Planning a trip to the Yorkshire Dales and need somewhere to park your motorhome? Here are 6 options.
Just as every hiker needs a place to lay their head, so every motorhome driver needs a spot to rest their wheels.
Here in the Yorkshire Dales, the stopovers can be just as magnificent as the journeys themselves. It's a landscape bursting with colour, texture and – above all – spectacular views.
From Malham Cove to Aysgarth Falls, from the Three Peaks to Wensleydale – it's little wonder why Yorkshire is nicknamed "God's own country".
Some of these parking spots are free and others require a small fee. Some can be pre-booked, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. When planning your stopover, a little preparation can go a long way.
So, without further ado, here are six of the best Yorkshire parking spots for a summer stopover.
Lodge Park
Situated on the border of the Yorkshire Dales and the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Lodge Park is a peaceful spot surrounded by woodlands.
It all makes for a fantastic starting point to explore the Dales, whether you're here to take a trip on the heritage railway, climb the famous Three Peaks or play a round of golf.
The site is good for dog owners and boasts a limestone shower block with underfloor heating – a sumptuous touch for a cold Yorkshire evening.
Danby Beacon on Beacon Hill
Danby Beacon is one of the highest points in the North York Moors National Park. For centuries, it's been used as a military lookout, culminating in the radar station built there by the British government during the Second World War.
It offers a mesmerising 360-degree view over the National Park, taking in purple heather, rolling dales and shingly beaches.
Motorhome drivers should prepare for a steep climb up the beacon – but once at the top, the views make it all worthwhile.
Ingleton Community Centre
Nine miles from Settle on the edge of the Dales is the village of Ingleton. On Main Street, not far from the town centre, is Ingleton Community Centre. This offers four spaces for motorhomes.
As well as offering convenient access to the Waterfalls Trail, White Scar Cave, Three Peaks and more, Ingleton is home to pubs, restaurants and shops. It's long been a great base for exploring the countryside, whether by foot, bicycle or climbing rope.
Drivers can stay between 6 PM and 9 AM for six pounds.
The Station Inn, Ribblehead
Yorkshire is famous for many things, from Wensleydale cheese to the Brontë Sisters. But no account of the area is complete without mentioning its many pubs.
The Station Inn is the perfect example. With its classic stone exterior and cosy, book-lined interior, it's a snug spot to unwind after an amble, cycle or drive through the Dales.
The history of the inn is closely connected to that of the Ribblehead Viaduct – an impressive piece of 19th-century architecture built to carry trains from Settle to Carlisle across the valley.
So connected, in fact, that the pub gives visitors to its website a live
webcam view of trains crossing the viaduct.
As well as offering a great base to explore the viaduct and the Three Peaks, the Station Inn also offers free motorhome parking.
As with many other establishments (ours included), the Station asks motorhome owners to have some food and drink when staying over – and luckily for visitors, it's hearty, comforting fare.
The inn offers portaloos, toilets and sinks and a waste disposal facility. Simply turn up, book at the bar and get your ticket.
It's worth noting that motorhome drivers can't pre-book. It's first come, first served, meaning you may have to look elsewhere. In case of that eventuality, there are plenty of laybys nearby that will do the job.
Aysgarth Falls
Aysgarth Falls near Leyburn is a jewel in the crown of the Yorkshire Dales. These dramatically cascading waterfalls are much-loved by tourists – and have been for centuries.
It's not for nothing that the British painter J.M.W. Turner made sketches of the falls. Nature lovers William and Dorothy Wordsworth also paid a visit. And more recently, the waterfalls provided a location for a memorable fight scene in the blockbuster movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
It doesn't take long to realise why they've proven so popular. Aysgarth Falls effortlessly catches the eye while providing peace and quiet away from the beaten track.
Halfway down the hill is a pay-and-display car park that accommodates motorhomes. There are no facilities – but there are toilets in the cafe. From there, you can take a short but steep walk down to the river.
Stump Cross Caverns
Here at Stump Cross Caverns, we like to make the most of our location. Situated on the road between Pateley Bridge and Grassington, we're happy to be an affordable motorhome camping site as well as one of the UK's finest show caves.
For just five pounds, you can park up overnight and take in the views across the Dales. We ask visitors to book a ticket to the caves or a reservation at our cafe along with their pitch. This helps us keep the lights on that illuminate our magical caves.
And magical they are – a winding, spooling underground domain replete with stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone and other unique rock formations.
Above ground, visitors can explore our
gift shop and fill their bellies at our
Time Cafe. With its jaw-dropping views, this is the perfect place to recharge for the next stage of your journey.
So, why not
book a pitch here today? We guarantee a warm welcome, hearty refreshments and views you won't forget in a hurry.
