Stay the Night in Kielder Forest: Forestry England’s Motorhome Stopovers

Forest walks, fresh air and a night beneath Northumberland’s dark skies — Kielder offers a memorable way to spend a night in your campervan or motorhome.

Forestry England allows overnight stays in designated Kielder Forest car parks, giving self-contained travellers a simple base for exploring the area without booking a full campsite pitch.

All the stops listed below, along with their information, are on The Campervan Bible app.

What is the scheme?

These are authorised overnight parking areas for campervans and motorhomes. You park in the permitted area, pay the overnight charge and follow the local conditions.

The emphasis is on a short stop using your own vehicle’s facilities. You should not expect a serviced campsite pitch or permission to set up an outdoor camping area.

Kielder’s overnight motorhome parking is available year-round, subject to local closures and conditions.

Is this the same as Forestry England’s summer trial?

Forestry England ran a wider campervan stopover trial from 16 July to 14 September 2026. That trial has finished, and Forestry England is reviewing feedback before announcing future plans.

Kielder’s year-round overnight parking remains available. Do not assume that the other forests involved in the summer trial are still offering car park stopovers.

This guide focuses on the Forestry England locations at Kielder.

Where can you stay?

The Forestry England stopovers covered by this guide are:

Location	Published payment arrangements
Kielder Castle	Card payment at the machine; Forestry England also lists RingGo for overnight parking
Elf Kirk	Cash or RingGo
Lower Skyspace	Cash or RingGo
Blakehopeburnhaugh	Telephone payment — follow the instructions on site

Use the designated overnight parking area and read the signs before settling in.

Lower Skyspace is not the Observatory’s own car park. If you are attending an Observatory event, check its parking and departure instructions separately.

How much does it cost?

The current overnight charge is £15 per motorhome, per night.

The charge also applies to Forestry England members and Kielder Water & Forest Park members. A membership does not include a free overnight stay.

Check the tariff board for the payment method and location code at your chosen car park.

Do you need to book?

No advance booking is required. Spaces are first come, first served, with payment made using the method available at that location.

Have a backup stop in mind in case the parking area is full or temporarily unavailable. Where telephone or app payment is needed, it is sensible to prepare before travelling into an area with limited reception.

When can you arrive, and how long can you stay?

At Kielder Castle, the published overnight arrangements allow arrival from 5pm, with departure by 10am.

Forestry England states a maximum continuous stay of two nights at Kielder. Check the local signs for the conditions and departure time at the other parking areas.

If you want to explore before or after your overnight stay, check daytime parking requirements too.

What facilities are available?

Kielder Castle has a hardstanding car park and 24-hour toilets, according to Forestry England.

However, overnight visitors must still use self-contained toilet facilities inside their vehicle. Do not rely on public facilities as a substitute for having your own onboard toilet.

For every location, plan to carry sufficient fresh water, battery power and space for your waste.

Do not assume that showers, electric hook-up, drinking-water filling points or waste-disposal facilities will be provided.

A campsite may be the better choice if you need services or want a longer stay.

What are the rules?

Follow the local conditions and help keep the forest welcoming:

• Use the designated parking area and keep gates, junctions and access routes clear.

• Do not park on verges.

• Take all rubbish, toilet waste and wastewater away for proper disposal.

• Do not light fires or use gas or charcoal barbecues.

• Use your vehicle’s internal facilities rather than setting up an outdoor campsite.

• Keep noise and external lighting low, especially at night.

• Keep dogs under control and remove their waste.

• Follow weather warnings, closure notices and instructions from forest staff.

The overnight parking arrangements do not permit tents, touring caravans or ordinary cars as alternatives to campervans and motorhomes.

Make the most of your forest stop

A short stay gives you time to enjoy the area without rushing straight home after a day out. Bring walking boots, warm layers and a torch, and plan your arrival while you can still see the approach clearly.

If stargazing is part of your visit, keep outside lights low and give your eyes time to adjust. Clear skies are never guaranteed, but a quiet evening in the forest can be a pleasure in its own right.

Check trail conditions, event arrangements and the forecast before travelling, particularly during autumn and winter.

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

Kielder’s Forestry England stopovers are just one of many ways to find an authorised place to stay on your travels.

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

Whether you are looking for forest surroundings, waterside views or a welcoming pub for the night, there is plenty more to discover.

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 and conditions can change. Always check current official information and on-site signs.