MrGMG replied on 24/07/2018 10:14
Posted on 24/07/2018 10:14
Two weeks ago we were travelling down to Gloucestershire. Having been there many times previously without any issues decided to stop for lunch at Strensham services. My how things have changed for caravan parking. The size of the parking area has now been significantly reduced and access to the parking area is much more difficult than previously, involving several 90 degree turns. The marked parking bays are barely wide enough for caravans to park adjacent to each other. The bays are so tight that once parked it is impossible to open the caravan door when next to another caravan. Beware if you have a longer caravan or motorhome as manoeuvring round the anti-clockwise approach into the bays requires some considerable skill when there are other vehicles present. To add to the caravanners woes,, if you once get into the parking area and find it full there is no escape route, you're stuck until someone ahead moves out.
Also,, as with most motorway services the caravan area was marked "caravans only" but there were significant numbers of cars and vans parked there reducing the space available..
We're not the sort of caravannners who expect something for nothing, ie just parking up eating our own sandwiches etc and leaving without buying anything. When travelling South on the M5 we've often used Strensham, buying lunch and coffee, maybe a magazine or two, however we won't be going back.
Sadly we had a similar experience travelling North from Devon when we stopped at Michaelwood services near Bristol. It's probably a time worn complaint but it's fairly obvious that many motorway service areas just don't want caravanners or motorhomers so they make it impossible to park.
Moderator Edit:
Moved from Story Section.
MrGMG