead CL LINK
Visiting motorhomes can use the designated parking areas at Stourhead, not recommended for caravan visitors as the approach is narrow. There are a lot NT sites and coastal car parks that easily accommodate motorhomes.
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We have stopped off at some NT properties while towing Nav. Admittedly our van isn’t large, 13ft, but if a coach can get in, we can get in. Charlecote springs to mind. Hailes Abbey, (EH), Numerous locations on Hadrians Wall. The Sill, visitor centre under HW close to Housesteads has a really good car park, big spaces, you pay by the hour.
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Agree brue, it is a lot easier with a MH. Last place we visited with van in tow was Sledmere, we phoned in advance to check, didn’t have any problems, but could have been different at a busy time.
Plus we know if we have to park on grass our tow car would get us out. Lots of grass parks, something else to be aware of if stopping off.
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When I was at Sledmere earlier this year there were about 2,000 caravans and all parked on grass.
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