Campervan and Motorhome Stopovers in Nottinghamshire
Motorhome Touring in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire tends to get overlooked by motorhomers heading for the Peak District or the coast, and we think that's a missed trick. This is a county with more variety than people give it credit for. Sherwood Forest is the headline act, obviously, but there's also the Trent Valley with its riverside walks, the old mining towns finding new identities, and a city centre in Nottingham that's got genuine character. The road network is easy to navigate, sites are reasonably priced compared to the tourist hotspots, and you won't spend half your trip in traffic. It's not going to change your life, but it makes for a solid two or three-day stopover.
Top Stopovers & Campsites in Nottinghamshire
Sherwood Forest and the surrounding area have the highest concentration of motorhome-friendly sites. You'll find a mix of Caravan and Motorhome Club sites, independent parks, and a handful of CLs within easy reach of the forest trails. Most offer electric hookup, and the better ones have hardstanding pitches — useful given Nottinghamshire's clay soil, which turns slippery quickly after rain.
South of Nottingham, the Vale of Belvoir (pronounced "beaver," in case you're wondering) has a few farm CLs and pub stopovers that put you within striking distance of both the city and the rural south. The Trent Valley corridor has several parks that work well as overnight stops if you're passing through on the A1. Don't expect many wild camping options here — this is well-farmed, relatively flat country, and landowners keep a close eye on things.
Suggested Touring Routes in Nottinghamshire
Sherwood & the Dukeries (2 days, ~65 miles)
Start at Edwinstowe, the village next to Sherwood Forest visitor centre, where you'll find parking suitable for motorhomes during the day. Drive north through the Dukeries — the old ducal estates of Clumber Park (National Trust), Thoresby, and Welbeck. Clumber Park has a large car park that accepts motorhomes and makes a good lunch stop. Continue to Worksop, then loop back south along the A614 through Rufford Abbey Country Park. Roads throughout are A-road standard, wide and flat, with no issues for larger vehicles. Allow about 90 minutes of pure driving time across the two days.
Trent Valley & the South (2 days, ~70 miles)
From Nottingham, head east along the A612 following the River Trent towards Newark-on-Trent. Newark's market square is one of the finest in England, and there's parking near the castle. Continue south to the Vale of Belvoir and Belvoir Castle, then cut west through quiet lanes to Bingham and back towards Nottingham. The A46 and A52 are the main arterial roads here — both motorhome-friendly, though the A52 roundabouts near Nottingham can be busy during rush hour. South Nottinghamshire has gently rolling countryside and feels more rural than you'd expect given its proximity to the M1.
Pub stopover
Garnston Lock Nottingham Pub Pub stopover
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Martin's Arms Nottingham Pub Pub stopover
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
Square & Compass Pub Pub stopover
Newark, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Brownlow Arms Pub Pub stopover
Newark, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Moth & Lantern Pub Pub stopover
Retford, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Campsite
Hawton Waters Certified Location Campsite
Newark, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Campsite
Salterford Dam Certified Location Campsite
Calverton, Nottinghamshire, United KingdomThings to Do in Nottinghamshire
Sherwood Forest Country Park is the obvious starting point, and we'd say it's worth a morning rather than a full day. The Major Oak is impressive for its age (roughly 800 years), and the waymarked trails through the remaining ancient woodland are pleasant walking. Clumber Park offers longer walks and a good National Trust cafe, plus a walled kitchen garden that's surprisingly absorbing.
Nottingham itself has more to offer than Robin Hood references. The Lace Market area and the caves beneath the city are genuinely interesting, and the Castle Museum was recently refurbished. For motorhomers, the Park & Ride sites on the city outskirts are the easiest way in — driving a larger vehicle into the centre isn't fun. Newark's castle ruins and its regular antiques fairs draw visitors from well beyond the county.
If you're travelling with kids, the National Justice Museum in Nottingham lets you try on a prisoner's shackles (they find this hilarious, generally). Rufford Abbey Country Park has craft centre workshops and lakeside walks. The county isn't overloaded with big-ticket attractions, and that's fine — the appeal is in the quieter, cheaper days out that still leave you feeling like you've done something worthwhile.
Practical Information for Motorhomers in Nottinghamshire
Motorhome services are reasonably accessible along the main road corridors. Several touring parks near Sherwood Forest offer drive-through service points. The larger fuel stations on the A1 near Newark and on the A52/A46 near Nottingham handle bigger vehicles without trouble. In Nottingham city itself, stick to the ring road fuel stations — the inner-city ones have tight approaches.
Height barriers are common in city centre car parks (typically 2.0-2.1m), so plan your Nottingham visit using Park & Ride instead. Supermarket parking is generally fine at out-of-town stores along the A52 and A60 corridors. Water fill-up points exist at most campsites, and the motorhome dealer near Mansfield sometimes offers services to passing tourers. Grey water disposal is available at the larger touring parks. The county's road network is in decent shape, though some of the ex-mining town roads have seen better days.
FAQs: Motorhome Touring in Nottinghamshire
Can I park my motorhome overnight in Nottinghamshire?
Council car parks in Nottingham and the larger towns prohibit overnight stays. Your options are dedicated campsites, CLs, and pub stopovers through Britstops and similar networks. The Sherwood Forest area has the widest choice. Some laybys along the A1 corridor see overnight use, but we wouldn't recommend it for security or comfort reasons.
Are there motorhome service points in Nottinghamshire?
Several touring parks near Sherwood Forest and along the A1 corridor offer motorhome service facilities, some to non-residents for a fee. There isn't a widely publicised public service point in the county, so it's best to plan your stops around campsite facilities. The Caravan and Motorhome Club sites in the area have good service provision.
What is the best time to visit Nottinghamshire by motorhome?
May through September gives you the widest choice of open sites and the best weather for forest walks. The Robin Hood Festival in August draws crowds to Sherwood Forest — great fun, but book early. Autumn colours in Clumber Park and Sherwood are worth catching in October. Winter touring is possible but limited, with fewer sites open and shorter daylight hours.
Are the roads in Nottinghamshire suitable for large motorhomes?
Yes, mostly. The main roads (A1, A46, A52, A614) are all comfortable for larger vehicles. Urban areas around Nottingham have standard city constraints — narrow residential streets and low bridges to watch for. The rural lanes in the Dukeries and Vale of Belvoir are generally single-carriageway but well-surfaced and manageable. Sat-nav occasionally routes through villages with tight turns, so keep an eye on the road ahead.
Is Nottinghamshire good for a short motorhome break?
It's well-suited to a 2-3 night break. You can cover the main highlights — Sherwood Forest, one of the Dukeries estates, and either Nottingham or Newark — without feeling rushed. It also works well as a stopover if you're heading north or south on the A1. Don't expect week-long entertainment, but for a focused short break, it delivers.
Can I visit Nottingham city centre in a motorhome?
We wouldn't drive into the centre itself. Height barriers, bus lanes, and tight streets make it stressful. Use the Park & Ride services instead — there are sites at Queens Drive and the Forest Recreation Ground with tram links into the city. This is cheaper and far less hassle than trying to navigate the one-way system in a 3.5-tonne vehicle.
Nottinghamshire borders some excellent touring counties. Head west into the Peak District and Derbyshire, north to Lincolnshire, or south to Leicestershire. For the full picture, see our England motorhome touring guide.