Hi all we are going to Northumberland soon, never having been before we don't know what the services are like on this route. I have been on the motorway services website but it doesn't give me the info I need.
We are towing a caravan and have dogs so we need a site we car park a unit and preferably somewhere we can walk the dogs to do there business!!
Scotch corner is about half way some might try a one stop trip. thanks in advance
Cliff
A1 isn't motorway north of Newcastle and most of it is still not even duel carriageway (sore point to us that live up here) so if you must stop, the services at Washington would be your best bet. After that it would only be about an hour and a half before you got to Scotland.
Cliff...forget scotch corner...carry on for another 10 minutes and turn left at the A167 (newton aycliffe) only a couple of hundred yards from A1 .Services there would be ideal for you---not motorway money! garage with large lorry-park-small truckers cafe--mcdonalds and subway --and large area of waste ground to walk your dogs.Quick access back onto A1 north and another hour should see you north of newcastle .Next decent stopping place In my opinion would be a small service area at Stannington..just before you reach the Morpeth turn-off..again-off the main road and good for your dogs..but easy to rejoin.Major roadworks at the moment around the Team valley area--try to avoid rush hour traffic.Once past N/cle your almost into Northumberland. Enjoy! Local knowledge here...no charge
where abouts in Northumberland, personally we go the a19 and up the coast road much nicer run and theres quiet a few decent sized truck stops on the A19
Update for you Cliff...avoid A1 NORTH from Washington if you can...bear right and head for tyne tunnel..A19 NORTH and brings you out not far south of Morpeth. I am living and working in the middle of this mess and have actually given up today and switched to night shift!!! It really is that bad.Northbound is terrible----Southbound is worse!!!I,m putting a warning out under a new topic heading!
Probably right GCMS..advice was based on dog stops..until I encountered the roadworks today! Dont really use the a19 much so not very genned up on stopping places.
A19 from Dishforth its a much nicer road for towing, now both Tyne crossings are open no queing, just have your £1.60 ready for the tunnel, once clear of the tunnel follow the signs for Northumberland Coastal route its a lovely drive
After coming off A1(M) at Dishforth, I've seen few good laybys - artics use them for breaks and overnight stops, some have cafes too, and they're away from the flow of traffic if you know how I mean. Just need to look out for the signs before, as you travel along.
One that does spring to mind, is the one near Potto (I think that's the area), that one does have a cafe.
Also on the A19, there are garages for fuel etc, some have large truckstop areas to the rear of them too.
I always look at my proposed route on Google Earth. You can see by all the road markings if there is an easy stopping place for a 'van at any particular place.