Gloucestershire County Council has parking details on its web site Here.
On 13th March 2009, a request was sent to Gloucestershire County Council asking if it was possible to park a motorhome at the P&R sites in the county. On 23rd April 2009, the council replied:
There are 4 Park & Ride sites in Gloucestershire - however, to answer your last question first, all these sites are not designed for overnight parking or cooking, or for any use other than parking a vehicle before using the bus. Some sites do have height barriers to prevent unauthorised vehicles entering the site, and these are detailed below. There are details of P&R facilities on the Gloucestershire County Council web site.
1) GLOUCESTER – St Oswalds Park & Ride. This is not one car park, but a collection of four related car parks. Three of these car parks are open to the general public, and one is restricted to local business permit holders. The largest car park (on the B&Q side) belongs to the County Council, and does not have any height barriers – so would be accessible to Motorhomes. The two smaller car parks on the opposite side of the road belong to the City Council, and both have height barriers.
2) QUEDGELEY – Waterwells Park & Ride. This site belongs to the County Council, and there is a height barrier.
Unfortunately the County Council does not have the budget to employ a full time car park attendant at this site, but a National Car Parks (NCP) attendant is occasionally in attendance. If the NCP attendant is on site, the height barrier can be removed to assist the entry of high sided or taller vehicles. However NCP only send out an attendant on an ‘ad hoc’ basis, therefore we cannot guarantee that an attendant will always be present.
3) CHELTENHAM – Arle Court Park & Ride and Racecourse Park & Ride. Both these sites belong to the County Council, and both have no height barrier.
The council provided a leaflet giving further details about the Gloucester and Quedgeley Park and Ride sites which can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from 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 on its web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
1) 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).
2) Thanks very much to DS for providing the following copies of correspondence on 22 February 2009:
Thought my recent exchange below with Cheltenham Borough Council might be useful to you. Looks like they've extended the North Place opening hours since your April 2008 update.
E-mail sent by DS to the Council on 17 February 2009:
Do you have off street parking in Cheltenham for small but tall vehicles, i.e., our campervan 4.6m long, 1.7m wide but 2.1m high. If so, where, please? If not, where's the nearest on street parking for evening visits to the city, in particular the Everyman Theatre, during the Cheltenham Jazz Festival?
Response by the Council on 18 February 2009:
Thank you for your email. There are parking facilities for bigger vehicles at North Place car park that is locked at 12am, this sounds as though it would be most suitable for yourselves. For directions and further information you may like to look at our car parking pages on the Cheltenham Borough Council website (see link above).
3) Stayed at Cheltenham Racecourse CC site at the end of April 2009 and used the bus from the P&R to get into town. Price was £1.20 per head each way. A Day Rider ticket (unlimited bus travel in the Cheltenham area for the day) was £3 each so good value if you want to do more than just go to town and back. Day Rider Plus at £4.70 per head gave unlimited bus travel for the day in both Cheltenham & Gloucester areas so good for a day out in Gloucester. The TIC in Cheltenham has a range of bus timetables.
Sainsbury's store on the A4019 (runs from M5 junction 10) is easily accessible both for shopping and fuel.
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
Note: The entries below refer to Station Road car park, not the council car park on Rissington Road.
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).
3) Bourton on the water, Cotswolds. Main car park, Pay and Display. Larger motorhomes have to pay for two bays if overhanging. Park per hour or approx £13.50 per day. All vehicles were £7.50 per night - 6pm to 9am - and you are allowed to sleep in a motorhome confirmed by carpark attendant on 23/08/11. The car park is behind a filling station with a Spar shop and several toilets at rear. (Thanks to CM for providing this information on 25 August 2011).
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).
3) There is a roadside lay-by outside the Countrywide Store perimeter fence in the NW corner off the Spine Road Junction (Water Park junc with A419), and another 250m from the NE ramp, signed Down Ampney. The latter also has a wonderful snack-trailer during the day! Both should be fine for a night, except that the livestock market adjacent to Countrywide is active from about 4am on Tues and Thurs! (Many thanks to DHT for this information, received 16th June 2008).
4) The lorry park in Cirencester has plenty of boy racers about at night, was there last Sunday. (Thanks to AJB for providing this information on 31 July 2008).
5) I'd just like to update the parking spot: Fridays Ham Lane (Just south of Cirencester, Gloucestershire). I stayed here for two nights over the bank holiday weekend. The spot was perfect for being able to walk the dogs and walk the Thames Path. However the POI marker (and the google earth marker) are slightly out. The car park marked by these points isn't public or available for general use. The actual car park referred to isn't quite on Fridays Ham Lane. It can be found about 1/2 a mile down the road at: N51° 39.337' W001° 55.642'. Also although the spot was lovely it should be noted that it is a cottaging hotspot with single men arriving and leaving until 1.00/2.00 am on the Saturday night. (Although they were all very friendly and polite so it won't put us off in the future.). (Many thanks to SB for this information, received 5th May 2009; PoIs updated 8th May 2009).
6) We found we were able to park in the Beeches car park in Cirencester on Beeches Road. We rung a nice lady from the council and we were told as long as we overhung the grass and didn't take up two spaces we could park there. There are no height barriers and it cost £3.20 all day, park by the hour. It is 3 minutes walk into town otherwise Tesco car park is 2 miles away so too far to walk. (Thanks to TM for providing this information on 9 July 2009).
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).
Tetbury
We stayed at Tetbury Lorry park overnight on 29th May.There were no charges for this and it was completely empty, except for us, so we had a peaceful night with no problems whatsoever. Tetbury is a small picturesque Cotswold town, in Gloucestershire. (Thanks to MH for this information, received 9 June 2008).
Westonbirt Arboretum
Visited here, loads of open parkland parking, a beautiful afternoon spent here with no parking hassle. See Forestry Commission web site Here. (Thanks to DM for this information, received on 3 June 2009).
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.
On 11th September 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the above information was still current.
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.
On 9th October 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided the following information:
The only sites that are usable for high vehicles are Hare Lane North, Hare Lane South and Westgate Street Car parks as these do not have Height Restriction. All sites are listed on our website which also details height restriction, number of spaces and any other restrictions. There are no toilet or waste facilities at these car parks and overnight parking is not permitted as our Car Parks are locked overnight.
The Westgate Street Car park has a height barrier but does allow entry for coaches. The barrier is then lowered at night so overnight entry to large vehicles is not permitted.
The council no longer looks after the Park and Ride but has taken over 2 of the car parks - listed on the website as St Oswald's Car Park 1 and 2. There is a height barrier on both these car parks.
Gloucester City Council has further details of parking (including a link to details of off-street car parks) on its web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
We have just returned from Gloucester with our motor home and hope the following information about the Park and Ride parking at Waterwells, Quedgely, Gloucester is useful. There is no longer any daily supervision of this car park, security cameras have been installed instead. Motor caravans cannot enter as the barriers prevent this. However, the shuttle bus driver said that we could park on the pavement of the roundabout of the carpark as we are only 18.6 feet. This was fine for us but bigger vans could have a problem. We returned to the van 5 hours later, still there and no problems to other users. If there were several vans I think they would have to look for alternatives. (Thanks to RH for providing this information on 6 March 2009).
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.
On 29th January 2009, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the above information was still current.
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.
Received 20 October 2009 (Thanks to RW). The Sharpness picnic area has now stopped overnighting.
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 (update, see below), 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.
Thanks to CA for this information, received on 29 October 2009:
Cam & Dursley
In our neck of the woods - Dursley (the car park mentioned above) - at the moment there are extensive works going on in the centre of Dursley and the overflow car park (long stay) has been swallowed up by building of a new Sainsburys' store. The store is scheduled to open around April next year and will incorporate what was the long stay car park. Access to the short stay is tight and only the smallest of MHs could gain access.
Tesco do have a store in our village, Cam, which is an extension of Dursley, and nearer to Slimbridge (as pointed out above). In fact the store is at the back of our house! We often see MHers parked up and Tesco's attitude is "all welcome". There is also a chippie/chinese takeaway and a takeaway pizza place adjacent to Tesco - so a good place to stopover, but not overnight as the store closes its gates at night.
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 2008. Morrisons store on the A438 between Tewkesbury and the M5 is easily accessible both for shopping and fuel.
4) The toilets at the Tewkesbury site, think its Old Gloucester Rd, are now closed. (Thanks to AJB for providing this information on 31 July 2008).
5) Last week we were in Tewksbury on one of our jaunts and whilst looking for a place to park we came across a council P&D car park with what seemed like no restrictions at all. It is a small gravelled parking area adjacent to the Caravan Club's Abbey site on Gander Lane and is also the park for Tewksbury Bowling Club. The signs said only to obtain a ticket from the nearby height restricted car park & the fee is £2 for 4hrs. We had no problem at all parking our Compass Motorhome at over 7 mtrs. There were a good few spaces, all vacant. (Thanks to DS for providing this information on 22 September 2009).
6) On 18 Jan I visited Tewkesbury and parked in the Gloucester Rd Car park. This car park has obviously been re-marked as a number of the long bays have been re-marked into smaller bays and the remaining long bays marked as 'Coaches Only'. There are two slightly extended bays in the back corner but too short for my 6mtr motor home. Possibly fit a van conversion but even that would be tight! Reading your response from Tewkesbury council that motor home could use the 'extended' bays I parked in one of the coach bays and paid for my ticket. On return I found that I had been awarded a parking fine. I spoke to someone in the council office and was advised to appeal, which I did and gave them a copy of the information they had provide for your web site in 2008. I am waiting for a response on my appeal but the chap at the council suggested that you might wish to contact them for an update as the change the rules of use every couple of years. The two 'extended' bays a certainly of little use foe anything but a small van. (Thanks to BG for providing this information on 22 January 2012).
(7) Gloucester road Council Car Park had a sign several months ago stating that users must park within the marked areas making motorcaravan parking very difficult/impossible. (Thanks to IC for providing this information on 28 September 2012).
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Last updated: 28 September 2012