Overnight at UK service stations

[dutts303]

Hey,

I’ve only just read that some UK service stations allow you to stay overnight in your MH. We’re thinking of doing it this Friday rather than try to find a site somewhere we can turn up late to when we drive up north after work, has anyone done it? Any tips?

Obviously not looking for any facilities, just literally somewhere to pull up when it gets too late, sleep and set off again first thing.

Rich

 

[Figaro]

I think most charge about £10 for the night but check.
You will be on anpr cameras so unavoidable.
Also likely to be noisey.
I'd find a cl or just drive until you find somewhere quiet and out of the way.

 

[mfw]

I'd do same as the trucks do pull up in layby enroute and then just move on in morning but someone will tell you it is not allowed - just do what you are comfortable with can of worms this but there you go

 

[Boringfrog]

I think most motorway services will allow you to stay overnight, free for up to 2 hours but then a charge.

 

[Four of us]

Quite a lot charge £18 or so for a night....... Some do have a separate area which can be quieter but not that many in our experience, and the lorry parkings do tend to be very noisy.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mike mcglynn]

If you are using the motorway ones there is usually a charge for overnighting ,but most will give you a voucher towards breakfast and many will have a shower facility which you can use . Pick your spot carefully as wagons come and go all night and beware of fridge wagons as the noise can be constant .

 

[EuroTrotters]

Hey,

I’ve only just read that some UK service stations allow you to stay overnight in your MH. We’re thinking of doing it this Friday rather than try to find a site somewhere we can turn up late to when we drive up north after work, has anyone done it? Any tips?

Obviously not looking for any facilities, just literally somewhere to pull up when it gets too late, sleep and set off again first thing.

Rich

Which service station ?

 

[sdc77]

If you suggest an area you may want to stop there will probably be someone here who can suggest a free overnight stopping pllace nearby

 

[dutts303]

To add some more detail, we regularly travel from Northants to the Wirral to visit my family for the weekend. We have stayed with relatives (there are now four of us so that gets tricky) or hotels (which can be expensive) in the past so decided to take our MH up instead and try something different.

I don’t finish work until 6 on the Friday so with all the best intentions we’re rarely on the road much before 7 for this trip up, hit the usual M1 and M6 weekend traffic and throw in the usual stops we have to make with two young children so don’t end up getting to my family until 10-11ish on a good day.

Are sites happy with people turning up around this sort of time? We’d then want to be back on the road as soon as we all wake up.

 

[dutts303]

Which service station ?

We were thinking about Chester Service Station as it’s only 10 minutes or so from my family where they’re happy to let us stay on their driveway, we just didn’t want to disturb them (and their young family) by turning up in the van so late.

I have seen MHs down on the front at New Brighton, is that allowed?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[normanandsue]

To add some more detail, we regularly travel from Northants to the Wirral to visit my family for the weekend. We have stayed with relatives (there are now four of us so that gets tricky) or hotels (which can be expensive) in the past so decided to take our MH up instead and try something different.

I don’t finish work until 6 on the Friday so with all the best intentions we’re rarely on the road much before 7 for this trip up, hit the usual M1 and M6 weekend traffic and throw in the usual stops we have to make with two young children so don’t end up getting to my family until 10-11ish on a good day.

Are sites happy with people turning up around this sort of time? We’d then want to be back on the road as soon as we all wake up.

In my experience no.

 

[dutts303]

In my experience no.

Yes that was my suspicion, hence me looking for alternatives

 

[Four of us]

Parking Pricesedit
First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £12 and HGVs, caravans and coaches £26, or £28 to include a £10 food voucher.

Prices are paid using , or in the shop or restaurant. The location code is 5267.

The fees are strictly enforced by CP Plus.

Taken from website for Chester services..... Hope this helps.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

On our travels in the UK, I have come off motorways late in the evening and just drive to the next town and look for an industrial estate. I just park up pull the blinds and sleep through. Getting up early sorting ourselves out and moving on.
We have done this umpteen times and never had issue. In fact you will notice many commercial drivers sleeping.
I take the view that the vehicle is the same size as a commercial van and you see them parked everywhere. The fact that we have sleeping quarters is just a lot more luxury than the drivers out there.

 

[MisterB]

have you considered a supermarket car park? especially a 24 hour one? never done it myself in the UK, but we have in France. there may be a little secluded spot at the fa end of their car park?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bobandjanie]

We would park in Little Roodee Car Park Chester. Bob.

 

[mitzimad]

the rodee in chester is ony 10 mins from the motorway

 

[Paul and Kate]

Maybe have a word with @old-mo
If it's not very late he may oblige.
It's also a good stop being just past the Birmingham traffic and just before the roadworks which are running from jct 13 right up to jct 19.

 

[Macca1954]

We were thinking about Chester Service Station as it’s only 10 minutes or so from my family where they’re happy to let us stay on their driveway, we just didn’t want to disturb them (and their young family) by turning up in the van so late.

I have seen MHs down on the front at New Brighton, is that allowed?

Think new Brighton is finished now or they’ve slapped a daft charge on it

 

[dutts303]

We would park in Little Roodee Car Park Chester. Bob.

Is that somewhere you’re allowed to stay overnight then?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dutts303]

On our travels in the UK, I have come off motorways late in the evening and just drive to the next town and look for an industrial estate. I just park up pull the blinds and sleep through. Getting up early sorting ourselves out and moving on.
We have done this umpteen times and never had issue. In fact you will notice many commercial drivers sleeping.
I take the view that the vehicle is the same size as a commercial van and you see them parked everywhere. The fact that we have sleeping quarters is just a lot more luxury than the drivers out there.

Wouldn’t hesitate to do that if it was just the missus and I as if we did get a knock on the door we could just jump down and move on but we’ve got two young kids with us so would rather somewhere we’re allowed to overnight.

 

[bobandjanie]

Is that somewhere you’re allowed to stay overnight then?

Not stopped there for a long while, but you could no problem, @Carol will know.
Bob.
Ps I think @Theonlysue has stopped there.

Just found this https://www.campercontact.com/en/un...t-england/chester/9946/little-roodee-car-park

So yes you can still sleep there.

 

[EX51SSS]

have you considered a supermarket car park? especially a 24 hour one? never done it myself in the UK, but we have in France. there may be a little secluded spot at the fa end of their car park?

They can be good but also check whether Parking Eye is operational as the are like service stations and do charge if you overstay the time limit. Typically, Aldi has a 90 minute time limit

 

[Carol]

Hi @dutts303 re Chester Roodee Car Park no problems staying there, I usually go past a couple of times a week and there are normally between 2 to 7 or more vans parked up. Very reasonable if you arrive after 5 and leave by 9 under £2. Take your ticket from the lower part of the machine, I think the high part is for buses etc and could be more.

 

[scotzsue]

Have staye don a motorway services once and that was when it was only a few pounds. Never again, very noisy, vehicles coming and going all night, we had little ones with us and they were not happy, we moved on in the very early hours.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dutts303]

Have staye don a motorway services once and that was when it was only a few pounds. Never again, very noisy, vehicles coming and going all night, we had little ones with us and they were not happy, we moved on in the very early hours.

Ah ok good to know, thanks. Might try that place in Chester then if we can get there before it closes.

 

[dutts303]

Hi @dutts303 re Chester Roodee Car Park no problems staying there, I usually go past a couple of times a week and there are normally between 2 to 7 or more vans parked up. Very reasonable if you arrive after 5 and leave by 9 under £2. Take your ticket from the lower part of the machine, I think the high part is for buses etc and could be more.

Brilliant, thanks. I think this might be the way forward. I read that they close the gate at 10pm, is that still the case?

 

[pappajohn]

26 posts and nobody has mentioned the alleged threat of GASSING and ROBBERY!!!!

 

[Ivory55]

Oh it’s gassing. I thought the smell in the service area parking was urine from drivers. Haha

 

[Carol]

Hi just googled the information lots of information on internet about it, if you have not explored Chester great place to get to explore the city from. The Walls , The River, the Cathedral,. so many eating places plus old fashioned pubs,. well worth a visit .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Puddleduck]

have you considered a supermarket car park? especially a 24 hour one? never done it myself in the UK, but we have in France. there may be a little secluded spot at the fa end of their car park?

I've done this when Martin was in hospital. I spoke with the manager first and he gave me a sticker for the windscreen and made a note of my reg number, I had to park next to the home shopping delivery vans but it was fine - I didn't sleep much anyway due to the circumstances. It might have helped that I ate in the cafe - both breakfast and an early evening meal plus did a biggish grocery shop and bought some odds and ends of clothing and toiletries. I have also been told that some Ikea stores may allow this but I've not done it, so just a rumour. I have also considered Industrial Estates as many have "dead ends" left for future expansion. We have used a truck stop (think it was £15 and everything apart from a parking space was extra) but it was noisy all night - wouldn't do that again except in an emergency.