Parking Styles Explained
Finding a safe place to park for the night can have many pitfalls, we've compiled a guide to help you distinguish between different parking areas to allow you to pick a great park-up and sleep soundly without worrying.
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Permitted Parking
Permitted parking areas are car parks that allow campervans and motorhomes to stay over in designated spaces, generally for a fee, however there are some free permitted parking locations throughout the UK and Europe.
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These car parks are mainly provided by local authorities and councils although there are a number of private companies offering dedicated motorhome/campervan parking bays.
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Using permitted parking locations allows you to sleep soundly knowing you won't be woken by a traffic warden or receive a parking fine.
24HR Parking
24 Hour parking locations are your standard car parks that do not specifically exclude the ability to stay over for the night.
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This is a grey area and there is the possibility of being moved on or even receiving a parking ticket.
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To minimise the risk of any issues it is advised that if your vehicle takes up more than one space you should buy two parking tickets, one for each space you occupy.
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Check any signs carefully upon arrival to ensure there are no overnight parking restrictions.
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Roadside Parking
Roadside parking spots are often used as a stop-gap to break up long journeys or for an overnight "arrive late, leave early" stop.
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Many of these stops are laybys or roadside parking bays, road noise can be an issue at some roadside locations and may not suit some light sleepers.
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As with all parking spots, ensure that there are no overnight restrictions by reading any signs carefully when you arrive.
Daytime Parking
Our map includes daytime parking spots; you can not stay overnight at these locations, but they can be used for visiting nearby towns or cities.
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Many daytime parking locations have designated parking bays for motorhomes and campervans and most are close to good transport links.
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What to know before you go?
Here's a few things to know before you go...
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CHECK SERVICES AND PLAN AHEAD - If you are not fully self sufficient on board and require services such as toilets, electricity or waste disposal check if the venue offers the service before travelling so you can plan ahead.
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LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) - Always remember to leave no trace when you depart from parking locations, this includes disposing of grey and black waste responsibly at designated locations only, take only memories and leave only tyre tracks. ​
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NO CAMPING BEHAVIOUR - Do not exhibit camping behaviour at parking spots, this includes using awnings, BBQ's, outdoor cookers, camping chairs/furniture , fire pits or other camping equipment. Behaving in this manner will harm the vanlife community image and will ultimately lead to the closure of parking spaces that are abused in this way.