The Complete Guide to Pub Stopovers in the UK (2026)

There’s a stretch of the A30 in Cornwall where the hedgerows press close to the road and the mobile signal drops to nothing. We pulled into a village pub car park one evening in 2019, not knowing what to expect, and ended up staying for one of the best nights we’ve had on the road. A log fire, a proper steak pie, two pints of Doom Bar, and a quiet spot next to a stream where we slept like the dead. Total cost: about twenty quid for dinner.

That’s the magic of pub stopovers. No booking fees, no pitch allocation, no barrier code. Just a handshake arrangement between you and a landlord who’s happy to have motorhomers in the car park, so long as you support the business.

If you’re new to motorhoming in the UK, pub stopovers are one of the best-kept secrets in the community. If you’ve been at it for years, you probably already have a mental list of favourite pubs. Either way, this guide covers absolutely everything you need to know.

What Exactly Is a Pub Stopover?

A pub stopover is an informal arrangement where a pub (or sometimes a farm shop, vineyard, or brewery) allows you to park your motorhome or campervan overnight in their car park. You’re not paying for a pitch. There’s no campsite licence involved. It’s a private arrangement between you and the business owner.

The deal is simple: you get a safe, flat place to sleep for the night. The pub gets your custom — a meal, a few drinks, or at minimum a friendly face at the bar. Some pubs formalise this with a small charge (typically £5-10), but many offer it entirely free on the understanding that you’ll eat or drink there.

This model has deep roots. It’s essentially the UK version of France Passion, which has been running on the continent since 1993, connecting motorhomers with vineyards, farms, and rural businesses. The British twist? Ours is centred around the pub — and honestly, that’s a better deal.

How Many Pub Stopovers Are There in the UK?

This is where things get interesting, because nobody has the definitive number — and we’ll explain why.

Campercation currently lists thousands of pub stopovers across the UK, making it one of the largest databases of motorhome-friendly pubs in the country. But the true number is much higher. Many pubs are happy to have motorhomers but have never listed themselves anywhere. They operate entirely on word of mouth. Ask in any motorhome forum and someone will say “oh, the Red Lion in [wherever] lets you stay — just call ahead.”

The Motorhome Stopover Club claims over 6,500 locations in their database, though that includes all types of stops, not just pubs. Brit Stops, probably the most well-known name in this space, lists over 1,200 locations including pubs, farm shops, vineyards, and breweries. Club Motorhome has been running county-by-county pub listings for years. And then there’s Campercation, which takes a different approach entirely: everything is free to browse, community-contributed, and doesn’t require a membership to access basic information.

The point is this: there are likely well over two thousand pubs across the UK that welcome motorhomers to some degree. You’re never as far from one as you think.

The Etiquette: Getting It Right

Pub stopovers survive because of good behaviour. The moment motorhomers start treating pub car parks like free campsites, the whole thing falls apart. Here’s the unwritten code that keeps it working:

Always phone ahead. This is rule number one. Even if a pub is listed on every app going, ring them first. Landlords change, policies change, and there might be a wedding reception filling the car park. A quick call takes two minutes and saves everyone grief.

Support the business. This isn’t optional in spirit, even if technically no one can force you to buy anything. The landlord is giving you a free place to sleep. The least you can do is eat there or have a few drinks. Budget at least what you’d spend on a basic campsite pitch — £15-20 on food and drinks isn’t unreasonable and it means the arrangement stays viable.

Arrive at a reasonable time. Late afternoon or early evening is ideal. Don’t rock up at midnight when the kitchen’s closed and the landlord has gone to bed. Equally, don’t arrive at 2pm and take up spaces that lunchtime customers need.

Keep it to one night. Unless you’ve specifically agreed otherwise with the landlord, pub stopovers are for a single overnight stay. Outstaying your welcome is the fastest way to get a pub to stop offering stopovers altogether.

Don’t set up camp. No awnings, no tables and chairs, no barbecues, no washing lines. You’re in a car park, not on a campsite. Keep your footprint to the vehicle itself.

Leave no trace. Take all rubbish with you. Never dump grey water in the car park. Don’t empty your chemical toilet in the pub’s drains — that’s for designated Chemical Disposal Points only. This one really matters. One bad experience with waste and a pub will ban motorhomers for good.

Be quiet after 10pm. Generators off, music off, voices down. You’re parked near someone’s home and business. Respect that.

Move on in the morning. Say thank you when you leave, ideally by popping your head in the door if anyone’s around. Don’t hang around until lunchtime.

How to Find Pub Stopovers

There are several ways to track down motorhome-friendly pubs, and most experienced motorhomers use a combination:

Campercation (Free)

Campercation operates on a community model where users add and review locations. You can browse the map, filter by type (pub stopover, wild camping, waste disposal, etc.), and read reviews from other motorhomers — all without paying a subscription. The trade-off is that because it’s community-driven, coverage can vary by region. But the database grows daily and the reviews tend to be honest and recent.

You can search pub stopovers by county, view them on an interactive map, and plan routes that link several together. If you’ve stayed somewhere good, you can add it for others to find. That’s the whole idea — motorhomers helping motorhomers.

Brit Stops (Paid Membership)

Brit Stops is the granddaddy of the UK pub stopover scene. Founded in 2010 and inspired by France Passion, it offers over 1,200 stopover locations (pubs, farm shops, vineyards, and others) for an annual membership fee. The original format was a printed book with a windscreen sticker; they’ve since added an app. Brit Stops was acquired by Harvest Hosts, the American equivalent, and now operates under that umbrella.

The advantage of Brit Stops is that every location has been vetted and agreed to participate. You know when you pull up that you’re expected and welcome. The disadvantage is the cost — you’re paying for information that, in many cases, was already publicly known.

Motorhome Stopover Club (Paid Membership)

The MSC has built up an impressive database of over 6,500 UK locations. Their model is similar to Brit Stops but typically includes more locations per county. They provide member reviews, facility filters, and a mobile app. Full membership gives you a windscreen disc that tells the landlord you’re a paying member of the scheme.

Club Motorhome / UK Pub Stopovers (Free/Paid Tiers)

Club Motorhome has been running pub stopover listings for years, organised by county. They offer free PDFs of locations to full members and have an active community forum. It’s very much a no-frills operation but the information is solid.

Word of Mouth

Never underestimate asking in person. Motorhome forums (MotorhomeFun, Motorhome Facts), Facebook groups (Campervan Overnight Parking has over 124,000 members), and simply chatting to other motorhomers at service stops will turn up pubs that aren’t listed anywhere.

The Comparison

Here’s an honest look at how the main services stack up:

	Campercation	Brit Stops	MSC	Club Motorhome
Cost	Free	~£35/year	~£30/year	Free (basic) / Paid (full)
Locations	Thousands (community-added)	1,200+ (vetted)	6,500+ (database)	Hundreds (county PDFs)
App	Web-based with map	App + book	App + web	Web-based
Reviews	Community reviews	Member reviews	Member reviews	Forum comments
Types	Pubs, wild camping, waste disposal, campsites	Pubs, farms, vineyards	Pubs, farms, various	Pubs and businesses
Coverage	UK + International	UK + Ireland	UK	UK

None of these services is perfect. The best approach is to use two or three in combination and always, always phone ahead regardless of what any app tells you.

County-by-County Overview

The availability of pub stopovers varies enormously across the UK. Here’s a rough guide to what you can expect region by region:

South West England

Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset are the heartland of motorhome touring in England, and pub stopovers reflect that. Cornwall alone has dozens of motorhome-friendly pubs, many clustered around the coast. Devon’s country pubs tend to have large car parks and a genuine welcome for touring vehicles. Somerset’s cider-country pubs are particularly good — several farm shops and orchards also offer overnight parking.

The challenge down here is narrow lanes. Some of the best pubs are down single-track roads that will test your reversing skills. Check vehicle length limits before you commit.

South East England

Kent, Sussex, and Surrey have a reasonable number of pub stopovers, though competition for spaces can be fierce in summer — this is the busiest motorhome touring area due to proximity to London and the Channel ports. Hampshire has some excellent rural pubs. The New Forest area is tricky as overnight parking is heavily restricted on forestry land.

East Anglia

Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire are underrated for pub stopovers. Flat terrain, big pub car parks, and a relaxed attitude to motorhomers make this region a good bet. Norfolk in particular has a strong tradition of pub culture and plenty of space. The Broads area has some lovely waterside pubs that welcome motorhomes.

The Midlands

Both West and East Midlands have a solid spread of pub stopovers, though they tend to be more rural. Warwickshire, Shropshire, and Herefordshire are standout counties. The Cotswolds have some stunning pub stopovers but spaces are limited and you’ll want to book ahead in peak season.

North West England

Lancashire and Cumbria are well served. The Lake District itself is heavily restricted for overnight parking (National Park bylaws), but the pubs and villages surrounding it are often welcoming. Cheshire has some good options along the canal network.

North East England

Yorkshire (all three ridings), Northumberland, and County Durham offer some of the best pub stopovers in the country. The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales have pubs with spectacular settings and big car parks. Northumberland is particularly good — lower tourist density means pubs are genuinely pleased to see motorhomers.

Wales

Wales has embraced the motorhome stopover concept well. Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Snowdonia all have good options. Some Welsh pubs have invested in basic facilities for motorhomers, including water taps and even electric hookups. The Brecon Beacons area is excellent for combining pub stopovers with hillwalking.

Scotland

Scotland’s motorhome situation is different from England and Wales. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives broader access rights, and the culture is generally more welcoming to touring vehicles. That said, some areas (particularly the North Coast 500 route) have become so popular that tensions with local communities have increased. Scottish pubs tend to be more spread out, so planning matters more. The Highlands, Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway all have good pub stopovers.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is still developing its pub stopover scene but has some lovely options, particularly in rural areas. Brit Stops includes Irish stops in their membership, which covers both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Facilities: What to Expect (and What Not to)

Let’s be clear about something: a pub stopover is not a campsite. You should expect:

• A flat(ish) car park surface
• Proximity to a pub where you can eat and drink
• Relative safety and quiet overnight

You should not expect:

• Electric hookup (some pubs offer this, but it’s a bonus, not a given)
• Water tap access (again, some do, but ask first)
• Waste disposal facilities (very rarely available at pubs)
• Showers or toilet access after closing time

This is why pub stopovers work best for self-contained vehicles. If you’ve got your own water, toilet, and power, you’re sorted. If you’re relying on external facilities, you’ll need to plan campsite stops in between.

When to Go

Pub stopovers are available year-round, but there are seasonal considerations:

Spring (March-May): Excellent. Quieter roads, pubs happy to see custom after the winter lull, and pleasant temperatures for sleeping in the van. Many landlords are more flexible about stays during this period.

Summer (June-August): The busiest time. Popular pub stopovers can be full, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Book ahead or have backup options. Beer gardens are at their best, so the experience is great if you can bag a spot.

Autumn (September-November): Arguably the sweet spot. Warm enough to be comfortable, quiet enough to get spaces, and pubs serving hearty food with fires lit. The countryside looks spectacular.

Winter (December-February): Many pubs are still happy to have you, but some reduce their operating hours or close certain days. Check opening times carefully. The upside is you’ll often have the car park to yourself and a warm welcome inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a member of anything to use pub stopovers?

No. Pub stopovers exist independently of any membership scheme. Brit Stops, MSC, and similar services are directories — they don’t control whether a pub allows motorhomers. You can always approach a pub directly and ask if you can stay overnight. Many pubs listed nowhere are perfectly happy to say yes.

Can I stay in a campervan or does it have to be a motorhome?

Most pubs don’t distinguish between motorhomes and campervans. Some Brit Stops locations specify “motor caravans” only (no converted vans or tents), but individual pubs making their own arrangements usually don’t mind either way.

What about caravans?

This is less clear. Car parks are generally less suitable for caravans due to manoeuvring space, and many formal schemes exclude them. It’s always worth asking, but expect more reluctance.

Do I have to eat at the pub?

Technically, no one can force you to. Practically, it’s part of the deal. If you park in a pub car park and eat your own food in your van, you’re taking advantage. The arrangement only works because motorhomers bring custom.

What if I don’t drink alcohol?

Absolutely fine. Most pubs serve food, soft drinks, coffee. You don’t need to drink beer. Many motorhomers have a meal without any alcohol at all, especially if they’ve driven a distance. Pubs are businesses — they’re happy with any custom.

Is it safe?

Generally, yes. You’re parked at a business premises, usually in a well-lit area, often in a village where people know each other. It’s considerably safer than a random lay-by. That said, use common sense — lock your vehicle, don’t leave valuables visible, and trust your instincts. If a car park feels wrong, move on.

What about dogs?

Most pubs are fine with dogs in the car park (i.e., in your vehicle). Whether they’re allowed inside the pub varies — check before you order. Many country pubs are very dog-friendly with water bowls outside and treats behind the bar.

Can I arrive on a weekend?

Yes, but weekends (especially summer Saturday nights) are the busiest times for pub car parks. Calling ahead is even more important on weekends. Some pubs specifically prefer weekday visitors when they’re quieter.

What happens if the pub is closed when I arrive?

If you’ve phoned ahead and they know you’re coming, arriving after the kitchen closes is usually fine — the landlord will expect you in the morning. If you haven’t called ahead and the pub is shut, don’t just park up. Find somewhere else or try calling for the next day.

Do I need any specific equipment or accessories?

A portable waste water container is useful for grey water if you don’t have an underslung tank. Levelling blocks help on sloped car parks. A torch for finding your way back to the van after a few pints. And a sense of humour, because the car park won’t always be level, quiet, or attractive — but the experience makes up for it.

Where can I find pub stopovers near me right now?

Campercation’s interactive map at campercation.com is the quickest way to see what’s near your current location. Filter by “pub stopovers” and you’ll see every community-submitted option in your area, complete with reviews and directions.

The Future of Pub Stopovers

The pub stopover model faces some headwinds. The pub industry itself is under pressure — an average of one pub per day has been closing in the UK over recent years. Planning regulations around overnight parking are tightening in some areas. And the sheer growth of motorhome ownership (over a million leisure vehicles on UK roads) means more demand on the same number of stops.

But there are reasons for optimism too. Pubs that embrace motorhomers often find it a reliable source of mid-week income. Several local authorities are starting to create official “aires” — dedicated motorhome overnight parking, inspired by the French model. And the community of motorhomers policing their own behaviour through reviews and feedback means standards are, on balance, improving.

The best thing you can do to keep pub stopovers thriving? Use them well. Support the pub. Leave no trace. Share your experiences (good and bad) on platforms like Campercation so others know what to expect. And when you find a great one, go back.