Within the limits
and restrictions given below, here is a list of possible places for free
overnight parking for a motorhome in the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man.Contact
Us with any amendments or further suggestions.
Obviously, things change and you may find that an unoffıcial stopover has been
closed by the Local Authority - in which case we would appreciate feedback
to keep our list up to date.
Britstops. Although costing £27.50 (plus £3.50 p&p if bought online) for the annual BritStops book, it does give a very detailed guide to hundreds of free overnight parking places throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The scheme uses country pubs, farm shops, vineyards, breweries, craft / antiques centres, etc. The snags? There is no advance booking, it's motorhomes only with limited or no facilities and you may be expected to patronise the host business. But it does fill a hole in the UK's sparse provision, albeit not on the scale or usefulness of French Aires, German Stellplatz or Italian Sostas!
Maggi Bevis tells us of 2 other free-camping
related websites. http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/ has
a membership, a forum and lots of useful information. The http://www.motorhomestopover.co.uk/
website is in the process of development and is still recruiting premises,
including pubs, where you may use the car park overnight. When it's up and
running, you will have to be a member of the scheme, with a number to give the
owner or landlord.
Stephen Else adds the following information
about overnight parking in Folkestone: “There is free parking for
motorhomes and caravan along a road called The Leas. The postcode of the area
is CT20 2XL. It's a road without paths that runs between the Burlington Hotel
and in front of the Grande Hotel and the Metropole. It faces the Leas
Promenade with sea views. I have been parking my car and caravan for
overnight stays a couple of times each week for a few months. Other
mtorohomes and caravans do park up for overnight stays. It's totally free
and the road comes under Kent county Council. The town centre is only 15
minutes walk away.”
In popular holiday areas, there may be restrictions on overnight parking in
car parks or a road 'layby'. In quieter areas however, it may be acceptable to
find some quiet area to park.
Upon entering a town look for the sign directing you to the "Long Stay Car
Park", where you generally will be allowed to stay the night. It's always
surprising where you'll end up, sometimes an ugly industrial area, sometimes a
truly wonderful parking spot in the centre of town.
On many occasions it's possible to stay the odd night at a rural pub. If you
ask the landlord/lady, mostly you're more than welcome to overnight in the car
park. Always pick a place in the car park away from the main traffic in and out
so as not to cause any inconvenience to the locals. All villages usually have
a decent size pub car park and a lot in the country have wonderful views in
the morning. Well worth a meal or few pints
Tesco Supermarket
The general ruling for Tesco is that they have no problem with motor homes
"parked up" for the night IF the following is observed:
* Park in a discreet corner of the car park - i.e., not right outside the
front door, blocking others!
* Do not set up BBQ and picnic tables! This also applies to chairs etc.
* If there is more than 2 at any one time they start to worry
* Never leave anything behind; including water on the tarmac because
non-campers think it is from the loo. Seriously!
* Only stay one night.
If you follow the above rules you should be OK at most branches of Tesco. If
you do some shopping before you leave, it would be a nice gesture to mention to
the manager, who you are, and thank him for the use of the car park. (Although
sometimes he probably wasn't even aware you were out there!) If he sees you
are a customer in his store it could encourage him to keep letting us stay
overnight!
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is now used with regard
to wild camping. It was introduced on the back of raves and N.A.T.s and all the
hassle that went on at Stonehenge a few years ago. Have a look at the
government's own website containing the act.
Scroll down to the sections on trespass and especially the section headed
"Powers to remove unauthorised campers" (77). Hope that gives a clearer
definition of what's legal and what's not....
Basically there's no "right" to stay anywhere, other than on someone's land
with their permission. Thanks to all those hippies 10-15 years ago, you can be
asked to move on at any time and failure to comply can land you in a whole
heap of trouble.
If you stay in a layby or any part of a highway, like a grass verge, then the
local authority can ask you to move on. They first have to know you're there of
course, but once you've been spotted and they ask you to move, then you have to
move.
The Police have powers to move you from landowners land if there are two
people camping and (a) you've damaged property or land or (b) you've been
abusive to the landowner when asked to leave. In this instance, damage to the
land could include ruts formed in the field by the tyres, so they can force
you to leave under most circumstances. This also includes common land if
asked to leave by a commoner. Of course, once asked, most people will
comply and move on, so no problem, but it's as well to be aware that
you've really no rights. Service stations started putting up the time
limits for parking at the same time this legislation went through
ENGLAND
The list is selected on the co-ordinates of the road map of the AA 2003 Maxi
Scale Britain (1:160.000)
02B2 Cornwall - Porthcurno - Car park, all-day ticket app. £4. Toilets open
over night.
02B3 Cornwall - Carn Brea - Just off the Penzance/St Just road near to the
airport. Last hill in Cornwall - flat level site but very isolated.
02B3 Cornwall - Lamorna Cove - Spectacular parking area, but inaccessible for
campers over 6 meters and overnight parking not allowed. Great position on edge
of harbour wall - great views with walks on either side. Could be fantastic in
a winter storm.
02C3 Cornwall - Marazion - Overnight parking is allowed at Kings Road car
park. Owners of large motorhomes would be wise to check the availability of
spaces before attempting to drive into the town. Price £4, no facilities.
02C3 Cornwall - Marazion - Two layby's, one either side of the road. Take A30
from Penzance and off on to the A394. Lay-by's are only a short distance along.
They are well back from the road and are landscaped with bays. Bins are
provided for rubbish and views are great.
02C3 Cornwall - Penzance - The parking layby on the coast road to Marazion.
Once the pub traffic goes it is quiet. Outstanding views to St Micheals
Mount.
02D4 Cornwall - Hayle - There are three car parks:
1. By the north Quay as you come into Hayle from the south. It is wide open
and a little windy but only a very short walk to the shops. Park near the
arches to get out of the wind.
2. As you go thru town there is a very narrow road across a bridge signposted
swimming pool. There's a car park alongside with a nice view across the copper
pool.
3. Instead of turning to swimming pool car park go straight on. It is signed
as a private road but has access to a beach car park.
There are reports that these car parks are sometimes patrolled by Police and
overnighters sent away.
02E1 Cornwall - Lizard - The National Trust car park by the Lizard
lighthouse. Toilet block open all night. Lovely spot, but be warned, the
lighthouse beam flicking across the fields may look pretty but if a fog comes
in at night you'll be woken up by a loud fog horn that blasts for 5-10s every
45s or so and it is only a couple of hundred feet from the car park!
02E5 Cornwall - Redruth - A small lorry park
02E5 Cornwall - Portreath - A good place to wild camp is on the B 3301 coast
road from Portreath to Hayle. Follow that road out of Portreath up the big
hill, after about 2 miles from Portreath you will pass on the left hand side
an entrance for Tehidy Country Park. Virtually opposite to the entrance there
is a track leading to basset cove car park. Very good sea view.
02E6 Cornwall - Chapelporth Beach, near St Agnes - Part of the set of Blue
Juice, a lovely little cove, owned by the National trust who don't seem to mind
you parking up.
03F4 Cornwall - Falmouth - long stay Lorry and coach park
03G4 Cornwall - Portscatho on the Roseland Peninsula - idyllic small harbour
with pubs. Come into the village off the main Tregony/St Mawes road - car park
on left and short walk into town.
03J5 Cornwall - There are a number of free sites around Eden/Heligan.
03J6 Cornwall - Follow the A390 into St Austell from Liskeard, after large
roundabout and before ASDA-supermarket, turn left towards Penrice Hospital and
Porthpean. Road narrows, continue until cross road. Turn left towards
Trenarren (Black Head). Great views over St Austell Bay and towards the
Gribben (Fowey). Car park before houses. Take left hand lane - rather uneven
but passable - until you come to large open space with level parking.
Superb walks out to Black Head
03J6 Cornwall - A layby between St Austell and Mevagissey.
03J5 Cornwall - The car park in Mevagissey will allow you to overnight at a
nominal charge and it is in the middle of town and handy for shops, quay,
restaurants etc. Beware - Do not try to drive through Mevagissey as it is very
narrow, just go straight into the huge car park on the left.
04B5 Cornwall - entering Cornwall over the Tamar bridge on the A390, onto
dual carriageway after Trerulefoot Roundabout, up the hill past Menheniot
turning, toilets and layby on the left. Alternatively, continue on for approx.
1/2 mile, turn left towards Looe and then immediately left again (Old road
left abandoned).
05J6 Torbay - Paignton: on the seafront.
06D4 Cornwall - Tintagel: King Arthur's Car Park, opposite The Old Post
Office, Fore Street. Large level car park in centre of Tintagel town, easy
access for large motorhomes. Reasonably secluded at far end of car park.
Officially licensed for motorhomes to stay overnight. £3 for the night (4.00pm
to 10.00am approx). No services. Public toilet block in the car park closes at
10pm.
06E4 Cornwall - Very rural site at Rough Tor on Bodmin Moor. Just east of
Camelford two roads head towards Rough Tor and Brown Willy (these are
mountaintops). Narrow road and great switch back road - excellent at full speed
but DO make sure road is clear. Great walks up to the Tors.
06E4 Cornwall - Bodmin Moor - Several layby's on the A30, but thet road is
busy. One layby in particular: on top of moors 1 mile north of Bodmin approx
layby on left (going south) with burger van in situ, sign posted to Temple
Fishery. Parking in pull-ins of road loop.
07F6 Cornwall - Widemouth Bay - A layby next to the Budemeadows
campsite on the A39. The layby is used by loads of surfers, no reports of any
problems.
07G4 Cornwall - Heading into the county on the A30, past Launceston, you come
off the dual carriageway and, on the left-hand side, there is a small lake and
fishing advertised. Pull in and turn to left but not down to the fishery. Empty
moorland in front of you!
08B3 Devon - Dartmoor National Park - Dartmoor has loads of great parking
spots. The bigger ones are generally marked on maps but there are also plenty
which aren't. Just drive along a road and chances are you'll find a decent
spot to park up. They don't usually have any facilities and the bigger spots
can get fairly busy from early on in the morning with tourists.
09F3 Devon - Exmouth - The parking towards the end of the seafront (towards
Orcombe Point). The parking faces the sea. Paid parking between 1st Oct and
30th Apr. Not sure if overnight staying is allowed during the summer months
(1st May - 30th Sep).
09F3 Devon - Exmouth - It's possible to park on the harbour at Exmouth. £5.00
for the night to be paid in the fish shop.
09F4 Devon - Woodbury - Woodbury Common is situated between Exeter, Exmouth
and Budleigh Salterton. There are at least one or two parking areas where a
motorcaravan can be parked. Although the land is owned by Devon Clinton
Estates, It is not believed that an overnight stay would be frowned upon.
09K5 Dorset - Lyme Regis, out of Lyme heading towards Charmouth - turn right
just before Timber Vale campsite - 100 metres and road veers around to the left
- go straight on - footpath to the Spittles. This site is no longer
accessible. There is now a gate there to stop you driving along the lane with
a notice saying the land belongs to the National trust.
10C4 Dorset - West Bexington - Small car park at West Bexington overlooking
Chesil Beach. Between Abbotsbury and West Bay. Charges £3 all day and 30p for
the night from 9pm-8am.There is a toilet block and café.
10D3 Dorset - Fleet - on Chesil Beach.
10D4 Dorset - Abbotsbury - On the main Bridport to Weymouth road. Enter
village; in the centre, opposite a pub, turn left. Follow road through the back
of village and then up a hill, heading towards Hardy Monument. After
approximately one mile there is a flat level parking/picnic area in front of a
disused line kiln. The most stunning views over the Fleet towards
Portland.
10C5 Dorset - Eggardon Hill - outside Bridport. Can be accessed off the A35
Dorchester/Bridport road - turn towards Askerswell - through village to road
junction. Left is a pub - the Spyway Inn- turn right up the hill. Second
turning on the right there are a number of secluded picnic bays ideal for an
overnight stay.
11G3 Dorset - Of the A351 Wareham/Swanage road turn towards Steeple. Go past
monastery (I think!) up the hill. Before you go through the Army controlled
checkpoint there is a large car park on the left. Great views and, if timed
correctly, excellent walks around Tyneham and Worbarrow Bay.
11G3 Dorset - Kimmeridge - main road into Kimmeridge. Before the road drops
down into the village there is secluded parking in a disused quarry on the
left. No pub in village but great beach and cliff walks.
11G5 Dorset - Take minor road from Bere Regis towards Wareham - 'Egdon Heath'
in 'Return of the Native'. Various parking areas.
11H3 Dorset - pull in outside Corfe Castle. Nice views of castle & steam
trains are a bonus
11H3 Dorset - On the B3351, the road from Studland to Corfe Castle, there's a
layby on the right hand side, just past the Golf Course. It has spectacular
views, but gets busy during the day.
11H4 Dorset - Poole Harbour - The car park near Poole Harbour - officially no
camping but presumably no problem. Toilets nearby. If it's foggy be prepared to
get woken up by the ferry very early. It's near the lifeboat station; the car
park is probably the one marked 02 on the map.
12A6 Hampshire - In the New Forest try the Avon Forest Country Park on the
A31 outside Ringwood. Go past Ringwood towards Poole, under the Ashley Heath
Roundabout and take the next roundabout left opposite a 'Little Chef' (park is
signposted). There are toilets/water and it is quiet.
12B5 Hampshire - A Lorry park on the outskirts of Christchurch (It's possible
this site doesn't exist anymore) Ended up in layby on A35 within sight of the
"Welcome to Christchurch" sign.
12D6 Hampshire - From Lymington follow road to Beaulieu. Forestry commission
car park on left (Bull Hill). Several other places in area, if you don't mind
nosy cows.
12E4 Hampshire - Isle of Wight - Parking on the coast in the daytime has high
parking charges. There are several places inland for overnight.
1. Next to Blackgang Chine there is a National Trust car park. 2. South of
Bembridge follow signs to Culver Down. There is a width restriction. 3. There
are several National Trust car parks suitable for overnight with good
views.
13H6 Hampshire - Hayling Island - There are three spots within yards of the
bridge to Hayling Island which are occasionally used by motorhomes. None of
these is official, or could be described as quiet, but at least you'll have a
nice view in the morning! (Watch out for the tide, especially if it's a really
high spring tide)
1. On the mainland side of the bridge there's a public car park shared with
the Ship pub, next to the slipway (public loos too). 2. Turn left immediately
after crossing the bridge towards Northney marina. Parking for one or two vans
only on seaside of road after about 100 meters. 3. Continue about 50 meters
further on the main road after the turn to (2). There's a not too obvious turn
on the right-signed 'Hayling Billy Trail'. There's a disused bit of road here,
opposite the garage (Shell?) and screened from the main road a bit by trees.
And if you carry on down the main road another half mile there's a track next
to the Esso garage which leads to some parking and a slipway. Rather
quieter, but busy if it's windy because of wind- and kitesurfers.
14C5 West Sussex - Petworth - Just before entering the village, coming from
Midhurst on the A272, there's a parking on your right that looks suitable for
an overnightstay with a motorhome.
15F2 East Sussex - At Hove Lagoon (3 miles west of Brighton) there is a slip
road off from the A259 where lorries park next to some toilets, but continue
following the road around to the port and you can park underneath the sea wall
- much more secure.
15F2 East Sussex - Brighton/Hove beach front - next to Brighton beach -
Follow this multimap link and zoom out to get your bearings. It's
located on Hove Street South, behind the King Alfred leisure Centre car park
opposite the bottom of Hove Street off the A259 coast road, West from
Brighton pier and left at the traffic lights after the King Alfred.
15F2 East Sussex - Brighton/Hove beach front - Madeira Drive, which is on the
seafront east side of Palace Pier on this multimap link They block the
road off some nights, but will open it for motorhomes.
15G5 West Sussex - Horsted Keynes - A good place for staying is the small
pull-in car park bay on the approach road to Horsted Keynes Station. Also you
can contact the Bluebell Railway for permission to camp on the field
overlooking the station. Charge £3 per night (including the key to the station
to use their toilet and shower). A must for any steam, or retro
enthusiast.
15H2 East Sussex - Telscombe Cliffs - Heading east (appr. 5 miles) out of
Brighton on the A259, after Rottingdean and Saltdean, is Telscombe Cliffs. As
you enter Telscombe Cliffs there is a sign off to the right to a public car
park (if you get to the roundabout by Stewart Mouland Motorcaravans you've
gone too far and need to turn back). You can't get in the car park because of
height barriers but you can park on the access road outside right on the
cliff top, use the public toilets and admire the views to Brighton Marina
and Worthing. There are frequent bus services into town.
15H3 East Sussex - Lewes - A town-centre car park with no height barrier!
It's in Friars Walk, behind the Friends MeetingHouse (50.8735N; 0.014E). It's a
pay-and-display park but free after about 6:00 PM and at weekends.
15H3 East Sussex - Lewes - There's a car park with no barriers at Spring
Gardens (off North St) in Lewes, it's pay-and-display but not at weekends. Just
remember to park well away form the bottle banks, which can be noisy!
15H6 East Sussex - Ashdown Forest - There are
pull-ins to picnic areas each side of the A22 in Ashdown Forest, south of Wych
Cross.
15H6 East Sussex - Newhaven - The car park at the
end of Fort Road. Be there before 3 pm and pay just £3 per night. The attendant
goes home at 4pm and locks the height restrictor, so if you turn up late you
will have to park up outside the car park and wait till the next day.
(Correction suggested by Dicky Biddle April 2012)
16B3 East Sussex - Cooden - Try the beach at Cooden (near Bexhill). Access is
from coast road at Bexhill towards Pevensey Bay or vice versa. Toilets and a
shop at the train station, about half a mile.
16B5 East Sussex - Robertsbridge - On the A21
heading north just past the Robertsbridge by-pass roundabout, is an area on
your left hand side. It has no restrictions but part of the area is marked out
for HGV's. The local village is then back to the roundabout and turn right,
Local food shop, butchers, post office, chemists etc, about 15 minutes slow
walk. You even get the mobile burger van in the mornings.
17F4 Kent - Dungeness - Denge Beach - Lots of places to park right on the
beach at no charge.
17F6 Kent - Dymchurch - Just off the A 259 Leaving Dymchurch heading towards
New Romney, there is a lane on your left at the start of the golf course. Drive
along this lane (100 yards) to the sea wall. There is parking for 3 or 4
motorhomes there. Used quite frequently and busy in summer periods.
17J7 Kent - Dover, a small layby on the B road towards St Margaret's. There
is a monument to the first flight of the old RFC (now RAF).
17J7 Kent - Dover, in the town centre carpark, which is on the main road two
minutes from the ferry terminal. It is free until 8 am and, if you park on the
far side, reasonably quiet. The shops etc. are round the corner.
17J7 Kent - Dover - Motorhomes can overnight in the signposted area along the
seafront at Dover, near to the Hoverspeed terminal. It's pay & display.
18C4 North Devon - Hartland Point - The car park at Hartland Point looks OK
to stay.
18E4 Devon - Westward Ho - Go through Westward Ho! keeping the sea to your
right, follow the signs to the "Elizabethan Restaurant", keep on going and
you'll find an amazing car park site next to the Westward Ho! Tors. Public
toilets and drinking water outside tap.
19J7 Devon - Lynton - "The Valley of Rocks" car park, fantastic scenery and
only £1.00 per night.
20B5 Somerset - Exmoor National Park - Exmoor has loads of great parking
spots. Particularly around Dunkery Beacon way where there are some superb views
to be had.
22E6 Wiltshire - near Frome - Heaven's Gate, Longleat Estate. To get there
come of the A36 onto the A362 and follow the signs to Longleat. At the
roundabout take the first exit signed to Centre Parcs but keep going along
there past the wood mills etc. On your left you'll see a fair sized car park
to use and Heaven's Gate is a short distance away.
24E4 Hampshire - Winchester - the town coach park in front of The Winchester
Hotel, NW of centre. Metered parking. No overnight charge after 6. Only 5
minutes walk to City Centre and 2 minutes to Library with email
access.
25J7 Hampshire - Fleet - From M3 Junction 5, take the A287 to the south of
Fleet and turn left at the roundabout onto the B3013. Head down Beacon Hill and
turn right at the Tweaseldown pub. Head along this road, passed the
Tweaseldown racecourse, for about half a mile and there is a clearing on the
left with hardstanding suitable for motorcaravans. However the entrance is
on a slope and is rutted, so take care.
Another spot is to go past this one for another half a mile and there is a
small car park on the right, but only suitable for small or medium size
motorhomes (American RVs will definitely get stuck!). The surrounding area
is Ministry of Defence property with access to the public and is great for
walking, running and mountain biking, but steer clear of any military
exercises.
26B7 Carmarthenshire - Just off the A484 in Burry Port. Follow the signposts
to the harbour, one comes to a wide sea front overlooking the harbour. Although
there are houses nearby, no one seemed to mind one or two motorhomes parked by
the edge of the harbour. There is even a public toilet nearby, and a caravan
selling hot and cold food and drinks. Quite a pleasant spot. Update: 10/1/04
There is a high charge to park in the day and overnight parking is
forbidden.
28D4 North Somerset - Portishead. This town overlooks the Severn Estuary and
is 15 miles drive from Bristol, 3 miles from the M5 motorway. From junction 19
of the M5 take the A369 to Portishead. As you enter the town go past the Co-op
supermarket on your left, past the start of the High Street on your left and
take the next left opposite the Waitrose Esso petrol Station. Take the second
right signposted to the Seafront and Lake Grounds. You can park for free day
and night anywhere along the promenade. There is a café, public toilets, and
an open-air swimming pool, but the whole area is really a picnic site without
noisy amusements. You cannot swim in the estuary due to very dangerous tides
and soft mud, but the view across the sea to Wales from your camper is
excellent.
29F4 Bristol - There is a location on the Downs area of Bristol (top of
Parrys Lane just off the Downs) where you can park. This is in an area known as
Saville Rd and normally during the day it's used as an unofficial truck stop,
complete with a mobile burger bar.
30B3 Wiltshire - A useful stop on the way to (or from) the West Country is a
layby on the A4 just over a quarter of a mile west of the roundabout at
Beckhampton between Marlborough and Calne. There's only one entrance and you go
up a slight rise to a level area at the top, above and fairly well screened
from the main road. There are some good walks from here and it's quite near
Silbury Hill.
31G7 Oxfordshire - Abingdon - The Rye Farm Pay & Display car park, on the
A415 going south from Abingdon, on the left hand side just across the river
bridge. £5 for 24 hours maximum. Public toilets (pay) are just across the
road.
However, Christine Strawson wrote on 21 August 2016 as follows:
"The charge has been
£7.30 per night for some time now and, crucially, you are asked to notify the
council before you stay overnight: I quote from the relevant Vale of the White
Horse regulation:
Rye Farm Commercial Car Park Ringo location no: 5676
This car park is open 24 hours a day and chargeable seven days a week
(including Bank Holidays).
Parking charges up to 24 hours £7.30 per day
Suitable for coaches, lorries and any vehicles over 6'6".
For caravans and motorhomes: no overnight sleeping without prior notification
to the council by either calling 01235 422417 (and leaving a message if out of
office hours) or emailing the car parks team with your details.
Last reviewed: 13 - 07 - 2016
Their e-mail address is: On the site ( on the water meadows beside the Thames) there are also
height-barriered car parks. The lorry park is beyond them, though accessed by
the same entrance off the main road. It is big enough that, usually, lorries
and motorhomes can park some way apart.
31J3 Reading - South of Reading - M4 Junction 11, head south on the A33 take
the first left then left again heading back towards the Motorway, the road
comes to a dead end with fields either side, some traffic noise.
32B5 Windsor & Maidenhead - Maidenhead - On the A4 1/2 Mile East of
Maidenhead is a layby on the south side of the road, it is set about 20 yards
back off the road with a grass verge between layby and the road. If heading
out of Maidenhead it is on the right, straight after you go under the Railway
Bridge as you approach Taplow. When approaching Maidenhead along the A4 from
J7 of the M4 the layby is on the left after Taplow before you go under
Railway Bridge.
32C4 Windsor & Maidenhead - Windsor - The Datchet Road Car park just
towards R. Thames East from Castle a 10 minute walk. Excellent level
gravel Coach Park at left entrance to Romney Lock / Tennis Courts road access.
Reasonable metered hourly ticketing plus additional overnight
rate.
32C6 Buckinghamshire - Gerrards Cross - After leaving the A40 onto the A413
there is a layby on the right hand side in about half a mile. There is also a
layby on the opposite side of the road but it is exposed.
33F3 Surrey - Malden - A large car park behind the High Street (at the rear
of the frozen food shop).
33H1 London - M25 (South) Stopover en route to Dover - Layby on the A25,
between Limpsfield & Westerham. Leave the M25 at J6 and follow the A25 for
about 10 minutes max going steady. The entrance to layby is just before a
large pub called The Grasshopper with huge height barriered car park. (Layby
slopes and is only levelish at the bottom). To continue to Dover you need
to go on to Junction 5 of the M25 but there is no access to the M26 from
that junction. You have to go to Swanley to get onto the M20. Otherwise
it's back to Junction 6 for the M26/M20 less miles route. A matter of
personal choice, although, you could use the A25 to Wrotham and join the
M20 there!
34A4 Kent - The Lorry Park beside the A2 just outside Gravesend (the one on
the north side by the Cafe). Take the turning to Singlewell. If you are
travelling west, come over bridge over top of A2 as if you are going into
Gravesend but immediately you are over A2, turn left as if you are going back
to A2 towards London. You will see entrance to Lorry park on left before
reaching the bridge. Early morning Lorries in and out.
34B6 Essex - In the Basildon area of Essex there is a lorry park well sign
posted if you head in the Southend direction from town centre. It is in an area
called Burnt Oaks. The sign says only overnight sleeping in specially
converted lorries for the purpose. Have had no trouble staying there.
34C2 Kent - Maidstone Services (M20) - You can stop at the Maidstone Services
on the M20. They are several dedicated Motorhome parking bays. A £6 fee
applies. There are shops, toilets and showers.
34F4 Kent - Isle of Sheppey - At Leysdown-on-Sea you can park along the
seawall (but not at the carparks). Take the Shellness road out of Leysdown past
the caravan site, past the closed and height barriered patch of grass called a
'park' (with no camping, caravans, overnight, etc., signs) and on to the sea
wall which runs for ½ mile or so with varying parking alongside.
35F3 Kent - Whitstable - Marine Crescent, a dead end road by the shore just
pull up and park up, no charge.
35G2 Kent - Canterbury - The Kingsmead coach park is
open to motorhomes. On payment of a £5 fee for 12 hours, all day parking is
allowed. There is access to toilet waste disposal facilities - at road level so
that onboard tanks can be emptied - and fresh water for refilling tanks.
Overnight parking is tolerated (despite the signs). The site is fenced and
has CCTV. The gate is never closed.
35G2 Kent - Canterbury - The Dover Road Park &
Ride facility, about 1 mile from Canterbury city centre along the A2, has
dedicated spaces for motorhomes. The charge is £2.50 per day and includes bus
fare. Water is available and there is a ground level dump station for black
& grey waste (free on payment of parking fee). Overnight parking of
motorhomes is allowed at 2 x daily rate. 24 large parking bays.
35G2 Kent - Canterbury - Canterbury offers drivers of motor caravans the
facility to use the Coach Park in Kingsmead Road at £10 for 12 hours (7am -
7pm) including free use of a toilet drop and fresh water supply. No
overnighting
35G2 Kent - Dover - Overnighting before Dover, past Canterbury on the A2 for
about 2 miles. Look for a garage and campsite on your left-hand side and pull
in. This also leads to a large layby. Have overnighted there many times
HOWEVER, some lorries overnight there, and some have freezer engines running
all night.
35G3 Kent - Tankerton - Past Whitstable at Tankerton there is a beach with
all the beach huts on. The road that is just behind the beach huts is usually
empty after 9 p.m. when the beach hut owners go home. There are usually a
couple of campervans parked overnight.
35J1 Kent - Nearest place to Dover is the car park right in front of Walmer
Castle (between Dover and Deal) with views of channel shipping.
35J2 Kent - Sandwich - Motorhomes overnight unofficially on the town quay
with no problems, BUT in their wisdom Dover District Council are imposing pay
parking on the town from 2003 so that may all change.
35J2 Kent - Sandwich - The Guildhall car park (long stay) is officially
allowed for overnight parking (max. 24 hrs). £4.
40B7 Powys - Hay-on-Wye - Large town Car park at top of town. Only 2 Pounds a
24 hr.day. Level, paved, and right by excellent Info centre with email
access and toilets.
41F3 Gloucestershire - Forest of Dean - There's a fair number of decent sized
Forestry Commision car parks in the Forest of Dean. Some of the bigger ones
have the gates closed at 7.30pm, if you don't mind being locked in for the
night. There is a small charge (the general car park fee). There are a lot of
picnic areas but most of them are locked at 7.30 pm. There are also some
places on the Cinderford to Coleford road.
41J5 Gloucestershire - Tewkesbury - Follow A38 through Tewkesbury towards
Gloucester, pass Abbey on the left and then coach park on right, as the road
bends to the left there is small lane on right signed "Lower Load."
Follow this lane for half mile down to River Severn. There is as small picnic
area and old ferry here. The road stops here so exit is back the way you
drove in, no houses very quiet at night.
41K4 Gloucestershire - Cheltenham - Look for Cheltenham pump rooms,
signposted from Cheltenham racecourse, security camera's, nice park next to it,
10min walk into Cheltenham; a nice spot.
41K7 Worcestershire - Pershore - Follow signs to long stay car park. Free
overnight parking 6pm to 8pm. Few minutes walk into town by a footpath.
42C4 Gloucestershire - A nice site in the Cotswolds next to a stream and
about ten minutes walk from a couple of pubs in Bourton-on-the-Water. Go to
Streetfinder, type in GL54 2PS, nice pull in as river crosses road.
42C6 Gloucestershire - Chipping Campden - From Chipping Campden take the
B4035 towards Aston Subadge. Just outside of Chipping Campden there is a left
turn, go up the hill, then it levels out go for about 1/2 mile till you come
to cross roads your right of way. Turn right towards Weston Subadge up the
lane 200 yards. Turn right into car park. Great views looking over
Stratford on Avon and towards Birmingham.
46C4 Essex - Braintree - Lorry park at Springwood Industrial estate. Free, no
height barrier, floodlit, not used by many truckers since by-pass opened. 20
minutes walk to town centre. 5 minutes walk to all night garage with shop.
46C5 Essex - Halstead - In the centre of town is a car park (no height
barriers at time of writing) suitable for a stopover. Pub and Cafe' opposite
and garage 1 minute walk offering usual newspapers groceries etc. Not sure of
overnight charges if any. Check signs for By-laws and charges.
46C5 Essex - Halstead - On approach from Braintree on A131 take first
available right into OAK road. If you pass turning named White Horse Avenue you
have passed the turning so turn around. Once in Oak Road on left-hand side
just a few yards in is grassy area. Ideal for a quick overnight. Garage
within 10 mins walk down the hill. Walk toward large oak tree and continue
straight across grass areas. Telephone box also on Grass Area.
However, on 18 August 2016, Louise, a local resident, wrote that Oak Road "is a residential
street and no more for motor homes than any other."
47H5 Essex - Dovercourt (near Harwich) - there are several carparks on the
coastal road. One is "Award Beach" parking. (pay & display).
51H3 Herefordshire - Leominster - Follow signs to long stay car park.
53H3 Warwickshire - Stratford upon Avon has a Park and Ride with an area
dedicated to motorhomes with about 20 places. Parking is free. The bus into
town centre is £1.30 return per adult. The P&R car park is north of the
town centre near the roundabout at the junction of the A3400 and A46
(Stratford northern bypass).
54A8 Leicestershire - on the A444 between the M42 and the A5. There are about
6 'old road' layby's, some screened from the road by shrubs. The council has
recently put notices restricting parking to a max of 12 hours - so they would
be OK for overnights. They are between Twycross and Fenny Drayton. The one
nearest Fenny Drayton (just north of it) has a caravan cafe during the day -
so could provide breakfast! It is only about 5 minutes off the A5 so is
you are looking for somewhere there, it could be worth a short detour.
56A6 Cambridgeshire - An old road at Stibbington where the truckers' 'diner'
is situated. About a mile after the main junction with the A47 (bridge over the
road). You might find it somewhere here.
56B8 Cambridgeshire - Around Water Newton, just before the signs for East of
England Showground and Alwalton, there is a bit of old road which sometimes has
a cafe in it during the daytime. It's shielded from the road by a belt of
trees, but there is usually a somewhat ramshackle 'Cafe' sign.
58A7 Norfolk - Thetford Forest has a good site near Santon Downham, over the
River Bridge and Rail Bridge - parking in forest area on the right. Watch the
weight limit on the bridge - 3 tonnes but you can get to the site from the
other direction. Lovely walks through the woods - deer seen last year.
59H3 Suffolk - Snape, on the A1094 from Friday Street to Aldeburgh, there is
a clearing at the crossroad to Tunstall that is an ideal spot to park.
59J3 Suffolk - Aldeburgh. Park on the sea defences
to the south of Aldeburgh in East Anglia, drive past a car park up onto the
wall/track. Yachts on one side, sand and sea on the other! A truly spectacular
site. Warning: The LA may be about to ban overnight parkingç
63J6 Staffordshire - Whitchurch - Took the road to Whitchurch Truck Stop just
outside Whitchurch. It says £2 overnight and HGV's only, but thisseems not to
be a problem.
64B5 Shropshire - Market Drayton - There is a dedicated truck park just off
the A53 at the junction with the A529. It is outside the livestock market and
just behind a big Tom Cobleigh pub (family friendly, with a playbarn). You
sometimes get refrigerator trucks here which can be noisy!
64D4 Staffordshire - A518 Stafford to Newport - From Stafford on A518 towards
Gnosall and then onwards to Newport, a number of good layby's would be very
good for occasional overnighting.
65G3 Staffordshire - North of Lichfield - A515 signposted Ashbourne At
junction with road signposted Handsacre there is a layby (rough ground) where
Motorhomes have parked up before now and been undisturbed. Often a passable
breakfast served by chap with a mobile kitchen. Virtually opposite Seedy Mill
Golf Club (takes all comers I believe - if you really feel you must have a
pre-breakfast round!)
65G3 Staffordshire - take turning left through Handsacre and Armitage. Just
after Plum Pudding PH slight hill. Immediately over crest on left pull in to
small canalside parking area - suitable for anything that can get off the road
quickly - have even seen lorries parked there. Three pubs in vicinity - Plum
Pudding (now also quite a good restaurant - but a bit pricey), Spode Cottage
(Tom Cobleigh outfit), and Ash Tree - towards Rugeley.
65J3 Leicestershire - M42/A444/A5 - Just off junction 11 - M42/A444 where the
M42 becomes the A42 - half a mile towards Measham on an unclassified road (used
to be the A453 before the A42) there is a large layby (old road). Used by
lorries some nights, but I've never seen it full and its empty at weekends.
There is a McDonald's and fuel at the Motorway Island, and 2 miles beyond the
layby, in Measham itself is a Cantonese takeaway next door to a fish and chip
shop. There is also a hotel (the Metro) at the Motorway Island - which has a
restaurant, so plenty to eat! The junction is half an hour from the NEC off
peak (an hour plus between 7.30am and 8.30am).
67H4 Lincolnshire - Colsterworth - Just beyond the Colsterworth roundabout
(junction with A151, where the fuel stations are) there is an off-road layby
which was an old road. The Ram Jam Inn and the adjacent garage share a large
car park which might be useful if you park discreetly (that's off the A1 at
the slip road for Oakham, turn right under the A1 bridge, then left and
immediately left again).
67H6 Lincolnshire - If you come off the A1 (left) soon after Grantham onto
the B6403 there are a couple of areas that lorries use in the first 200 yards
off the A1. Some of this is grass but on the South side there is a fairly long
patch of concrete. It is quieter here than your average lay by and less busy.
Alternatively there are various layby's on that route, again used by lorries.
Some are set back from the road so will be that bit quieter.
69J7 Norfolk - Thornham - At the salt marshes. Turn towards the coast
off the A149, signposted towards a pub and keep going down. Fantastic views
over the salt marshes. BEWARE of very high tides, then the road will flood.
Check the tides!
70A7 Norfolk - Brancaster beach - parking on the right and toilets on the
left. Good place to fill up with water.
70B7 Norfolk - Burnham Overy Staithe - National Trust and boating club car
park, all right for staying one night.
71G3 Norfolk - A1151 (The Wroxham road out of Norwich) pass the Green Man pub
at Rackheath, 1/4 mile on the left-hand side, where the old bends have been
straightened.
72E2 Gwynedd - Exiting Caernarfon past the castle (on your left) you come to
a roundabout immediately before Waitrose. Turn left at roundabout down to the
end and turn right where it says Coach parking. Another Lorry congregating
spot. Carpark is immediately beneath Waitrose.
73H1 Conwy - On the A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Bethesda. Near the lake is a
large layby on the right hand side. Mountains on either side of the road.
75F2 Flintshire - Coming into North Wales via the Mersey tunnel and through
Queensferry take the B5129 to Connah's Quay. In town turn right to signs of
Industrial Estate, keep going till you reach the riverside. Turn right and park
in layby by riverside. Only a few fishermen for company (rod & line).
Quiet with a view of trawlermen trawling between two small boats. Spoke to a
rod & lineman he said "no problems there with all night fishing also the
trawlers are only after Salmon and have been know to give away anything
else they catch".
75G2 Cheshire - Chester - Next to the river and near the race course. Big
Long Stay Car park. £1 per night. Just outside city wall. Water taps outside
toilets. Good spot backing on to river.
75G2 Cheshire - Chester - Overnighting is allowed in the coach/car park
next to castle. It's called Little Roodee. At night the
gates are locked at 22.30 till 06.00 but there is a number to ring if you need
to leave in an emergency. CCTV covers the whole car park. There is a toilet
emptying point and fresh water tap. The coach park is well sign posted. Going
into Chester on the A483 (Wrexham road) it is on your right where the castle
wall meets the river. Parking adjacent to the river is level compared to rest
of car/coach park. In April 2018 Bernard Smith informed us that parking charges are now £1.50 per night (7pm to 7am), £5 per day, £8 for a 24 hour period, and £10 for a whole weekend. Higher charges for "Goods vehicles over 3.5 tons" apply. Note that the car park will be closed from 4pm on 1st May to 13th May 2018.
77J1 Derbyshire - Matlock - The train station car park is free.
77J1 Derbyshire - Matlock - The car park in Matlock Bath (but it can be
crowded there)
79H2 Lincolnshire - A15 south of Waddington - Go past the airbase until you
come to tower lane on the right.1 mile down dead straight and then turn off on
second bend. Recommended for Air spotters but if Waddington is flying this
spot is at the end of the runway so be warned.
79H3 Lincolnshire - Lincoln - Follow the signs to "Highstreet Long Stay Cart
Park" near Brayford Pool. It's ideal for visiting town, cathedral and castle.
Very steep climb though. It's pay & display, £ 2.00 per night from 18.00
till 08.00 or £ 7.80 per 24 hours.
79H3 Lincolnshire - Lincoln - Lincolnshire Showground. 5 miles north of
Lincoln on A15. Just outside the main gate on the A15 is a large area of tarmac
and gravel which is often used overnight by MH's although after 5am the A15
does get busy. For a quieter location go past the main gate travelling north
and turn left onto the A1500 and use one of the smaller but quieter spots at
one of the side gates. (Don't use the viewpoint at the top of the hill on
the A1500 as has been suggested on other sites as it has become a meeting
point for gentlemen looking for a male partner.
79H3 Lincolnshire - Lincoln - Leave Lincoln on the A57 and just as you exit
the last few houses you come to the West Common which used to be the Race
course. In the daytime you can park on the left at the north end of the
grandstand in a small parking/ picnic area, no charges and no height
restrictions. The city centre is about 10-15 minutes walk but you pass several
bus stops on the way. You could stop here overnight but for a more private
location take the turning on the city side of the grandstand complex just
after the new pedestrian crossing as you leave town (150 meters south of the
grandstand). This is an access road to the rear of the grandstand and golf
course. Hear is an area you can use. The only restriction is you need to
move before the golf club opens and don't drive on the golf course.
79H3 Lincolnshire - Lincoln - A location often used is on the A57 about 2
miles out of town. Leave the city on the A57, past the race course and over the
Bypass still on the A57. In about 1/2 a mile just after the first right turn
is a layby on the right before the road bends left. Don't park near the two
houses; use the other end near the dog club. You can get some privacy and
shelter from the road noise by going behind the trees.
79H4 Lincolnshire - Scampton - Turn off A15 onto A1500 at the showground
signposted Marton/Scampton/Gainsborough. Turn right towards Scampton village,
there is a viewing area right on the junction. If the Red Arrows are flying
this spot is spectacular. Also back towards the A15 there is a spot at the
side of the showground. The last two spots are fine for the Xmas mart but
use the park and ride which is five minutes away, sometimes there is a
special park and ride on the showground.
80B5 Lincolnshire - on the A631 between Market Rasen and North Willingham is
a picnic area on left just beyond the racecourse. If you are narrow enough you
can get into the car park section (I can just get in with my small
coachbuilt).
83F7 Lancashire - Entering Lancaster from the south turn left at foot of
bridge over river signposted as Industrial Estate. Go beyond the houses and you
come to a large factory on the left. On the right there is a deep layby (or
picnic spot as rubbish bin present). Quiet with view of river.
85F8 North Yorkshire - Ripon - Go to the "Victoria Grove" parking in the
centre of town. Use the 'lower parking' as it's more quit. It's pay &
display, £ 1.40 for more than four hours, free from 18.00 PM till 08.00 AM.
85H5 North Yorkshire - Tadcaster- Not possible anymore, the car park by
the river now has height barriers.
83H6 Lancashire - Slaidburn - Trough of Bowland - The public car park at the
end of the village allows overnight stops. Chargeable between 7am and 6pm.
Maximum stay 24 hours. Facilities include public toilets and an outside
tap.
84A7 North Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales - Try Streets Gate above Malham or the
main car park in Malham.
85K6 York - Just outside the city of York are three Park & Ride parking
places: A1079 (East); A1036 (Southwest) and near Rawcliffe (North). At each of
the three areas listed it is necessary to stop at the Office ('Bureau') to ask
for the barrier to be raised. There is a fourth P&R at the 'Designer
Centre', signposted off the A64. There are no barriers here, and it is at a
Factory Shop Outlet. Also frequent buses into the centre of York.
86E2 Lincolnshire - Barton-Upon-Humber - A picknick place (with toilets) with
a fine view of the Humber Bridge. From the A15 take exit Barton, then follow
signs "Bridge viewing Area".
87G8 East Riding of Yorkshire - A deep layby on left of the A165 coming out
of Bridlington, as you exit town. When coming up from Beverly on the A165 about
7 miles before Bridlington on the right.
88B6 Cumbria - St. Bees - The car park by the beach at St Bees, near
Whitehaven. £2.70 no overnight restriction. However, on 10 May 2016 Arwen Heaton wrote:
"Hi, I was there yesterday and the parking permit and signs have changed.
Overnight stays are no longer permitted at St Bees Head car park, Cumbria."
88D5 Cumbria - Wasdale Head - Follow signs for Wasdale Head from the A595. At
the side of Wast Water there are one or two reasonably good sized gravel
layby's almost right on the waters edge, and no signs saying 'no overnight
stays'. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and it's in the middle of
nowhere so little chance of being bothered in the middle of the night.
88D6 Cumbria - Wasdale Head - There is a large triangular grassy parking area
at Wasdale Head.
88E6 Cumbria - Buttermere - unofficial overnight stop on the Buttermere side
of Honister pass by the Big Boulder, along the B5289 from Borrowdale to
Buttermere. It's very isolated and no facilities. But cracking views.
88E8 Cumbria - Braithwaite - Follow A66 about 3 miles past Keswick West
bound, turn into the village of Braithwaite, follow main road through village
and signs for The Pass (Whinlatter Pass). The road number is the B5292,
roughly 2 miles on the left is a lovely forestry location. The entrance has a
couple of tight hairpin bends, but is worth negotiating. Each individual
parking place has a little path to its own picnic table and the table has a
slate square for the B.B.Q.
89G7 Cumbria - Ullswater - Unofficial overnight stop on the roadside down
Ullswater about 3 miles short of Glennridding. Two big parking areas, the first
does not have a "no overnight sign" (and must be the only one in the national
park not to have one), the second one does.
89G7 Cumbria - Glenridding - Centre of village tourist information. No
problem with coachbuilt van if tucked away in a corner, but it would probably
help if taken advise in tourist office.
89H4 Cumbria - Kendal - Go through the town on the one way system with canal
on left; go over little bridge; take first left, signed posted Ski slope and
tip, follow road round to left behind council tip and in front of the ski
slopes is a large quiet car park. 5 minutes walk from centre. There's a
report that the car park had has now locked barriers.
89H8 Cumbria - Penrith - From the M6 Junction 40 (Penrith) Take the A66 West
to the "Reghed" (Ullswater) Roundabout, then retrace towards the Motorway. On
the Left just before the Motorway is the Cattle market. On Friday nights many
traders for the Saturday market (400 stalls) sleep in their vans overnight.
There is a gravel area as you enter the market that is used as a car park.
Anybody camping on there is likely to be taken as a new trader waiting for the
morning. Toilets open at 07:00 and one or more catering vans open from about
the same time. Otherwise for those who do not mind staying on the road side
there is a large area just before the Motorway when approaching from the East
where truckers pull in.
89J5 Cumbria - Tebay - Exit M6 at junction 38, follow A685 for a couple of
miles then shortly after a fairly steep incline there's a small car park
ideally suited for an overnight stop. There are no signs saying you can't stay
overnight and there's nothing nearby... no village, no shops, no anything,
just fields. Perfect for those travelling to Scotland and in need of a quick
stopover as it's only a few minutes off the M6.
90B1 North Yorkshire - Yorkshire Dales - Great wild camping at the Ribblehead
viaduct on the common land adjacent to the Railway Inn. Popular spot for
parking whilst walking in the three peaks area.
90B5 Cumbria - Near Kirkby Stephen - Four miles east of Kirkby Stephen on the
B6270 to Keld and right on the county border is a decent sized layby.
91F5 North Yorkshire - Richmond - Follow signs to the "coach parking"
Wonderful place to stay for the night. It's pay & display, but free from
18.00 PM till 08.00 AM. Steep climb to town centre though.
91G8 Durham - Off the A1M Junction 58 Turn towards Bishop Auckland, about 4
miles on the right-hand side.
92C7 East Yorkshire - Saltburn-By-The-Sea - The car park just over the road
from the beach.
92E2 East Yorkshire - Thornton Le Dale - Nice safe car park, hidden from main
road, no height barriers but unlit at night.
92E4 North Yorkshire - North York Moors - Hole of Horcum, A169 N. of
Pickering on North Yorkshire Moors.
92E5 North Yorkshire - A169 Pickering to Whitby road just before 1 in 5 hill
down to village of Sleights. Seems okay for overnights but probably not for
longer stay. Car Parks (2) at top of Blue Bank.
92E6 East Yorkshire - Sandsend (north of Whitby) - The beach car park
93G3 North Yorkshire - Coast view parking at Scarborough to the North of
town, good park and ride at Scarborough.
93G3 North Yorkshire - Scarborough - Coar Car park at Wrea Lane. Follow signs
"Coach and Car parking". Overnight stay permitted. £ 3.50 for 24 hours
(2003)
93F6 North Yorkshire - Coast view parking at Whitby to the North of town,
head for West Cliff signs. Whitby has a strict policy banning overnight
sleeping in vehicles, but the Town Centre car parks do not have barriers.
99F6 Northumberland - Gilsland - Try Gilsland, near Haltwhistle, where there
is a Roman fort enclosed in a farm.
99G5 Northumberland - Haltwhistle - For those visiting Hadrians Wall: We
stayed in the car park across the road from the Roman Army Museum (near
Haltwhistle). There are toilets (locked at night). It's one of the few car
parks in the area without a dreaded 'No Camping/Overnight parking' sign.
100C3 Durham - Castleside - The car park at Smelter Arms pub on the A 68. It
is advertised as an overnight caravan stop (sign on A68 on approach to
Castleside from Rowley). Could be used as an overnight by motor homes. Ask at
the pub. Ideal stop for onwards to Scotland.
101H1 Hartlepool - around Hartlepool Marina plenty of good restaurants pubs
and there is the Historic Quay on your doorstep, use the rough undeveloped land
at the south side of the dock gates for peace and quiet as at weekends there's
sometimes plenty happening.
108E8 Northumberland - Holy Island - The causeway to Holy Island (also known
as Lindisfarne) is closed twice a day as the tides cover it. There is a car
park on the left before the start of the causeway. There is no staying
overnight on the island.
109G4 Northumberland - Alnmouth - Follow signs to car and coach park in
Alnmouth. Car park on sea front is OK for overnighting. There is a charge in
the day in summer, not sure about night time. However, on 20 May 2016 Faye Gray wrote:
"Hi, We went to Alnmouth on route south on 9 May and hoped to stay at the car
park as per your website. We arrived after 11pm and discovered that a new sign
"No overnighting" has been added to the car park sign. As we were so tired we
did stop for a few hours but being law abiding and worried we would be in
trouble we left at 5am. It was our first night in the motorhome......"
117H1 Northumberland - Scremerston - A good spot in the north-east is on the
coast near Scremerston (south of Berwick-upon-Tweed): Turn off the A1, go
through Scremerston and cross the railway, then follow the coast south, there
are several good spots overlooking the sea before the road peters out.
154/155 London - Lincoln's Inn Fields - Lincoln's
Inn Fields, is about 150 yards from Holborne tube station & 500yards from
Oxford St. or the Thames. The "fields" is a square just off Kingsway and has a
large number of Company HQ's spaced so there is a single metered parking
space between their gates, Lots of car parking plus room for about ten 25
foot motorhomes. Maximum stay is 2 hours between 8.30am & 6.30pm &
free on Sundays & bank holidays. Cost is £2.40 per hour. Warning: This
site lies inside the Congestion Charge Zone (and the proposed Low Emissions
Zone)!!
SCOTLAND
The list is selected on the co-ordinates of the road map of the AA 2003 Maxi
Scale Britain (1:160.000). Car parks at all Ski centres are OK. (Watch for
snowgates closing - police may check on you, but are OK about it).
95G7 Dumfries & Galloway - Glentrool Village - In Glentrool Village
follow dead end road to Bruce's Memorial (Loch Trool). Several places along
this road, There are toilets at the visitor centre. Keep going till road sign
says 'no unauthorised traffic'. Good place for overnight stay, very
quiet.
96C4 Dumfries & Galloway - Kirkcudbright - In Kirkcudbright at the
junction of A711 and B727 there is a forestry commission car park, good for
overnight stop, 10 minutes walk into town.
However, in June 2016, Sarah
Buckle wrote: “No Overnight Parking sign in April 2016. I stayed in town centre car
park by visitor centre with no problem. May not be OK for large motorhome.”
96C4 Dumfries & Galloway - Kirkcudbright - In Kirkcudbright take the B727
towards Borgue. There is a picnic site on right next to sea. Toilet block.
96E5 Dumfries & Galloway - Dalbeattie - There are 2 forestry commission
parking sites very close to one another. Both under a mile North East of
Dalbeattie, just off the A711 Solway Coast Road. Both are well clear of the
road and there are no signs to deter overnight parking. One of them has 2
water taps.
106C3 Dumfries & Galloway - Moffat - Overnight stop four and a half miles
north of Moffat on the A701 for Edinburgh. Entrance is on the left, 30 yards
short of the grey/white telephone exchange on the right. Notice board says
Ericstane Forest. Follow good track about 60-70 yards, just room to turn a 16
foot van.
106E5 Dumfries & Galloway - Ettrick Valley, St Mary's Loch - Approaching
St Mary's Loch from the Gordon Arms (Moffat) about half way along the loch is a
small layby beside the loch, and a longer one on the opposite side. Both are
close to the road but it is a very quiet road with little traffic.
107G4 Borders - Newmill - On the A7 there's a layby going north just before
Newmill. The layby is on the right side of the road 100yds before pub.
107K3 Borders - Carter Bar - On the A68 south of Jedburgh. There is a layby
each side of the road.
107K5 Borders - Jedburgh on A68 (Scottish borders). Just off A68 there is a
car park around which flows a small river. On the other side is Jedburgh
Castle, which is beautifully illuminated at night-time. 5 minutes walk away is
town centre and the house Mary Queen of Scots lived in. On car park is also
toilets and small cafe and souvenir shop. Have seen many campers there. As
far as I know there is no charge.
However, in June 2016, Sarah Buckle
wrote: “In June 2015 it had No Overnight Parking signs. However the one in
the centre of town by the visitor's centre was fine."
Also on A68 right on Scottish borders on top of big hill are 2 large layby's
with fantastic view to the north up to 8-10 mile on clear day.
108C8 Borders - Coldstream - On the A697 in Coldstream. A car park about
three-quarters of the way through the Borough. Toilets in the car park.
112B3 Argyll & Bute - Skipness - On the north east of the Kintyre
Peninsula. Take the B8001; then follow sign to Arran ferry. Go past the ferry;
the road goes to Skipness which is a dead end. There are several places for
overnighting next to the beach. In winter it could be possible to stay on the
ferry car park because it is a seasonal service. The ferry car park is
gravel, parking in the middle to the back is fine as the sides are deep with
stones. If you stop on these parts you won't get going again.
112B7 Argyll & Bute - Lochgilphead - Go north from Lochgilphead on the
A816; take left fork on B841; go over canal bridge and on your right hand side
is a car park. Ask lock keeper to park. There are two car parks along that
road.
112D5 Argyll & Bute - Colintraive - Try the road by the side of the
ferry, right on the waterfront. Two shops, a pub and a toilet.
113F2 North Ayrshire - Fairlie - South of Largs, on the coast. On the south
side of the village there are two picnic sites signed from the main road. One
has a small toilet block. The other one has a main car parking area that is in
view, but a few yards further on is a small spot just out of sight.
113F7 Argyll & Bute - Lochgoilhead. Take the road to Carrick Castle. In 3
miles there's a turn off on left where you can stay overnight.
113F8 Argyll & Bute - Lochgoilhead - Try the main car park by the sea in
the village.
113G7 - Argyll & Bute - On the A82 between Luss and Arrochar (121J1) are
numerous large layby's alongside Loch Lomond.
114C7 Stirling - Stirling - Try the Wallace Memorial car park in
Stirling. However, in June 2016, Sarah Buckle
wrote: “In June 2015 it had No Overnight Parking signs”.
115H5 Edinburgh - City of Edinburgh, head towards Dean Bridge from
Queensferry Road, hang a left at Church immediately on your right before bridge
and head into crescent past residents spaces, don't turn first right. Great
views over Dean Village and free parking Friday night - Monday morning.
115K2 Borders - Heriot - On the A7 watch for sign "Heriot layby" on left.
116B2 Borders - Carfraemill - Between Carfraemill and Fala on the A68 are two
layby's on opposite sides of the road on the uphill drag. Don't use this spot
if snow is forecast as it's between the snow barriers. If they close the road
(regular when there is snow) you are trapped between the barriers.
119F4 Argyll & Bute - Fionnphort: the car park at St. Columba Exhibition
Centre.
120C1 Argyll & Bute - Ardfern/Aird - Go south from Oban on the A816 for
about 27 miles. Then take the B8002. You go though a village called Ardfern.
Keep going till you come up to a gate. Open gate and drive about 100yds in to
small car park where you can stay. A nice spot overlooking Jura.
120E6 Argyll & Bute - Barcaldine - Go north on the A828 past Barcaldine
camping caravan site (you can empty chemical and get fresh water there for
small fee). North to first roundabout; then first left. Loch Creran is on your
left. There are 6 or 7 layby's on left.
121G2 Argyll & Bute - Inveraray - Try the car parks right of the pier on
the seafront. Toilets open 6.00 am and there is a fresh water tap just at the
side. The car parks next to water have signs saying no motorhomes or caravans.
The big car park through the arches has a sign saying 'no overnighting'. Not
sure about the coach park.
121G2 Argyll & Bute - Inveraray - A few miles out of town on A 819 there
is a picnic site on the right hand side of the road. It looks like an ordinary
layby but it goes back off the road.
121H4 Argyll & Bute - Lochawe - On the A85, about 5 miles from Dalmally
there is a dirt pull in layby on the left (from Dalmally) but behind it is
another track hidden in the trees. There are 2 beaches only feet away.
121J6 Highland - Parking on the A82 north to Glencoe (near Tulla Cott). Piper
may wake you up if lucky. Great view to Bridge of Orchy.
121J6 Argyll & Bute - Bridge of Orchy - Over the old bridge at Bridge of
Orchy there is plenty of gravel for parking on. If you feel like it drive on
the back road for three miles to Inveroran Hotel where you can stay either
before the hotel or in the car park about 1/2 mile further on.
121J6 Argyll & Bute - Inveroran Hotel - Three miles down the road is a
choice of spots for a motorhome, before the pub or in the road end car
park.
121J6 Argyll & Bute - Loch Tulla - On the A82, not long after Bridge of
Orchy then Loch Tulla, after a hairpin bend that climbs up to Rannoch Moor,
there is a layby on the left. Plenty of coaches pull in there for the view,
from where you can see 24 mountain peaks, Loch Tulla and only 4 buildings.
122E4 Perth & Kinross - Lochearnhead - 24 miles west of Perth city on the
A85 you can wildcamp virtually all the length of Loch Earn. Popular with
fishermen, this area is used a lot but fairly clean if you pick your spot.
122E5 Perth & Kinross - Milton Morenish - On the A827 near Milton
Morenish is a small lane towards the Bridge of Balgie. Go up the lane over
cattle grids and keep climbing up the mountain till you come to the visitor
centre for Ben Lawers Mountain. Use the car park. If you go further up the
road, still climbing, you will come to a dam where you may also find a place
to park.
122E5 Perth & Kinross - Milton Morenish - Overnight spot on the dam past
the Ben Lawers visitors centre on the road down to Glen Lyon. At about 1200
feet it is quiet overnight and in a superb setting.
123G3 Perth & Kinross - Crieff - Crieff Visitors Centre car park. Shop
opens in the morning at 9am and the shop has a nice toilet. Quiet spot. However, in June 2016, Sarah
Buckle wrote: “In June 2015 it had No Overnight Parking signs.”
123G7 Perth & Kinross - Aberfeldy - In Aberfeldy take the A826. In about
a quarter of a mile there is a picnic area. Go onto top car park. OK for
overnight stay. Few minutes walk into town.
On the same road, drive further on; ignore the first picnic site on right (no
overnighting). There is another car park on the left off the main road used by
walkers. There is a path leading onto Forestry Commission land.
Highland – (added by Margaret July 2017) The Green Welly
Stop, Tyndrum. On the right of A82 northbound, just before junction with
A85. Service station with café, shops and fuel. Plenty of free parking space
behind the buildings, screened from the road. Campers, caravans and trucks all
welcome. Toilets in café when open; showers available. Pub adjacent, fish & chip restaurant and tourist office opposite.
127G2 Highland - A private car park at Ardtoe, right on the coast. It charges
40p for an unspecified time. I asked if we could stay overnight and we settled
on 1 pound. There were rudimentary toilets but they were out of order at the
time. Car park is partly grassy and we were the only vehicle there at night.
It's just across a little road from the sea, with deserted coves, clear waters,
and fantastic sunsets.
127G7 Highland - The Isle of Skye - A free camp on the Sleat Peninsula, the
road doesn't have a number. It's a loop road going through Tarskavaig and
Tokavaig, off the A851 before you get to the clan Donald centre. The site is
between the two villages but closer to Tokavaig - a nice flat and sheltered
bit of green near a ruined Macdonald stronghold and right at the
waterside.
127F2 Highland - The Ardnamurchan is pretty wild country, very rocky with
lots of heather bracken and tussock. A few free camping areas on the A861 and
B8007 if you don't mind a few midges and bit of true wilderness. A lot of the
small villages are crofter style and the whole Ardnamurchan/Sunart/Moidart
area is a great experience.
127F8 Highland - The Isle of Skye - Don't bother trying to camp anywhere near
Elgol, it's very steep and there are few places you can even pull in.
127J1 Highland - Strontian: the car park at the Tourist Info.
127J1 Highland - Loch Sunart - On the A861 between Strontian and Salen there
are two forestry commission car parks. One has a 'no overnighting' sign, the
other does not.
128B4 Highland - Glenfinnan - The car park, just off the main road, at the
start of the private road that leads under the viaduct.
128C1 Highland - Ardgour - Overnight stop at the base of the path to Garbh
Bhien in Ardgour on the A861. Quiet spot. No passing traffic. Quickest way to
get there is to use the Corran ferry from the A82, only a short crossing but
saves about 60 miles.
128C1 Highland - Ardgour -Go north fom Ardgour; there's a layby in the trees,
about 1 mile up the road.
128C1 Highland - Ardgour - Go south from Ardgour on the A861. Keep the loch
on left and you will see places to park on the old dead road.
128C1 Highland - Corran - The ferry terminal on the Fort William side.
128D2 Highland - Glen Nevis - Some excellent overnight stops in Glen Nevis on
the roadside all the way down the Glen. Out of season is the best time as the
Glen is fairly quiet.
128D3 Highland - Fort William - From Fort William go north on A82; about 2
miles on right hand side is the road to Ben Nevis. Loads of space in car
park.
128D3 Highland - Fort William - Leave Fort William on the A82 towards
Inverness and turn left at the lights signposted Corpach and the road to The
Kyle of Lochalsh (A830). Take the first right after the Bridge and wind your
way up the road. On the right there is a narrow entrance which takes you on
to the loch side. Parking is for 4 or 5 vehicles only. There is a much
larger car park at the bottom. Water is available, but ask the lock
keepers first.
It is likely that a better parking can be had at the lower car park near the
Moorings Hotel as you turn right off the main road.
128D3 Highland - Fort William - Nice parking lot at top of 'Neptune's
Staircase' locks N.E. of town built to service yacht owners at top of Locks on
Caledonian Canal. Very picturesque setting and free toilet block for boaters
run by Waterways. No charge or signs apparent.
128D3 Highland - Invergarry - Near Lock Garry on the A87 you have a choice of
three off road layby's. Good places to use as a base, if you want to tour
around Lock Ness for a few days.
128E5 Highland - Clunes - From Fort William take the A82 up to Spean Bridge;
then take the B8004 from the Commando Memorial to Gairlochy and then the B8005
to Clunes. Through the Mile Dorcha (dark mile) to a car park on the right. Car
park is level hardstanding.
129G7 Highland - Fort Augustus - South of Fort Augustus take the B862. Along
that road there are two layby's in which to park at the top of the hill. Road
narrow at first.
130D1 Perth & Kinross - Pitlochry - North of Pitlochry turn left onto
B8019; just past Queens View turn right into picnic area (Loch Tummel). There
are toilets here.
131F6 Aberdeenshire - Linn of Dee, Cairngorm Mountains - Take the road west
out of Braemar to the road end. There is a hard standing car park just over the
Linn of Dee bridge which does not display any signs regarding overnight
parking. Parking fee appr. £2 per day.
131F6 Aberdeenshire - Cairngorm Mountains - The sugar bowl car park. No
facilities on site, local facilities at Glenmore 1 mile or at Aviemore 7
miles.
132D3 Aberdeenshire - Fettercairn, there's an 'Aire' at the Fettercairn
Bowling Club.
132E5 Aberdeenshire - Banchory - Try the car park at "Flemings Building
Supplies" on the left travelling in from Aberdeen (A93). Keep the garden centre
gate clear as they start at 06.30 in the morning.
133H7 Aberdeenshire - Aberdeen - You can park on the Aberdeen beach
esplanade. The best places are across from the golf course. All the
entertainment, cafes, funfair etc. is further along.
134D4 Highland - The Isle of Skye has many opportunities for wild camping in
layby's, picnic sites etc. Avoid areas too near a proper campsite, where they
will try to discourage you, and of course avoid blocking the passing places on
one-track roads.
134E7 Highland - The Isle of Skye - The coast road of the Trotternish
peninsula has various pull-ins overlooking the sea. A couple of times we asked
permission to camp outside a hotel/restaurant where we were eating or
drinking. No problem (except midges).
135H4 Highland - Kyle of Lochalsh - If you go up the A890 from Kyle of
Lochalsh there is a large layby overlooking Loch Carron where you can park.
You can also go up the mountain pass. It is OK for motorhomes; lots of
passing places, just take your time, let cars pass you and keep everyone happy.
You can park at the top (large viewpoint).
Going down there's a campsite just as you get to village on left.
Going round the bay you come up to a church park on left where it's OK to
park.
135J1 Highland - Glenelg - Take the A87 toward Glen Shiel; go right through
the Glen until you see a petrol station on your left. Turn left just after
this, following signs for Glenelg and the ferry. This is an old military road,
single lane with passing places. Follow this road up the Ratagan pass, but
beware as it is extremely steep! There is a picnic area about two thirds of
the way up where you can stop. Carry on over the pass and descend into Glen
More. Follow the road almost into Glenelg, but take a right turn
(signposted to the ferry) before you reach the village. Drive about
another half a mile until you see the sea, then just park up wherever you
fancy.
137H6 Highland - Contin, picnic area along the A835, appr. half a mile west
of the village. The toilets are closed at night.
137J3 Highland - Beauly - 9 miles west of Inverness, there is a truck stop
behind the police station. Very quiet, good lighting, nice place for an
overnight stop.
137K3 Highland - Inverness/Loch Ness/Dores - Coming out of Inverness on the
B862 after 8 miles you come to a fork in the road; take right fork on B852.
There is a pub on the t with a spot to park by the beach.
138C6 Highland - Rosemarkie - From Rosemarkie take the A832 towards Cromarty.
Pass the turning onto the B9160. On the right hand side there is a large car
park which goes well off the road. Good for overnight.
139F7 Moray - Findhorn - Beach area with plenty of space to camp. It is a
very short walk into town. Toilets and water available on the beach.
139G1 Moray - Tomintoul - The car park of Tomintoul Bowling Club, Lecht
Drive, Tomintoul, off the B9008. Continental type Aire de Service. The site is
specifically for motorhomes. The cost is £5 per night, maximum stay 2
nights.
139G1 Moray - Tomintoul: A free parking can be found at the "Estate Office"
towards the end of Mainstreet in Tomintoul.
139J6 Moray - (near Elgin) - Leave the A96 (Elgin to Keith) on to the B9015
(travelling inland), just before B9103 there is a Forestry Commission Car Park
with plenty of space.
142C2 Highland - The Isle of Skye - A picnic layby near Flodigarry, north of
Staffin. There were several places we could have stopped in that area.
143H3 Highland - Poolewe - Go from Poolewe on the B8057 towards Cove. Very
nice beaches along that road with parking. Keep going until you come to a car
park for old WW II base. Park there.
144D3 Highland - Braemore - 12 miles south on A835 from Ullapool, there is a
large layby with public toilets. That's on the main track, if you go on the
A832 there is a large layby overlooking the valley looking towards
Ullapool.
146C2 - Highland - Try the ferry at Nigg, which has a large car park and
although there is no fishing from the pier, if you have a good rod and a good
casting arm a salmon or two can be taken in late August. Watch out for the
school of porpoises and the occasional whale. While the porpoises are in the
bay they drive the salmon into the shallows, making it easier for poor
fishermen like me.
146D3 - Highland - A quiet camp site is the one at Portmahomack near Tain,
the site is owned by The Kirk so there are rules about not putting out washing
on Sundays etc, but any rules fade into insignificance beside the gently
sloping beach where the waves only just lap the beach as it is almost directly
facing Northwest and safe within the Dornoch Firth.
148D5 Highland - Kinlochbervie, plenty of space to stay near the harbour. One
of the locals advised to stay on the north side, near the yacht harbour, close
to the houses.
149F7 Highland - Durness - Lots of places to park on the A838 from Laxford
Brige.
151G7 Highland - Thurso, a car park west along the river, in the direction of
the Information Centre.
151H3 Highland - Lybster, a nice spot can be found in Lybster Harbour near
the Waterlines-building. Access via the A99, junction Lybster.
151H7 Highland - Castletown, the car park near the harbour (appr. 200
metres). Access via the A836, junction Castletown (between John O'Groats and
Thurso).
151J5 Highland - Wick, in Noss Head on the car park near the lighthouse at
Castle Garnigoe & Sinclair. In Wick first follow the road signs
Papigoe-Staxigoe, then Noss Head.
151K7 Highland - John O'Groats: the car park at Duncansby Head.
153A2 Western Isles - Barra Island - the best
beaches in Scotland so well worth a trip. Take the ferry from Oban. When on
Barra take the A888. It's the only main road from Castlebay Head towards the
airport. Planes land on the beach when the tide is out. Bread only comes to
the island twice a week so take plenty. Park up by air strip. When the
airport is closed you can get water at nearby ferry terminal. Be careful
driving on beach as there are soft spots and you can get stuck, stick to
runway and you should be OK.
However, in January
2010 Guy Harrison wrote to us with the following warning:
"You currently feature the
beach by the airport on the Isle of Barra (Western Isles) 153A2 as a site for
free camping. Due to the numbers of visitors there and the severe erosion
caused, this area has now had to be protected and closed off.
Western Isles Planning Dept have been forced to put up posts, and all
vehicular access (parking or camping) is now not
allowed.
This is designed to protect
the area from flooding and safeguard the airport, a vital island resource. The
Barra website (http://www.isleofbarra.com/) and tourist office
can advise of other areas where camping with vehicles is
permitted, but visitors should know that the number of pitches is, at
present, limited."
153A3 Western Isles
- Barra Island - Try the western side of the island of Barra. About one mile
after the Barra hotel keep the sea on your left side; there's a nice pitch
overlooking the bay with a fresh water tap on the roadside.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Broughshane - The first continental parking was in the village of Broughshane
in Co Antrim at the Houstons Mill at the Larne end of the village. Free
parking, £1 for services, French style 'sani-station'.
Aghadowey - Brown Trout Golf and Country Inn, 209 Agivey Road, Aghadowey,
Coleraine BT51 4AD. Phone 028 7086 8209. Free parking, fresh water
available.
Ballymoney - The Angler's Rest, 139 The Vow Road, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.
Phone 028 2954 0280. Free parking in pub car park; pub serves food in the
evenings during the week and all day on the weekend
Glenwherry - Ballyboley Inn, 125 Shanehill Road, Glenwherry, Ballymena BT42
3EP (on the main road from Larne to Ballymena). Phone 028 2583 1208. Free
parking in pub car park.
Newtownards - Daft Eddys, Sketrick Island, Newtownards, Co Down BT23 6QH.
Phone 028 9754 1615. Free parking in restaurant car park.
ISLE OF MAN
152M4 - Mooragh Park, Ramsey. Motorhomes are positively encouraged to park
and enjoy the area, for no cost, but you require a permit. This is free and is
available from the town hall in Ramsey. Just bring your insurance details. You
may stay for up to 14 nights.
152M5 - Sulby Claddagh (in the north). This is quite a large site owned by
the government NTrust. You may stay for up to 14 nights, then leave for a night
then start again. There is toilets/washing & water available and if you
lift the grid by the toilets you can deposit your waste. Lovely place to stop
along side the river, some nice walks. Sulby is well used by locals but gets
busy around TT race time. Two pubs & shop close by.
152M5 - Smeal Beach - This is on the north west side of the Island right
alongside the sea NT land. Some nice spots to stay here, no
facilities.
REPUBLIC OF
IRELAND (compiled by Carol Weaver)
Wild Camping Spots found in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
during a trip from May - July 2003. These may no longer be available but of
course if goes without saying, do not block or cause a nuisance to anyone and
do check with owners where there are any obvious ones. Leave nothing behind
except your tyre marks. Bear in mind our route had been Pembroke - Rosslare
and we took a route clockwise around Ireland, so these spots are following
in that direction - you will need a map, I didn't have GPS so can't give
these details.
1. We were told of a spot at Kilmore Quay, which would have been a spot to
use, but we didn't actually need this one, as we had stopped at St Margaret's
Caravan Site straight from the ferry, so were further along when we wished to
halt for the night. There are toilets here and I was told a top but didn't
actually see it myself
2. Dunbrattin Head - no signs to say you cannot park, but there were people
around looking. No facilities
3. Galtee Castle Woods - up to the right of the road, and follow the signs,
very narrow and trees around, but a wonderful place to stop the night - no one
else anywhere near - there are houses as you drive up this lane. It is
signposted from the main road. No facilities
4. Mizen Head - again another wonderful spot, tucked back into a corner away
from the entrance to the walkway and Tourist Information Spot. This was closed
when we were here. Could be windy. No facilities
5. Gougane Barra National Park - This is a lovely park and we stopped down
close to the toilet block. Water was also available here. There are
lovely walks here. Well worth a visit
6. Bantry House - I hasten to add to this one, we did go into the Armada
Exhibition and asked when paying if there was any chance of stopping overnight
in the car park (we had been told by a local that it is sometimes possible).
Whilst walking around the gardens, we were approached by what we then learned
was the owner, who asked if we were the ones enquiring about stopping. He
said, no problem there was a water tap behind the little chalet (used for
paying). BUT do ask here, after all it is a private house
7. We were told of a spot at Dursey Island (cable car) BUT we got there and
were told in no uncertain terms that NO YOU CAN'T stop here. So we turned back
down the road and as you return, on the right hand side up slightly from the
road is a picnic spot. We stopped here for the night, lovely views over Garnish
Point
8. We passed through Sneem and then we turned off on a road that goes up to
meet the R566 Sneem to Kilarney road, it was signed "Blackwater Tavern 4km" We
pulled in at a large area of waste ground on the left and stopped for the
night
9. Another spot that was a possibility was Ballinskelligs Beach (CP) but it
was too early, there was a loo - but it was awful
10. Back to Waterville and up again through the middle of the Ring of Kerry,
where we have stopped for the night. We were in a picnic spot in the
Ballaghisheen Forest. Looks quite nice and should be quite quiet - well it
wasn't, not because of noise but because of midges. We ended up evacuating it
at 23.30 hrs! So use this one with caution. Lovely spot and fantastic drive
through the middle but watch the season
11. If you take the road thru the middle and continue on towards Glencar you
come across a large bit of gravel at the top of the pass. I think it was
heading towards Moll's Gap - still on the road up thru the middle of the Ring
of Kerry
12. Another of those, not sure exactly where it is, but we drove out to
Castlemaine and followed a route, scenic with a viewpoint. The view on one side
was over Castlemaine and the harbour (which is a nature reserve) and a few
hundred yards further on was another viewing point, and where you could see
Tralee and Tralee Bay very clearly
13. Next stop might suit you, but it didn't us! We got to Slea Head itself
and there is a car park with a twisting road down to the beach - we went to the
car park, I went to take photos as usual it was nice, we had decided to stop
for the night. After about 90 minutes we could smell gas, and became a little
concerned, we wondered if it was because we weren't level - so decided to move
on. We didn't get it again, but we did discover we were nearly out of gas -
and now think this was the smell…. we didn't get so low again!
14. We went to Ballylongford where we have come down to a Castle,
Carrigafoyle Castle, which is yet another ruin and seems to be popular by the
number of cars that have pulled up, stopped between 5 and 10 minutes and then
retraced their steps. We stopped here for the night. The sad bit is that they
are repairing the castle, well making it safe
15. We stopped on a pier in Liscannor where the cruises to the Cliffs of
Moher start
16. Noted this one: further on along the coast, there was a good parking spot
at Bealaglugga but we were too early for a night stop
17. We continued on a tour and then around the coast to Roundstone. We
stopped at in a car park just on the west side of the town, and we got in as
well so the place was big, but it wasn't a good place to stop at 23'. It would
be a nice place to stop. Plenty of cafes/pubs all doing fresh fish. Lovely
little harbour. Perhaps if you were a camper you could stop here
18. We followed the road with the intention of taking a couple of the little
coastal roads that go off this main route, hoping to find a stopping place for
the night. The first one we found, a sign to Errislannan Point, and we followed
the road, just the width of the motorhome. Within a few hundred yards, we saw
a large monument - and guess what: a viewing area. Fantastic views for 360
degrees. The monument is to Alcock and Brown - they landed here in 1919 on the
first flight across the Atlantic at 109mph
Not a stopping place, but if you are here, do make sure you take in The Sky
Road. Well worth it for the views alone. This goes west out of Clifden
19. This is on Achill Island - We continued around taking the Atlantic Drive
to Keel and then turned to take the Atlantic Drive around the hills. We passed
the deserted village, deserted due to the famine, all that remains are the
walls of the houses laid out on the hillside, and then we came to Doogort
where there are two beaches, one called Barnynagappul Strand and Goldren
Strand. We decided to stop here the night overlooking the golden strand. Pub
opposite which serves evening meals as well, so this was very convenient.
The Anchor Bar & Lounge & Restaurant. It specialises in fish
20. We were on the main road R314 towards Sligo and continued passing what we
have later learnt is a Neolithic centre (but it looked closed when we were
there, we ear-marked it as a place to stop for the night if we didn't find
anything else, there was a coach park there). Shame really as it would probably
have been very interesting, but I still haven't found anything about it at the
TI offices!
21. We then turned off to do yet another of our loops, this one taking us to
Downpatrick Head. Road a bit iffy, but was OK if you were slow and careful,
started with grass down the middle but got worse. We decided this was the
place for the night and made ourselves comfortable. There were about four
areas in which to park, we started at the first, ended on the second for the
night, as it gave a view of the whole of the bay. Nice walks up on the Head
with blow holes in the cliff, so do be careful, there are signs
22. We then drove through Ballysadare where the Bay encroaches on it, this
then took us out on the R292 loop road to Strandhill. We found a scenic road
leading off to the right, which made me hang on for dear life at the beginning.
It gave brilliant views though of the surrounding area. Up here we found a
mountain car park which we thought we would use to stop the night. We walked up
the mountain, but I must admit we didn't make it to the top, several others
did though
23. Next we were into Co. Leitrim, and we passed through Manorhamilton and on
to Glencar. We stopped here and walked up to the waterfalls. We decided to stop
the night here; there are toilets and water available. It is a nice spot
surrounded by mountains and a lake. Continuing along this loop road, we found
three other parking spots that would have been useful
24. We had looked around Donegal, saw the castle and then returned to the car
park. We then started a tour, drove through to Killibegs and decided to try
Killibegs Motorvan Stop Over. It was only opened at Easter, the owner has
flattened out the top of a hill and it is about 50ft circular, overlooking the
entrance to Killibegs Harbour, It should be a lovely stop on a nice day that
is for sure. Electricity, water and dumping facilities are available, no
showers etc. Not strictly a wild spot - but one to add to your list
25. Noted this one when we continued around the R263 towards Glencolumbkille
where there is a viewpoint overlooking the village with a picnic table etc.
26. Noted this as well: we drove on to Malin Beg (Head?) where there was a
view point and car park, we arrived with an empty car park, stopped for lunch
and then were joined by about 14 cars in total, coming and going. It was a
nice spot for an overnight stay
27. This lovely spot was found with difficulty, when we followed a sign to
Dooey Point and ended up for the night at Tra Beach, well that is what we think
it is called. We were behind sand dunes, down a hill from the road, there is a
bungalow at the top, and the beach is a long one used for surfing. Very quiet
here. We continued on the track/road to rejoin the N56 to Dunglow
28. This was after going to Glenveagh National Park on the R254, we then came
across Lough Barra which sits under another high mountain Slieve Snaght (683m).
There is a small area to park and see this nature reserve. It is slightly
sloping but we put out the levellers and watched a guy and his wife stacking
their peat - for 3 hours - back breaking work. Back to Dunglow again
29. We carried on all the way down to Millford and back up around another
peninsula to Fanad Head. This was a really good drive (road awful as usual) but
interesting, this is where Tawny/Tamry is (they can't seem to make up their
minds either!). The road back down to Portsalon was good too, as we were high
up and able to view the coastlines. At Fanad Head we could see Hord Head,
Melmore Head, Rinmore Point to the West and then Dunaff Head and Malin Head to
the East of us, really excellent viewpoint. We got to Portsalon and and then
we found a beach, no camping…, and we were faced with a mountain climb with
corkscrew bends. There were viewpoints, and what views, but they weren't
flat or suitable, more like pull ins - not proper viewpoints, so we found
ourselves in Rathmullen. Seemed a dead place, but parked down by the
pier/beach. Pubs, restaurants and toilets close, so not too bad
The next bit is the Inishowen Peninsula - make sure this is a MUST DO on your
list - it is even signposted well - and we loved it
30. We then dropped down to Culdaff which had a lovely beach and parking
area, but a sign saying no camping etc. So on we drove and came across a beach
called Tramore Bay and stopped here for the night. It is a small beach and is
rocky just off the beach that you can walk on. A few houses up on the hill and
that is all. The parking area has recently (very) been tarmaced, and there is
a picnic table
31. After Londonderry, we drove back to the main A2 and followed that through
(bypassed) Limavaddy and to Downhill. I then saw a sign to Gortmore - with a
viewpoint 3 miles. So here we are up on top of a 1 in 5 hill having driven
around a mountain and drive a straight line and we are perched in a parking
space right on top overlooking Magilligan Point with a fantastic view.
Definitely a nice stop, no signs to say you can't stop the night either, which
is good
32. We wanted to see the Giant's Causeway. Drove up and paid €5 to park, the
car park and facilities are on Moyle District Council's land and you have to
pay, even as an NT member. €1 for the audio visual show too. In the car park,
we had asked if we could stay the night, the parking attendant, just said, "I
didn't hear and winked at him". Another motorhome was there as well. So ask,
and it may be granted
33. Next afternoon we got to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (NT) and parked
up and walked the 1km down to the bridge. When we got back, we asked if it was
possible to stop the night. We were told it wouldn't be a problem. Again ask,
it is NT land
34. We then drove down through Larne and Carrickfergus to Belfast, having
decided to visit the National Ulster Folk and Transport Museum which is on the
road to Bangor. We got here at 15.00 hrs and asked if it would be possible to
stop the night in the car park as after speaking to the guy at the reception
two hours would not be enough, he let us in for free then and we stopped in
the car park (did get a knock later to check we were OK, explained we had
asked) and he said he would be locking us in, we said no problem. We went to
both museums the next day. Definitely worth a visit, very well done
35. Did Mount Stewart (NT) and returned to near Mount Stewart to the
Conningsbury Picnic Spot to stop for the night. It is very nice, but close to
the A21, so somewhat noisier than usual as on that evening some young lads
decided it was a race track for their motorbikes
36. We decided to drive part of a tour and as there was a parking viewpoint
at Spelga Dam, we would detour to that and stop the night. There were no signs
saying no overnight camping
37. From the Silent Valley (Belfast Water Reservoir, worth another visit) we
drove some more around the Mourne Mountains and then back down to the coast. We
went to Newcastle and then we drove back up into them again via another road,
and found a night stop at a place called Slieve Meelmore
38. Back into the South again now. Next stop for the night was a very breezy
beach spot facing the Irish sea, somewhere between Dunany Point and Clogher
Head, probably close to a place called Port