Services on A1 south

Hello, maybe a starting point in and the route from Yorkshire would be helpful in trying to help?

I can recommend Wetherby Services but that might be too close?

Another vote for Wetherby Services. The caravan parking is often supervised at weekends and as a motorhomer I have twice been directed to the nearby lorry park in order that the places are saved for caravans. No objection to that on my part as the lorry park is a bit nearer the coffee!!! Shame that more service areas don't supervise there parking.

David

Use Google maps in satellite view and Street view to see how the parking is arranged at each services.

Depends on what you want to do?  If just to refuel, pretty much any decent forecourt will be suitable.

If a lunch  or comfort stop, we always use our own facilities and either a decent lay by, or in a service area we  go with the HGVs unless proper caravan suitable parking is signed.

just had a poor experience at Baldock services on A1M, where the signed caravan spaces were about 2m longer than our van, and only about as wide as the van!

If stopping for lunch, an early stop just before midday is more likely to guarantee a space.  12.30-2.00 is always busy.

 .... where the signed caravan spaces were about 2m longer than our van, and only about as wide as the van!

I've come across spaces like that somewhere south on the M5, fortunately they were end on to equally small caravan spaces so could use 2 of them. Obviously those with the buckets of white lines are clueless to the size of a car & caravan.

Exactly our thoughts too!    I took some photos and just might get around to e mailing them with my thoughts.

We decided to stay, so unhitched and put the van right forward in one space and the car right back in the next, so we could actually open the caravan door.

I think the services at Grantham might be fine but I've only driven past them a couple of times and had a quick look. They have designated caravan spaces so check on Google Satellite.

 I think I've just been 'cancelled'!  I put a reply on here about an hour ago and it's disappeared - completely!

My suggestion was that if the OP is nervous about backing into a parking space in HGV areas - go in nose-first and reverse out with someone checking behind you.  Much easier.

Let's see if this comment gets cancelled again

I usually find that I can get a space where I can just drive through, or sometimes one along a verge, away from the crowd of lorries.

My tip is not to wait till the stop becomes urgent, in case you need to drive on to the next service area.

Another vote for Wetherby but if you are coming from Yorkshire that’s probably too close.  Blyth is good, park with HGV’s but can be busy.  M18 (Doncaster North) is good and has specific caravan spaces, go through the HGV bit and they are near the service block, you do nose in and reverse out.  Grantham is a horrible services but as somewhere to stop it’s fine, never seen any dedicated caravan places,  we have always gone with the HGV’s.  Avoid Peterborough at all costs - horrible, cramped car park with tiny “caravan”(??) spaces, full of white van man.  I would suggest finding a lay-by (if not full of lorries) and stop using your own facilities, we have been doing this since Covid.  We have occasionally been into services but only for a quick take away coffee.