Motorhome Stopovers &
Overnight Parking
Legal council-authorised overnight parking across Cornwall, Devon and the South West. Practical intelligence for touring motorhomes.
Coverage
South West England
Parking Type
Council & operator approved
Not Included
Campsites or wild camping
Verified by
3moors editorial team
About This Guide
Trusted overnight stops for touring motorhomes
These are not campsites. This guide covers locations where local councils, market operators and land managers actively permit short overnight motorhome stays — often at lower cost, with easier access, and without the formality of a full campsite booking.
For touring visitors exploring Cornwall, Devon and the moors, these stopovers offer a practical middle ground: a legal, convenient overnight base that lets you move freely through the region without scrambling for campsite availability.
Each guide includes road access notes, vehicle suitability, pricing, restrictions and touring connections — the practical intelligence that matters most for motorhome travellers.
What this guide covers
- Council-authorised overnight stops
- Market and operator-approved sites
- Road access intelligence
- Vehicle suitability ratings
- Pricing and restrictions
Not included
- Wild camping or lay-by stops
- Unofficial or unapproved sites
- Campsite listings
- Private land without permission
Browse by County
Cornwall
2 stopovers
Devon
6 stopovers
Somerset
Coming soon
Dorset
Coming soon
Wiltshire
Coming soon
Gloucestershire
Coming soon
Map — All Verified Stopovers
Map & data notes
This map shows council-authorised and operator-authorised overnight motorhome stopovers where 3moors has recorded source information. Always check local signage and official council pages before arrival, as tariffs, bay availability and overnight rules can change.
Pins are based on published car park locations. Some sites may have vehicle-length, weight, height-barrier or self-contained vehicle restrictions.
8 Verified Stopovers — South West England
Council Source CheckedNorth Walk Car Park, Barnstaple
Council-authorised overnight motorhome parking close to Barnstaple town centre.
View guide
Council AuthorisedSt Ives — Trenwith Car Park
Official overnight motorhome parking near St Ives harbour and beaches.
View guide
Editorially VerifiedLaunceston — Cattle Market
A practical inland overnight stop for Cornwall touring routes.
View guide
Council Source CheckedHillsborough Car Park, Ilfracombe
Council-managed overnight motorhome stopover with EV charging above Ilfracombe harbour.
View guide
Council Source CheckedBottom Meadow Car Park, Lynton
Large council-managed car park with dedicated motorhome bays, near Lynmouth and the Exmoor coast.
View guide
Council ApprovedLongmarsh Car Park, Totnes
Riverside council-approved overnight stop within easy walking distance of Totnes town centre and the River Dart.
View guide
Council ApprovedPoundwell Meadow, Modbury
Peaceful South Hams overnight stop close to Modbury, with easy access to Bigbury-on-Sea, Bantham and the South Devon coast.
View guide
Council ApprovedLeonard's Road Car Park, Ivybridge
Council-approved overnight stop on the edge of Dartmoor, ideal for exploring southern moorland and the South Hams.
View guide
Devon Guidance
Devon motorhome overnight guidance
Devon County Council encourages motorhome visitors to use official campsites wherever possible. Where that is not practical, visitors are advised to look for overnight opportunities provided by district, borough and city councils, rather than parking overnight at the roadside.
A motorhome is treated as a vehicle adapted for mobile living accommodation, with permanently installed facilities reasonably necessary for passengers to live in it while travelling.
If staying overnight on the highway
Devon asks motorhome users to:
- Obey all local parking restrictions
- Avoid areas where overnight motorhome restrictions apply
- Keep noise low and be considerate to residents
- Never dispose of waste into highway drains
- Avoid placing chairs, tables, barbeques or equipment on the road, pavement or neighbouring spaces
- Park wholly within the marked bay
- Avoid overhanging pavements or using ramps on the highway or footway
Known Devon restrictions
Motorhomes are restricted in some locations, including:
Exmouth, Queens Drive
Motor caravans prohibited at any time
Exmouth, Imperial Road, Maer Road & Queens Drive Eastern Spur
Motor caravans prohibited from 8pm to 8am
Dartmouth, North Embankment & South Embankment
Motor caravans prohibited from 6pm to 9am
For 3moors readers, the safest approach is simple: use official campsites first, council-approved overnight stopovers second, and roadside overnight parking only where lawful, considerate and clearly permitted.
Responsible Touring
Using overnight stops responsibly
Self-contained only
Use your own toilet and facilities. Grey water discharge on site is prohibited at most locations.
No external camping
Awnings, chairs and outdoor cooking setups are not appropriate at overnight parking locations.
Respect quiet hours
Most council schemes operate between 11pm and 8am. Arrive and settle in before quiet hours.
Follow local signage
Signs on site are authoritative. Pay for parking as required and observe any notice of changes.
Why this matters: Council-authorised overnight stops exist because local authorities see responsible motorhome touring as a positive economic and cultural contribution. Sites that attract complaints about anti-social behaviour, littering or grey water discharge risk losing their overnight permission entirely. Good behaviour protects these stops for everyone.