Gloucestershire County Council has parking details on its web site Here.
Cheltenham
On 15th September 2006 Cheltenham Borough Council stated "In Cheltenham town centre there is no provision in the parking orders that permit a motorhome vehicle to park in Council owned P&D car parks."
We have two Park & Ride sites. One at Arle Court and the other at the Prestbury racecourse. Motorhomes may park there during the day but not overnight. There are no height restrictions. The P&R charges are £2 per vehicle for a day return to Cheltenham town centre (only for Arle Court, not Racecourse - see user comment below and Council web site).
On 30th April, 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
I can confirm that motorhomes are permitted to park in North Place P&D car park between 8am and 9pm Monday -Sunday. There are no height restrictions in North Place car park and the car park gates are closed at 9pm. Motorhomes are not permitted to park overnight. However, we are aware that Cheltenham Racecourse has facilities for motorhomes - you can contact them on 01242 523102 for further information.
Cheltenham Borough Council has further details of car parks (and P&R) on its web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
In Cheltenham we parked at the racecourse, then found out on our return that the fare from the racecourse p&r was £1 per head each way!! On my return home, I checked the council site to find that it is only the Arle court site that is £2 per car, the racecourse is £1 per person to town and £1 per person back again! Hope this helps someone in the future. Having said that, the racecourse is so close a fit person can easily walk to town and back in about 10 minutes for free as the car park at the racecourse is free, it is only the bus that charges. Next time we will walk. (Thanks to DJ for providing this information on 21 May 2007).
Cotswold District
On 24th August 2006 Cotswold District Council provided the following information (subsequently confirmed as still accurate on 4 February 2008):
The following information applies to Cotswold District Council owned and managed car parks.
There are height restrictors on several of our car parks.
We have restrictions to park within a marked bay only. I.e not to take up 2 bays.
There are no facilities for toilet or waste disposal facilities.
Whilst we do not have provision specifically for motor homes and/or caravans we have large bays in Stow on the Wold, marked for coaches, minibuses and larger vehicles. Also provision at Lorry Parks, Cirencester and Tetbury.
There are no bans in place for overnight parking however, camping or sleeping in car parks is prohibited, except the Lorry parks.
The 3 Car Parks referred to above are accessible to larger vehicles.
Cotswold District Council has further details of car parks on its web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Bourton on the Water
1) I think it costs £4.00 for o/night in the long stay car park, very short walk into town. (Thanks to BR for providing this information on 22 August 2006).
2) Motorcaravan parking at the main car park in Bourton on the Water has seperate charges than those for cars. No explaination as to why. Some bays are large enough to accommodate a modest van (Autoquest 100). Why should I be charged more? Other motorcaravans were parked taking up two bays (as were some cars) therefore the additional charge seems reasonable as it was not double the standard! (Thanks to RB for providing this information on 5 November 2007).
Cirencester
1) Corinium Car park in Cirencester, Tesco and Waitrose will take vans for shopping. Lorry park at Cirencester has filthy loos available and overnight parking. Gateway Centre on B4696 Spine Road East has daytime parking, visitor's centre + cafe, Cotswold Outdoor store. Apart from this car park all the others in the area have height barriers except Keynes Country Park which is off Spine Road West, near Somerford Keynes. This has a Pay on Entry system [In the summer this was the only inland Blue Flag beach in the UK for the last few years]. (Many thanks to MS for this information, received 17th March 2007).
2) Water Park. There is one small car park just west of Fridays Ham Lane off Spine Road East, which has a space for two or three vehicles outside the barrier. It is tucked off the road and doesn't seem to attract any attention. We have used it several times overnight, on one occasion for five nights on the trot as we were between houses! (Many thanks to DHT for this information, received 1st November 2007).
Moreton in Marsh
Get there early and there are some nice long bays at the side of the road in the High Street. (Thanks to AV for this information, received 3 August 2007).
Stow on the Wold
1) The car park next to Tesco in Stow on the Wold is free and 5 mins walk into town. (Thanks to BR for providing this information on 22 August 2006).
2) From the A429 take the A436 through the town. At the bottom of the town take a right turn at The Bell and you will see a car park with some larger spaces. Be aware that a temporary height barrier is fitted when the gypsy fair takes place during October. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 7 February 2007 - "Personally 'tested' within the last 3 years. Like anything else, changes may have taken place since my visit and charges WILL have risen!").
3) I can confirm that Tesco at Stow-on-the-Wold is still easy to use, off-peak, for supermarket and the town. (Thanks to DW for providing this information on 30 October 2007).
Forest of Dean District
On 17th October 2006 Forest of Dean District Council provided the following information:
Car parking within the town centres within the Forest Of Dean
All parking in Forest of Dean District Council Car Parks is Free, Over night parking is not allowed & the maximum stay is 12 Hours
Coleford Town Centre. Railway drive car park is suitable for small camper vans only. Old Station way is a coach and car park this is suitable for larger motor home.
Lydney Town Centre. Newern St Car Park off Albert St Lydney: Main Car Park is suitable for small camper vans only; Over Spill Car Park Forest Rd is suitable for larger motor home.
Cinderford Town Centre. Small car park suitable for small camper vans only.
Newent Town Centre. Small car park suitable for small camper vans only.
Forest of Dean District Council has further details of car parks on its web site.
Gloucester
On 1st November 2006 Gloucester City Council provided the following information:
The only 2 sites that are usable for high vehicles are Hare Lane North and Hare Lane South as these do not have Height Restriction. In addition to this they could park at the B&Q side of the Park and Ride at St. Oswalds. All sites are listed on NCP car park finder which also details height restriction, number of spaces and any other restrictions. There are no toilet or waste facilities at these car parks.
Gloucester City Council has further details of car parks on its web site Here. Clicking on the name of a car park on that page links to the NCP site mentioned.
South Gloucestershire
On 17th November 2006 South Gloucestershire Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions - there are 2.2 metre high barriers in the following car parks; Church View and Abbetwood in Filton; Willsbridge Mill; Cecil Road, Kingswood; Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury; Cranleigh Court Road, Kennedy Way and Abbotswood in Yate; Castle Street long and short stay and the Leisure Centre in Thornbury; and Warmley Station.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines - all parking must be within the marked bays. All the Council's 28 car parks are free and it is not allowed for a vehicle to take up more than one space.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities - none of the Council's car parks have the facility for waste disposal.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans - none.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking - all the car parks have time restrictions, some 2 hours and some 12 hours but there is no specific ban on overnight parking.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances - all the Council's car parks are designed for standard family vehicles and hence there is restricted access for larger vehicles.
South Gloucestershire Council has details of car parks on its web site Here.
Stroud
On 26th September 2006 Stroud District Council provided the following information:
1. There are height restrictions at Stroud Multi Storey and part of Westward Road, Cainscross.
2. Parking bays are standard size and vehicles are required to park within the bay markings.
3. WC facilities are available at Stroud Multi Storey, Westward Road Cainscross, Stamages Lane Painswick, High Street Stonehouse, Dursley Pool.
4. There are no spaces specifically allocated for motor homes / caravans.
5. All car parks prohibit camping.
6. Please refer to the map links on the web site (see below) to assess accessibility.
On 7th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the above information was still current.
Stroud District Council has further details of car parks on its web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Thanks to DW for this information, received on 3 January 2008:
For anybody visiting Peter Scott's wildfowl reserve at Slimbridge, the following notes may help their exploration of the wider area, noting that the B roads are narrow but caused us no problems in a 6.4m coachbuilt during the Christmas holidays.
Slimbridge
Slimbridge WWT Reserve itself has a large car park where we saw several motorhomes of 6m and less parked among the cars.
Sharpness
From the A38, south of Slimbridge, follow the B4066 to the very end and turn left at the roundabout. Follow signs to "Picnic Area". About a dozen large spaces, free, no barrier or apparently rules and regs (the VW camper already there seemed to be overnighting). Overlooking a grassy area with picnic tables and a super view across the Severn Estuary to the Forest of Dean. A good walk along the edge of the estuary to the left, and interesting docks and locks to the right, where the Gloucester Canal joins the river.
Epney
Similar to Sharpness, another good riverside walk, on a narrower part of the River Severn. From the A38, north of Slimbridge, follow the B4071 through Saul to Epney where there is a large layby just before the Anchor pub. The Severn Way is signposted from this layby, along the river embankment.
Dursley
A small town with most shopping needs and a Tesco on the Slimbridge side. There is a free car park in the centre, between the swimming pool and fire station. No barriers but a 3.5T restriction. The long stay area (beyond the short stay) has bigger spaces and more room to manoeuvre. Most roads and footpaths around Dursley have panoramic hilltop views of this mostly flat area.
Cam & Dursley Park & Ride
Basically a rural station on the main line with a well laid out car park but signposted all around the area as Cam & Dursley Park & Ride. Probably the best option for a trip into Gloucester or Bristol. The car park is free, no restrictions and accessible to a medium size motorhome when we visited, but it was during the Christmas holidays.
Tewkesbury
On 26th September 2006 Tewkesbury Borough Council provided the following information:
Looking at the criteria you have identified, the only public car park that fully meets your requirements is Gloucester Road Car Park, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
There are no height restrictions; There are extended bays which can be used by motorhomes; There are public toilets on site; 24 hours parking is available; There are no restrictions on access or exit as this car park is also a dedicated coach park.
On 31st March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided the following information:
The information detailed above still applies.
Additionally: Lankett Lane extension to Vineyards car park Tewkesbury and Back Lane car park Winchcombe could accommodate motorhomes.
All the other Council car parks are restricted either because of their size or there is a restrictive height barrier. Although, each of these car parks can be used for 24 hours parking, our parking order states …….”no person shall use any part of the parking place or any vehicle left in the parking place: for sleeping or camping purposes; for cooking or sanitary purposes; for the purpose of servicing maintaining or washing any vehicle or part thereof other than is reasonably necessary to enable that vehicle to depart from the parking place
Tewkesbury Borough Council has further details of car parks on its web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
1) Received 14 October 2006 - Have lived here for the last 25 years and I would agree that the Gloucester Road Car Park is suitable, I had often meant to check whether overnight stays are available but you have beaten me to it with your excellent site. The location is on the quiet part of the A38 just south of the town. About 300yds from our Abbey and the older, quainter part of town which has hotels bars and eating houses and about 800yd s from the town centre. Public toilets are available adjacent. Also adjacent to Marquis Motorhomes and Mill Avon Campsite, it is a much safer spot than Lower Lode Lane which is adjacent but is frequented by events that go on at night! On the A438 0.4m west of town centre is a large Morrisons with straightforward MH Access. This would be perhaps 0.75m from the parking place on the Gloucester Road. (Thanks to Mike & Ann S for this information).
2) The only car park without a height barrier is on Gloucester Road (approaching from the island in the centre of town, it is on the right past the Abbey). This has some large spaces and is right outside the Marquis Motorhomes premises. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 7 February 2007 - "Personally 'tested' within the last 3 years. Like anything else, changes may have taken place since my visit and charges WILL have risen!").
3) May 2007. Morrisons store on the A438 between Tewkesbury and the M5 is easily accessible both for shopping and fuel.
Return to Motorhome Friendly and Unfriendly Parking home page.
Last updated: 8 May 2008