i'm travelling down there next week, and hoping to stop at the services for a break, as we did 2 years ago, we are towing a caravan, and last time we parked up near the middle of the parking area where there were a few containers placed, but looking on google earth ,it looks like they have installed a costa drive through in the middle ,
so , is there anywhere to park up with a caravan for half an hour that has easy drive in -drive out places, or would Watford Gap be the better option
thanks Stuart
At Northampton south, official Caravan parking is in the smallish Coach park area (beyond the Costa drive through), but is dead end bays, drive or reverse in, drive or reverse out, NOT drive through!
Warnings of penalties for incorrect parking, but always generally found services parking to be a free for all with all sorts in the 'wrong' areas and little obvious enforcement beyond the automated ANPR fines for overstaying free period!
At Watford Gap, initially Caravans directed to Coach/HGV area, then 'nothing' to guide you! Coaches are in dead end bays outside Days Inn hotel, HGV area seems to be double length bays, so you 'may' have to reverse out if in behind a truck, or may be lucky and drive to end of bay and be able to drive away.
I too plan my stops to find best places suited to the caravan, but often find they are very poorly catered for in service areas, at best an afterthought, often not thought of at all!
Rather take it as a given that having to reverse the caravan to park in service areas is more likely than not! As a usually solo tower that used to be fraught, as no one to guide me, so fitted a reversing camera which makes the task so much easier. Never had a problem with the actual manoeuvering of a trailer, but that doesn't overcome having to reverse 'blind' in very congested areas!
Have to say, never been inclined to try and park the caravan (moderately long 4 berth in my case) in the dedicated 'car' areas, as often barely manoeuvering room with 'tail swing' potentially very tight, and often high kerbs/posts to deter commercial vehicles on quite narrow entry/exit points.
Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 30/5/2024
Watford Gap HGV park the better option. Depending how far south you are going Toddington better still
Post last edited on 30/05/2024 13:13:17
yeh i think Watford Gap it is , turning off M1 at Northampton , to A43
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: M1 south, Northampton services
via mobile 30/5/2024 at 1:09pm
