M6/M5 Services Southbound

[craig_5114066]

Hi all..

We will be towing south on the M6 then M5 heading for Cornwall at the end of the month.We have made this journey for the past few years during the night while the kids sleep but always seem to stop in different service areas.Over the years we have noticed that some have been caravan friendly (signposts and parking areas)and some have not. However, we never remember the good from the bad....can anyone recommend good ones or more to the point the ones to avoid.We will note the ones we stop at with a view to posting our experience after the hols.

We only stop to take a quick break, buy coffee and use toilets.

Thanks in advance

 

[will2]

Hello Craig we always stop at Frankley services, the first one no the M5.Dont know why.We travel from Wigan and try to make it our first stop.

Will

 

[LadyMo]

CraigM6

BURTON IN KENDAL Junct.35 A /36 Moto Northbound only No separate parking for caravans.

1. Sign.Cars and Caravans

2. Then next is Lorries ( as usual !!!)

TEBAY SERVICES Junctions 38/39

Southbound and Northbound .

Caravans are directed into lorry park.---need to be vigilant when crossing parking area by foot to main building.

LANCASTER(FORTON) NorthboundJunction 32 /33 Separate caravan parking shared with Travel Lodge car park. Entrance is tight. Sign-post confusing suggesting it is for travel lodge customers only. On LEFT SIDE of road opp. Lorry Park.

CHARNOCK RICHARD.Junct.27 /28 Northbound

Caravan signs - Yes.

Parking for 10 vans only

Southbound- Poor. Very poorly signed .Caravan spaces ( 8 ) almost next to the motorway---drive past lorry park and then turn right near the exit.

KNUTSFORD. Junct.18 / 19 Southbound No signs for caravans that we could see.

SANDBACH Junct. 16 / 17 No information available

KEELE Junct 15 /16 Northbound Caravan Signs - Yes BUT end up parking with lorries. Main building reached after crossing lorry park AND car park- so need to be very vigilant.

STAFFORD . Junct. 14 / 15 Southbound No signs for caravans to follow - end up among the lorries.

STAFFORD NORTHBOUND Caravan signs ___ Yes.

Separate parking area on the right past the main building for approx 9 vans. BUT lorries coming through as a short cut back to the m'way

M5

BIRMINGHAM SOUTH FRANKLEY

Junction 3 / 4 Northbound Poor. Among trucks. Unpleasant

Southbound Seems to be that you can only choose petrol or car-park but not both!!We went for petrol and 4 of us could see no way back to the car park & other facilities!!!

STRENSHAM Junct 7 / 8 Excellent,with good parking for caravans,although we were there on a Sunday,which may have been quieter than during the week.North & Southbound had good clear signs.

MICHAEL WOOD SERVICES Junct.13 / 14 Park with trucks

GORDANO SERVICES Junct.18 /19 South Poor / Badly signposted. Among trucks.

SEDGEMOOR Junct.21 /22 Southbound No info.

TAUNTON DEANE Junct.25 /26

North and South Easy access Very Good

1. Caravan signs

2. Parking in with lorries BUT plenty of room for all( we were there on a Sunday ).

3. Near to facilities / petrol

Craig

This is info that I have copied down when we have done any journeys from Scotland.It is how we have found the facilities....maybe others will have had a different experience.

Happy caravanning.

Maureen

,

 

[craig_5114066]

Thanks Will and extra thanks to you Maureen for your excellent reply. You stated....

"BIRMINGHAM SOUTH FRANKLEY

Junction 3 / 4 Northbound Poor. Among trucks. Unpleasant

Southbound Seems to be that you can only choose petrol or car-park but not both!! We went for petrol and 4 of us could see no way back to the car park & other facilities!!!"

This was part of the problem that we encountered. You drive into the services wondering if there is a dedicated caravan area....if there's not then your back onto the motorway as you can't simply turn about. We now almost always just head into the lorry parks which absolutely stink of urine (yes I know and understand the drivers wont leave their wagons because of theft).

As the children are sleeping through the night only one of us can leave the car at a time and some of the service areas are pretty unpleasant places for females alone at night. Hopefully I will be able to use your info to help us and then in turn help others.

Many thanks

Craig