Parking up at Portsmouth prior to ferry crossing

We are on the Bilbao ferry sailing at midday and will be staying at Sunnydale Farm which is around 20 minutes from the ferry terminal the night before. You pass a big Tesco where you can pick up any last minute food items and fill up ready for the onward journey. Am pretty sure you could leave site mid afternoon for a small fee.

Portsmouth is my home town and I also live on the Wirral. We regularly tow down to Rooksbury Park leaving at around 08:00 and arrive at the park by 13:00 at the latest so it's not a trip to get worried about in terms of time. I'd definitely travel down on the day of your ferry as personally I'd definitely not want to spend most of the day at the port or squatting in some car park myself. 

Bit out of the way though, from Merseyside to Portsmouth....🤔

Not if you take the scenic route 

‘Fraid the M6 is predictable. And there is no way anyone is going to drive from Merseyside to Portsmouth, towing a caravan in 7 hours. Especially in winter. It can take that long to get past Birmingham. I know from experience.....😱😱😱😱

I've just done a check for Liverpool to Portsmouth on ViaMichelin towing a caravan and it's saying 5 hours, so unless there was a significant hold-up, allowing 7 hours doesn't seem unreasonable. Having said that and being of a pessimistic turn of mind, it only takes a major accident or a puncture to increase one's stress levels. Travelling a major part of the journey the day before equals less anxiety.

Hi, it's nearly that time again to make the trip to Portsmouth and travel to Spain. This time are ferry leaves at 2245. So we intend travelling down on the day.

How early are we allowed to park up in the loading lanes? 

Kindest regards