Overnight motorhome parking in car parks
Some councils allow overnight parking in some of their car parks. We have stayed at Riverside car park in Bideford which is large and quiet, with the estuary on one side and the park on the other.
Here are the links:
South Hams: https://www.southhams.gov.uk/motorhomes
Torridge: https://torridge.gov.uk/article/20348/Overnight-parking-for-motorhomes-and-campervans
Black Rock, Widemouth Bay, Bude, EX23 0AG
An off grid field next to the Black Rock cafe and car park currently (April 2022) costing £20 a night (35 pitches). Right above the beach and with 24 hour toilets next to the dog friendly cafe. Water, toilet emptying point and rubbish disposal. The site cannot be booked but as units who are not staying longer have to leave by 11 am, you stand a good chance of a pitch if you arrive around 11. Fabulous to be able to just take the path straight down and on to the beach. This field is due to be redeveloped for holiday cabins.
Brixham – Hillhead Caravan club site, TQ5 0HH
Caravan and Motorhome Club
A fairly large site with 243 pitches and lovely views over Torbay. There is a large enclosed dog field and the site has a bar and restaurant, playground and shop. We visited first in November 2020 when the site was quiet and the restaurant, shop and bar were closed. Our second visit was in August 2021 when the site was fully booked and all the facilities open. Even full, the site wasn’t noisy and the site has some nice little sections shielded by hedges which makes it feel more intimate despite it being a large site.
Our third visit was in March 2022 and the bar and restaurant was open from Wednesdays onwards. We had dinner in the conservatory which is dog friendly.
Bude EX23 0BG
Camping and Caravan Club
Nice site and close to two dog friendly beaches (Bude and Widemouth bay) but small unenclosed dog walk. The site is also close to the A39 so for a reasonable walk you will need to go off site.
Devon Banks at Kispcombe camp site, Bratton Fleming, EX31 4TN
https://www.kipscombeholidays.co.uk/
A brilliant adult only small campsite with enclosed dog field plus a separate secure dog field to hire for reactive dogs and agility area which can be hired if you are experienced or you can pay for a lesson (well worth it).
There is only a compost toilet and no showers so you need to be fairly self sufficient – there is water, waste water disposal and chemical toilet disposal facilities however.
The dog field is brilliant with the centre grass kept long and there is also a little brook you can walk down to. Stunning scenery and plenty of walks from the site.
We spent 3 days here and didn’t go off site – just relaxed, did some training and had an agility lesson.
Drewsteignton – Woodland Springs Touring Park, EX6 6PG
This is an adult only Holiday park and we had booked for 2 nights but only stayed about 3 hours. The review is quite detailed:
The site itself is beautifully kept with a lovely dog walk with some agility equipment and balls provided. The toilets and showers were very clean.
We visited along with a friend and between us we have 4 Golden retrievers. Once we had set up the windbreaks to create an enclosed garden, I briefly showed our friend a new piece of equipment in our motorhome and my two dogs showed their disapproval by barking.
We then went back and sat in our garden and relaxed, the dogs having settled down in the shade.
The lady owner then asked to speak to one of us privately and said that she had heard the dogs barking from her office and that they did not tolerate barking. She repeated that they would not tolerate barking at least another two times and said she didn’t want us to feel uncomfortable and she knew we would do our best to keep them quiet. This left my friend feeling very uncomfortable as although our dogs are generally good, we cannot guarantee that they will not bark again, especially when they are excited in the dog field.
As soon as our friend told us about the conversation, we agreed that this also left us feeling awkward and uncomfortable and none of us felt that we wanted to stay for our planned 2 nights.
I went up to the office to explain this and the owner said that on this occasion she would give us a full refund.
I felt that she was quite aggressive – arguing about what she had said and that if that was what my friend was saying she should have come up with me. When I pointed out that there were other dogs barking, she said that I didn’t know if she had spoken to them as well and that she was not going to be bullied by her customers. She said that she was full that weekend and she didn’t want complaints which I appreciate, but we had only been there a couple of hours and when she came to talk to us our dogs had settled and were quiet.
We packed up and left, having been on the site less than 3 hours.
I think that if you had no problems and she had no reason to speak to you, you would have a lovely time at the site, but if she felt that she needed to speak to you, you would feel quite differently about the experience.
The promised refund has been processed and credited to us.
Exmouth – Maer Road car park EX8 2DA
Overnight parking of Motorhomes is allowed in Maer Road car park at a cost of £11 for 24 hours (You can park overnight on Queens Drive if your Campervan is 5.3M long or less)
The car park is close to the beach and if you cut through Foxholes car park it’s about 1/2 mile walk to the part of the beach which is dog friendly in the summer (last 2 groynes and around the headland). The Covid testing centre has now gone and in it’s place are more motorhome pitches backing on to grass. Actually a pretty good environment for a car park with enough grass for late night wees and a larger grassy area across the road. Watch out for: Car park barrier is closed at 7pm so you need to be parked up before then.
Lynton EX35 6JS
Camping and Caravan Club
Although there’s no dog walk on the site, the road outside which heads over the hill to Lynton is unsuitable for motor vehicles and so good for walking dogs off the lead as you are unlikely to meet anyone other than the occasional walker or cyclist.
Newton Abbot – Dornafield Caravan and Motorhome club site, TQ12 6DD
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/devon-and-cornwall/devon/dornafield-club-campsite/
Beautiful, peaceful campsite conveniently located for Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. Surprisingly quiet on a bank holiday weekend. There are two enclosed dog walks and children’s play areas although one was closed when we were there for tree felling. Very friendly and helpful staff, lovely clean toilets and showers.
Roadford Lake, Lifton, PL16 0JL
South West Lakes Trust
Small site with 62 pitches – mixture of grass and hardstanding with and without electricity. Next to the activity centre.
Peaceful site and good walks, but like all South West Water lakes, dogs should be kept on a lead and out of the water – this is not only because they are working reservoirs but also because of the risk of blue/green algae which is toxic to dogs. There is a small enclosed dog field on the other side of the lake where the cafe is.
Siblyback Lake, Liskeard, PL14 6ER
South West lakes Trust
https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/siblyback-campsite
Small site with 13 pitches – mixture of hardstanding, grass, electric and no electric. Next to the activity centre with a cafe nearby.
Quiet in the evening although it is clearly popular with dog walkers and runners even quite early in the morning.
Like all South West Water lakes, dogs should be kept on a lead and out of the water – this is not only because they are working reservoirs but also because of the risk of blue/green algae which is toxic to dogs. However, there is an good sized enclosed dog field with a bench in it a few hundred yards from the camp site where you can let them off.
In June 2022 we had a camping weekend with most of the other dogs from Jenna’s litter. The dog field was a brilliant resource as we could let them off the lead. The toilet block, which serves the activity centre as well has a large foyer and as the evenings were quite chilly, after dinner we all moved in there for the rest of the evening.
Slapton Sands TQ7 2QW
Camping and Caravan Club
Although the dog walk on the site is fairly small (useful for last visit at night) Slapton Sands beach is only 1/2 mile away along a not too busy road.
South Milton Sands – Cool Cow Camping, Kingsbridge, TQ7 3JY
https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/campsites-in-devon/kingsbridge/cool-cow-camping
A small campsite 1/2 mile from the beach all grass with no electric hookup. Compost toilets and showers and for 2022 a washing up station.
Access is quite tight but the location is superb
South Molton – Riverside Caravan Park, EX36 3HQ
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park & Country Club
Lovely Caravan park with good facilities including a dog friendly restaurant and bar on site. Although the menu is a fairly simple one – burgers, curry, lasagna, ham egg and chips etc it was exceptionally well cooked. The dog area is partially enclosed but is not secure. There is a river running through the site which the dogs loved.
We visited in May when it was relatively quiet and in some ways this was deceptive because the grass area leading down to and on the other side of the river made it look very spacious but in fact there are pitches here which I expect would be full in summer.
We visited again for Chris’ 74th birthday and were joined by more of the Super Seven (Jenna’s family).
Recommendation from Dave:
Poole Park certificated location, Launceston, PL15 9SX
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/cornwall/launceston/poole-farm/
Enclosed dog area with a deep pond. Fabulous food provided by Louise.
Goldies on tour 