We have a 6am ferry Dover to Calais booked for our hols in August but have to travel down from Derbyshire so were hoping to leave home early evening Thursday and stop in or near the port for a few hrs sleep before we have to board the ferry on the fri morning as we are then driving to Brittany with one more overnight on the way. ( we have got two young children too!)
Can anyone offer any advice/ experience please?
Thanks.
Caroline
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Caroline, we have done a similar journey in previous years from Lancashire, with the intention of grabbing a couple of hours sleep waiting for an early ferry on Friday morning. More often than not we get there earlier than booked and put on the next available ferry, so usually end up stopping for long breaks a couple of times during the onward journey on the other side of the channel as needed.
------------- All I want to be,
is a million miles from here.
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When we had an early morning ferry booked we have managed to get a very cheap room in a travelodge (I think it was about 20-30 mins from the terminal) and managed a fairly descent nights sleep.
We have travelled down from Merseyside for the Dover to Dunkerque boat for the last 3 years.
2006 Overnighted at Maidstone Services on M20. Dedicated caravan bays away from lorry park about £16.00 for the night. Bays are pretty narrow but adequate. Just over an hour from Dover for the 06.00 Ferry but we did meet up with fog which slowed us down even though last week in July.
2007 We stayed at Little Satmar holiday park, Capel-Le-Ferne, Folkestone for one night. Friendly owners put us, and others catching the early ferry, on a large open grassed area where we were able to stay hitched up ready for departure for 06.00am boat. No barriers or gates so easy departure. About 30 mins from Dover Ferry terminal.
2008 Stayed for several nights at Little Switzerland Camp Site, on the cliffs at Folkestone, and have a look around Dover. Lovely views over the coast from cafe terrace. Large enough pitch to stay hooked up and again no barriers to impede early morning departure. About 20 mins from Dover FT.
Both of the latter about £15/night for car, caravan and 2 adults.
Hope this helps.
Tim
------------- Tim and Cary
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We stayed at the CC site in Folkestone. They have dedicated Ferry Pitches and you can leave anytime you want. We upped sticks at 4am for our 6am crossing, the journey to Dover was about 15 mins.
We've stayed overnight in our motorhome on Marine Drive for the last two years. Each time there have been about seven/eight motorhomes and one/two caravans. If you arrive after 6pm I think parking is free and there is dedicated parking at the far end of Marine Drive. We managed to get a good night's sleep and took only a few minutes to get to the port.
We travel down from Derbyshire for a similar time channel tunnel crossing. We Set off from home at around 1.30am and get down there in plenty of time for the crossing. the kids mostly sleep during the trip down the motorway and there's not much traffic about. Getting the ferry at that time of day you can be away once you're the other side of the channel and be at your stopover by lunch / mid afternoon.
------------- Kate
Trailer tent, caravan and too many tents!
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Last year we wanted to stop at the CC club site with ferry pitches but it was full, ended up on the new stop24 services by the tunnel at folkestone, no dedicated caravan parking but just stuck the legs down on the coach park with everyone else!! not a bad sleep, but may be busier now its been open a while!!!
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: Dover - can we sleep at the port ?
