A66 stopover en route

I really don’t think club LNAs should be used other than for genuine unforeseen reasons of lateness. They are not for planned overnight stays. As you say quite rightly, you’re suggestion of a lay-by is really the only option available unless a private site is willing to allow this. 

It's not that they don't advertise one there isn't one full stop.  If you look in the Sites Directory on page 171 it clearly states in black and white No late night arrivals area.  There is an arrivals lane in front of reception and you may have been advised to park there.  It is NOT A LATE ARRIVALS AREA.  There is only room for one outfit to park in this area without blocking the site entrance.  It is misleading to suggest that this could be used as a LATE ARRIVALS AREA.  I am sure if people are running late, then  the wardens would try to accommodate them by possibly directing them to an unused pitch.

However, if you booked a 1 night stay to break up a journey & ran late en rte..... same difference regardless or not if it was a little premeditated.....

Since you can only book a pitch, not the late arrivals area, you could well end up with the same problem as intending to use a lay-by. Finding it already occupied. It would be a shame if this emergency facility was abused. 
I wouldn’t class planning arriving at 11pm as anything but blatant misuse.

Y ou would of course have contacted the site with an excuse for why  you are running late  ,,expecially as you would not be paying for a pitch just the persons

I think you should stop at a proper campsight wherever you will be three hours earlier and pay the fee.

We drove West to East over the A66 yesterday. It was foul weather, windy and drizzling from Penrith right over the top of Stainmore, much better then on, and dry and sunny by the time we reached Scotch Corner. There are quite a few lay-by’s, going both directions, but nothing on Earth would have us parking overnight in one as they are very close if not directly adjacent to traffic flying past, and, most were full with resting up HGVs, so you are simply not guaranteed to find a space anyway. The only place off the road is the businesses like Mainsgill, or the horribly run down services at Stainmore. 

Might be better to retime your journey, or book a site of some kind away from route.

That change of weather happens so very often on that route!

Same all along Pennine spine Corners😁 We live in the rain shadow, it all gets dumped on western Sheffield (or Manchester🤣) before it ends up watering my garden rather pathetically. Mind, we have known the reverse effect as well if it’s an Easterly storm. I find it interesting. We usually have an East or West couple of choices for breaks, keep an eye on things. It’s 10c warmer here than it was up in D&G last week. And a lot drier.

Hope the OP had a rethink. We love the A66 route, so scenic, but it’s one that has few stopping overnight breaks without coming off. We used to use a nice CL at Browson Bank, but that’s gone now. There’s a good basic CL at Cliburn as well, but it’s grass only.

There’s a good basic CL at Cliburn as well, but it’s grass only.

tda, there's a second, all grass one in the village itself. We are on it at present, The Grange Court.

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I noticed a small loop road off the A66 just West of Appleby starting at approx grid ref 667217 which might do as an overnight stop. Don't know when you are heading across country but Appleby Fair will be Thursday 9 June 2022, for 6 days, which falls in the week following the Jubilee celebrations.