Does anybody know which Services are Caravan friendly on either the M6 south down to J8,or M50 heading into Wales.
We want to stop mid journey ( Cardiff bound ) but don`t want to get stuck in a pokey hole whilst towing.
We nearly did that once off the A55,turns out it was only a little Garage and you couldn`t pull straight through,you had to turn round ( I can still hear the scream of terror,don`t turn in keep going!)
All services on motorways are plenty big enough for a caravan--I wouldnt call them friendly tho--the services on the M5 at the M50 junction have a large caravan parking area---
The North Bound Services on the M5 just after you come from the M50 is much better for caravans than the South Bound before the M50.
After the M50 there is a Texaco Service/Rest Station which is OK and then there is another Large Area on the A449 just after Monmouth, Esso/Spar South Bound and BP North Bound.
All services on motorways are plenty big enough for a caravan--I wouldnt call them friendly tho--the services on the M5 at the M50 junction have a large caravan parking area---
Just about sums them up. At most services the caravans have to share the lorry parks. This raises the need to watch for damaged patches that could give the van a good rattle, Large patches of spilled diesel are not uncommon (slippery, especially after rain, and can stain car/van carpets if you walk over such an area). Then there is the occasional unpleasant smell where lory drivers have relieved themselves near the vehicle. And if you do want to get some rest, there are the lorries which keep their engines running (for keeping cooling equipment going, etc.)
We tend to pull in for a coffee (from own flasks), stretch legs (going one at a time to toilets, if necessary), and take about a half to one hour rest. Then off again. We try to spread the stops about every 100 miles, so that means just over 2 hours driving between stops. Driving either day or night, this avoids any risk of tiredness.
I watched some "police, camera, action" type programme. Someone with a £20K + caravan and range rover went in for a coffee, came back, caravan gone from their car. No where to been seen, all packed up for 2 weeks hols.
I felt sick watching it. Since then never leave my van, even though its old, would be heartbroken if it went.
This must be one of the most asked questions about travelling on this web site and I myself asked it many moons ago. Dont touch services with the proverbial barge pole for overnight stays. There are loads of good to great sites just off the motorway network and a little bit of searching on this site will reap rewards. You have to pay for overnight stops on services so it doesnt cost you a lot more.
On the M5, both Frankley & Strensham services cater for caravans staying overnight, not sure how much it'll cost you though.
There is a service area on the A40/449 by Monmouth, it's a couple of miles ofter you've gone through the monmouth tunnel, they'll probably do the job too. Most services take overnight caravans these days.
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Topic: Motorway Services.
