Driving to France with Kids

[OrlaB]

Hi folks,

We are planning a drive from Scotland to France this summer to stay with my folks who live between La Rochelle & Poitiers. With two little ones under 5 I am keen to get some tips to make it as stress free as possible. We were thinking of driving to the South of England, staying overnight in a B&B, Ferry crossing the next morning and the drive down through France. Does anyone have any tips on....

• Best crossing
• Good B&Bs at the English ports
• The drive down through the UK
• The drive in France

Re the crossing, cost is a factor but also would consider one that reduces the drive time.

Does anyone know of any good guides or books out there that might help us?

Thank you!!

We are driving to near la Rochelle.. but not from Scotland!! We are in South East about 2 hours from Dover.

It is definitely cheaper to Calais.. but more time driving in France. The least driving would be from St Malo.. but pricey with Brittany Ferries. They do an overnight ferry then you could drive down to La Rochelle the next morning and not worry about a B&B. This would be a good option for you but would be expensive.

What about Hull to Zebrugge? I am throwing this idea out there in the dark, I have no idea whereabouts in France you need to end up. Isn't there a ferry from Stranraer (sp). A friend is planning to go to Scotland that way from Switzerland at easter.
As far as B+B's go, I would be inclined to stat at a premier inn or similar. B+B's always make me a bit uncomfortable but maybe I'm odd.

How about Portsmouth to Chebourg? Or Portsmouth to Caen? or St Malo - although i think this is slightly more expensive

Stay overnight in Portsmouth - NOT travellodge though its apalling. Premier Inn is ok and not too expensive

Or consider an overnight crossing from Portsmouth to Caen? or St Malo - breaks up jjourney for them and stops the expense of hotel

Definately stay overnight though - not sure can help with getting from Scotland to Portsmouth though - thats a long journey - could you break it up in Midlands - stop off at an attraction for the day? West Mids Safari park - but then you still have another 3 - 4hours to get to Portsmouth.

I dont think id do crossing to Calais - think it would be too far the other side.

We have done this a few times. Travel from Scotland too

What we do is drive down to Maidenhead, stay in the Holiday Inn (good set up for kids). visit Legoland (use Tesco clubcard vouchers) the next day, leave at about 3-4pm and drive to Portsmouth. Get on the 8pm ferry - book a room and dc will be asleep in no time.

Wake up in France all refreshed.

That ferry is usually one of the cheapest too.

Have fun

Hi, we have driven to france (La Rochelle),3 times with the children, we have also gone by train from st pancras to south of france (5.5 hrs).
When we have driven we have used the tunnel, we have done overnight stays in kent and Rouen (there is a Novotel in Rouen that full of brits doing the same thing). It breaks up the journey nicely.