Campervan and Motorhome Stopovers in Wiltshire
Motorhome Touring in Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a county steeped in history and wide open spaces, making it one of the most rewarding destinations in England for motorhome touring. This is the land of Stonehenge and Avebury, of Salisbury's soaring cathedral spire and the vast expanse of Salisbury Plain. But beyond the famous landmarks, Wiltshire offers rolling chalk downland, hidden valleys, honey-coloured villages, and some of the quietest roads in southern England. For motorhomers, the appeal is clear — big skies, uncrowded campsites, and a county that still feels genuinely undiscovered compared to its more popular neighbours.
Top Stopovers & Campsites in Wiltshire
The area around Salisbury and the Woodford Valley has several well-established campsites with full facilities, ideally placed for visiting Stonehenge and the cathedral city. Most offer hardstanding pitches, electric hookup, fresh water, and waste disposal, and many stay open year-round.
In the north of the county, the Marlborough Downs and the area around Avebury offer quieter CL and CS pitches on farmland, often with panoramic views across the downs. These tend to be simpler affairs — a flat pitch, a water tap, and not much else — but the setting more than compensates.
The Kennet and Avon Canal corridor between Devizes and Bradford-on-Avon is popular with motorhomers who enjoy canalside walks. Several pubs and farms along this stretch welcome overnight visitors through stopover schemes, combining a meal with a peaceful night by the water.
For those exploring the western edge of the county, the area around Longleat and Warminster has good campsite options within easy reach of both Longleat Safari Park and the beautiful Wylye Valley.
Suggested Touring Routes in Wiltshire
The Ancient Wiltshire Trail (3 days)
Start at Avebury, where you can park near the village and walk among the stone circle free of charge. Head south on the A4361 through Beckhampton and across the Marlborough Downs to Devizes, a market town with an impressive flight of canal locks. Continue south on the A360 to Stonehenge — the visitor centre has a large car park that accommodates motorhomes. From Stonehenge, drop south to Salisbury via the A345, taking in Old Sarum on the way. Approximately 50 miles with good A-road driving throughout, suitable for all motorhome sizes.
The Wylye Valley and Longleat (2 days)
Begin in Warminster and head south-east along the B3414 through the Wylye Valley, one of Wiltshire's most beautiful chalk stream valleys. Stop in the villages of Codford and Heytesbury, both with good walking along the river. Continue east to Wilton, home to Wilton House and its famous Palladian bridge. Longleat Safari Park is a short diversion north from Warminster and has extensive motorhome-friendly parking. The roads on this route are all B-roads and well suited to larger vehicles. Approximately 35 miles.
North Wiltshire Villages (2 days)
From Chippenham, take the A420 west to Castle Combe — regularly voted the prettiest village in England, though parking for motorhomes requires the larger car park at the top of the village. Head south to Corsham (Box tunnel fame and beautiful high street) then on to Lacock, where the entire village is owned by the National Trust and looks like a film set — because it is. Continue to Bradford-on-Avon via the B3109, a stunning small town with a Saxon church and tithe barn. Approximately 25 miles, but allow two days to explore properly. Some lanes around Castle Combe are tight for larger vehicles.
Overnight parking
Stonehenge Drove Road Overnight parking
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Crown Inn Pub stopover
Devizes, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Crown Inn Pub stopover
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Swan Stoford Pub stopover
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
Rainbow On The Lake Pub stopover
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Bell Inn Pub stopover
Warminster, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Red Lion Heytesbury Pub stopover
Warminster, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Wellesley Arms Pub stopover
Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Mallard Inn Pub stopover
Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Royal Wooton Bassett Pub stopover
Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Crown at Broad Hinton Pub stopover
Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Winterbourne Pub stopover
Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The New Inn and Elderbrook House Pub stopover
Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Wellesley Arms Pub stopover
Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Stonehenge Inn Pub stopover
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Crown Inn Cholderton Pub stopover
Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Wheatsheaf Pub stopover
Hungerford, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Pelican Pub stopover
Marlborough, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Red Bull Inn Pub stopover
Malmesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pub stopover
The Volunteer Inn Pub stopover
Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Campsite
Toplands Farm Certified Location Campsite
Slaughterford, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Campsite
Thoulstone Park Certified Location Campsite
Thoulstone, Wiltshire, United KingdomThings to Do in Wiltshire
Stonehenge and Avebury are the obvious headline attractions, and both deserve a visit. Stonehenge is managed by English Heritage with timed entry tickets, while Avebury is free to access and arguably more atmospheric — you can walk among the stones and through the village at any time. The Alexander Keiller Museum in Avebury provides excellent context for the prehistoric landscape.
Salisbury Cathedral is a masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture and houses one of the four surviving copies of Magna Carta. The cathedral close is the largest in England and makes for a lovely stroll. Wilton House, Longleat, and Stourhead (just over the border in Somerset but easily reached from Wiltshire) offer grand house and garden experiences.
Walking is excellent across Wiltshire, with the Ridgeway National Trail crossing the north of the county and the Wiltshire stretches of the Wessex Ridgeway and White Horse Trail offering quieter alternatives. The county's famous white horses — carved into the chalk hillsides — can be spotted from several viewpoints along the downs.
The Kennet and Avon Canal offers flat, easy towpath walking and cycling between Devizes and Bradford-on-Avon, with plenty of pubs along the way. Devizes itself has a lively market on Thursdays and an excellent museum of Wiltshire history.
Practical Information for Motorhomers in Wiltshire
Waste disposal points are available at most campsites across Wiltshire, and some service areas along the M4 corridor offer motorhome facilities. The larger fuel stations at Chippenham, Warminster, and Salisbury can all accommodate bigger vehicles without difficulty.
Height barriers are present in some town centre car parks in Salisbury and Devizes. Salisbury's central car parks are mostly unsuitable for motorhomes, but the Park and Ride services at Beehive, Britford, and London Road all accept larger vehicles and run frequent buses into the city centre. Devizes has surface car parks near the canal wharf that generally have no height restrictions.
Salisbury Plain is partly Ministry of Defence land with restricted access. Stick to marked public roads and rights of way — red flags flying mean live firing is in progress and certain areas are closed. The A303 and A36 are the main trunk roads and can get congested, particularly the A303 near Stonehenge during summer weekends.
FAQs: Motorhome Touring in Wiltshire
Can I park my motorhome near Stonehenge?
The Stonehenge visitor centre car park accommodates motorhomes and charges a parking fee on top of entry tickets. There is no overnight parking. Several campsites within 10 miles of Stonehenge offer convenient overnight stays for visiting the monument.
Are there motorhome service points in Wiltshire?
Yes, several campsites across Wiltshire offer fresh water and waste disposal, some available to non-residents for a fee. Service areas along the M4 at Leigh Delamere and on the A303 also have motorhome facilities. Check availability before your visit.
What is the best time to visit Wiltshire by motorhome?
April to June and September are ideal, offering warm weather and manageable visitor numbers. The summer solstice at Stonehenge (21 June) attracts large crowds. Autumn brings beautiful colours across the Wylye Valley and Savernake Forest. Many sites stay open year-round.
Are the roads in Wiltshire suitable for large motorhomes?
Main routes including the M4, A303, A36, A4, and A346 are all fine for any size of motorhome. Some village lanes, particularly around Castle Combe, Lacock, and the Pewsey Vale, can be narrow. Stick to A-roads and B-roads if your vehicle is over 7 metres.
Can I visit Avebury stone circle in a motorhome?
Yes, the National Trust car park at Avebury can accommodate motorhomes. Parking charges apply. The stone circle itself is free to access at any time. The car park can fill up by mid-morning in summer, so arrive early or visit in the late afternoon.
Is wild camping allowed in Wiltshire?
Wild camping without the landowner's permission is not legal in England, including Wiltshire. Parts of Salisbury Plain are MoD land with strictly enforced access restrictions. Use official campsites, CLs, CSs, or pub and farm stopovers for overnight stays.
Continue exploring motorhome destinations across England, or discover what neighbouring counties have to offer. More England destinations | Hampshire | Dorset | Gloucestershire