A practical guide to travelling responsibly
Responsible Travel: Motor Caravanner’s Code of Conduct
Travelling by motorhome or campervan is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the UK. It offers freedom, spontaneity and the ability to wake up somewhere new every day. But with that freedom comes responsibility.
The rising popularity of van life, road trips and motorhome holidays means it’s more important than ever to travel in a way that protects the landscape, respects local communities and ensures campervanners remain welcome for years to come.
Travel responsibly by following simple codes that protect landscapes and keep motorhome users welcome. Know where you can stay — from permitted car parks and pub stops to the Forestry England Stay the Night scheme. Support local communities by parking considerately, using proper facilities and leaving every place exactly as you found it.
Overview
Motor Caravanner Code of Conduct: How to Road Trip Responsibly in the UK
This page brings together the Motor Caravanners’ Code , the Scottish Outdoor Access Code , and wider best practice for overnight stops — including car parks that permit stays, lay-bys, pub stops and the Forestry England Stay the Night scheme. It’s a practical, common-sense guide aimed at helping everyone enjoy the outdoors safely and sustainably.
Why it matters
Why Responsible Motorhome Travel Matters
Motorhomes and campervans are larger, heavier and more impactful on rural areas than standard cars. The way we park, drive and dispose of waste can leave a lasting impression — good or bad — on the communities we pass through.
Following the code matters because it:
- protects fragile landscapes and wildlife
- prevents overuse of sensitive rural areas
- reduces tensions with local residents
- supports small tourism economies
- preserves the privilege of touring the UK freely
- keeps motorhome travellers welcome in popular regions
Most importantly
It ensures that everyone — walkers, cyclists, farmers, other drivers and fellow campers — can share the outdoors harmoniously.
The code
Motor Caravanners’ Code
A code of conduct for motorhomers and campervanners has been published for the Lake District. The code encourages holiday makers to enjoy quality food from local shops, cafes and pubs, and visit local attractions and to ‘think like a local’.
Plan your route and parking
Luckily most of our narrow country roads have passing places to avoid congestion, but it’s important not to park in these and to avoid narrow passes and single-track roads wherever possible.
Be a considerate driver
If a car is stuck behind you, just pull over in at a safe place to let them pass – give them a smile and a wave!
Approved & booked stays
Always choose to park in an approved location, book in advance if you can and leave plenty of space between vehicles when parked up. Be careful never to block roads and gateways.
Don’t rush off!
Hop out, leave the vehicle, stay a while and enjoy the local area on foot, by bike, boat, maybe even horse or segway!
Leave no trace
Take litter away with you, recycle where you can.
Show the environment some love
Dispose of all grey and black waste at official locations with safe and legal facilities. Disposing of waste inappropriately means harmful chemicals can seep into the lakes and waterways. Some of our public toilets aren’t on the main sewerage system and chemicals from portable toilets can damage them.
Stay on track
Let’s keep our verges looking wonderful.
Not got a loo on board?
Don’t worry, there are lots of public toilets for you to use.
Find a great spot
Book a site before you set off and please respect no overnight parking and camping signs.
Eat out, but don’t light up
Enjoy local food al fresco but avoid lighting fires/barbeques.
England & Wales
Additional Overnight Stay Guidance (England & Wales)
Motorhome overnight rules vary dramatically across the UK. Here are the main options travellers can consider — and how to use them responsibly. Here, we include alternative options to using a traditional campsite.
Approved Motorhome Parking (Car Parks Permitting Overnight Stays)
Some council-run or privately managed car parks — especially coastal or rural ones — explicitly allow motorhomes overnight, usually for a small fee. These are ideal when you want to stay close to a town, harbour or viewpoint without booking a full campsite.
Look for:
- clear signage permitting overnight stays
- pay-by-app or pay-by-machine overnight tariffs
- no-length or height restrictions (if applicable)
- no “no sleeping” symbols
Important:
If signage is unclear, assume overnight stays are not permitted. Local by-laws differ from place to place. Check out more details about
overnight stay
options.
Lay-Bys — Use Only Where Appropriate
Some long, wide, off-road lay-bys are traditionally used by motorhome travellers, especially for late arrivals or early departures.
However, lay-bys are only appropriate when:
- they are well away from junctions
- they have no “no overnight stays” signs
- parking will not disturb residents
- you can arrive late, leave early and keep a low profile
- you follow “no trace” principles
Lay-bys should be treated as rest points , not holiday spots. Avoid using them in large numbers or for prolonged stays.
Pub Stops (with Landlord Permission)
Pub stops are an excellent, responsible option for motorhome travellers — and a brilliant way to support local businesses. Many pubs allow overnight parking if you eat or drink inside.
Benefits:
- safe, legal overnight spot
- supporting independent hospitality
- often dog-friendly
- great for rural or village-based trips
Most pub stops appreciate a quick phone call ahead of time.
Forestry England “Stay the Night” Scheme
Forestry England now permits limited motorhome stays in selected forests across England as part of their Stay the Night pilot scheme. This option offers simple, peaceful overnight parking surrounded by nature.
The scheme usually includes:
- designated parking areas
- limited availability (numbers capped)
- self-contained vehicle requirement
- no awnings, chairs or camping setups
- no fires or barbecues
- arrival/departure time guidelines
This is one of the most landscape-friendly ways to overnight outside a campsite, as it is formally permitted, regulated and environmentally managed.
Almost Wild Camping (With Landowner Permission)
A middle ground between campsites and true wild camping, this option allows you to park on private land
with explicit permission from the landowner
.
It’s ideal if you want a secluded, quiet spot while still staying legal and respectful.
You might find these locations through:
- small farms
- rural smallholdings
- private estates
- community-run stopovers
- local landowners offering a simple overnight pitch
Almost wild camping lets you enjoy remote scenery without breaking by-laws or upsetting communities. It’s essential to leave no trace, keep noise low, avoid fires unless permitted, and follow any rules given by the landowner.
Scotland
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
This section is included for information on activities you may undertake but this is not included for overnight stays as access rights do not include motor vehicles. If public or private land owners restrict or regulate parking on their land, you must comply with this.
At all times, minimise your impact by:
- Following the Highway Code and the guidance in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code , including the specific advice on car parking . Respect the interests of others, care for the environment and take responsibility for your own actions.
- Planning ahead and booking into managed caravan/camp sites and other provision for campervans and motorhomes where possible.
Important: Scottish access rights do not include motor vehicles. This is the key point for motorhomes, campervans and cars.
Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
In Scotland, you can go on to most land to enjoy the outdoors – as long as you behave responsibly. This is known as Scottish access rights and is different to the position in England and Wales. When you are enjoying the outdoors, you must follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Scottish access rights apply, for example, to hills and moors, forests and woods, beaches and the coast, rivers and lochs, parks and some types of farmland. There are also some common-sense exceptions, including houses and gardens, other buildings and their yards or compounds, school grounds and places which charge for entry. Access rights include things like walking, cycling, climbing, horse-riding, kayaking, swimming and watching wildlife, but do not include things like shooting, fishing or access with motor vehicles . For more information about where you can go and what you can do, see Part 2 of the Code .
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is based on three key principles
- Respect the interests of others.
- Care for the environment.
- Take responsibility for your own actions.
The Code provides more detailed guidance on a range of different activities . Land managers must manage their land and water in a way that respects access rights, and the Code also provides guidance to help them do this.
Best practice
Responsible Road Tripping
Small everyday choices can make a big difference to the places you visit, the people who live there and the travellers who come after you.
Respect the Environment:
Leave behind nothing but footprints by packing what you need and taking all your belongings with you. Prioritise environmentally-friendly travel essentials to minimise your ecological footprint.
Preserve the Beauty:
Capture memories through photographs and leave natural and cultural sites as you found them, ensuring that others can enjoy them just as you did.
Choose Designated Places to Stay:
Contribute to the preservation of the land by staying only in designated areas, respecting camping and parking regulations.
Adhere to Local Laws:
Familiarise yourself with national and local laws, as well as any specific by-laws, to ensure you are a responsible traveller and a considerate guest.
Support Local Businesses:
Enhance your journey by stopping at local, independent establishments. Not only will it add a unique touch to your experience, but it also supports the local economy and fosters a sense of community.
Dispose of your Rubbish Responsibly:
Never dump rubbish or fluids in the natural environment. Properly dispose of waste and hazardous materials in designated areas to protect the environment and ensure a clean and enjoyable experience for future travellers.
Plan the full route
Responsible travel is easier when the whole road trip is planned properly
This page explains how to travel responsibly. Our road trip guides help you put that into practice by planning the route, overnight bases, places to visit and realistic daily pacing together.
A better planned route makes it easier to choose suitable places to stop, avoid unnecessary pressure on popular areas and support the communities you travel through.
Our guides help with
Break the journey into manageable areas.
Plan stops, towns, coast, countryside and attractions.
Think about campsites, pub stops and other stays by route.
Avoid trying to fit too much into each day.
Keep planning
Planning your road trip
Once you have sorted your hire car out, refer to our other blog pages to help you plan your perfect road trip. Our Inspiration pages will help inspire, and our Experiences pages will give you a flavour of what you can expect on the road. If you have an idea as to where you want to go, visit our guide pages for road trips. Our road trip planning guide blogs can help you form a plan and if you are travelling to the UK, check out our tips. Have a fantastic trip!
Inspiration
Find ideas for the kind of road trip you want to take.
Experiences
Get a flavour of what you can expect on the road.
Guide pages for road trips
Browse the road trip guides when you know where you want to go.
Road trip planning guide blogs
Use the planning blogs to help form your route and travel plan.
Travelling to the UK
Useful tips if you are visiting Britain from overseas.
How To Plan A Road Trip
Return to the main road trip planning hub.
Check out our library of UK road trips
Explore digital UK road trip guides with flexible route sections, destination notes and planning support for cars, campervans and motorhomes.