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Travelling up to Scotland in motorhome, and just wanting an overnight stop, on our way up (Northumberland area) not really campsite just somewhere to park and get our heads down, anyone got any recommendations? Ps could be a country pub that will allow motorhome, we could then potentially have a bite to eat and a couple of pints
We love the Cover Bridge Inn. Good simple food and great beer. And the toilet is outside for the morning.
There are two spots for bigger vans but plenty of space for Transporter sized vans.
Sorry funkydunc, Because it’s a full self sufficient motorhome, ie toilet/shower/electric/gas, so don’t need any facility’s for a overnight sleep, but I’m paying for campsite in Scotland where we are staying for 4 days if that makes you feel better
Look on Search for sites and filter on pubs
https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/advanced.php?locations=1&categories=1&country=gb&browse=true&
We often just resort to motorway services when we are stopping enroute. Not glamorous but usually remarkably quiet overnight.
@FunkyDunc we often overnight in lay-bys and sometimes car parks when travelling, we are self contained and usually do some litter picking on arrival. Campsites in general don’t allow late arrivals or early departures as it can disturb the other guests. @jonnyrockymountain I’ll try and direct message you as generally we don’t share our hard discovered sites!
What’s wrong with paying for a campsite like everyone else ? (Apart from motorhome ist who think they have a right to not pay)
What's wrong with not being a dick to someone asking a perfectly reasonable question?
We often just resort to motorway services when we are stopping enroute. Not glamorous but usually remarkably quiet overnight.
Do you pay for parking? Most of them only allow a few hours for free.
I think kielder lets you park overnight for about a tenner?
The council has a website
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Parking/Parking-locations-charges.aspx
You might be alright in some. More details here on specific ones you can park in
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Parking/Overnight-Motorhome-Parking.aspx
Not actually sure if you can use this one overnight but it is big and flat within walking distance of the town for food.
Because it’s a full self sufficient motorhome, ie toilet/shower/electric/gas, so don’t need any facility’s for a overnight sleep
So can I turn up at the same places and put up my tent ?
What’s wrong with not being a dick to someone asking a perfectly reasonable question?
I thought in England it is illegal to wild camp ? The op is asking where can he camp for free in England
Yes. Good luck getting your pegs into the tarmac
You can park here for free https://maps.app.goo.gl/ejVFyAac3NYgZU7s5?g_st=ic
the car park a few hundred metres east is no overnight parking but drive over in the morning to use the clean toilets. Both are free. Good restaurants in Amble.
as a someone else said, get Searchforsites App. Only £5.99 per year, worth every penny.
I thought in England it is illegal to wild camp ? The op is asking where can he camp for free in England
You might view those things as equivalent but the law doesn’t. It's not illegal to sleep in a vehicle in england.
So can I turn up at the same places and put up my tent ?
Personally I'd be quite happy for you to do that and I'm sure lots of people do go for a bit of discreet roadside camping.
We've used Pitchup.com to find cheap 'aire' type stops in random places successfully. Generally find 'wildcamping' too much hassle in England now, prefer to find somewhere enroute for £10-£20 so we can have a glass of wine of an evening without fear of a tap on the window...
We’ve used Pitchup.com to find cheap ‘aire’ type stops in random places successfully
Which locally to me has caused issues with bunches of camper vans turning up and parking illegally.
Pitchup.com is to the best of my knowledge for pay sites on private property.. pre-book and stay overnight.
The last one we used was a private yard behind a pub in Eyemouth. It had a freshwater tap and a black waste disposal point.
Not sure how that causes issues?
ah - apologies - its won't be pitchup then but it was a website telling folk where they could "stealth camp"
Not sure how that causes issues?
Because if everyone did it who was driving from A-B with a caravan or in fact just in their car then every parking space in the land would be full each night.
For some reason people in motorhomes think it is acceptable and their right
Funkydunc, I think you have a bit of an issue pal
if you actually read my question I didn’t ask for free,
ps that search for sites is great, loads of country pubs with facility’s, some charge some don’t if you eat and drink in there establishment thanks guys (other than funkydunc 🤣)
Barn at Beal, just before the causeway to Holy Island have some hardstandings. Quick Google shows £36/night.
https://barnatbeal.campmanager.com/25638/Check-Availability/
We stayed at the Barn at Beal and visited Holy Island by bike, also the basic aire type place below for one night. The site is a bit grim but around the corner is the sea front.
https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Scotland/Scotland/Berwickshire/Eyemouth/eyemouth-sea-aire/
Having permission to stay in a pub carpark after a meal is not illegal. You'll often get the nod and we've also done it at a very posh hotel/restaurant, didn't imagine they'd say yes but couldn't find anywhere nearby to camp. I think we've only been refused once and that was because the manager wasn't onsite and the staff weren't sure.
Campsites often don't allow single night stays. HGV drivers regularly sleep overnight in their cabs, as do car drivers. We've paid once or twice for long stay motorway services.
Campervans wanting an quick overnight stop en route are not the issue, the issue is that we are a country full of nimbys that don't have European style aires or overnight parking in town car parks that are empty overnight. We do the opposite and systematically ban overnight parking because there is so little choice, the legit/tolerated spots get busy. Similarly due to the restrictions you often can't find anywhere to park your camper even if you did want to leave it and pay for a b&b.
I usually scope out a side road where I can arrive late and park alongside a corner plot where I'm not outside anyone's house and avoid anywhere popular such as lakes, the coast or spots with a view.
I'm currently cycling in France and have passed several Aires today, the first one being right next to the ferry terminal. On our side of the channel there is sod all. Now staying in a council run campsite in village with automated payment at the barrier.
Because if everyone did it who was driving from A-B with a caravan or in fact just in their car then every parking space in the land would be full each night.
Where do you think cars go at night now?
Makes you think 🤔
I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but there's a Facebook group called "UK pub stopovers for motorhomes" or very similar... Does what it says on the tin.
Just for funcydunc - quite a lot of pubs and farm shops etc are really keen to get self contained motorhomes to stop overnight on their property. It’s their choice, nobody’s forcing them. The idea, just like the Aire system in Europe (which in the uk were years behind), people who stop there, who usually have a bit of disposable income, either have a few drinks, buy a meal or buy their shopping for dinner in the pub/ farm shop. Everyone’s happy (except possible you….?) as although it’s “free” to stop over there’s a decent pulse of cash into the local economy.
were rubbish at understanding this concept in the uk, same as we are charging for parking in small towns. In france for example where local communes (think parish) are run locally by the Maire they are generally pretty progressive and provide spaces for motorhomes to stop for the night, mostly for free off the beaten track, as those who stop there prop up the local services such as bakeries, bars shops etc so that long term locals benefit. It’s such a simple concept, nobody’s doing anyone out of anything getting a free ride!
were rubbish at understanding this concept in the uk, same as we are charging for parking in small towns. In france for example where local communes (think parish) are run locally by the Maire they are generally pretty progressive and provide spaces for motorhomes to stop for the night, mostly for free off the beaten track, as those who stop there prop up the local services such as bakeries, bars shops etc so that long term locals benefit. It’s such a simple concept, nobody’s doing anyone out of anything getting a free ride!
There’s a perception, and I have no idea what the reality is, that many self contained campers simply stock up at the German discounters and spend little money in the areas they visit. Given some of the highland welcomes I’ve been on receiving end of over the years, I can understand why some choose to do that.
Campervans wanting an quick overnight stop en route are not the issue
Actually they are when there is too many of them.
Scotland seems much more clued up on this. We've stayed on a pub/restaurant car parks after a really good meal a few times.
Uig sands restaurant on Lewis was my favourite. Trying to have a strip wash in the van to make yourself less stinky in a 60mph crosswind was funny. It was like being on a boat. The staff were very accommodating and thought it was funny that we even thought it was necessary.
Scotland seems much more clued up on this.
I don't think Scotland is much if any more clued up. Despite the popularity of some areas there is still very little in the way of van infrastructure, the growth in van numbers having come at a time when local authorities are flat broke and unable to invest in this.
"Van life" is causing huge issues in Scotland with masses of camper vans on beauty spots and in passing places etc. My pal lives in one of these places - he has been blocked in his house by inconsiderate camper vans. Dozens of the things blocking up roads at Durness despite there being a campsite. A spot I have been to a couple of times with camper vans - never been more than one other there in the past. Last time I went past it there were 30 plus vans cramming into the spot - it had obviously been on one of the "van life sites"
Personally I would ban all roadside camping due to the issues caused.
“Van life” is causing huge issues in Scotland
Let's stop using this term, its like a Daily Mail pejorative and it means different things to different people.
Its just people in vans and its mostly the sheer numbers not the type of people that are the problem.
Personally I would ban all roadside camping due to the issues caused.
Be careful what you wish for.
I would be quite happy with banning all roadside camping
Its both the numbers AND the type. Ask folk living in Durness or Plockton what its like having campervans crammed on every bit of land - blocking people in their houses, shitting in the laybys.
its completely out of hand.
Just ban them!
That is the standard british attitude to everything slightly new or what vaguely or more upsets people. Such as access, wild camping, right to roam etc
The solution here as mentioned is the aire idea. Win win.
NO - this is a quality of life issue for those residents
Of course Aires etc are good - but needs a ban on roadside camping as well IMO - I have seen first hand the explosion in roadside camping has caused in Scotland
To be fair, roadside camping isn't strictly within the law as it is and certainly isn't a right as soke believe. Most campervanners are wrongly using the Scottish outdoor access code as their justification for "wild camping" anywhere they like.
Probably needs to be more enforcement of current laws rather than outright bans.
It does feel like some motorhomers are the something-for-nothing types. But I place some MTBers in that category too. Spend thousands on a bike but won't pay the parking when they get to the trail centre.
Anyway, if I was the OP I'd be calling up a pub with a car park and asking to use their car park in return for dinner/breakfast patronage. The Black Bull in Etal for example 😉
If the OP is still looking for somewhere to stop whilst heading to Scotland, I do believe the Cottage Inn at Dunstan near Craster on the coast allows motorhomes and campers in their pretty big car park at the rear of the pub. Place does decent food and beers and is handy for a walk down to the harbour if you fancy. I don't think they charge, but like a few others wouldn't mind you buying a pint or two. There are 2 'official' campsites very close by that I've stayed in many a time, but the pub always seems to do a decent trade from those 1 nighters just passing through.
PSA; beware the small jack russell that frequents the bar with its owner, snappy little get (so is the dog)
To be fair, roadside camping isn’t strictly within the law as it is and certainly isn’t a right as soke believe. Most campervanners are wrongly using the Scottish outdoor access code as their justification for “wild camping” anywhere they like.
If i remember rightly you have a legal right to sleep roadside in a camper van in Scotland, I think it was to do with stopping people driving tired.
We have stayed overnight at Eyemouth Golf Club. Slightly further north than the OP asked but not much. We got safe secure parking for the night, they got customers who bought meals and a few beers. Win win.
The pub stopover model seems a great solution to the problem, if it's not abused (e.g. by people staying but not paying, or pubs creating parking and noise problems by attracting extra numbers) which I'm sure the majority don't. You get a decent, safe place to stop, and a local business gets some trade. As such, I'm sure those in power will clamp down on it sooner rather than later.
I don't know if they allow it, but worth checking with the pub in Stannington (Three Horse Shoes?) if you want a quick stop - it's just off the A1 and has a massive car park. Food is supposed to be decent too (not tried it).
The pub in Stannington is the Ridley Arms. The Three Horse Shoes is off the A189 Spine Road but could still be worth a try as there’s a bit of a lane leading up to it.
To answer the original question , Otterburn mill shop allow overnight camping in the car park, do a nice if slightly expensive breakfast. Further along the A68 before Byrness take the left to Borders holiday park and then left again, it'll take you to Keilder Forest drive, half a mile along and before the drive stats in earnest there's a toilet block, picnic area and around 4 spaces that will fit a motorhome on. Nice little waterfall walk close by as well.
If i remember rightly you have a legal right to sleep roadside in a camper van in Scotland,
I don't think is true. There is a long tradition of tolerance but no legal right
"I would be quite happy with banning all roadside camping"
Ban, outlaw - always the way here on the Isle of Schight. As a cycle tourist, it's not pleasant being collateral damage in the War On Vans.
Lomond Trossachs came unstuck with the roadside parking thing - they could not ban vans or motorhomes in laybys, but those of us on bikes were fair game.
The Craster Arms in Beadnell as well as the Cottage Inn at Dunstan are good pub stopovers on the coast road. The main car park at Bamburgh has official overnight places.
Lomond Trossachs came unstuck with the roadside parking thing – they could not ban vans or motorhomes in laybys, but those of us on bikes were fair game.
Ermm - yes they can- no overnight parking in the laybys and no camping except intolerance zone. doesn't affect me on the bike because I will be miles off the road. Its very hard to enforce and the rules are pretty toothless but those are the rules
There are big signs as you enter the national park and signage all over the popular camping spots. some of the spots that used to be used for van camping are blocked off completely IIRC
Didn't a lot of lay-bys etc in Scotland lose the "no overnight camping signs" because .....and then my recollection gets wooly.
We do a bit of everything in our van, campsites, 'wild' camping and pub stopovers. We use all the various sites to choose our stops and avoid the popular ones and abide by Rule No1. I would be really rather miffed if we couldn't do this because some people don't know how to behave.
We also take pride in the fact that we 'inject' our cash into the independant business's in theses area's.
We also feel shame that others are so awful and often find ourselves tidying litter up while we are there but this also happens at popular mountain biking spots, perhaps we should ban them too while we are at it.
Mugboo - the problem is simply the number of vans. Its not just those who behave badly =- the overall effect of roadside camping on highland communities is damaging.
Once a wild camping spot gets put o none of those sites it gets swamped. a spot I used occasionally for a camper van over the years and never saw more than one other van there. Last time I went past 30+ vans were on the site, machair all ripped up by tyres
<p style="text-align: left;">It's not the number of vans, it's the lack of parking. The more restricted it gets, the busier the remaining spots get. If councils opened up their town car parks overnight (which often have facilities nearby), allowed parking on parts of the seafront rather than banning the whole lot because a few neighbours have kicked up a fuss and opened up the odd aire, the remote spots would be much less busy</p>
Banning it because a minority leave shite behind them or don't respect locals by parking inconsiderately is like banning wild camping as a minority leave rubbish in the countryside and/or cause damage lighting fires. And that could get much more problematic as ebiking opens up remote locations and allows you to lug extra beer to your mountaintop.
YOu are missing the point spooky. there simply is not enough spaces for all the vans. this leads to huge issues for locals even when the van lifers are thinking they are being considerate
Its not just about the dirty minority - its about the unsustainable number of folk that want to roadside camp
There is a car park near me that has been getting popular with campervans over the last few years. On top of the South Downs with great views. There were several regulars that were often there plus extras that had found it through forums.
Regularly cycle through there and only once ever saw any anti social behaviour (pretty tame but someone draining their sink/shower onto the floor leaving a big soapy puddle under the van). Never seen any human waste despite scoping out the odd wildcamping spot nearby (by bike).
Local landowner has now banned it all apparently due to a couple of complaints, it's now a 24-7 ANPR controlled car park and I bet the complainers are now regretting it as they can't walk their dogs for free.
Where are the vans? They are still here of course and arriving at the ferry port, they've just now been displaced to smaller less suitable car parks.
If councils opened up their town car parks overnight (which often have facilities nearby), allowed parking on parts of the seafront rather than banning the whole lot because a few neighbours have kicked up a fuss and opened up the odd aire
Is this because campsites are full or because you dont think motorhomes shouldnt have to pay the prices that campsites are asking?
Again with a lot of the above comments, why is a camper van any different to a caravan and car which appear quite happy to use campsites
The only solution is to ban all vans, ban car parks, ban people and ban forums
Yep Tj I can't argue with that. Everything I've read about your neck of the woods has put me off, might go up in early Spring or Autumn once we retire, have you got plenty of space on your drive? 😉
I live in an attic flat with no free onstreet parking - and the two local vanlifer encampments have been cleared so I am afrid I cannot help really 🙂
Its no problem camper vanning in Scotland so long as you use campsites or the "aires" that are springing up
I am not sure if it's technically allowed here or not, but the @55.6051962,-1.7628111,3a,75y,267.34h,74.4t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2R_yf_u2zW-oouxckUtJjw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2R_yf_u2zW-oouxckUtJjw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D133.20874%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu">roadside at Budle Bay is a lovely spot (if you don't mind the road noise). We were staying in accommodation just down the road and there were a few people in motorhomes parked on the verges.
Some of the car parks around Bamburgh have allocated bookable parking bays for overnight use. Sorry see its already been mentioned
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Parking/ Overnight-Motorhome-Parking.aspx
I think there’s a difference between a motor home that’s self contained and a converted van that has no toilet etc. We need more Aire type places, and places to legally drop black waste etc in the uk but we also need to sort out the shitting in the lay-bye brigade who bought a van as they’ve seen someone on YouTube or insta doing it. There’s nothing worse. You don’t seem to get that in France etc as municipal campsites are plentiful and cheaper than in the uk and aires seem to be self policing or there are other options like farm stays etc.
That Northumberland pilot is good but where do all the legitimate vans using sites like that dump their black waste? Someone will be moaning soon that it’s being flushed down public toilets or dumped down drains etc. we need to get on board and provide decent facilities.
Ermm – yes they can- no overnight parking in the laybys and no camping except intolerance zone.
The only time I've seen the Loch Lomond camping ban in action the cops moved on a couple who'd pitched a tent and did nothing about the 30 or so vans in the car park.
You can book a 'permit' for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs,
https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/things-to-do/camping/motorhomes-campervans-national-park/
the problem is simply the number of vans. Its not just those who behave badly
That is behaving badly imo, if there are several other people at a spot you shouldn't go there.
I sleep in my panel van but for me it's most useful for when I arrive late somewhere so I am off again before 07:00 most of the time. I think part of the issue is the way people treat park up spots like a campsite, i.e they stay there all evening, then cook breakfast then park all day, hang around etc
The Lomond Trossachs camping van is just that - a camping ban. They could not enforce it on vans.
Touring on a bike - you have a problem. I am really afraid of this spreading nationally. I sometimes tour in England, but the consequences of getting caught are not criminal action.
Is this because campsites are full or because you dont think motorhomes shouldnt have to pay the prices that campsites are asking?
I'm completely happy to pay a few quid for the reassurance that I'm not going to get asked to move on. I would go to a campsite if it's got space, allows you to turn up at 8 or 9pm and don't want you to pay for a 3 night minimum stay. That's rare in high season.
Let's just remember, the OP is asking for an overnight stopover, and that's generally the only time I'd look for somewhere to stop overnight. I don't go away for a week of free wild camping, I'd rather be on a site where I can leave the van without worrying about it being broken in to.
I'm not looking to drive miles out of the way to a scenic location. I want to drive into a town/village and see a car park welcoming campervans, then I can go for a meal, rest up, find a fryup in the morning and crack on/spend a couple of hours exploring if I'm not in a rush.
Regarding France, having walked the dog in a layby or two over the years, they are often littered with shitty toilet tissue.
As a responsible converted van owner with a portaloo I am often dismayed at others behaviour. We once pulled into the car park in Lytham on the front (camping allowed) to find it full of people sat around pissed up and cooking, very sad. Reviews of Saltburn suggest the same on the seafront. although its lovely, respectful and peaceful out of season.
As I said above, careful reading of the reviews means its easy to avoid these issues but that doesn't mean these issues don't exist.
I do agree though that its time that councils countrywide got on with providing facilities rather than legislating it out of existence. Put those in place then prosecute those that misbehave.
Same concept as banning cars from town centres. Put in great public transport, park and rides first then crack on with ban hammer (yes Bradford, I'm looking at you). Funnily enough, as Cambridge proves, this works in harmony with the motorhome brigade by also providing a place to take water on board, empty the loo and nearby toilets. Add in a cheap return into a town and kerching, helps keep those shops and bars open too.
Didn't Penmachno get its trails to pull people into the area. Well some basic facilities would work in the same way.
Get the britstop book which is a legit source of info where landowners, pubs, cafes, farms shops etc allow you to stay the night. We keep the book in the van so always have an option for a stop.
Yep, Britstops is good too.
Alnwick Rugby Club - £25 with electric
Hogg’s Head Inn Alnwick - Free in their car park
Eat and Sleep Lindisfarne (Beal) - £20 which is reimbursed if you have breakfast the next day
That Northumberland pilot is good but where do all the legitimate vans using sites like that dump their black waste?
Campsites offer these services for a minimal fee.
kennypFree Member
We have stayed overnight at Eyemouth Golf Club. Slightly further north than the OP asked but not much. We got safe secure parking for the night, they got customers who bought meals and a few beers. Win win.
We stayed there in June and had a great meal in the Golf club. We just phoned ahead to the restaurant and booked on for the night. They even have a tap to get some clean water and a couple of EHUs. There were 5 vans there that night so they got 5 tables of people eating and drinking and spending cash locally.
The seafood was great, straight from the local harbour.
Thinking about heading up there soon as we’ve upgraded to a motorhome from the camper. Would make an easy tester place for me to get use to it.
Kielder campsite.
Newcastleton has a caravan / motohome site.
A few spots at various locations north of Kieder beside the minor road but quite well known esp at weekends.
Waren Mill also has a few laybys in both directions beside the road after leaving Bamburgh.