Campervan and Motorhome Stopovers in Leicestershire
Motorhome Touring in Leicestershire
Leicestershire sits right in the middle of England, which means it's easy to reach from pretty much anywhere but rarely the destination itself. That's a shame, because there's more here than just a junction on the M1. The eastern half of the county rolls into the Vale of Belvoir and the gentle hills around Melton Mowbray, while the western side has Charnwood Forest — a patch of genuinely ancient landscape with rocky outcrops that feel out of place in the Midlands. We're not going to pretend it's the Highlands, but for a stopover or a quiet weekend, Leicestershire has enough to keep you interested without fighting for a pitch.
Top Stopovers & Campsites in Leicestershire
Charnwood Forest and the surrounding area offer the most appealing sites for motorhomers. There are several CLs and small independent parks within reach of the forest walks and Bradgate Park. These tend to be basic — a hardstanding pitch, hookup, and water — but the locations are good and prices are fair compared to the national parks.
The Melton Mowbray area has a smattering of farm-based sites that put you in reach of the town's famous food scene. South Leicestershire is thinner on the ground for motorhome sites, though the area around Market Harborough has a couple of options. Pub stopovers through Britstops are worth checking across the county — there's a reasonable selection, particularly in the rural east. One honest caveat: Leicestershire doesn't have the volume of sites you'll find in traditional touring counties, so booking ahead during summer weekends is wise.
Suggested Touring Routes in Leicestershire
Charnwood Forest & Bradgate (2 days, ~45 miles)
Base yourself near the edge of Charnwood Forest — there are sites within a few miles of the M1 junction 22 that work well. Spend a day at Bradgate Park (free entry, car park charges apply, spaces for larger vehicles in the Newtown Linford car park). The park's ruins of Lady Jane Grey's family home and the herds of wild deer make it one of the county's best days out. On day two, explore the forest villages — Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland — and the rocky outcrops at Beacon Hill Country Park. Roads through Charnwood are B-roads, generally fine for motorhomes under 7m, but some lanes are narrow with passing places.
Melton Mowbray & the Vale (2 days, ~55 miles)
Drive east from Leicester on the A607 to Melton Mowbray. This is pork pie and Stilton country — the town has a proper indoor market and the Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe is worth a stop regardless of whether you're a foodie. Continue east into the Vale of Belvoir, with its views up to Belvoir Castle. The lanes around Waltham-on-the-Wolds and Harby are quiet and scenic. Loop back through Oakham in neighbouring Rutland (worth a brief detour) and down through Tilton on the Hill. The A607 is motorhome-friendly throughout; the Vale lanes are narrower but manageable for vehicles up to 7m.
Pub stopover
The Greyhound Inn Pub Pub stopover
Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Vic Bikers Pub Pub stopover
Coalville, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
Old Thatched Inn Markfield Pub Pub stopover
Markfield, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Reservoir Inn Coalville Pub Pub stopover
Coalville, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Lancaster Arms Leicester Pub Pub stopover
Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The White Horse Pub Pub stopover
Leicester, Leicestershire, United KingdomThings to Do in Leicestershire
Bradgate Park is the county's outdoor highlight and it's genuinely good. 830 acres of open parkland, ancient oaks, and volcanic rock outcrops, with red and fallow deer roaming freely. Entry is free and it's well-maintained. Old John Tower at the summit gives you views across several counties on a clear day, and the walk up from the Newtown Linford entrance is about 40 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Leicester city has reinvented itself around the Richard III story — the visitor centre built over his burial site is well done and draws a solid crowd. The National Space Centre on the north side of the city is good with children (and honestly, without them too). For motorhomers, the Park & Ride at Meynells Gorse or Birstall is the sensible option rather than tackling the city centre.
Melton Mowbray's food heritage is the other main draw. The Tuesday market is the biggest, and the town takes its pork pie and cheese seriously — there's a genuine protected designation of origin for Melton Mowbray pork pies. If you're after walking, the Leicestershire Round long-distance path passes through some of the county's quieter corners. We should note that the county doesn't have dramatic landscape — if you're after mountains or coast, this isn't it — but for gentle countryside, food, and history, it delivers.
Practical Information for Motorhomers in Leicestershire
Dedicated motorhome service points are thin on the ground in Leicestershire. Most campsites offer basic facilities (water, waste, hookup), but there's no well-known public service point in the county. Plan to use campsite services when you're pitched up. Fuel stations are plentiful along the M1 corridor, the A46, and around Leicester. Out-of-town supermarkets (particularly the ones along the A6 north of Leicester) generally have motorhome-accessible parking.
Height barriers in Leicester city centre car parks are common — typically 2.0m — so don't try to park a motorhome there. The Fosse Park retail area south-west of Leicester has open car parks that can accommodate larger vehicles. Road-wise, the motorway network (M1, M69) and A-roads are all fine for any size of motorhome. Smaller lanes in Charnwood and the Vale of Belvoir need more care with vehicles over 7m. LPG refills are available at selected fuel stations along the A6 corridor.
FAQs: Motorhome Touring in Leicestershire
Can I park my motorhome overnight in Leicestershire?
Council car parks don't permit overnight stays. Campsites, CLs, and pub stopovers are your main options. Charnwood Forest and the Melton Mowbray area have the best selection. The county isn't overloaded with sites, so we'd recommend booking ahead for summer weekends rather than turning up and hoping for the best.
What is the best time to visit Leicestershire by motorhome?
April to October gives you the widest range of open sites and the best weather for exploring Bradgate Park and Charnwood. Melton Mowbray's food scene works year-round. Leicester city attractions are indoor-focused, so winter visits are viable if you have a site booked. The county doesn't get coastal weather extremes, but it can be cold and damp from November through March.
Are there motorhome service points in Leicestershire?
There's no widely publicised public motorhome service point in the county. Your best bet is to use campsite facilities while pitched. Some Caravan and Motorhome Club certified locations offer water and waste. If you're passing through on the motorway, the M1 services at Donington Park have standard facilities including water taps in the lorry parking area.
Is Leicestershire worth visiting for a motorhome trip?
For a dedicated week-long holiday, probably not — there isn't quite enough variety. But as a 2-3 night break or a stopover between other destinations, it's genuinely enjoyable. Bradgate Park, Melton Mowbray's food scene, and Leicester's history museums give you a solid itinerary. And the fact that it's not a tourist hotspot means you'll find quieter sites and emptier footpaths.
Can I visit Leicester city in a motorhome?
Use Park & Ride rather than driving into the centre. The Meynells Gorse and Birstall sites connect well to the city by bus. City centre car parks have height barriers (2.0m typical) and the road layout is complex. On-street parking for motorhomes is essentially non-existent. The Park & Ride runs frequently and costs a fraction of city parking.
Where can I buy local food in Leicestershire by motorhome?
Melton Mowbray is the centre of Leicestershire's food scene — the market (Tuesday, Saturday) and specialist shops sell pork pies, Stilton cheese, and local produce. Several farm shops across the county have motorhome-suitable parking, particularly along the A6 and A607 corridors. The Belvoir Brewery near Belvoir Castle also welcomes visitors.
Leicestershire connects easily to several other touring counties. The Peak District is just to the north-west, Nottinghamshire lies to the north-east, and Warwickshire is within easy reach to the south-west. See our England motorhome guide for more destinations.