Motorway Service Stations

ScreenName Blindlass replied on 15/06/2023 21:28

ScreenName Blindlass

Posted on 15/06/2023 21:28

Hi, we have just begun our caravaning experience this year and are venturing on our 2nd Trip to cornwall which will be over a 6 hour trip with our dog. We are planning on setting of early to avoid Saturday traffic and thought we would sit out the waiting time for accessing caravan site at 1pm at one of the service stations down that way. Could anyone recommend which one would be best that allows caravans, we got caught out on our last trip to the lakes as it didn't allow caravans. Thanking in advance for any suggestions.

31 replies

ScreenName Blindlass replied on 14/07/2023 15:10

Member

ScreenName Blindlass

Caravanner

Posted on 14/07/2023 15:10

Just thought I would update all the kind fellow caravaners who assisted with the travelling dilema.

We decided to travel down on Saturday and made two 1 hour stops which including these took a total of 8 hours to arrive at our destination. As we left home at 5.30am we fortunately missed most of the heavy traffic so the journey was quiet nice, just unfortunate that due to the poor weather and the forecast for 40 mph gales on friday we rerturned a day early but did have a nice time otherwise. Once again thank you for all your input.

1 person likes this

replied on 14/07/2023 15:28

Posted on 14/07/2023 15:28

Report
Like

Content has been removed.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 14/07/2023 15:36

Rocky 2 buckets

Posted on 14/07/2023 15:10 by ScreenName Blindlass

Just thought I would update all the kind fellow caravaners who assisted with the travelling dilema.

We decided to travel down on Saturday and made two 1 hour stops which including these took a total of 8 hours to arrive at our destination. As we left home at 5.30am we fortunately missed most of the heavy traffic so the journey was quiet nice, just unfortunate that due to the poor weather and the forecast for 40 mph gales on friday we rerturned a day early but did have a nice time otherwise. Once again thank you for all your input.

Posted on 14/07/2023 15:36

You did well, after thinking it thru you took your decisions & followed your choices. Add to that making a good decision on the unseasonal gales, congratulations👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

1 person likes this

replied on 14/07/2023 16:43

Posted on 14/07/2023 16:43

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Tinwheeler replied on 14/07/2023 17:53

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 14/07/2023 17:53

I’m glad you took advice on board and travelled on the Saturday👍🏻. It was fortunate you holidayed before the madness of peak season started but bad luck to catch the storm. Better luck next time. 🙂

flatcoat replied on 14/07/2023 18:00

Member

flatcoat

Caravanner

Posted on 14/07/2023 18:00

I have just come across this thread and amazed at some of the responses. We do a similar journey every year (West Yorks to Roseland) with caravan and dog and wouldn’t dream of stopping overnight. We set off around 8 am and usually arrive 4/5pm and that is on a Friday or Saturday. It must be one of the easiest journeys given the high percentage of motorway and dual carriageway.

SteveL replied on 14/07/2023 18:42

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 14/07/2023 18:00 by flatcoat

I have just come across this thread and amazed at some of the responses. We do a similar journey every year (West Yorks to Roseland) with caravan and dog and wouldn’t dream of stopping overnight. We set off around 8 am and usually arrive 4/5pm and that is on a Friday or Saturday. It must be one of the easiest journeys given the high percentage of motorway and dual carriageway.

Posted on 14/07/2023 18:42

You would do it in one day, others wouldn’t. I would be amazed if different folk didn’t have different ideas on how to make the journey.

2 people like this

Tinwheeler replied on 14/07/2023 18:51

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 14/07/2023 18:42 by SteveL

You would do it in one day, others wouldn’t. I would be amazed if different folk didn’t have different ideas on how to make the journey.

Posted on 14/07/2023 18:51

Especially those new to caravanning like the OP is.

MikeyA replied on 14/07/2023 19:20

MikeyA

Caravanner

Posted on 14/07/2023 18:42 by SteveL

You would do it in one day, others wouldn’t. I would be amazed if different folk didn’t have different ideas on how to make the journey.

Posted on 14/07/2023 19:20

I find it hard to believe that they were able to complete the journey safely in 6hrs towing a caravan.

Leeds (not even in North Yorkshire but West Yorkshire) is, according to Google, close on 6hrs for a car and a minimum of 342 miles.

1 person likes this

davetommo replied on 14/07/2023 21:16

Member

davetommo

Motorhomer

Posted on 16/06/2023 09:23 by Tinwheeler

When in summer? I ask because school holiday times could see you taking 6 hours just to get from Bristol to Cornwall. It can be madness at times.

The advice to do it with an overnight break is good and certainly what we do if travelling that sort of distance from/to Cornwall.

Travelling west, the last motorway service area is at jcn 30 of the M5 at Exeter and that is one I avoid if humanly possible. After that, you will find lay-bys on the A30, as PD mentioned, but they may well be full at busy times. Cornwall Services on the A30 just west of Bodmin at Victoria has dedicated caravan/MH parking but there’s not much of it and you could be taking a chance on getting in. There again, you may be using the A38 rather than the A30 if you’re travelling to South Cornwall.🤷🏻‍♂️

Gold luck with your journey but I seriously urge you to reconsider doing the trip in one go.

Posted on 14/07/2023 21:16

In my wagon driving days one of our regular days was. Set off from Preston with ashes to a breeze block manufacturer in Wrexham, drive empty to winsford to load rock salt. Take that to any council yard in cornwal unload, Next stop empty to Penzance then swap trailers, then stay overnight. That was in one day.

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now

Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace

Visit Facebook