Where to park motorhome UK: complete legal guide

Knowing where can you park a motorhome in the UK is very important, specially when you are not close to campsites or caravan parks, or simply prefer to wild camp in a location of their choice.

Or maybe you are in a situation where you need to park in a layby overnight and can’t find a suitable place to pull up. But is this legal? Where can you do it?

Here are the answers to the most common questions about overnight motorhome parking that come our way.

Where can you park a motorhome overnight for free?

A great way to do this is with motorhome wild camping , where you stay overnight in your van without paying for a campsite. There are heaps of advantages to this: you can access remote places without anyone else around; you can get truly out into nature; and it won’t cost you a penny throughout your entire trip.

However, there are some things to be aware of when**free camping in the UK**. Technically, wild camping is only legal in Scotland (apart from a few areas) and on parts of Dartmoor, and then only for tent camping. In practice, though, you’re unlikely to be bothered as long as you follow these rules:

• Always ask permission from the landowner

• Be prepared to move on quickly if asked

• Park discreetly and out of sight of houses and main roads

• Arrive late and leave early

• Follow the “leave no trace” principles

Can you park a motorhome in a layby or car park overnight?

If your trip isn’t a planned wild camping one, or if you have to stop unexpectedly, you might have to park overnight in a layby or car park.

Laws on overnighting in a layby vary throughout the UK , but overall it’s not illegal to do so (or more clearly, there are no specific laws preventing it). The police could still move you on, however, if overnight parking is forbidden by a specific local authority.

Don’t stay in your motorhome overnight in a public car park , as these are almost always covered by local authority Traffic Regulation Orders banning sleeping, camping and cooking.

But not all car parks are owned by local authorities, and you might find a pub, supermarket or other local business won’t mind you parking for one night. Make sure you ask permission!

To be really safe, use a site like Nightstops, which lists overnight parking spaces in the UK, mostly in the car parks of pubs or hotels. Some businesses charge for this (usually £5-£6), but others allow free overnight parking if you buy a meal in the pub. You could also try asking if a local council allows overnight motorhome parking; many do. There also are some apps/websites that work similar to Nightstops:

Overnight parking apps

• Camper Contact

• park4night

• Park My Motorhome

• Search for Sites

• Britstops

Can you park a motorhome on the street?

Again, there’s no specific national law against it – but neither is there a law nor act saying overnight street parking in a motorhome is permitted. Roads and highways are managed by local authorities, all of which have their own regulations.

As with wild camping, you’ll probably be fine as long as your motorhome is parked safely and not causing an obstruction, and that your parking there isn’t bothering anyone nearby.

Can I park my motorhome on my drive?

As long as your motorhome is taxed and MOT’d you can keep it on your drive as long as you like. The only exception is if there’s a clause in your title deeds specifically excluding caravans or motorhomes.

Also check with your neighbours to make sure your motorhome isn't obstructing your property or blocking light.

Learn more with our 'Can I park my motorhome outside my house?' guide.

And if your driveway slopes, its best to learn about the best motorhome levelling ramps!

Tips on UK motorhome parking

• If hiring a motorhome, make sure you’re comfortable with its size, for driving and parking. Ask the motorhome owner for a quick tour/lesson if unsure. Don’t hire a motorhome you won’t be comfortable driving!

• Pulling up in a layby or in a car park? Be as discreet as possible – eat out rather than cook a meal in the motorhome, and don’t have a movie/music on loud before bed.

• Unless you’re staying in a designated overnight stop like a pub or hotel car park (with permission), don’t unload all your outdoor kit, table and chairs etc: you want to be able to move on quickly at any trouble.

• Access an app like Nightstops long before you need it, when your phone is charged, and you’re in an area with signal.

Plan your road trip today

No matter what your current location or budget is, at Camplify UK you can find a vast range of vans near your home or pick one up at your destination.

At Camplify we offer thousands of**campervans and motorhomes for hire** to get the most of your holidays, just take a look at our search page and specify what type of van you want or need.

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• Comprehensive hire insurance

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By hiring at Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across the UK in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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