Motorways

Hi - if you can get as far as Chippenham on the M4 for your first stop, there are Leigh Delamere services but they do get very busy at peak times. Instead, if you leave the motorway at J17 and take the first exit there is a very good locally owned "pit stop" park - originally for HGVs but now open to the public which does good refreshments and is likely to be less busy - it's within half a mile of the junction so easy to get to and back on to the motorway.

For the M5, we choose Cullompton services - there is a large dedicated caravan parking area before the main car park and it tends to be less busy than Taunton Deane or Exeter services. (Also, if you need to refuel, prices are significantly less than either of the other two.

Hope that helps.

slowly service stations on motorways are getting better for caravans. Newer ones have drive in drive out bays especially for caravans. Some services have websites and give information on this worth checking out. 

At all costs avoid Bridgewater services on the M5, otherwise I just drive into motorway services, park if  I can, and drive out if I can't. They all vary according to day, date and time. 

A non-motorway stop which we regularly use is at Cribbs Causeway mall at junction 17 of the M5. If you follow coach parking signs to the furthest end of the multiple car parks you can park by the highest entrance to Msrks and Spencer. Some people are paranoid about not leaving a caravan unattended, but the customers of that store are eminently trustworthy and we go in together for coffee and a sandwich. And their toilets have shorter queues than those on the motorway where coach parties of pensioners are in full flow. Or worse still, slow flow. 

Another thing to remember is fit your hitch lock if you are leaving your outfit in the Motorway service area.  There are some not very nice people out there nowadays.  

Personally I avoid Membury (just after June 14 westbound) and use Chieveley at Junc 13. These do involve a rather round about route to get to them and parking with the HGV's, however are better than the dedicated bays at Membury. These are drive in reverse out, not in itself a problem, but are on the main in route. Due to the speed some vehicles enter the car park, it can be very hazardous reversing back when it is busy.

We have always found Leigh Delamere services  on the M4 to be one of the better motorway stops as it is so large compared to many others. On the M5 the  Gloucester Services have superb facilities for caravans and motorhomes, why aren't all services like this!!!

David

We rarely stop off in motorway services. When we do one of us stays with the outfit whilst the other goes off to use facilities. Gives us each a chance to stretch our legs as we find caravan parking/lorry parking usually is well away from main building. Might have a coke before setting off again. We don't stop long, probably less than 30 mins and usually refuel on the way out.

As soon as the main school holidays start from mid July onwards (end of June in Scotland) the motorway services can be very crowded. The worst times are around lunchtime when the lorry drivers quite rightly need their break. So avoid travel that will involve stopping at peak times. If travelling south an early start will help on the M5 as there are often long delays through Bristol and around Weston super Mare. Sedgemoor Services  are an M5 service stop north of Bridgwater, not too bad when things are quieter, the northbound one has a good amount of separate van space. I haven't seen the refurbished southbound one recently but hope it is now similar. Good luck!

If we have a long motorway journey we set out reasonably early, stop for lunch by 12 to avoid the rush, and use our own facilities.  No need to leave the van as you have everything you need right there, and the food is probably better!

We stopped at Sedgemoor southbound three weeks ago and the caravan park certainly hadn't been refurbished then.  Just an area of muddy waste land full of horrendous potholes.  One to be avoided if at all possible. Also made the mistake of stopping at Bridgwater northbound last year and having negotiated narrow approach roads and chicanes found myself having to reverse into a bay alongside the multi-storey car park.  The whole area smelled like a public toilet and was disgusting. Agree, Gloucester sets the standard that all others should follow.