Overnight stop near Plymouth Ferry Pot

[Lorraine_374346571]

This is my first posting to the web site, Hope somebody could come up with some recommendations?

We are travelling from plymouth to roscoff in august the ferry crossing is early morning (7.45) and we would like an overnight stop near the port if possible, If anyone could recommend a site we would be very grateful or does the port have overnight parking area?.

Have tried both clubs and Cls to no avail

Thank you in advance for your help

Lorraine

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Hi Lorraine - we have used this crossing twice, the second time on the early morning crossing. We have stayed on the quay side both occassions at Plymouth. There are basic toilet facilities at the port - toilets and wash hand basins, no showers - there is a tap for drinking water. We travelled down the day before and parked quite close to the passport booths in order that we were towards the front of the queue so no problems on boarding. The port workforce will come around to knock you up at approx. 6:00am so that you are well prepared for the boarding. You can if you so wish use the facilities in the main Brittany Ferries building and also have breakfast there. We had cerial and a cup of tea in the van and then bought food on board ship - go to the cafe towards the bow of the ship - lot cheaper than the restaurant. Roscoff has brilliant shower/wc/whb facilities and all free - you could spend the holiday on the quay at Roscoff as all facilities are there except e.h.u. Hope this is of help and have a great holiday and good crossing - we have never experienced a bad crossing.

 

[JasonR_374341560]

Have you tried Riverside at Plymouth as it is open all year. They have a holding area I believe so you could try them. The site is just off the main Plymouth A38 junction and the A374 to the ferry port that is about 3 or so miles away.

http://www.riversidecaravanpark.com/newform.html

 

[trucker]

As Jason R has stated Riverside is the place to stay if you want a campsite rather than quay side. Ive staed there on numerous ocasions and the site is more than adiquate for a nights stay. Infact it has a pool bar takeaway ect in high season, and if you park in the late arivals area you can come and go at all times. Have a look at the link

http://www.riversidecaravanpark.com/
Kevin

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Only difference being Lorraine is that stopping on the quay side you can be sure of being there for the ferry and secondly it does not cost a penny. Children generally play quietly outside the van and we have never experienced any trouble at the port.

 

[Lorraine_374346571]

Thank you for all your replies, I will certainly look into all of your suggestions.

Nice to know other people share thier experiences throughout this website.

Thanks again for your advice.

Lorraine

 

[Alex_374296729]

Either the port or Riverside is a good option. However, across the roundabout from Riverside is a large Sainsburys in case you need to stock up on food etc before you go. It also has a filling station, but would be tight with a van on the back I think.

Alex

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Alex - if it is the store under the large flyover/roundabout you are referring to there is no problem with a van on tow as I have used that filling station. The problem I had was getting back onto that large roundabout and onto the Exeter road - the signing, both on the road and the posts, were not very clear at 11:00pm after coming off the ferry.

 

[Lorraine_374346571]

Again thanks for your advice and comments, I know this is a bit off the subject but what are the roads like from roscoff to west brittany in particular benodet.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

The roads from Roscoff to Benodet are excellent - two little points I would point out - there are very few petrol/diesel stations on this stretch of road between Roscoff and Quimper so I would advise to have plenty of fuel in your vehicle before boarding the ferry at Plymouth, there are plenty of petrol stations/supermarkets at Quimper and between Quimper and Benodet. Secondly be aware of road signs when on the outskirts of Quimper for Benodet as it is quite easy to miss them - I am speaking from personal experience. There are no toll roads in this part of France and as you approach roundabouts there are signs to advise you which way to go on the roundabout. Also traffic lights have an additional light at eye level to advise you when to stop or go. After a few miles out of Roscoff I did not have any trouble driving on their side of the road - it became almost second nature. The overall journey is approx. 2.5 hours.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Lorraine - any room for another passenger as I am quite envious of you having been to Benodet twice - stayed at Camping-du-Letty - excellent site. Beautiful countryside and spotlessly clean. Visit the cathedral in Quimper and the old walled town of Concarneau. The only disappointment was Brest - thought it was a dirty town and did not go back there the second time we visited Benodet.

 

[Lorraine_374346571]

Hi Colin,

Once again thank you for your advice,oh by the way we are staying at camping du letty so thank you for the positive feed back. we have had very good reports about the site and to be honest can't wait for August.

I am abit worried about towing abroad, as my husband and I normally do the towing between us, if I feel uneasy then my husband will have to take over but will give it a go first.

Regards

Lorraine

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Lorraine - two points regarding your last posting.

You say you and your husband share the towing - if you are confident to tow in this country then you will have no problems abroad. The roads are far better in Brittany than the UK and also quieter. So hold you head high and go for it. Only place where you are likely to meet heavy traffic is at Quimper.

Secondly e-mail the site and ask if it is possible to have a pitch as close as possible to the beach. We did this and ended up right next to the beach - open the blinds each morning and the beach was approx. 10 to 15 feet away from our van. Dwarf hedge and three steps down to the sands. August is generally more quiet as the French children start school earlier than British schools after the summer holidays. If I knew how to put photos on this forum I would. Alternatively if the mod. were to give you my e-mail address I could send them to you as attachments.

As you approach Benodet from Quimper you will have two roandabouts at the outskirts of Benodet - go straight across both. On your left on the second roundabout is a small supermarket - CHAMPION. Go striaght on into Benodet at the next small roundabout and this will take you down to the beach and a mini roundabout. Turn left here and follow the beach - at next roundabout at end of beach turn left and the site is then on your right approx. 3/4 mile along road. There is a long drive down to reception and girls in reception can speak English. When you are on the beach at the site to your right is a flight of steps and then a coastal path into Benodet again approx. 20 minute stroll into town.

 

[Lorraine_374346571]

Lorraine - two points regarding your last posting.

You say you and your husband share the towing - if you are confident to tow in this country then you will have no problems abroad. The roads are far better in Brittany than the UK and also quieter. So hold you head high and go for it. Only place where you are likely to meet heavy traffic is at Quimper.

Secondly e-mail the site and ask if it is possible to have a pitch as close as possible to the beach. We did this and ended up right next to the beach - open the blinds each morning and the beach was approx. 10 to 15 feet away from our van. Dwarf hedge and three steps down to the sands. August is generally more quiet as the French children start school earlier than British schools after the summer holidays. If I knew how to put photos on this forum I would. Alternatively if the mod. were to give you my e-mail address I could send them to you as attachments.

As you approach Benodet from Quimper you will have two roandabouts at the outskirts of Benodet - go straight across both. On your left on the second roundabout is a small supermarket - CHAMPION. Go striaght on into Benodet at the next small roundabout and this will take you down to the beach and a mini roundabout. Turn left here and follow the beach - at next roundabout at end of beach turn left and the site is then on your right approx. 3/4 mile along road. There is a long drive down to reception and girls in reception can speak English. When you are on the beach at the site to your right is a flight of steps and then a coastal path into Benodet again approx. 20 minute stroll into town.

Hi Colin,

Thanks once again for the prompt reply, you are obviously well versed with this area. I would love to receive photos from you and would not mind if mods gave you our email address. failing that if you do not receive it let me know and I will let you have my works email address and then once you have emailed me your address then I will let you have our prive email address.

Regards

Lorraine

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Sainsburys at Plymouth are competetive on fuel prices, but if you are going to France, you will find that fuel prices are cheaper over there.

I make sure that I have about 1/4 tank of fuel when I get the ferry so that I have enough to find a French supper market & fill up. And on leaving France fill up before I get on the ferry.

When we were there last year Diesel cost 95p/litre here, 75p/litre in France.

If you get a Nationwide credit or debit card, you do not get charged commision on each transaction, & also a better exchange rate 1.42 euros /

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Graham - you are certainly right - fuel is a hell of a lot cheaper in France than the UK. I was pointing out to Lorraine the fact that on the road from Roscoff to Quimper we saw very few filling stations so I was advising her to have fuel in her vehicle rather than be caught out the other side and paniking for fuel. However Graham we did find that the Irish whiskey over there was a lot dearer than the UK - thank God the car does not need whiskey for fuel LOL

Lorraine I have received an e-mail from the mods that my personal e-mail address has been passed to you.

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Thanks for the info on the Irish Whisky, we are going to the Emerald Island this summer so will have to top up at Jamesons & Bushmills )

And ref. the filling stations, thats why I make sure I have got 1/4 tank when we get over there

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Thanks for the info on the Irish Whisky, we are going to the Emerald Island this summer so will have to top up at Jamesons & Bushmills )

And ref. the filling stations, thats why I make sure I have got 1/4 tank when we get over there

Try Connemarra single malt Irish whiskey stilled in peat - beautiful