We are travelling down to Torquay with the caravan on Saturday prob leaving about 8ish and hoping to get to the Bristol area before stopping for a long break.Not sure which one to head for either Michael Wood before Bristol or Sedgemor after.
Which has got the best facilities for caravans. We stopped off at one last year and ended up parked next to lorries which were really noisy at night and the potholes driving out of the services were dreadfull. I know you have to pay if you stay over 2 hours (we didn't last year till we got home and got a fine in the post! )
Sedgemor is brilliant north bound, not very good south - gravel and lorries last time I stopped there.
Haven't done Michael Woods with a caravan - don't forget there's Gordano's just south of the Avon bridge as well (haven't done that one either) Don't do the M5 so often now
------------- Caravanning is a way of getting a cheap holiday out of an expensive hobby
Stopped at Sedgemoor south a few times always got parked near the bottom corner opposite the exit for a bite to eat and a cuppa [flask] and an hours sleep, there are quite a few potholes so drive in slowly. Also stopped at Michael Wood south bound last year, too noisy with trucks pulling in and out every few minute could`nt get an hours sleep, would`nt stop there again unless an emergency [toilet etc]
We use Michael Wood every year!! We travel down to Torquay from the North East, leave about 8-9pm Friday night, stop off at Woodall, back in the car, stop off at Michael Wood for a few hours, then set off about 7-8am to do the last run. My dad did it this way every year with us from me being 6 months ols (Im 31 this year!) and we've kept it up, easier we think! Can't wait for September!
michael wood has just had a make over on the car parking, caravans and trucks are in different bits now, trucks go left the rest go right, but itis along walk to the toilets from the caravan seaction.
mike
To correct some of the comments above, Michaelwood is far from grotty & full of potholes now. It's just had a complete revamp with both Northbound & Southbound sides being resurfaced & having new forecourts put in. I think this work has cost parking space & it causes some of us going in with big lorries problems parking but it must have cost a fortune.
If you plan on leaving the services early in the morning then either will do you well, if you plan on sleeping in, I'd go for Sedgemoor to get south of the Avon Bridge bottle neck which is always there every weekend during high season.
Gordano isn't too bad but you have to leave the motorway to get into it & may find it busier to leave than those with direct access slip roads off & onto the motorways.
we went a few weeks back and stopped to re fuel at the Tesco's behind the exeter services, only an extra mile and 10p a litre cheaper. Big enough to tow through as well, we then parked in their over flow car park as we were there for 8am and had 4 cooked breakfasts for £8. That is about £25 cheaper than the services!!!!
Oh we are heading to Ross Park in Sept! I got the recommendation from a few posters on here when I first joined, can't wait!!! Just sorting out my mum's 'van as it didn't go anywhere last year and needs a few new bits! Plus I have the added bonus of my little boy, got to show him how much fun caravanning is!!!
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: Motorway Services on M5 south.
