Hi All, I'm off to France in a few weeks time on the GF's Monster 620ie and will be travelling on the ferry from Portsmouth and staying in a gite in Normandy for some WW2 related exploration. As this would potentially involve riding down and departing from Nottingham at around 2.00am I've decided that doing this part of the journey the day before is preferable. I've had a quick look on Premier Inn website and other similar cheap hotels but not found anywhere suitable. Can anyone recommend somewhere within say 30 minutes ride of Portsmouth that has reasonably secure bike parking as the hotels in Portsmouth itself don't appear that safe. Happy to do BnB / AirB&B etc if anyone has some good ideas? Many thanks, Ben
We live just North of Portsmouth, Clanfield, just South of Petersfield. Firstly, I'm sorry, I'd love to offer you our spare room or a sofa for the night, but it's just not possible at the moment with a couple of very reactive rescue/foster dogs in the house. Unfortunately I can't think of anywhere in Portsmouth itself that I'd leave a bike unattended overnight, I think you'll need to go with your 1/2hr ride away. Assuming you'll be approaching down the A3, the only place I can think of with accommodation that I know bikes have been left overnight is the closest pub to us: https://www.thehampshirehog.co.uk/?partner=8163&utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=yext&utm_content=P215?utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=yext&utm_content=P215&y_source=1_MTIyMzcyMTUtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU= As you can see it's a bit out of the way and the accommodation car park is round the back away from the road: If it would help I'd be more than happy to leave an outdoor cover with their reception for you to cover the bike with and collect it the next day.
Nice one I'll check it out As for reactive dogs I don't think you've met my rescue collie as she's the definition of reactive / anxious doggo but will be remaining with Louise for the week at home. Cheers Ben
I take it that the ferries are booked so this may be irrelevant but I do the overnight ferries. The last outbound I did was to Cherbourg you leave the port around 8am. I also get a cabin. The ouisterham ferry gets in at 7. I use the night ferries to come back too If you have to kill time before you get into your accommodation then from Cherbourg you ride past Ste Mare Eglise so you could spend the morning in the American Airborne museum. Or ouisterham you can spend the morning in the museum at Pegasus bridge
I'm on the 8am ferry but want to stop closer to the port hence looking for something cheap for one night. I've rented a gite in St Marie du Mont near to SME and it's hanging paratrooper. Most of my mileage will be in the UK as the 620 is tiny but my 900 is still "being built". Cheers
For the money you spend on a hotel you could pay for cabins on the overnight ferry. Plus a leisurely ride down In the daytime. I live near Bridlington and don't leave till midday and arrive in Portsmouth with loads of time to spare
Too late already booked the crossing and it's paid for (not by me). Worst case scenario I'll type down in the dark and freeze my dd's off
I just opened Google Maps on my phone, zoomed in on Portsmouth and searched for ‘Hotel’. There are loads within 30 mins of the Port. Surely you can find somewhere rural that is suitable.
Thanks. Yes I did the same but was hoping for recommendations that were bike friendly as Portsmouth like many cities will be a crime hot spot
Definitely look for somewhere other than Pompey/Southampton, there’s lots of nice places within 45 minutes. Depends on your budget. Maybe the Crown Inn at Bishops Waltham, anywhere south of Winchester, or possibly East of Fareham
This is a cheap-ish late holiday so trying to keep the budget for this bit as low as possible so will ride if need be but remember how cold it is at that time of the morning so am hoping for a degree of comfort I'll check out your suggestion
