Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: chink1211 on March 20, 2012

Title: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: chink1211 on March 20, 2012
hey every one was just wondering does any one no any were in newcastle to park over night that is safe and secure , i dont mind paying so long as i no i can come back after camping and drive home lol
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: Rumblebum on March 20, 2012
Hi Chink, i would normally use Donard carpark which is free and has cctv cameras outside the bar, or Meelmore lodge which is £4 per night and also has cctv, im not sure how good they are but the should act as a bit of a deterent.
There are other area's such as ott carpark but i havnt really tried them yet.

Cheers.
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: gbhvespa on March 20, 2012
Hi Chink, we parked at carrick little car park last time and had no problems, I was a little bit warey of parking in Newcastle on a sat night with all the drunks about.....
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: LandyLiam on March 20, 2012
I reckon the rural car parks are dodgey, although i've parked in them all overnight without a problem, but remove all valuables and leave an empty boot viewable if possible. As for parking in Newcastle the safest place has to be on the main road between the police station and the harbour inn  (near bath lane), you will have a policeman watching your car all night, you might even get your tax & mot checked too checked too   :)  (probably best to leave a contact number on the dashboard)
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: LennyJ1 on March 21, 2012
I reckon the rural car parks are dodgey, although i've parked in them all overnight without a problem, but remove all valuables and leave an empty boot viewable if possible. As for parking in Newcastle the safest place has to be on the main road between the police station and the harbour inn  (near bath lane), you will have a policeman watching your car all night, you might even get your tax & mot checked too checked too   :)  (probably best to leave a contact number on the dashboard)

lol, you have a empty boot ???
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: RedLeader on March 21, 2012
I've always felt the safest parking spot in the Mournes is Donard car park in Newcastle. It's a busy spot with CCTV, I'd expect that thieves would want to operate somewhere more private. All the other car parks in the Mournes (with the exception of Meelmore Lodge) are technically insecure (plus unlit) and you always run the risk of someone breaking into your car, although as LandyLiam says, it's more likely to be scumbags wanting to steal bits'n'bobs you left behind rather than the whole car. I've parked in plenty of places and never had a problem but I suspect that it's just a question of luck. We usually park in Donard or Meelmore Lodge (where there is also CCTV and lights but it's £4). We also heard that you can park at Mourne Lodge at Attical for a fee but I've not tried yet.
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: LandyLiam on March 21, 2012
Quote
lol, you have a empty boot
i work on the basis that if the boot is filled with crap then they won't find the expensive stuff  ;D 
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: Pudd on March 26, 2012
Just a word of warning about Meelmore Lodge - Yes they have CCTV, but if you go into the cafe, look at the monitor and see the status, the recording equipment is always at 100% free.  Don't want to say it outright, but it seems that it doesn't actually record.

Can now imagine car crime going up ten fold since I've said that. 
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: LennyJ1 on March 26, 2012
But it is a good deterent to anyone who would come snooping.
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: Pudd on March 26, 2012
True that.
Title: Re: safe car parking newcastle
Post by: LandyLiam on March 26, 2012
I've often wondered how effective it is, the picture isn't that clear. One evening i had to change in the car park from hiking gear to christmas do gear, i hope the picture was suitably blurry, but with my moobs maybe they thought it was a half naked woman  8)