Ramblingrose, If you're travelling the M5/M42/M6/A14 route, we have stopped at Hopwood Park Services Junction 2 on the M42 on this route. It has 10 drive in/drive out bays dedicated for caravans, facing a grassy area. There is a shop and cafeteria and to reach the toilets, go up the escalator to the coffee shop area. There are picnic tables outside with umbrellas and a play area for children. It is well signed for caravans (follow signs to main car park). Fuel is on the right on exit.
We never leave our caravan unattended when taking a break in a Motorway Service area. One of us always stays with the outfit and we take turns to use the toilet and buy anything to eat from the shop and bring it back to the car or we have a flask and food with us. We have noticed a lot of fellow caravanners doing the same thing these days, with caravan theft happening from Motorway Service stations.
As you will be travelling at the Whitsun holiday, it is not advisable to attempt to stop in a lay-by on the A14 as getting back out again in the constant flow of traffic at holiday time is a nightmare with a car, let alone with a caravan on the back. Do as David suggests and stop once you're off the A14 if you can.
Accidents occur on the A14 almost daily and if you find you are
caught up in the inevitable tailbacks on the notorious stretch from Huntingdon, you have an escape route which we have taken many times with a caravan on the back and which we now use all the time. Leave the A14 at Junction 26 (A1096 to St.Ives). At the roundabout with the A1123 turn right to Earith and keep straight on to Haddenham. In Haddenham you take a left turn on to the A1421 which will bring you a T-junction with the A142, where you turn right (care needed as traffic can be fast). This brings you to the A10, which you would have joined from Junction 33 had you continued along the A14 as originally planned. At the roundabout, take a left turn on to the A10 and follow the route to Downham Market and the A1122 which will bring you to the A47 at Swaffham and which will take you all the way to Great Yarmouth.
You say you haven't been to this area before. I don't know what your tastes are or whether you will have children with you, but get as much information from the Web or the Tourist Information Centre at Norwich or Great Yarmouth. If you enjoy nature, the Norfolk Broads are not far away. If you go to Norwich (my home city) Park & Ride is probably best, there is loads to see and do there. If it's wet, a visit to Norwich Castle Museum will keep adults and children amused for hours.
If Yarmouth gets too much for you, take a trip up the coast to Winterton-on-Sea, which is a small untouched, unspoilt seaside village with walks along a valley bordered by sand dunes. This is as far removed from the bright lights of Yarmouth as you could imagine. Oh and have a meal at the Fishermans Return pub in the village - great food and very reasonably priced! If you have children with you, you can eat outside or in a room near the kitchen, if there is just the two of you there is a small dining room inside as you enter the front door.
Hope you have a good holiday and that you enjoy Norfolk enough to return again and see some more of it, perhaps North Norfolk next time or Suffolk? If you belong to the Caravan Club, I can recommend some very good CL's.
Mrs Meals on Wheels