Pub overnighters

Tartan-terror · Feb 19, 2023

Just starting to plan a few early season overnight trips. Is there a website or app that shows pubs that let you stay overnight in their car park if you eat/drink in their pub? if not, does anyone have a list especially for Hampshire, Dorset, Cotswolds areas? I thought this might be a frequently asked question but not much appeared from my forum search. The one from Cali Admin gives a page error.

CannonDale · Feb 19, 2023

Here you go, https://www.britstops.com/

chockswahay · Feb 19, 2023

Just check Park4night or Searchforsites, both apps :thumb

ArunAlec · Feb 19, 2023

There’s a Facebook site … uK Pub Stopovers for Motorhomes And campervans.

Ting Tong · Feb 20, 2023

Have a look at this useful Google map of pub stopovers

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1B_k8cst5osXaWVYrnWbB6qPGugU&hl=en_GB&ll=53.73589344515971%2C-1.8975499532073314&z=5

Tartan-terror · Feb 20, 2023

ArunAlec said:
There’s a Facebook site … uK Pub Stopovers for Motorhomes And campervans.

Perfect! Great shout thx

Tartan-terror · Feb 20, 2023

Ting Tong said:
Have a look at this useful Google map of pub stopovers

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1B_k8cst5osXaWVYrnWbB6qPGugU&hl=en_GB&ll=53.73589344515971%2C-1.8975499532073314&z=5

Excellent - thanks

da_murphster · Feb 20, 2023

CannonDale said:
Here you go, https://www.britstops.com/

Is this worthwhile? Looks like a great idea if its any good.

Ch1pbutty · Feb 20, 2023

Tartan-terror said:
Just starting to plan a few early season overnight trips. Is there a website or app that shows pubs that let you stay overnight in their car park if you eat/drink in their pub? if not, does anyone have a list especially for Hampshire, Dorset, Cotswolds areas? I thought this might be a frequently asked question but not much appeared from my forum search. The one from Cali Admin gives a page error.

Just ask the landlord at the pub. Lots will say yes, as they will want your custom for the evening....but they might not want to advertise the fact on the usual 'Great White' Apps

da_murphster · Feb 20, 2023

Ting Tong said:
Have a look at this useful Google map of pub stopovers

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1B_k8cst5osXaWVYrnWbB6qPGugU&hl=en_GB&ll=53.73589344515971%2C-1.8975499532073314&z=5

How are those verified - I've just had a look at a couple near me and there is no mention of overnight parking on their websites etc?

Be a pain to turn up and find they will not let you stay.

GrannyJen · Feb 20, 2023

da_murphster said:
How are those verified - I've just had a look at a couple near me and there is no mention of overnight parking on their websites etc?

Be a pain to turn up and find they will not let you stay.

Most permissive camping locations are complied from personal experience. Even Britstops can be out of date at any time. I nearly always check first before just turning up.Equally worth using Google Earth to have a look at location. Car parks open to busy roads can be noisy and some in places that you would rather not stay. as @Ch1pbutty said, it's often worth an ask even if the pub is not listed anywhere.

Ting Tong · Feb 21, 2023

da_murphster said:
How are those verified - I've just had a look at a couple near me and there is no mention of overnight parking on their websites etc?

Be a pain to turn up and find they will not let you stay.

No idea: I didn’t compile the list but suggest you phone to check.

ArunAlec · Feb 21, 2023

da_murphster said:
Is this worthwhile? Looks like a great idea if its any good.

I used Britstop for a year and found a few great locations but….

The majority of locations listed are pubs.

Although the “deal” with Britstops is that there is no compulsion to spend money at the pub etc, I think there is a strong expectation that you do.

dspuk · Feb 21, 2023

We bought the britstops book and I signed up to the FB forum. After looking at a few of the pubs, reading the experiences and seeing the cost of food they are “not expected to but expected to” buy we threw it in the bin. TBH there are loads of decent sites in the 20 - 30 a night mark with showers, toilets and facilities. As exciting as being a shower and loo free car park warrior sounds we have decided to give it a hard pass.

calibusje · Feb 21, 2023

We have been using Campercontact (Dutch) Park4night (French) and searchforsites for several years now, both at home (EU) and in the UK. Works perfectly and sometimes in the UK you end up with a pub in the best places.

Velma's Dad · Feb 21, 2023

GrannyJen said:
Most permissive camping locations are complied from personal experience. Even Britstops can be out of date at any time. I nearly always check first before just turning up.Equally worth using Google Earth to have a look at location. Car parks open to busy roads can be noisy and some in places that you would rather not stay. as @Ch1pbutty said, it's often worth an ask even if the pub is not listed anywhere.

Yes we've often identified a pub we like the look of (recce using Google maps and online reviews) and phoned ahead to ask if we can stay over if booking a meal. We mention it's just a small campervan not a big MH and that we'll be back on the road first thing in the morning. So far we've not had a refusal.

BikerGran · Feb 25, 2023

Same as Velma's Dad - never been refused yet! Britstops is expensive and often out of date, the ones in Facebook groups often tend to be out of date as well.
Oh and - why would anyone expect a pub to allow you to use their car park if you're not going to use the pub? I've had some great pub meals doing this and I much prefer it to a campsite with all facilities, but that's just me.

Wannabecamperman · Feb 27, 2023

I've just received my 2023 Britstops book and code for their new app. This is well worth the £33 (per year) in my view as it gives many other free overnight stops such as visitor centres and vineyards - always on private land.

It also has the name of the landlord / owner and some locations even have specially marked bays for Britstop customers. It was a no-brainer for the price, and removes the anxiety of some of the horror stories that I've read from campers using park 4 night and wild camp spots.

Highly recommended.