Northumbrian Water Overnight Stopovers: Stay the Night by a Reservoir

A waterside walk, countryside views and somewhere to spend the night in your van — Northumbrian Water’s overnight parking options offer a great way to explore the North East at a slower pace.

Selected reservoir car parks welcome overnight visitors, giving campervan and motorhome travellers an alternative to a full campsite stay. From Northumberland to Teesdale and North Yorkshire, there are several locations to build into your next adventure.

You can find all the stops covered in this guide, along with their information, on The Campervan Bible app.

What is the scheme?

Northumbrian Water offers paid overnight parking at selected locations through its Waterside Parks operation.

These are short-stay parking options rather than serviced campsite pitches. They are best suited to self-contained campervans and motorhomes whose occupants can use their own onboard facilities.

The overnight options are separate from ordinary daytime parking. Buying an all-day parking ticket does not automatically give you permission to sleep overnight, and not every Northumbrian Water car park participates.

Where can you stay, and what does it cost?

The following overnight tickets are currently listed in Northumbrian Water’s official parking booking system:

Overnight location	Area	Overnight charge	Ticket hours
Balderhead Reservoir	Baldersdale, County Durham	£10	8pm–8am
Derwent Reservoir	County Durham/Northumberland border	£10	8pm–8am
Fontburn Reservoir	Northumberland, near Rothbury	£10	8pm–8am
Grassholme Reservoir	Teesdale, County Durham	£10	8pm–8am
Scaling Dam Reservoir	North Yorkshire	£10	8pm–8am
Tower Knowe	Kielder Water, Northumberland	£15	9pm–9am
Hawkhope	Kielder Water, Northumberland	£15	9pm–9am

These are the hours covered by the overnight ticket. If you want to arrive earlier or stay later to explore, check whether you also need daytime parking.

Use the authorised overnight area at each destination. A reservoir may have several car parks, so check with the site team rather than assuming you can stay in any of them.

How do you book?

You can buy overnight parking through the official Waterside Parks booking page.

Choose your destination and date, then select the overnight parking ticket. For Tower Knowe and Hawkhope, look under the Kielder booking options.

Keep your confirmation handy and follow any instructions about displaying your booking reference. Overnight ticket availability is limited, so check before travelling.

If you need help with the correct parking area, arrival arrangements or your vehicle’s suitability, contact the Waterside Parks team on 0333 321 6315 or leisurebookings@nwl.co.uk.

What facilities should you expect?

Arrive prepared for a stay using your own facilities. Carry enough fresh water, battery power and waste-storage capacity, and do not assume electric hook-up or a motorhome service point will be available.

Some destinations have public toilets, shops, refreshments or play areas. Derwent, for example, has a café, shop, toilets and walking and cycling opportunities. However, visitor facilities may close before your overnight ticket begins.

Check opening hours before relying on public toilets or other facilities overnight.

If you need showers, electric hook-up or somewhere to empty your toilet, a serviced campsite may be the better choice for that part of your trip.

Can you visit throughout the year?

Check the booking calendar and current site notices for your travel date. Seasonal hours, maintenance, events and weather can affect access.

This is particularly relevant for autumn and winter visits: Waterside Parks has announced earlier closing hours from 9 October 2026, while some individual parking listings still show longer daytime hours.

Confirm arrival and gate arrangements before setting off. The hours printed on an overnight ticket should not be treated as a guarantee that you can enter the car park at any time.

Enjoy a responsible waterside stay

A little consideration helps keep these places welcoming for everyone:

• Use the designated overnight area and keep access routes clear.

• Keep noise down and respect neighbouring visitors.

• Take your rubbish away and clean up after your dog.

• Use proper disposal points for toilet waste and wastewater.

• Keep your stay within the permission you have purchased.

• Check local rules before putting out awnings, chairs or other equipment.

• Follow site signs and any instructions from rangers.

Stay safe around the reservoirs

Reservoir views are part of the appeal, but the water is not an invitation for an impromptu swim.

Waterside Parks prohibits unauthorised swimming and water sports, including using inflatables. Reservoirs can contain hidden machinery, sudden changes in depth and dangerously cold water.

Enjoy the shoreline and approved activities, and keep children and dogs safely away from the water’s edge.

Find these stops — and more schemes — on The Campervan Bible app

Northumbrian Water’s overnight parking options are just one of many ways to find an authorised stop on your travels.

All the stops covered above and their information are listed on The Campervan Bible app, and there are more schemes like this listed on our map too — alongside pub stopovers, aires, permitted parking and campsites.

Whether you fancy a waterside escape, a forest stop or a welcoming pub for the night, your next adventure could be closer than you think.

Open The Campervan Bible app to find your next stop, or visit our website to get started.

Information checked on 13 October 2026. Charges, access arrangements and availability can change. Check the official booking details and on-site signs before staying.