A growing movement is calling for improved overnight parking access for campervans and motorhomes across the UK as travel restrictions brought on by Brexit push more British holidaymakers to explore their own country.
According to an article by Independent, the Campaign for Real Aires (Campra) is urging local councils to follow the lead of continental Europe by creating more “aires” – designated stopping places for motorcaravans, the term used to include both motorhomes and campervans.
This renewed push comes amid changes to travel rules since Brexit, which now limit UK passport holders to a stay of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area.
With fewer opportunities to travel freely in Europe, many motorcaravan users are opting to vacation domestically, putting pressure on limited infrastructure for overnight stays.
“There is a clear demand – emphasised by post-Brexit travel restrictions – for more overnight stay options in UK towns and cities, and those towns and cities could benefit hugely by embracing motorcaravans,” said Campra managing director Steve Haywood.
“More councils are seeing the benefits of providing facilities, instead of suffering the cost of enforcement and bans, not to mention the loss of potential revenue to businesses,” Steve added.
Despite the demand, overnight parking remains scarce in desirable UK locations. A survey of 6,731 motorcaravan users found that 88% are dissatisfied with the availability of overnight options.
On average, these travellers spend £51 a day in local businesses and £23 on parking or campsite fees, highlighting the potential economic benefits of welcoming motorcaravanners.
Many respondents expressed frustration over the UK’s poor infrastructure and lack of a welcoming attitude, especially when compared to motorhome-friendly countries like France and Germany.
While European towns often provide designated areas with amenities for overnight stays, such facilities are rare in the UK.
The situation in Keyhaven, near Lymington on England’s south coast, underscores the growing tension between travellers and local regulations.
Last month, Hampshire County Council approved plans to ban overnight stays by campervans and motorhomes at the popular coastal spot. The council claimed the decision would “bring order” to the area.
Haywood pointed to more progressive examples, such as Fleetwood in Lancashire, where overnight parking in a seafront car park for £5 per night has significantly boosted business for local shops.
“Every council that has operated a 12-month trial aire has been successful and made the overnight parking permanent,” he added.
Government data backs the scale of the issue: more than 416,000 motorcaravans are currently registered in the UK, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association stated, “Policies around overnight motorcaravan parking and the provision of facilities are a matter for local councils.”
As the UK’s outdoor travel habits shift in response to Brexit, this issue holds growing significance for the RV and motorhome industry.
Without adequate infrastructure to support this booming domestic travel trend, local councils risk missing out on valuable tourism revenue, while also alienating a growing population of mobile travellers looking for practical, legal, and welcoming places to stay overnight.