Overnight Parking and Stopovers in Your Motorhome or Campervan

Parking up overnight or ‘stop overs’ means you can get some sleep without the cost of a campsite. However, there are laws and overnight parking and they’re not always very clear.

This guide covers everything you need to know for a safe and practical overnight stay.

UK law defines motorhomes and campervans the same as caravan.

Section 29 (1) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 160 defines a caravan as;

 Any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer)’.

As a result, many laws that apply to caravans also apply to motorhomes and campervans.

However, there is a lot of confusion around overnight parking laws. This makes it hard to know where you can park legally.

So you can’t just pull up and anywhere and park overnight. Doing so could mean being woken up and moved on in the middle of the night by the police, local authority, or angry landowner.

In some cases, it could also result in a fine.

And to make matters even more complicated;

• Different councils in the UK have different bylaws, and
• Scotland has its own set of rules that are different to the rest of the UK

England and Wales

Regulations in England and Wales can be stricter compared to Scotland. Follow local bylaws and avoid residential streets unless clearly allowed.  National parks like the Lake District and Dartmoor have specific regulations to follow.

Scotland

Scotland is more flexible with its wild camping laws. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, allows for responsible access to most land. This including some overnight stays in vehicles. The Highlands and more remote areas are ideal for wild camping under this code.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland follows similar regulations to England and Wales. Local bylaws and specific rules in protected areas. Coastal regions and popular tourist spots may have extra restrictions.

Overnight parking and wild camping are very similar. Both mean sleeping in your camper or motorhome without having to pay but there’s a difference between the two;

• Overnight parking – refers to finding a safe place to park and sleep that’s free-of-charge.
• Wild camping – is parking in a remote or secluded spot where there are no other motorhomes.

The EU tried to be more accommodating to motorhomers and campervanners. The allow wild camping in several national parks and also on private land if you can get permission.

Several countries have designated areas for overnight parking called ‘Camper Spots’.  They range from lay-by’s, car parks, and even beaches. Some even have facilities like drinking water, toilets and electric hook-up.

That said, many of these camper spots have limits on how long you can part there. Often 48 hours.

To make sure you stay on the right side of the law when parking up for the night, there are various apps and social media communities you can use.

Campercontact App

Campercontact has over 50,000 motorhome sites in 58 countries, over 3,500 are UK stopovers. It also has over a million members.
It allows you to check the most recommended parking places and get route ideas. If you upgrade to the pro version of their app, you can use it offline.

SearchforSites App

SearchforSites has over 47,000 places to park overnight. It also has an active community of over 330,000 members who provide information and update reviews.

They have a mobile app with built-in sat nav which you can try for three days at no cost. After that it costs just £7.49 a year. Again, you can use their app offline.

Park4Night App

Park4Night is an app that lists various places to park your motorhome or camper overnight. It includes lay-bys, supermarket car parks, fields and campsites.

Their £10-a-year fee means you can use their app offline if you don’t have internet access.

You can also install Park4Night on TomTom, Garmin and iGo satnavs for an added (but reasonable) fee.

Brit Stops App

When looking for places to park overnight in the UK, the Brit Stops app is excellent.

Brit Stops is a network of more than 1,100 independent businesses where you can park up for the night. They include farm shops, pubs, and other attractions.

Their current membership is £35.20 per year.

Campervan Overnight Parking Facebook Group

The Campervan Overnight Parking Facebook group has 124,000 members. It’s an active community with members sharing their reviews of different stopovers, from off-grid locations to campsites.

You’re also free to ask questions and get involved in discussions.

Motorhome Sleepy Spots Facebook Group

The Motorhome Sleepy Spots Facebook Group is quite a bit smaller with around 35,000 members. It’s also not quite as active but you can use it to find up-to-date information on where to spend the night across the UK and Europe.

UK Motorhomes Stopovers

UKMotorhomes.net has a huge list of ‘non campsite’ overnight parking stopovers for the UK.

Each listing has a Streetview map and GPS co-ordinates and any other relevant information about the location.

Overnight parking is exactly that. You’re parking your vehicle overnight, not camping, so with that said here are some do’s and don’ts.

Don’ts:

• Pitch a tent
• Wind out your awning
• Hang out your laundry
• Cook on your BBQ
• Cause an obstruction

Do’s:

• plan your stops in advance
• Keep noise to a minimum
• Park safely
• Be curious of your surroundings
• Leave the areas as (or tidier) you found it
• Lock your doors

The laws and rule about overnight parking and motorhome stopovers are confusing. But don’t let that stop you from trying it out.

With our list of apps and resources, finding a stopover is easy, convenient, and fun.