NOT UPDATED SINCE AUGUST 2024
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
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.
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.
cessed 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.
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).
Goldies on tour 