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Topic: Dover - can we sleep at the port ?

Petrolhead

13/1/2009 at 8:52pm
Location: Ilkeston Derbyshire
Outfit: Luna Delta 640 4

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We have a 6am ferry Dover to Calais booked for our hols in August but have to travel down from Derbyshire so were hoping to leave home early evening Thursday and stop in or near the port for a few hrs sleep before we have to board the ferry on the fri morning as we are then driving to Brittany with one more overnight on the way. ( we have got two young children too!)

Can anyone offer any advice/ experience please?

Thanks.
Caroline

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Biosdoctor

13/1/2009 at 9:01pm
Location: East Yorkshire
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus 546

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Hi Caroline

There are no facilities at the ferry terminal.

We parked overnight in the Marina car park, and didn't get a wink of sleep. Too much traffic coming and going.

I'd suggest finding somewhere 10 - 20 miles away and allowing 30 minutes travelling in time.

Unless someone can suggest an alternative.

Cheers

Paul

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"Whether you think you can, or think you can't... You're right"

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jaiash

13/1/2009 at 9:09pm
Location: nr Derby
Outfit: Phoenix 440+

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We've used CLs inthe Capel Le Ferne area. (Sometimes just as an easy place to park and have a rest.) Only 15 mins to the port.

David ML

13/1/2009 at 9:35pm
Location: Preston
Outfit: X-Trail & Bailey Pageant Bretagne

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Caroline, we have done a similar journey in previous years from Lancashire, with the intention of grabbing a couple of hours sleep waiting for an early ferry on Friday morning. More often than not we get there earlier than booked and put on the next available ferry, so usually end up stopping for long breaks a couple of times during the onward journey on the other side of the channel as needed.

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Cerevisiae

14/1/2009 at 6:05pm
Location: Fife
Outfit: Vango Vista

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When we had an early morning ferry booked we have managed to get a very cheap room in a travelodge (I think it was about 20-30 mins from the terminal) and managed a fairly descent nights sleep.

Cas54

14/1/2009 at 7:31pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: Motorhome

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There's always Tesco's Whitfield on A2 or Crooksfoot Ashford on A20 (a roundabout away from J10 off M20)

Tim and Cary

15/1/2009 at 11:19pm
Location: Criccieth Gwynedd
Outfit: Buccaneer Commodore

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Hi Caroline

We have travelled down from Merseyside for the Dover to Dunkerque boat for the last 3 years.

2006 Overnighted at Maidstone Services on M20. Dedicated caravan bays away from lorry park about £16.00 for the night. Bays are pretty narrow but adequate. Just over an hour from Dover for the 06.00 Ferry but we did meet up with fog which slowed us down even though last week in July.

2007 We stayed at Little Satmar holiday park, Capel-Le-Ferne, Folkestone for one night. Friendly owners put us, and others catching the early ferry, on a large open grassed area where we were able to stay hitched up ready for departure for 06.00am boat. No barriers or gates so easy departure. About 30 mins from Dover Ferry terminal.

2008 Stayed for several nights at Little Switzerland Camp Site, on the cliffs at Folkestone, and have a look around Dover. Lovely views over the coast from cafe terrace. Large enough pitch to stay hooked up and again no barriers to impede early morning departure. About 20 mins from Dover FT.

Both of the latter about £15/night for car, caravan and 2 adults.

Hope this helps.
Tim

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BigMona

16/1/2009 at 9:55am
Location: Llantrisant South Wales
Outfit: Roller Team 740

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We stayed at the CC site in Folkestone. They have dedicated Ferry Pitches and you can leave anytime you want. We upped sticks at 4am for our 6am crossing, the journey to Dover was about 15 mins.

happymum

16/1/2009 at 12:02pm
Location: Grantham Lincs
Outfit: Swift Classic Baronette

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http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results3.asp?search=sutton+vale&by=sitename

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Lynn H

18/1/2009 at 9:28pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Sundance 590RS

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We've stayed overnight in our motorhome on Marine Drive for the last two years. Each time there have been about seven/eight motorhomes and one/two caravans. If you arrive after 6pm I think parking is free and there is dedicated parking at the far end of Marine Drive. We managed to get a good night's sleep and took only a few minutes to get to the port.

kate w

19/1/2009 at 7:17pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Camplet Concorde Bailey Phoenix+ 420

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We travel down from Derbyshire for a similar time channel tunnel crossing. We Set off from home at around 1.30am and get down there in plenty of time for the crossing. the kids mostly sleep during the trip down the motorway and there's not much traffic about. Getting the ferry at that time of day you can be away once you're the other side of the channel and be at your stopover by lunch / mid afternoon.

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Sproz

19/1/2009 at 9:41pm
Location: Freckleton Nr Preston
Outfit: Autotrail Apache 700

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Last year we wanted to stop at the CC club site with ferry pitches but it was full, ended up on the new stop24 services by the tunnel at folkestone, no dedicated caravan parking but just stuck the legs down on the coach park with everyone else!! not a bad sleep, but may be busier now its been open a while!!!

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