Services on A1 south

A diversion from the A1 to Clumber Park might be more relaxing - usually plenty of parking options there. Similar diversion to Rutland Water looks  possible too, but I don’t have personal knowledge of it.

Really all depends where in Yorkshire OP is starting from, but I am with you in terms of choosing somewhere other than a Service Station, even good ones like Wetherby (which is on North/West Yorks border) can be a tad stressful. Get the maps out, plot a suitable route, pinpoint a few possible options just off the A1 and use Google Earth, phone for advice if a NT property etc....

I was also think that but like you I have only stopped there in a car. There are plenty of laybys down the A1, some off road. I think Peterborough services should be ok as well but it is a long while since I last stopped there. Brampton Hut just before the A14 junction should also be ok from looking at Google earth

peedee

We used to stop with our motor home at Clumber Park, was great. Not tried Rutland water as a stop off.

I have just had a look at route from Yorkshire (used Leeds as a start point), to Southwold as an end point. Much as I thought, fastest route, and one we always use either towing van or in MH is to leave the A1 at Newark, and take the A17 route towards Norwich, and then South into Suffolk from there. Plenty of scope for pull offs on this route, and a good halfway stop is a huge ox bow layby on South wards side, just after RAF Cranwell Museum. We always use it, huge, has a good dog walk/ stroll, easy drive in and out with care for other users. It’s often used to caravanners, a popular rest stop. You simply need to use your onboard facilities, and pack a picnic. I will see if I can use what3words to pinpoint location. 

Edit,  W3Words has come up with crown.trending.design as the turn in for this huge layby. It is possible to use it heading back North as well with care.

A1 A14 is the route I would choose TTDA. Dual carriage all the way into Suffolk. Google Maps looks like you have to reverse into the lorry spaces at Peterborough services

peedee

The new A14 from the A1M heading east is a joy to use, I them join the M11 so can't comment beyond Cambridge. 

There is a services aea at ?Blixworth? On the A14, which I  think it was Cambridge services, been changed a bit with new road layout so you don't pass so close, not checked it out myself but worth a look on Google maps?

Edit its Boxworth sorry, long know how to interpret Google map!

Improvements to the a14 have done away with the large layers there once were 

Another good route choice PD, other is one we know well, and of course much easier in a MH, so we still tend to opt for it. 

It depends what you mean by Grantham services.  This often refers to the stop south of Grantham which I wouldnt recommend.  If you are talking about the stop at Downton Services then yes that is a good stop.  You do sort of come off the A1 for it but easy access and usually not to crowded.  Often see caravans there.

There is also Blyth services a bit further north from Grantham.  You park with the lorries so if crowded you may not get a spot where you can drive straight through.  Slightly odd exit from the lorry park - there is a roundabout with the entrance to the CAR park and the exit road.

I’ve no idea what they’re like but there are signs for services at Colsterworth .

I often drive past the services at Downtown, Grantham en route to Great Gonerby and I’ve only seen caravans taking up two normal size car spaces and the last time I went in there with the caravan I couldn’t find a dedicated caravan space but that’s a few years ago.