OK so next week we're headed off to Devon (big yay to that!) and OH likes to miss the traffic so wants to set off around 11pm the night before and head down there (will take approx 5 hours), I don't mind travelling at that time (quite exciting) but would like to stop midway and get a few hours kip and also we won't be able to get on the campsite until mid-day the next day so no point in turning up in the middle of the night.
OH says he would drive all the way and then 'find' a layby nearby until the next morning, I think he'd be lucky to find one and then one thats big enough and can see us driving round the country lanes until daybreak (with me saying TOLD you so lol). I have suggested a motorway services to stop off at but he's not keen and thinks it will be easy finding a layby.
Couple of questions:
Is it legal to park a truck and 26ft caravan in a layby overnight?
How safe are motorway services? (probably safer than a layby...)
I keep wondering whether we should find a campsite on the way but doubt anyone would want us turning up at 3am making a load of noise tbh and have pretty much ruled that one out.
What would you do? Drive all the way or stop midway? Any other suggestions (apart from go when any civilised person would go lol) welcomed
If you are going M11, M25, M4 just leave in't morning. The traffic ain't that bad. The difference between rush hour & clear rd is only about an hour at worst so not as bad as you think. Certainly not worth having a broken nights sleep & parking somewhere where you may not feel safe.
Its legal to park in a layby. Motorway services charge about £20 to park for more than 2hrs with wheelclamp enforcement.
I'd stay on the services for a few hours. We never leave the van alone so you could take it in turns if you needed to nip in and use the facilities. Are you sure there'll be so much traffic you'll have to set off the night before?
I'm not sure about the legalities of parking in a lay by for a few hours kip, but if it were me I would certainly stop part way there. Have a look at this site - http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/ - you may be able to find a truck stop convenient to your route which could be better than stopping at a services. Certainly cheaper if you want to get food and drink. I very often stop at truck stops and much prefer them to motorway services.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 21/6/2011
I'm not sure about the legalities of parking in a lay by for a few hours kip, but if it were me I would certainly stop part way there. Have a look at this site - http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/ - you may be able to find a truck stop convenient to your route which could be better than stopping at a services. Certainly cheaper if you want to get food and drink. I very often stop at truck stops and much prefer them to motorway services.
Thanks for that Tigermouse, I've saved to my faves, something else to consider will be like a busmans holiday for OH too lol
Come off at Cribbs Causeway Bristol (Jn 21 I think) left at the lights and left again into Asda. Go to the far end of the carpark by the cliff walls (far right as you look at it)
Used to overnight there with an artic lorry.....never any problems. about 2 hours to destination in the morning and a cafe for the cheap Brekkie before setting off
Personally we wouldn't stay in a layby or motorway services for a kip just in case the caravan were taken whilst we did. I think you would be better off waiting until the morning to travel instead
Quote: Originally posted by Kernowbusman on 21/6/2011
Come off at Cribbs Causeway Bristol (Jn 21 I think) left at the lights and left again into Asda. Go to the far end of the carpark by the cliff walls (far right as you look at it) Used to overnight there with an artic lorry.....never any problems. about 2 hours to destination in the morning and a cafe for the cheap Brekkie before setting off
It depends what day you travel. Bank hol weekends it is generally stuffed around Bristol otherwise ok. Whichever way you go, I can't see you having any probs next week. Certainly not enough to warrant going at night.
If you want to stop at a services theres plenty all the way down but if you want somewhere else you need to say approx where you want to stop to get meaningful help. Supermarket car parks used to be a good option but nowadays more & more are getting restrictions with wheelclamp threat.
Quote: Originally posted by mikecandsarhab on 21/6/2011Kernowbusman jn 17 you mean my friend, 21 is wsm i think. but im with you on this one, but im biased i used to live there
mike
Noted thanks, I Google mapped it and had a look, loads of places round there
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 21/6/2011
It depends what day you travel. Bank hol weekends it is generally stuffed around Bristol otherwise ok. Whichever way you go, I can't see you having any probs next week. Certainly not enough to warrant going at night.
If you want to stop at a services theres plenty all the way down but if you want somewhere else you need to say approx where you want to stop to get meaningful help. Supermarket car parks used to be a good option but nowadays more & more are getting restrictions with wheelclamp threat.
OH would go later, say 3-4am but I don't want to go to sleep for a couple of hours and then get up and travel, would rather just get going. Thats OK am not asking for specific places to stay necessarily but thankful for suggestions, was thinking of stopping in the Bristol area
Quote: Originally posted by Squirrel2011 on 21/6/2011
Personally we wouldn't stay in a layby or motorway services for a kip just in case the caravan were taken whilst we did. I think you would be better off waiting until the morning to travel instead
We'll be in the caravan so if they take it they get us too and let me tell you anyone who wakes me up in the middle of the night will wish they hadn't!! Joking aside that has crossed my mind.
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: What would you do?
will be like a busmans holiday for OH too lol
