!Thanks Katy. Don’t feel you need to resort to visiting Bluewater shopping centre, a great alternative is this little fishing lake which you can wander around or have a picnic at, after visiting the the One of my friends has recommended the pretty villages of Farningham and Eynsford near Swanley. Thanks to all the family travel bloggers, friends and family members for their input into this mammoth list!The ford near St John’s Castle, Odiham, just off junction 5, M3 motorwayThere are lots of free and affordable places to break your motorway journey in the UK as well as some pricier places which are worth incorporating into a trip if you have time. If you’re in need of packing inspiration, I’ve put together a checklist of The M1 is a particularly boring motorway, especially when you have to drive the whole length of it. As of 2016 the rest area signs are now included in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.

I really must pay another visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park – that might be worth hitting the M1 again!The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is top of my list too! The only other differences are that the ½ mile sign may not contain an operator's headboard, and that they may not be signed from a distance greater than a mile.

Tapping each icon will reveal more details, with a link to a detailed database page. I’ve already made use of it!This is such a useful post, Annabel. The final motorway example dates back to the opening of the M40. Almost enough to plan a road trip just for the stops!Thanks Nell. Thanks for sharing it with us.Wow, this must have taken ages to research and write! And if you find anywhere which should be added to the list, please do get in touch.Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience.This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. I always dread long motorway journeys when the only break is at a service station. I’d much rather it was known for its lovely nature reserve, St Johns Castle Odiham Hampshire just near the motorway M3I love this little castle, hidden among the trees near the banks of the River Whitewater and the Basingstoke Canal.

Other than this, all three of the UK's motorway rest areas offer significant facilities; enough to qualify as a full motorway service area and more than some other motorway services do. Developers have shown no interest in the concept, and the only open rest areas are all historical quirks: Conference facilities or business centres and retail space are permitted; the size of each of these was limited, basically to 200 mOriginally, service areas were allowed to sell alcohol with food. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers’ questions frequently. We use the M4 when we visit family in Wales, and there’s places new to me on the list. You should also note that the coastal motorway in Dalmacija is not exactly coastal - it is well inland and along way from many of the tourist destinations.Not sure about shower rooms along any roads.Motorway stops with petrol station have toilets.Sometimes you have to ask for the keys.Other stops are basic.Parking,rubbish bin,port-a-john.Seen (can not recall where exactly) very few stops with motorhome discharge pits.Out of the designated areas stops are illegal but enforcing the law is very elastic.Bigger citties have public laundry facilities.November can be cold with the gale force winds.To have a better picture try to google up specialist motorhome/caravan web sites.This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Available at We’re often on a road trip and I wish we could just fit in a little pit stop to stretch our legs, that would also include seeing something not too far off the highway! Elveden is perhaps more well known for the Suffolk branch of Center Parcs but if you’re looking for a quick break from the A11, Elveden Estate has nature trails through the woods and various eateries to choose from along with a selection of shops including a farm shop.Coggeshall is a good half way point for us on route to Frinton-on-Sea, the closest patch of sand from our home in Hertfordshire.

Burton Dassett in Warwickshire, credit Warwickshire County CouncilI feel slightly nostalgic writing about Burton Dassett. I have no idea whether you can stay overnight or how safe it is to do so. Actually, I think it will be a permanent work in progress as people keep telling me about more places. Driving along the M1 inspired this post so I’m looking forward to stopping at some of these places now!Wow what a fantastic comprehensive guide! Can somebody tell me whether we can park overnight in a motorway rest stop? These will make a very pleasant change from an ordinary motorway stop! Answer 1 of 3: Hello, My family will be travelling around Crotia in a motorhome in November. Will pin this for next time we’re on the road! I have no idea whether you can stay overnight or how safe it is to do so. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences.