Wild Camping spots in North Devon

[Martin]

Just in case anyone is not aware, my local council ( Torridge District Council ) offer wildish camping in several of their car parks.

Car parks included are:

Riverbank - Bideford. EX39 2QS
Westward Ho! (Main) Car Park, EX39 1LG
The Manor Car Park, Holsworthy, EX22 6DJ
Sydney House Car Park, Torrington, EX38 8AA
Churchfields Car Park, Appledore, EX39 1RL

Torridge Website Link

All of the car parks have toliets and they charge just £5 for overnight camping ( I think 6pm - 8am) , my personal favourite on the list is Appledore (image below) where you can park right next to the water on the quay and wake up to some great views over to Instow plus several good pubs and restaurants within a few minutes walk.

 

[Martin]

And Torrington car park

 

[acer]

Just incase anyone is not aware, my local council ( Torridge District Council ) offer legal wildish camping in several of their car parks.

Car parks included are:

Riverbank - Bideford. EX39 2QS
Westward Ho! (Main) Car Park, EX39 1LG
The Manor Car Park, Holsworthy, EX22 6DJ
Sydney House Car Park, Torrington, EX38 8AA
Churchfields Car Park, Appledore, EX39 1RL

All of the car parks have toliets and they charge just a fiver for overnight camping ( I think 6pm - 8am) , my personal favourite on the list is Appledore where you can park right next to the water and wake up to some great views plus several good pubs and restaurants within a few minutes walk.

View attachment 2731

Good news. Anyone else tried these at peak times? I guess the ideal is 1 or 2 other vans around with safe non-threatening looking people in them... perhaps wearing glasses?

 

[snowy55]

Just found this link.

http://www.torridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8985

What a nice council you have to welcome overnight parking.

 

[Martin]

I have never seen them too busy, the most popular is possibly Appledore where in peak summer you may see 3 or 4 campervans or motorhomes parked up for the night. Plenty of room to get a waterside space.

Great fish and chip shop a few minutes walk away.

 

[Quinnster77]

Just found this link.

http://www.torridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8985

What a nice council you have to welcome overnight parking.

Refreshed link

http://www.torridge.gov.uk/article/12490/Motor-Home-Overnight-Parking

I'm looking forward to trying these out next year

 

[CYCLOPATH]

Wow, great link, this was within Martins one

So many places I Think I will be off to Powys or Devon this week end
http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/uk-motorhome-stopovers.shtml

I am a bit worried , I seem to be logging onto the forum every morning now.
My daughter reached over at breakfast, closed my lap top , and said "naughty boy"

 

[GrannyJen]

I am a bit worried , I seem to be logging onto the forum every morning now.
My daughter reached over at breakfast, closed my lap top , and said "naughty boy"

You mean...

You actually log out??

 

[LisaKent]

Stopped here last night and had lovely fish and chips and then a walk along quay before bed. Felt very safe as there was also two other campervans and a few motorhomes here as well but we all had loads of space and woke up to spectacular sea view.

 

[Juno]

Does anyone know if you can park up overnight in the big car park in Instow, think it's called Sandhills. Or anywhere else in Instow we could park for a night. Don't seem to be any campsites in the vicinity! Thanks

 

[GrannyJen]

Right across the river, Appledore, is a public carpark that allows overnight parking and two minute walk from the Instow foot ferry.

 

[Juno]

Right across the river, Appledore, is a public carpark that allows overnight parking and two minute walk from the Instow foot ferry.

Thanks very much but do you happen to know if we could get the foot ferry later in the evening? Will be leaving dogs in the van while we have dinner so closer the better. I'll google the ferry now and see. Thanks again

 

[Juno]

Thanks very much but do you happen to know if we could get the foot ferry later in the evening? Will be leaving dogs in the van while we have dinner so closer the better. I'll google the ferry now and see. Thanks again

Looks like the ferry stops quite early in September

 

[GrannyJen]

Looks like the ferry stops quite early in September

That's a shame. The only other place I know close to Instow is the Riverbank car park at Bideford. That is further away but by the Taw bridge and may be worth asking how much a taxi would be.

 

[Juno]

That's a shame. The only other place I know close to Instow is the Riverbank car park at Bideford. That is further away but by the Taw bridge and may be worth asking how much a taxi would be.

Ok, thanks very much though I think the big car park in Instow itself allows overnight parking, although not sure whether you're technically allowed to sleep there! Just wanted to try to make sure before we pitch up or in case anyone knows of any nicer/cheaper spots and have read some reviews of the
militant parking fines there! Thanks again

 

[LisaKent]

Ok, thanks very much though I think the big car park in Instow itself allows overnight parking, although not sure whether you're technically allowed to sleep there! Just wanted to try to make sure before we pitch up or in case anyone knows of any nicer/cheaper spots and have read some reviews of the
militant parking fines there! Thanks again

How did you get on at Instow in the end?

 

[Martin]

Walking the dogs this morning we noticed quite a few campers now using the camping area of the car park in Bideford with great views over the river, still only £5 to camp overnight.

 

[T6 CFO]

Woke up this morning and thought where should we go for a couple of days from Bristol. Remembered your post and here we are

Great spot. Evidently the same at Appledore.


Mike

 

[Martin]

More like a campsite now than a car park, 23 campers here, most I have ever seen, no Cali's though

 

[T6 CFO]

Hi Martin. Numbers have been steadily rising in the last couple of weeks. I see the occasional Cali but none with club stickers.
I’ve never heard a negative word about those using the facility or seen any mess. Very public location and well respected by the users.



Mike

 

[SusiBus]

More like a campsite now than a car park, 23 campers here, most I have ever seen, no Cali's though

A car park full of " Big Whites " I'm sorry, that's not what l call wild camping. I call it an eyesore.

 

[T6 CFO]

I wish there were many more.

It’s a council car park right on the estuary where you can park up overnight for a fiver with no issues.
Not wild camping but a stop over location and an excellent facility.

A view from the car park.

Details and reviews for Churchfields car park

Details and reviews for Churchfields car park a Overnight parking - no services United Kingdom plus motorhome stopovers and campsites in Europe

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Mike

 

[blakeley]

We have stayed there previously but this has put us off, even at £5 per night that last OKs horrendous

 

[blakeley]

Call to end 'disgrace' of campervans parking for free

Torridge District Council has 'become too friendly'

www.devonlive.com

 

[MattBW]

Thats because of people not paying, which the headline doesnt convey. I am guessing because they don't enforce it some folks don't bother paying.