Parking for beginners

[Gary217]

Hi - although we've had a camper for a few years and travelled a lot in it so we are fairly experienced on many aspects , we've not had a 'grown-up' one before as our previous van was VWT5 which was about the size of a large car and went under most car park barriers...just. We now have our Transit LWB Hi top (picked up last Friday) so I thought I'd put my naive questions in this beginners section.
My first question is parking. We tried to choose a van that was not too large but look like we failed miserably on that score - although it is only just a metre longer than the VW it is too big for most car park slots and on our first trip out we found it difficult to park at the coast and only one car park was without a height barrier, but then spaces were incredibly tight so we didn't end stopping there. Trips into Beaulieu Village and then Christchurch proved the same, and we ended up stopping on the way back in a New Forest car park for our celebration (of new van) lunch ...feeling quite despondent.
So, we see a lot of motorhomes that are bigger than ours trundling around, so where and how do you park in the UK - especially in nice spots?

 

[Eeyore]

I remember driving back to the Midlands from the ferry at Portsmouth about 25 years ago in a Ford CI Motorhome.
We weren't able to park in any shop car parks, they all had height barriers. Hopefully things are getting easier, but we just went to a new shopping area just outside Dover, it had a brand new height barrier too.

We've met this a couple of times. Go into the shopping centre office and ask them to swing the barrier open for you or if you can go in via the delivery lorry/ ambulance/ fire engine entrance.

 

[GJH]

But does the parking made available by councils offset the number of car parks becoming out of bounds as height barriers are introduced ?

From the information I've received, overall yes. Let's also remember that car park owners don't go to the expense of erecting barriers without reason.

Well said Graham ! Just because motorhoming features large in our life style doesn't mean to say that the rest of the population- including town councillors etc- know very much about it or realise there could be difficulty parking a large, non-commercial vehicle. As 10/10 people if stopped at random, would say: isn't that what campsites are for ? If you know nothing much about the lifestyle then why should it occur to you ?

It's up to us, as keen motorhomers, to bring it to the attention of our local powers that be and point out that the passing trade would be good for the town and more than re-pay the re-painting of a few white lines in a car park. Most towns are now pretty cash strapped and expecting an all-singing aire is not realistic but even in Europe we're noticing less free ones and more commercial ones. A dedicated parking area though does not cost much to produce.

We always ring or e-mail ahead if going to somewhere like a NT property and have always had a prompt and positive reply. Embarrassingly we were once lead to a gravel space right in front of the main house. Many supermarkets now employ firms to deal with parking so we always ask if there is any doubt and have never been refused.

Thank you Graham for your excellent resource and the work you put into it.

Thanks for that. As you say, people in general do nor appreciate the difficulties. I still have councils which tell me that the only enquiries about motorhome parking they have received have been from me. As you say, it is up to us to make the case.

@GJH you do a wonderful job Graham and it is much appreciated even if you feel unappreciated at times.

Only at times?

 

[Photo4x4]

Hello and welcome.

Don't worry about it, within a couple of months you'll be used to the extra size. You just have to look at parking a bit differently, same as you would with any different type of vehicle such as a motorcycle (looking for motorcycle bays).

Our MH is a Private Heavy Goods Vehicle, and believe me the luxury and convenience of your own sanitary facilities and a nice 'u' shaped lounge to relax in far outweigh the fact that we can't always park in a council car park.

In supermarket car parks we always head to the furthest point from the store entrance where you will always find space as all the car drivers try to cram in as near as possible to the doors. Generally I take up two spaces because of the length but there is usually still lots of space for other vehicles. I will also look for spaces where I can reverse the overhang over a verge if possible.

We have had many a pleasant lunch in a supermarket car park after doing a bit of shopping for supplies.

Also look for 'park & rides', those at York for instance have FREE parking for motorhomes (the cars had to pay - very continental).

So Gary persevere and soon you'll be wondering what you were worrying about.

KH

 

[Gary217]

Thanks all for the replies - this is a great forum, not only got some useful replies but no-one has said anything derogatory about the fact that we (well, me actually) didn't check one of the fundamentals well enough.

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[GJH]

Thanks all for the replies - this is a great forum, not only got some useful replies but no-one has said anything derogatory about the fact that we (well, me actually) didn't check one of the fundamentals well enough.

Probably because so many of us have done something similar

 

[Scattycat]

Sadly very true.

But if you have a caravan you have to stop at designated sites and may be miss some interesting places enroute.
Another reason we love being over here with the motorhome is that you can be going through a town or village that has some attraction that takes your fancy and there is nearly always somewhere to stop and have a look around and more importantly for the local shops and cafes, spend some money

 

[Badknee]

every year it gets a little bit harder....

Oh how I wish it did

Oops, wrong site

 

[Devon Sue]

We found parking last year in Christchurch. Can't remember the name offhand, bt it was round the back, past a car park with height barriers, and a bit further on there is a leisure centre with some van parking bays opposite. The car park and leisure centre were signposted from the main road and there was a walk through to the town centre.

 

[Gary217]

Thanks Devon Snappers - I think by the time we'd got to Christchurch we were on a lower ebb so didn't search too much, I was on a bit of a mission to prove we could still truck up to a car park by the sea and park with a sea view, pile out with the dog and tramp along the beach/water and that wasn't going to happen at Christchurch quay
Hey ho...keep reminding ourselves we now have more comfort Might (possibly...) try Waitrose in Salisbury tomorrow .

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[ianandkath]

Also look for 'park & rides', those at York for instance have FREE parking for motorhomes (the cars had to pay - very continental).

thanks for that, we are off to york christmas market next month

 

[CWH]

Might (possibly...) try Waitrose in Salisbury tomorrow .

See here for Salisbury Park & Rides

Broken Link Removed

which includes

Height limit
The height restriction at all sites is 2.4 metres (8ft). However, the Britford site has a large dedicated area with no height restrictions for oversize vehicles. There is overnight parking available at Broken Link Removed campsite during summer months, which we recommend you use if you have a campervan.

 

[Gary217]

Thanks CWH but the challenge will be to venture into Waitrose's car park and see what happens - we might well end up at Britford which is on our way into Salisbury!

 

[Eeyore]

Thanks Devon Snappers - I think by the time we'd got to Christchurch we were on a lower ebb so didn't search too much, I was on a bit of a mission to prove we could still truck up to a car park by the sea and park with a sea view, pile out with the dog and tramp along the beach/water and that wasn't going to happen at Christchurch quay
Hey ho...keep reminding ourselves we now have more comfort Might (possibly...) try Waitrose in Salisbury tomorrow .

We find Google Maps or Street View very handy when we're going somewhere we don't know. Usually tells you if there are barriers and sufficient space and whether it looks motorhome friendly or unfriendly.
Its also very handy for sussing out the entrance and approach roads to aires and campsites and whether they look like the sort of place you might like to overnight.

 

[GJH]

Thanks CWH but the challenge will be to venture into Waitrose's car park and see what happens - we might well end up at Britford which is on our way into Salisbury!

You should be OK. There are some mini buses parked there on Street View.

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[CWH]

Thanks CWH but the challenge will be to venture into Waitrose's car park and see what happens - we might well end up at Britford which is on our way into Salisbury!

Just thought the P&R might do as a 2nd-best if needed.
Ha! was just going to say Google maps satellite / street view, but beaten to it x 2!

Oh - and Parkopaedia.

 

[hilldweller]

we are off to york christmas market next month

Hope you have a pitch booked, we've never managed to get a pitch in York.

 

[DanielFord]

I have to say, parking has not really been an issue for us. We are 7.3m long and 3.2m tall, most supermarkets are OK that we have visited in this country. I just aim to park a long way away from the entrance, and straddle 2 parking bays. A handy tip has been mentioned already, look for parking bays that back onto grass, you can push the overhang at the back into these. We parked in Pembroke Castle in a single car bay using this technique
We toured the Isle Of Wight earlier this year, and again had no great issues with parking, many issues with maniac coach drivers running us off the road though! GRRRR!
The only time we have ever had issues, was in France, on our way back from holiday this year. We wanted to stock up with a few items (wine, and those little cheese cubes if you are interested) programmed the sat nav for the nearest shopping centre, all car parks were height restricted, so I though, screw you, you don't want my business, I shall move on. So I did, found a super market about 50 miles away with no height restrictions, and we spent €300 there. Still I am sure the shop with the height restriction knew best!

 

[GJH]

The only time we have ever had issues, was in France, on our way back from holiday this year. We wanted to stock up with a few items (wine, and those little cheese cubes if you are interested) programmed the sat nav for the nearest shopping centre, all car parks were height restricted, so I though, screw you, you don't want my business, I shall move on. So I did, found a super market about 50 miles away with no height restrictions, and we spent €300 there. Still I am sure the shop with the height restriction knew best!

Surely not Just read all the posts on here about France being perfect and doing almost everything short of laying out red carpets for motorhomers

 

[Eeyore]

Surely not Just read all the posts on here about France being perfect and doing almost everything short of laying out red carpets for motorhomers

Whenever we meet a supermarket height barrier in France I go to the customer desk to ask why. Invariably the answer is because of gens du voyage ! Have they had gens du voyage problems ? Well, no..but they have heard of them in other places !

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[Photo4x4]

Surely not Just read all the posts on here about France being perfect and doing almost everything short of laying out red carpets for motorhomers

I thought that villages and supermarkets in France actually paid motorhomers to park there.

KH

 

[Eeyore]

I thought that villages and supermarkets in France actually paid motorhomers to park there.

KH

You're thinking of the free pain au chocolat they provide in the morning.

 

[DanielFord]

To be fair, this was the first year we'd had any trouble. We were heading to Calais from Nancy, found a brilliant shopping centre, but as I said, they clearly didn't want my business so we moved on.
The next place was a supermarket, I'd like to say it was Carrefour, but I couldn't swear to it. Had no trouble there, found a quiet corner, parked across 2 bays and shopped until we dropped

 

[Saint76]

Not wishing to hijack the thread ,Can Popeye give a report on the pros and cons of the Piaggio three wheel scooter and the ramp or trailer system he uses to get Trike in and out or loaded onto, as Chris Evans in his on line motor review was that impressed he went and brought one.
can be rode on normal car license, got to be a bonus there ,had motorbikes when younger dont want to go back there as wife wont get on the back but scooter/Trike?? thingy looks like it could be a goer!!!!

 

[32143]

thanks for that, we are off to york christmas market next month

You can also park along Foss Island Road, though it is payment, but it's very close to City center just outside of Walmgate Bar. It's along the roadside so length isn't an issue

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[TheBig1]

theres several places to park in or around christchurch....
two rivers meet leisure centre
the main PnD carpark opposite waitrose in long stay area#
on road by the quay
carpark at the end of the quomp
carpark behind twynham school
all within 5 minutes walk of the priory and quayside and more further out but on a main bus route

 

[32143]

We have a 6m pvc and can park most places, as others try to overhang at rear. We also have those parking discs which are used in many cities and allow parking on street for a few hour in areas which are fairly close to towns and city centers

 

[gus-lopez]

We're pretty new to motorhoming and we find the easiest way is to park out of town and walk/cycle in. Shopping-wise we've always found bits of car park that we can fit ourselves in.

I park out of town & shop.

I think the OP is worrying too much. At 5.6 m it's hardly longer than many cars .My car is 5.1m without towbar & bullbars & it wouldn't even occur to me to look at size of spaces/bays. I normally reverse in most spaces & if it is hard against the wall /overhanging grass ,etc ; no problem. If car doesn't fit then the bay isn't big enough !
In the UK I can't recall any supermarket I have been in that doesn't have opened ended bays,& as to " park well away from the store" You normally have to. By the time you taken out the disabled bays at the front then a hundred + parents & rugrats bays, then another load for oap's . You need to get a bus back.

 

[hilldweller]

I thought that villages and supermarkets in France actually paid motorhomers to park there.

KH

It's terrible, we pull up on an aire in a town and round come the touts from neighbouring towns. "Monsieur you can ave my sister if you just come to my town", it's embarrassing, under these circumstances how does one divert the attention of one's wife ? You should have seen the picture of his sister.

 

[Gary217]

As the 'OP' I just thought I'd add my comments to gus-lopez's reply...we weren't at that stage trying to park in any supermarkets, just close as we could to the beach/water and it was this that proved impossible; also when I bought the van I thought that 5.6m would be not much of a problem because, as you mention, some cars are around the 5m mark. However, with the mix of height restrictions and then bays that are probably just on the cusp of being 5m long we found we couldn't easily (or at all) park where we'd hoped - hence the reason I asked for advice/thoughts. We'll, like others on here, just have to modify our plans when out in the van. As I mentioned earlier, my mistake - but bit of fundamental one

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[GJH]

You should have seen the picture of his sister.

@ScotJimland posted it Broken Link Removed earlier today.