Aire type sites near Newhaven?

[PlacidoD]

I have two ferry trips booked Newhaven-Dieppe this summer. I have zero problems with the outbound leg but my return ferries are rather late given that I face a circa 270 mile drive home to Bolton. Can anybody recommend some basic stop overs within say 50-60 miles of Newhaven on my different return routes?:

27.07.24 - ferry arrives 21:30 so earliest I will be on my way will be 22:00 (My route will be A23/M25/M40/M42/M6) (Maybe I will just press on and get home circa 03:00 but I would like the option of resting up en route if I need to especially if there is a decent Aire type stop over say within an hour of Newhaven).

11.09.24 - ferry arrives 05:00 (Ugh!!) Given that is a weekday I will head down the A27 towards Portsmouth/Southampton and take the M3/A34 up to join the M40 North of Oxford rather than collide with morning rush hour on the M25 but again I would like the option of resting up for a few hours somewhere having cleared the port. Not booked a cabin so couchette sleep en route will be fitful!!!

Thanks in advance for replies!

Chris

 

[DavidG58]

Still nowhere near enough aire type stopovers in this country, but ‘search for sites’ include a variety of stopping options including lay byes and car parks , a good app for about £6 / year

 

[Johnen]

If you arrive on the last ferry in you could stay overnight in the DFDS car park

 

[Kups]

If you arrive on the last ferry in you could stay overnight in the DFDS car park

But it's very tatty and noisy. We took a look and decided to get the next ferry rather than overnight there.

 

[ChrisSue]

There is a pub (Britstop) at Kingston about 20 minutes from the port. A bit of a windy road but ok. We used it once arriving in Newhaven in the evening. The barriers were stuck so we didn't clear the port till nearly 10.30. Phoned the pub and explained. No problem just pull in but I'll stay open a bit longer says the guy. We got there at 2 minutes to eleven and had a nice pint of Harvey's as a night cap

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

 

[Orion]

Not booked a cabin so couchette sleep en route will be fitful!!!

For the overnight crossings I take a lightweight Thermarest mat onboard and find a quiet corner in the bar area to get a few hours shuteye. Can’t abide those seats.

 

[cyberyacht]

11.09.24 - ferry arrives 05:00 (Ugh!!) Given that is a weekday I will head down the A27 towards Portsmouth/Southampton and take the M3/A34 up to join the M40 North of Oxford rather than collide with morning rush hour on the M25 but again I would like the option of resting up for a few hours somewhere having cleared the port.

Port Solent could be an option for a couple of hours kip. You'd arrive around 06:30-07:00 so could sleep during the rush hour and continue mid/late morning. If you want to get a bit further away from the noise of the motorway, you could park up along the sea wall road. As you turn off at the traffic lights retrace your steps at the first roundabout and take the turning on the left. It's a three hour parking limit during the day but should suffice for you.

 

[PlacidoD]

Port Solent could be an option for a couple of hours kip. You'd arrive around 06:30-07:00 so could sleep during the rush hour and continue mid/late morning. If you want to get a bit further away from the noise of the motorway, you could park up along the sea wall road. As you turn off at the traffic lights retrace your steps at the first roundabout and take the turning on the left. It's a three hour parking limit during the day but should suffice for you.

Many thanks. That looks like a viable option which requires minimum pre planning!!

An even simpler proposition might be to motor the 100+ yards up the road to Sainsbury's, fill up with fuel if necessary, then park up and visit the store before getting on my way post rush hour (Free parking for 3 hours). I might even manage a breakfast there!!

Between those two options that is quite enough planning for my September return.
I can now concentrate on my option on 27th July - Tempting to press on and get home but I don't want my Hobby Van turning into matchwood after I drift off at the wheel while driving!!! The weather may be a factor as to how far I press on.

Chris