Hi we're traveling down to Devon in a couple of weeks can anyone recommend the best motorway services for caravans on the M5 southbound I have delved into them but find the info very conflicting Thanks
It depends how far you want to go before you stop. They're all the same IMO, overpriced and not very good quality with very expensive fuel. I only stop in them for my rest breaks when I'm at work but they're all very popular with caravanners.
We only go into the McDonalds at Collumpton for a quick tolet break, a burger and a coffee with the caravan in tow, easy to get into and out of from the M5, they've got everything we need & the food has always been very good and the same price as our local one. Ample parking which is free for the first two hours & the toilets are OK.
Hi, there a 3 good services for Caravans,
Michaelwood between J13-14 (just North of Bristol). I have seen people stay over night there.
Sedgemoor Between just before J22 (between Weston and Burnhan-on-sea, the caravan area can be a bit muddy, the area is located south of the service station.
Exeter Services, this if memory serves correct off the Motorway, but good access for Caravans.
There are 2 I definitely wouldn't use, Gordano and Bridgewater.
Just a word of advice, and this is to all. DO NOT leave your vans unattended unless you clamp them. It takes less than 3 minutes to unhitch from yours and rehitch to another car. Saw this happen at reading services, phoned police as it was happening, thieves away and gone 10 minutes before the police arrived. They were eventually caught 18 months later after a tip off. Seems it was a family business stealing caravans. We always fit at least the hitchlock.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
If you can go as far as Exeter there is a massive Tesco about a mile behind the services. We stopped there last year and fuel was 10p cheaper and we all had a full english breakfast x 4 for £12!!!! They have an overflow carpark which was empty on each journey.
Just off Jct 22 at Burnham on Sea there is a large garden centre with a coach park - we've used it several times. Sanders Garden World
Bristol Road, Brent Knoll
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA9 4HJ
The main M5 services leave much to be desired, and we've often queued to get in to them, especially on bank hols or start of school holidays.
The garden centre has a cafe, good facilities, is easy to park and very close to the motorway.
There is also another garden centre next to Jct 12 (turn towards Stonehouse). As long as you park somewhere near the entrance to the car park, you'll be fine as that is where the coaches go. Don't be tempted to drive further in towards the centre itself as it tightens up. The centre is called Blooms. It has a cafe and a free soft play area for little ones. Much more reasonable and nicer than services
I stopped at taunton services and as my wife is disabledwe stopped where the couches do (there were none in at the time) but when we came out some nice lorry driver had managed to break our tail lamp cluster and we were on our way to trade the van in! Collumpton now has a caravan parking areaas you turn in but if you need the toilets its a walk past the garage but the pasties in the garage are lovely
Just don't do Gordano (bristol). Its a perfectly fine services but the exit roundabout goes in 5 directions. This means the caravan thieves are out in force cos no-one knows which way they have gone. Try to pick a services where there is only one direction of travel. Gordano is a well known hotspot.
Quote: Originally posted by Moselle on 29/6/2012
Just don't do Gordano (bristol). Its a perfectly fine services but the exit roundabout goes in 5 directions. This means the caravan thieves are out in force cos no-one knows which way they have gone. Try to pick a services where there is only one direction of travel. Gordano is a well known hotspot.
BB - unfortunately whenever there is a slow news day in the south west there is an article on someone whose holiday has been ruined by the lowlifes that prey on caravanners. Usually they go for brand new units and just unhitch and drive away, not something we need to worry about in our 15 year old van but something to be aware of nonetheless.
Quote: Originally posted by Moselle on 29/6/2012BB - unfortunately whenever there is a slow news day in the south west there is an article on someone whose holiday has been ruined by the lowlifes that prey on caravanners. Usually they go for brand new units and just unhitch and drive away, not something we need to worry about in our 15 year old van but something to be aware of nonetheless.
The caravan I saw stolen wasn't a sparkly new one, it was an old CI, probably wouldn't have happened if they had fitted a hitchlock. Not the most secure but it would take a bit of time to get off, so they would look elsewhere I believe
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
Quote: Originally posted by Moselle on 29/6/2012BB - unfortunately whenever there is a slow news day in the south west there is an article on someone whose holiday has been ruined by the lowlifes that prey on caravanners. Usually they go for brand new units and just unhitch and drive away, not something we need to worry about in our 15 year old van but something to be aware of nonetheless.
Also as the OH pointed out, your van is also full of goodies that the low lifes can sell on, so age of van is irrelevant.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
We usually take turns in the service station - while the other looks after the toddler in the van - a bit of leg stretching and maybe even a cuppa. The valuables are always in the car but losing the van would kinda ruin the holiday so we don't tend to take chances!
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Topic: M5 services
