Newhaven overnight parking

[Chod Jacqui]

We normally use the tunnel and park at Canterbury the night before but this September we thought we would try the DFDS ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe (almost half the price) What is the ferry/crossing like and where can you overnight the night ready for the 9am ferry?
Thank you for your helpful replies,

 

[pat100]

Bopeep Bostal at 50.825623,0.120048 is a lovely spot - if it’s still allowed.

 

[Kups]

We were going to stay in the DFDS parking area at the port. Took one look on arrival and decided to catch the afternoon ferry and overnight in Dieppe. Not impressed with the small grotty parking area, probably noisy at night given it's location. Ferry crossing is ok (it's a car ferry). Average food, poor shop but otherwise ok. Quick and cheap crossing. No instructions to turn off the gas fridge, some do, some don't.

There are many threads on here about this ferry, just use the search facility for a lot of comments.

 

[Spriddler]

We normally use the tunnel and park at Canterbury the night before but this September we thought we would try the DFDS ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe (almost half the price) What is the ferry/crossing like and where can you overnight the night ready for the 9am ferry?
Thank you for your helpful replies,

I guess you know that if one you is over 60 you get 20% discount off the published fares if you book by phone.

Yes, you can park overnight in the ferry waiting area but it's not pretty.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

We have stayed twice at Newhaven port before first ferry and after last ferry and it is a car park to Kip in. No noise at all, perfectly adequate. Don’t forget the OLD age discount, you have to phone for it. It says £5 parking fee but just go to the office and tell them you are staying there and no charge. Beats traipsing about to find other places or buying a £30 meal at a pub just to stay there. We don’t buy food on any ferry, take a flask of coffee and a few sandwiches for if we get peckish. Grab a couple of the reclining seats and relax. There is a limited amount of free wifi so take the tablet, iPad. Or download some films and use headphones. They do say to turn off fridges in their small print, irresponsible not to do so in a closed vehicle deck. Any fridge will last the 3-4 hours of the crossing with no problem. Freeze a couple of coke bottles of water to help the fridge if you are worried about it.

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[suavecarve]

We have stayed twice at Newhaven port before first ferry and after last ferry and it is a car park to Kip in. No noise at all, perfectly adequate. Don’t forget the OLD age discount, you have to phone for it. It says £5 parking fee but just go to the office and tell them you are staying there and no charge. Beats traipsing about to find other places or buying a £30 meal at a pub just to stay there. We don’t buy food on any ferry, take a flask of coffee and a few sandwiches for if we get peckish. Grab a couple of the reclining seats and relax. There is a limited amount of free wifi so take the tablet, iPad. Or download some films and use headphones. They do say to turn off fridges in their small print, irresponsible not to do so in a closed vehicle deck. Any fridge will last the 3-4 hours of the crossing with no problem. Freeze a couple of coke bottles of water to help the fridge if you are worried about it.

What he said ^^^^

We parked nearly in the queue overnight for the morning ferry and no noise whatsoever that could wake us up. Its also a nice personal service there, you can chat to the staff.
We ve done the overnight but didnt sleep that well and it made it a long long 6 hours.
When we get old enough and retire Newhaven Dieppe early ferry and staying overnight in the car park will be our choice if heading anywhere bar Germany direction

KFC is within a pitching wedge distance

 

[Purrfecttune]

Got to Newhaven at 6pm on a Saturday and staff told us to park right in front of the gate ready for the first departure Sunday morning.
Definitely very quiet during the night. Had at least 10 more queuing behind us by midnight.
Fantastic burger bar 10 minute walk away (Hotspot Burger and Grill), well known and recommended by other Funsters.
For convenience it can’t be beaten.

 

[PlacidoD]

I endorse the comments above. The journey on the ferry is OK. The food is not outrageously priced and helps pass the time.

To add to your fund of knowledge there is a Sainsbury's 200 yards up the road from the Newhaven terminal (With a Costa Coffee under its roof though unlikely to be open unless you arrive early). I fill up at the PFS and do a quick last minute shop before joining the ferry queue.

Living in Bolton I drive down to catch the 17:00 ferry and then park up at an Aire within spitting distance of the Dieppe terminal post journey at around 22.00. It is not cheap (18 Euros per 24 hours or 7.50 for 6 hours.) but has circa 14 EHUs (with limited time usage) plus fresh water and grey and black water facilities and is super convenient for walking into Dieppe centre (where there is a readily accessible Carrefour convenience supermarket). I plan to park up there again on 27/8/24 on my next trip before heading ultimately in the direction of Switzerland and the Italian Lakes via a meandering course.

As noted above I doubt you will need to use the ferry car park at Newhaven. Just join the queue for boarding. But one way or another there is no need to look for an alternative overnight venue.

P.S. Be aware that the Colbert Swing Bridge giving access to Dieppe centre is under long term reconstruction and has been replaced by a temporary footbridge. That is no major impediment to navigation but does mean that you cannot savour a touch of downtown Dieppe while driving by!

Chris

 

[Lenny HB]

No instructions to turn off the gas fridge, some do, some don'

On average 2 trips a year via Newhaven for the last 15 years, always been asked if the gas is off.

 

[ChrisSue]

When we came back in June on the afternoon crossing we couldn't get in at a Britstop so parked on Seaford seafront for the night. Loads of room and, yes a few cars came past, but not an issue

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[Northernraider]

Like many of the comments above its also now my ferry of choice for crossing the chanel it's so much more relaxed than the tunnel, the staff including the on site security guard are always helpful and friendly , if you arrive late evening or early morning the security guard will usually come say hello and tell you where you can park up . I've stayed overnight for the early morning ferry and I've arrived early morning after taking the midnight ferry from dieppe. And slept there.

 

[Chod Jacqui]

Thank you all for your very helpful replies, will telephone DFDS later to book and request the 20% discount.

 

[Les]

Be aware that they were booking Vans parking on gravel by Martelo tower as there is yellow lines the road side, there is a 12 hr limit they check occasionally.They have a purge now and again usually because a lot of vans stay a long time house owner at that end doesn’t like vans and owns the view

 

[flatpackchicken]

Thank you all for your very helpful replies, will telephone DFDS later to book and request the 20% discount.

You need to phone DFDS at Dieppe as French lady normally answers but speak good English but you actually phone a uk number and it’s transferred automatically to Dieppe. Number is
0330 587 8787 ok and don’t forget the over 60s discount of 20% if applicable

 

[PlacidoD]

Thank you all for your very helpful replies, will telephone DFDS later to book and request the 20% discount.

Do be aware that your are ringing their offices in France and so they shut up shop at 16:00 UK time.
Tel +44 330 587 8787
They may suggest a minor adjustment to your schedule to save you money so it can be useful to have the online options in front of you when telephoning.

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[Chod Jacqui]

All super replies, thank you.