First overnight stay in a lay-by

We were invited to dinner at the Strickland Arms, Sizergh near Kendal on Saturday night so, having checked Streetview, we decided to sleep over afterwards in a lay-by just round the corner on a very quiet country lane.

We had a great meal (I can highly recommend the pub) and a lovely evening and walked back (in the rain) to the camper.

After quickly taking Boz out for his walk, we settled into the van, listened to some radio and then settled down for sleep.

At 12.45am we were rudely awakened by the sound of a vehicle next to us with flashing orange lights and with a clanking of chains and raised voices. Fearing we were about to be towed away by the lay-by police I peeped out to see a massive low loader full of Tarmac road repairing plant.

They unloaded some things and eventually drove off only to re-appear at 1.45am with another load of plant to be removed.

Again the lorry left and we settled down only to be woken a couple of hours later by lights and the sound of two cars in the lay-by. I quickly tried to work out what I'd do if they demanded the keys to the camper* but they drove off again quite quickly.

Not a good experience and I hope it hasn't put us off trying the lay-by option again - we might give this one a miss though!

* I decided they could have had the keys - wasn't feeling brave enough to have a go (one more single malt and the decision might have been different!)

Here's some before pics:



...and some from the morning:

Great little story & pics - perhaps not for you - but not typical we expect
Do not think Scooby would be brave enough to stay in such a location
Yeah - Rooby Roo

I thought about asking in the pub but was put off because of how much the car park sloped!

We'll deffo give it another go - I think it would be a particularly churlish police person who did me for DD with the silver screens up and curtains pulled, bed made, etc.

I put the keys in the special place as well so they weren't immediately accessible.

Has anyone had any experience of the police's attitude in similar circumstances.

I have thought that it might be useful to upload potential overnight sites onto my Garmin that I use when I'm biking so that I could build up a database. Maybe we could have a section on here for people to suggest good spots to park overnight.

Thanks Tilly - I'll have a look.

I know the Strickland Arms pub well and have sampled the waters and food there quite a few times. We normally stop at the Caravan Club site which is just a very pleasant 15 mins walk from the pub.

Aye aye Cap'n - I tried to get into that site but 'twas full...

Hi, interesting to hear your stop over stories.

I am a copper so speak from experience when I say that you would be extremely unlucky to be nicked for drunk in charge if you are in a camper van.

For advice though, dont be siting in the drivers seat and dont have the engine running or the keys in the ignition. This way you will be pretty safe if the boys in blue come knocking.

It wont help if you are completely **** faced either!! just be sensible and the police will be too.

Be careful with next morning driving too... as many people get done drink driving the next morning these days as they are still over the limit, especially if you are shooting off early....

Good advice Paul. Me, ****faced? Never!

....and put that Danbury rear window sticket back up! lol

Jason - I've left the one on the rear tailgate - wanting two is just greedy!!!

Understood ... and no more dodgy lay by stay overs

As an aside -

anyone thinking of lay-bying on the continent take care. while it is not usual to get moved on it is also not unknown - most so in france where the availability of aire de service du camping car mean there really isnt nay need - we were woken one night on an aire near St malo when the gendarmerie were escorting a british motorhome onto the aire. the owner was very irate as they had parked on the harbour and with limited French could not understand that the gendarme were actually trying to be helpful. So few brits know about the aires. Also on any of the toll autoroutes you have a maximum time that you can stay on a section peage so never try to sleep on an service station unless it is on a non paying section

a great online guide to the aires is at http://www.eurocampingcar.com/

also a good book in english is available from vicarious books? i think the english version is just called all the aires - but you can pick up cheaper multi language versions in any french motor home store - there are loads and at any hypermarche

Only time we ever wild camp on british roads is on the M4 at Newbury services in the lorry park -