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Off on a bouldering trip to Fontainebleau and don't fancy a 10 hr drive plus ferry trip in one go.
So as per the thread title, any suggestions for somewhere to spend the night before a morning ferry from Dover?
Premier inn faversham? It’s about 30mins drive from there into Dover. The premier inn on the quayside in Dover is pretty good. But it is in Dover.
Would you not rather get the ferry and then stop? We recently stayed at Bethune with b&b hotels and it was fine and better than horrendous travelodges. Only an hours drive from Calais and plenty of food places for breakfast.
Deal is nice. Clarendon hotel isn't amazing but not bad. Town centre is quaint, some nice pubs and restaurants
If you're just planning to find somewhere to get your head down, then the Premier Inn in Dover is ideal.
Honestly, I'd get the ferry then stop in a b&b hotel in Calais.
Up and off in the morning!
Gillingham. Gold clowns innit. Or this place looks alright.
230 acre mainly unused lorry park at Sevington. Near Ashford. Kip in the car. A genuine Brexit Bonus!
Sandwich.
Have stopped there a few times after the crossing to the UK.
Very cute and quaint little place. You used to be able to park up between the sea and the golf course.
Not done it for ages because the Tunnel is so much easier.
Deal is okay. We stop there pre ferry as it's the only time we catch up with friends, which has meant getting the ferry feeling rough on occasion, once without my passport (pre Brexit, did not appear to be a big deal as I was ushered out of the country not even delaying the queue.)
However, post Brexit queues have been pretty bad - two years ago we pitched up at eight thirty four a ten o'clock ferry, didn't get away until two having had to queue to get into the port. As others have said I'd minimise stress with an evening crossing and it'll be circuits and pan au chocolate with the Bleausards by the afternoon...
Hotel or campsite? Very near Dover, we've stayed at St Margaret's at Cliffe, the Smugglers is a really good pub, walk down to pebble beach and side view of white cliffs. Deal/Walmer is also a nice town (as I am sure are Sandwich, Canterbury etc).
Broadstairs is a nice seaside town.
Not too far away. But maybe a touch too far off direct route.
I wouldn't recommend Broadstairs for a stop over, too much of a detour from Dover. It's nice enough but it's the parts of Thanet you'll have to drive through to get there that are less so. And this time of year high potential for very slow traffic due to beach goers.
What johnx2 said. Whatever minimises the ferry port queuing is what I would go for as that's the most stressful part of getting to Fontainebleau now.
I have used those cheap roadside French hotels, formula1 etc, and they are fine for a night's kip to break up a journey. You can get 4 climbers in a room so cheap per person.
Anyway, have a great trip. Got any particular projects in mind?
Put up your tent in Kent? Before you belay in Calais.