Cool reception this year for motorhomes

I don't know if you are still monitoring your post but if so could you suggest a reason for it as you live locally?

Have Motorhomes become a problem for the council in any way? Staying overnight when they shouldn't? Littering? Maybe taking up too much room in the parking area when the council could squeeze more cars in instead? Is there a general problem in Dorset with motorhomes?

If any of the above, are other councils in the area likely to follow suit.

Doesn't bother me particularly being a caravanner but it would good to know for any possible visitor to the area in a camper van or motorhome.

Any of our Dorset residents shed any light on it?

A significant number of local councils have what appears to be a "we hate motorhomes" policy when it comes to parking, either stipulating that their car parks are "no motorhomes" or installing height barriers. The latter may be to discourage a certain sector of the community from setting up camp in the car parks. The result is that motorhomes end up doing the "Flying Dutchman" impersonation or vote with their wheels and go elsewhere, depriving local businesses of trade.

Fortunately there are now some more enlightened councils although I suspect it will be some considerable time before this becomes widespread.

 West Bay is a busy place in the main season, we're fairly local too so know where to park the car for free but only if we get there early. We don't take the M/H. I guess the same applies to motorhomes trying to park anywhere, free or not there isn't a lot of room at West Bay so as said get there early. 

 Motorists of all descriptions are limited for parking in West Bay and the surrounding areas.

We like the limited motorhome parking at Hive Beach.

In West Bay there is a temporary summer camp site opposite the main car park alongside the Brit, worth a try if you want a stop over.

I think there is some anecdotal evidence that more Councils are trying to come to terms with the provision of motorhome parking? In some parts of the UK special provision is being made. However there will always be places where making provision for parking of large vehicles will displace too many visitors in cars. It seems that at West Bay some provision exists but is limited. I am sure there are lots of Groups of Social Media that give information of such parking provision so there may well be alternatives in the area as Brue has already mentioned.

David

I think there is a perennial problem with parking in popular places, temporarily or permanent park and ride solves it for many. I'm talking about parking in general. This island nation certainly likes coastal spots and some councils are better at problem solving in advance (if they haven't got other things as a top priority which unfortunately many have!)

I would say Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, some parts of Somerset are also parking disadvantaged to start with, given that a lot of the popular spots are narrow inlets with steep sides. It’s the same up here at places like Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, etc…. Whitby went down the park and ride route a decade or so ago, and to be honest, it’s spoilt the town. Too easy for folks to get into now, so it’s always heaving. Some places are very MH friendly, others still protective of what they have. It’s usually abuse of facilities by a few that limits progress for the many sadly.

As CY points out we will take our business else where. This year was the first time I have really toured in the UK without bookings and I found it much easier now that the northern councils/organisations are opening up to overnight parking of motorhomes. I largely found them underused. I was particularly impressed with the provision by the Northumberland National Park at Kielder Water and along Hadrians Wall. They may well get some of my holiday money next year, especially if I cannot get over there.

peedee

How much has the car park fee gone up? We were always pleasantly surprised by the low fees. Last year on 3 visits. Stayed at the delightful Bingham Grange CAMC site.

The car park before the harbour was usually available, as the one by the slipway on the eastern side.

The various 'sheds' serving food in the centre is a quaint and lovely feature, and sensibly priced.

Some areas are assisting motorhomers. See photo. Also parking for motorhomes cost £6 a night all along the new sea front parking between Sandsend and Whitby. Dozens of vans can be accommodated here but arrive early for that 24hr slot, it’s very popular.

Totally agree ttda.  We were in Dorset last month and are here at the NYM site at the moment. The popular and even the not-so-popular spots in Dorset were absolutely rammed, the car parks were invariably full, with small parking bays and extortionate parking charges.  Goodness knows what it will be like not that schools are out. There simply wasn't any room for motorhomes.

We went into Whitby yesterday - although I wasn't keen on going - and it was absolutely heaving to the extent that I was considering donning a mask even though outside on the streets.  We left, instead. RHB is the same, as you say. 

What is worrying is that it seemed most shops / hospitality venues were advertising for staff.  Indeed the cafe were we stopped for coffee had closed it's kitchen yesterday because of lack of staff. Few can afford to live there since property prices have gone through the roof because of holiday/second home ownership.

I suppose, eventually, it will go full-circle with less visitors going because the facilities aren't there for them - allowing locals to re-establish themselves.  I'm thinking particularly of RHB. 

The cost of living crisis doesn't really seem to be having the impact that some would have us believe