Can I sleep in my motorhome anywhere in the UK?

No. Rules vary by council and landowner. Some car parks allow overnight stays, but many don’t. Always check signs or local by-laws before settling in.

Are lay-bys legal for overnight stays?

They can be used for short, discreet overnight rests only if there are no signs prohibiting it and you’re parked safely off the carriageway. Treat them as rest stops, not destinations.

What counts as “Almost Wild Camping”?

It’s a simple overnight stay on private land with the landowner’s permission. You must be self-contained and follow any rules they set. It’s legal, quiet and low-impact.

Are pub stops allowed everywhere?

Only with permission. Many pubs welcome motorhomes, especially if you plan to eat or drink there. Always ask first — don’t assume.

Can I stay overnight in a National Park?

Only in places where overnight parking is specifically permitted, such as certain car parks or schemes like Forestry England’s Stay the Night. Wild camping rules do not apply to vehicles.

Is Scotland more flexible for motorhome overnight stays?

Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code gives wide access for walking and cycling — not motor vehicles. Overnight parking still depends on local signage, landowners and council rules.

How do I find legal overnight spots when travelling?

Use official signage, local council websites, campsite directories, pub stop networks and permitted schemes like Forestry England’s Stay the Night. When unsure, choose a campsite or official stopover.

A practical guide to travelling responsibly

Responsible Travel: Motor Caravanner’s Code of Conduct

A practical, friendly guide to travelling responsibly in a motorhome or campervan across the UK.

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.

Motor Caravanner Code of Conduct: How to Road Trip Responsibly in the UK

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.

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.

To make things simple, we’ve grouped the key guidance into the sections below — covering where you can stay, how to minimise your impact, and what the rules are across different parts of the UK.

Why Responsible Motorhome Travel Matters
Motor Caravanners’ Code
Overnight Options in England & Wales, including:
- Lay-Bys, Car Parks and Pub Stops
- Forestry England “Stay the Night” Scheme
Scottish Outdoor Access Code (What’s Different for Motorhomes)
- Scottish Access Rights for Non-Motorised Activities
Responsible Road Tripping: Everyday Best Practice

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.

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’.

A full code of conduct asks visitors to:

1. 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.

2. Be a considerate driver. If a car is stuck behind you, just pull over in at a safe place tolet them pass – give them a smile and a wave!

3. 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 roadsand gateways.

4. 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!

5. Leave no trace – Take litter away with you, recycle where you can.

6. Show the environment some love – Dispose of all grey and black waste at officiallocations 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 themain sewerage system and chemicals from portable toilets can damage them.

7. Stay on track – Let’s keep our verges looking wonderful.

8. Not got a loo on board? Don’t worry, there are lots of public toilets for you to use.

9. Find a great spot – Book a site before you set off and please respect no overnight parkingand camping signs.

10. Eat out, but don’t light up – Enjoy local food al fresco but avoid lighting fires/barbeques.

Download the Code from the Visit Lake District website here.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.
(This is a perfect place for your internal link to your Pub Stops / Overnight Stays page.)

4. 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.

5. 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.

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.

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.

Responsible Road Tripping

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.

By following these principles, you can contribute to the preservation of our beautiful landscapes, support local communities, and ensure that the road trip experience remains sustainable and enjoyable for all. Let's make a positive impact as we explore and cherish the wonders of our world.

No. Rules vary by council and landowner. Some car parks allow overnight stays, but many don’t. Always check signs or local by-laws before settling in.
They can be used for short, discreet overnight rests only if there are no signs prohibiting it and you’re parked safely off the carriageway. Treat them as rest stops, not destinations.
It’s a simple overnight stay on private land with the landowner’s permission. You must be self-contained and follow any rules they set. It’s legal, quiet and low-impact.
Only with permission. Many pubs welcome motorhomes, especially if you plan to eat or drink there. Always ask first — don’t assume.
Only in places where overnight parking is specifically permitted (such as certain car parks or the Forestry England Stay the Night scheme). Wild camping rules do not apply to vehicles.
Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code gives wide access for walking and cycling — not motor vehicles. Overnight parking still depends on local signage, landowners and council rules.
Use official signage, local council websites, campsite directories, pub stop networks, and permitted schemes like Forestry England Stay the Night. When unsure, choose a campsite or official stopover.

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!