Strensham Services M5 and Hopwood Park Services M42

[mealsonwheels]

STRENSHAM SERVICES M5 Junc 7/8 is great for caravanners. They have drive in/drive out bays for caravan parking (HGV's have a separate parking area), with a safe walkway from the caravan parking area to an entrance at the back of the the main building, without having to cross a bend on the busy entrance road. There is a good shop, cafe, and even a 'Cotton Traders' shop inside. Staff are friendly and the toilets are immaculate and regularly inspected. Parking is free for 2 hours. For refuelling there is an entrance signed for caravans as you leave the parking area.

HOPWOOD PARK M42 Junc 2 have 10 drive in/drive out dedicated bays for caravans, facing a pleasant grassed area (caravanners follow signs to main car park). The walk to the main building is set out with Lavender bushes and once inside the toilets are reached by escalators up and down to the coffee shop on the first floor (a lift is available if you are unable to use the escalators). The toilets here are immaculate too and there is a shop and large cafeteria on the ground floor, with tables outside under umbrellas and a childrens play area. Fuel is on the right on exit.

We used both these Motorway Services last week and hope this info may come in useful to fellow caravanners.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

ty Pauline :O)

 

[Val & Frank]

Thanks for taking the time to post this useful information.

Val & Frank

 

[RichardS1]

Thanks for the info Pauline

 

[GrahamW]

Spurred on by this piece of advice I decided to stop overnight on route to Cornwall here. What a big mistake, I can only assume that the advice given was referring to the Northbound carriageway. Southbound is a nightmare, usual problem, squashed in among HGV 's which are coming and going all night. Starting engines and leaving running right next to the van whilst air pressure built up. Defiantly NOT the place to stay

 

[GrahamW]

Spurred on by this piece of advice I decided to stop overnight on route to Cornwall here. What a big mistake, I can only assume that the advice given was referring to the Northbound carriageway. Southbound is a nightmare, usual problem, squashed in among HGV 's which are coming and going all night. Starting engines and leaving running right next to the van whilst air pressure built up. Defiantly NOT the place to stay

Sorry this comment re Strensham

 

[mealsonwheels]

Sorry this comment re Strensham

Graham,

Spending the night in a busy Motorway Service Area car park is not really the place to expect a good nights sleep. There are many quiet CL's within minutes of the motorway network and we always book one of these for a night stop, where we know we will get a much needed decent nights sleep before continuing our journey the next morning.

When we called at Strensham for a tea break stop on our journey south it was daytime, the parking bays for caravans had nothing but caravans and campers in them. The lorries were in a separate area. It was one of the most pleasant motorway stops we have had. I can't speak for what it is like in the middle of the night.

 

[LadyMaureen]

Pauline,

Thanks for your info.on parking.

We have also used Strensham in the past and found it very good.I would agree that sleeping in these areas are a definite No,No,unless absolutely desperate.Much better to get something just a few minutes off the motorway and spend a quiet night.