An aire is a designated overnight motorhome stopover space—common across Europe—where motorhomes and campervans can park legally, often with basic amenities. Many offer water, waste disposal, electricity, parking bays and sometimes toilets or showers. Aires are typically free or low-cost, and they provide a secure and convenient alternative to campsites.

Can you legally stay overnight in a UK layby or car park?

Some laybys and car parks do allow overnight motorhome stays, but local by-laws vary widely. The key is to check signage before stopping, follow any restrictions, and park only where overnighting is explicitly allowed. Using authorised locations keeps you safe and supports responsible travel.

What types of overnight motorhome stopovers are available?

You can choose from several types of overnight stops including Secret Stays® locations, motorhome aires, pub stopovers, vineyards and farm shop parking, authorised car parks and almost-wild spots. Each option offers a different style of experience, from scenic solitude to sociable spaces near local businesses.

Where can I find overnight motorhome stops along UK road trip routes?

Uncover Britain’s Overnight Stay Map includes curated stopover locations along every road trip route. You’ll find motorhome aires, pub stopovers, vineyards, farm shops, almost-wild spots and authorised car parks, chosen for safety, scenery and convenience.

Safe, Legal Overnight Stops for Motorhomes & Campervans

Overnight stay: Motorhome Stopovers

Find hand-picked, legal overnight stopovers along every Uncover Britain route.
Choose from Secret Stays®, aires, pub stops, car parks and almost-wild spots.
Travel confidently with guidance on safety, by-laws and responsible parking.

Get an authentic experience with Secret Stays® Motorhome Stopovers such as authorised motorhome stopovers, including motorhome aires and overnight stays, like vineyards and farm shops. Overnight park-up spots include authorised car parks and off-road laybys.

Finding the right overnight stop in a motorhome or campervan can transform your road trip from stressful to effortless. Across the UK, there’s a growing network of safe, legal places to park up for the night—from designated motorhome aires and Secret Stays® locations to pub stopovers, authorised car parks and almost-wild spots. These places offer simplicity, flexibility and a closer connection to the landscapes you’re exploring. Our curated Overnight Stay Map highlights the best options along each route, helping you plan confidently while following local by-laws, safety guidelines and responsible parking practices. Enjoy freedom, comfort and peace of mind—wherever the road takes you.

What Are Motorhome Stopovers and Why They Matter?

One of the best things about travelling in a motorhome or campervan is the freedom to pull over and enjoy a place exactly as it is. Motorhome stopovers—whether they’re simple laybys, authorised car parks, vineyard parking, farm shop stopovers or aires—give you a relaxed, no-frills way to spend the night. You’re closer to nature, closer to the view, and closer to the places that make each journey feel special. They don’t always offer full facilities, but that’s part of their appeal. You can unwind, breathe, and enjoy the moment while still travelling safely, legally, and respectfully.

Secret Stays® and Legal Overnight Parking Options

Across the UK, there’s a quiet but growing network of legal stopovers that make road-tripping easier and more enjoyable. Secret Stays® Motorhome Stopovers bring together a curated mix of authorised locations—farm shops, vineyards, motorhome aires and more—chosen for their atmosphere, safety and easy access. They’re the kind of places where you can park up, relax, and support local businesses at the same time. Some laybys and car parks also allow overnight stays, but always double-check signage and local by-laws. We encourage responsible travel—not turning up where overnighting is prohibited, but using legal stopovers that protect the land, respect the locals, and keep these spaces available for everyone.

Where to Stop Overnight on Each Road Trip Route

Every Uncover Britain road trip is mapped with overnight options built into the route, so you’re never scrambling at the last moment to find somewhere safe to park. You’ll find everything from dedicated aires to pub stopovers, almost-wild spots for that sense of solitude, basic car parks that welcome motorhomes, and classic campsites with full facilities. Each stop is plotted on our Overnight Stay Map, chosen for its convenience, scenery, and practicality. Whether it’s a cosy pub, a coastal layby, a quiet village car park or a loch-side viewpoint, our aim is to give you the freedom to travel at your own pace without the stress of guessing where you’ll end up.

Safety, Responsibility, and Enjoying the Journey

Being on the road is all about adventure, but safety and respect should always come first. That means parking where it’s allowed, sticking to local by-laws, and reading signs carefully. Choose places with good lighting, avoid dead-end lanes or isolated spots, and keep valuables tucked away. Along the coast, pay attention to tides and weather—conditions can change quickly. Designated aires and authorised stopovers also offer a sense of community, with other travellers nearby and landowners who understand motorhome needs. By choosing legal, responsible parking, you’re not just keeping yourself safe—you’re helping ensure these overnight options remain available for future explorers too.

What is an aire?

A person standing on a beach at sunset, with a camper van parked nearby, and the sun near the horizon.

An "aire de service" in the context of overnight stopovers, often simply called an "aire," is a designated area along highways or major roads in many European countries where road trippers can stop overnight or just for a pitstop for rest, fuel, and refreshment.

An aire is a designated motorhome stopover area for parking motorhomes and campervans overnight. Aires are usually free to use, and they often have basic facilities such as water and electricity hookups. Some aires also have showers and toilets. While aires offer basic amenities, they are not full-service campsites. You might not find all the amenities you would find at a traditional campground. Some aires require payment for overnight stays, while others are free to use. They tend to be cheaper than campsites.

These aires are especially popular among tourists exploring Europe in motorhomes or campervans because they offer a convenient and cost-effective way to rest during long journeys. Road trippers can stay overnight, refresh themselves, and continue their journey the next day.

Whilst the term “aire” is a lesser known term and the idea is relatively novel in the UK still, there is a movement to encourage suitable aires to host motorhomes and campervans in the UK, which is driven by CAMpRA (Campaign for Real Aires) which is dedicated to advocating for the year-round recreational use of motor caravans across the UK. Their mission involves establishing Motorcaravan Aires to promote wellbeing, boost tourism and stimulate local economies.

The benefits of an aire overnight stopover

Aires typically offer amenities such as:

Parking Spaces: Designated spots for vehicles to park, often with specific areas for larger vehicles like motorhomes.
Cost-effective: They are usually free to use or cheaper than a campsite.
Facilities: They often have basic facilities such as water and electricity hookups.
Personal care facilities: Some motorhome aires also have showers and toilets.
Convenient location: They are located in convenient locations, such as near tourist attractions or on the side of the road.
Socialable: They are a great way to meet other motorhome and campervan enthusiasts as well as meet locals.
Safety: Aires are usually well-lit and patrolled, ensuring a certain level of security for road trippers over un-designated spots.

Premium members can access overnight stops on each road trip with the Overnight Stays map.

If you are planning a trip in a motorhome or campervan, then be sure to check out the availability of motorhome aires and pub motorhome stopovers in your destination. This can help you to save money on accommodation and make your trip more enjoyable.

Tips for using an aire overnight stays and pub stopovers:

Be sure to check the opening hours of the aire or pub before you arrive.
Respect the rules of the aire or motorhome stopover.
Be considerate of other users
Leave the aire or motorhome stopover clean and tidy.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that everyone enjoys their stay at an aire or motorhome stopover.

For other tips, hints and inspiration to enjoy your road trip, check out our pages: Find Inspiration, if you’re looking to hire or buy, check out our Find a vehicle pages, and our Route Planner tips.

Motorhome stopovers are legal, safe places where you can park a motorhome or campervan overnight without needing a full campsite. They include aires, vineyard or farm shop stopovers, designated car parks, pub stopovers, and approved laybys. These locations offer a simple, flexible way to rest, recharge and enjoy the landscape while travelling responsibly.
An aire is a designated overnight motorhome stopover space—common across Europe—where motorhomes and campervans can park legally, often with basic amenities. Many offer water, waste disposal, electricity, parking bays and sometimes toilets or showers. Aires are typically free or low-cost, and they provide a secure and convenient alternative to campsites. In the UK, CAMpRA advocates for more aires to support year-round motorhome touring.
Some laybys and car parks do allow overnight motorhome stays, but local by-laws vary widely. The key is to check signage before stopping, follow any restrictions, and park only where overnighting is explicitly allowed. Using authorised locations keeps you safe and supports responsible travel.
You can choose from several types of overnight stops including:
- Secret Stays® locations
- Motorhome aires
- Pub stopovers
- Vineyards and farm shop parking
- Authorised car parks
- Almost-wild spots
  Each option offers a different style of experience, from scenic solitude to sociable spaces near local businesses.
Uncover Britain’s Overnight Stay Map includes curated stopover locations along every road trip route. You’ll find motorhome aires, pub stopovers, vineyards, farm shops, almost-wild spots and authorised car parks, all chosen for safety, scenery and convenience. Premium members can view these options directly within each route.