How do you fancy a free night stopover in your motorhome or campervan, right next to a pub, at a vineyard, or at a llama park? I’ve done all these with Brit Stops.
What are Brit Stops? Hundreds of places to park your motorhome or campervan overnight across the United Kingdom for minimal or no cost. All are unique and can be as small as just a single van.
Finding a place to stay overnight that isn’t wild camping or a lay-by, but isn’t a formal campsite is what Brit Stops are all about. I have used several in the past year and each was a great place to stop for a night.
How Does Brit Stops for Motorhomes Work?
Brit Stops is a membership organisation which produces an annual printed directory with over 900 different places to stop overnight in a motorhome or camper van. All are free to stay, but the general expectation is that you will spend some money at the location.
A significant number of the Brit Stop locations are in pub car parks and you would generally either buy drinks in the bar during the evening or, more likely, enjoy an evening meal.
Each location is very different and the facilities are quite limited. The maximum number of vans is usually five, although many locations may only be one or two vans.
The book gives the address, postcode some brief directions (in English, French, and German), but no sat-nav GPS coordinates, which could be difficult for European motorhome travellers.
What Facilities Can I Expect at a Brit Stop?
You can expect a hard-standing car park, or perhaps a small field close to the location.
Other than a place to park, most offer very few traditional facilities motorhome users have come to expect.
Some will provide a freshwater tap (ask before using) or a litter bin. There are places that have a grey water drain, but you won’t find a significant number with a black water facility.
Some Brit Stops reserve specific areas for motorhome parking. An electric hook-up may be available in some places and I did find one spot with five electric hook-ups which were provided for a small fee.
Many pubs have public wi-fi inside and you may be fortunate enough to be close enough, especially if you have an external wi-fi booster aerial.
Dogs are allowed at many locations, although may not be welcome inside pubs or other buildings.
Brit Stops are only for self-contained fully self-sufficient motorhomes and camper vans. This means you need your own toilet facility, as many places don’t have 24 hours access for such use. Caravans, cars, commercial vans, or tents are not allowed.
21 Different Types of Brit Stop
Some weird and wonderful places to say for free
Public House
Vineyard
Llama Park (yes, really!)
Farm Shop
Craft Village
Smokehouse
Café
Marinas & Harbours
Fishing Club
Flying Boat Museum
Windmill
Fruit Farm
Bowling Club
Ski Centre
Whiskey Distillery
Deer Centre
Brewery
Ice Cream Farm
Fish and Chip Shop
Cricket Club
Parachute School
How Do I Book a Brit Shop?
The Brit Stop book will indicate whether it is necessary to call ahead to book a space. Those that don’t require a call are generally because the owners are busy with their business, out in the field at a farm, or otherwise not available. Here, you take pot luck on whether there will be space. However, do try to call as you may be lucky and catch the owner.
When you arrive at your location, check-in with the host so they know you are there. Taking the Brit Stop book with you as you at your check-in is recommended.
Do I Have to Pay to Use the Brit Stops Pub or Other Location?
There is no compulsion to buy anything from a Brit Stops location and the parking will always be free.
However, each Brit Stop is providing you with a free stopover and perhaps some limited facilities.
It is therefore polite to buy something from the farm shop, use the café, buy a bottle of wine from the vineyard or buy a pint or three in the pub bar. That said, you shouldn’t be pressured to spend money.
The only thing you may be asked to pay for is an electric hook-up, so check before plugging in.
Some of the Aire style areas are simply car parks and there may be a fee to pay for overnight parking, so be sure to check any signs.
Are Brit Stops Listed Online?
Brit Stop membership is through a book and the organisers don’t provide a website or app, as they want you to buy the book each year.
That said, some Brit Stops have been added to apps such as Search for Sites, or Parking4Night, although the organiser does ask people not to do that.
Some Example Brit Stops
I’ve stayed at a number of Brit Stop locations in the past few years and each has been perfect for the one night. Here are three of my favourites, so far.
The Cock & Rabbit, Great Missenden – a pub car park in the Buckinghamshire countryside. Take care of which road you use when you approach, as one of them, is narrow and twisty. An excellent meal in the small restaurant.
The Flying Horse Inn, nr. Ashford Kent – Set on a village cricket green in Boughton Aluph, where they offer a grass paddock for up to five vans. A friendly welcome and good food in the evening.
The Llama Park, near Forest Row, East Sussex – I have stayed here three times now, as it is close to my family. Plenty of room in the car park, but do call ahead, especially if you are likely to arrive after the park closes. As well as visiting the llamas, there is a café which opens early for breakfast but is not open for the evening and there are no facilities. The owner, Bobby, knocked on the door one evening to say hello.
Can I Suggest a New Brit Stop?
Absolutely.
Brit Stop is always on the lookout for new locations and you could be rewarded for finding a new one.
If you stay in a place, such as those on the types list above, ask the owner if they would like to attract some more motorhomes and camper vans.
Then, pass on the details to Brit Stops. If the location signs up, then you will receive, free, the Brit Stop book for next year. Note, if the location is a pub, then there is no free gift, as Brit Stops are looking to expand the range and there are plenty of pubs already listed.
What Are Irish Stops for Motorhomes?
These are pretty much the same as Brit Stops
The Brit Stops in Northern Ireland are of course part of the system as part of the United Kingdom.
In the Irish Republic, the are many places to stay overnight, in the same way as in the United Kingdom. The Brit Stop book lists those locations and there are spread across the Republic.
As a member of Brit Stops, you are covered for the Irish Stops.
Are There Brit Stop Equivalents in Europe?
Brits Stops is a founding member of Federation Europeene da la Formule (FEFI).
FEFI represents organisations similar to Brit Stops in France, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland.
Perhaps the most popular FEFI is France Passion. Covering over 2,000 locations in France, from farms to many vineyards, they are great places to stop overnight.
There are separate books available for each country. For the UK edition of Brit Stops, it is available directly from the publisher.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Are Brit Stops Like French Aires? The UK has a number of Aires and they are often listed in the book. They are not the same as Aires you may have experienced in France. Check our article on Aires in France.
Are ACSI Cards and Brit Stops the Same Thing? No, they are completely different, as the ACSI card is for campsites, where Brit Stops in the opposite – no campsites. Check our article on ASCI Cards.