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Hi Gang,

I am going to the lake district soon from east anglia.

Another family are goiing with us with their van, however although we have a camp site booked from the friday. This family want to leave on the Thursday, as it is such a long trip, and stop off in a Lay-by closer to windermere.

My wife, and I for that reason do not like the idea of parking up in a layby, and sleeping. However are there any points which are safe, where you could stop the night. thus keeping this other family happy, and leaving the day before.

I look forward to any comments some of you may have.

our friend does not want to lose a day, so he wants to go the day before.

he is also talking about staying in motorway service stations, or something like that, which is also not appealing to my wife. and the thought of staying in an motorway service area for 10 hours is not an idea of a good way to start the holiday off.

Found this on a Motor home web site that may be of interest :

Can I sleep in my camper when it's parked on the road or in a lay-by?

It's very difficult to give a straightforward answer, the problem is that many bits of legislation may apply, including the Caravan Sites & Control of Development Act, and recent legislation covering gypsies and travellers. As a motorhome or campervan is classed in law as a 'caravan', sleeping in it may constitute 'camping'.

Our interpretation of the law is that you cannot 'camp' on land in England & Wales (the law may be different in Scotland and N. Ireland) without the permission of the land owner. As far as the highway is concerned (this includes lay-bys) the land owner is normally the local authority.

However, whether you are moved on or not will depend on the attitude of the local authority or the local police. Our opinion (and it is only an opinion) is that you are unlikely to be moved on if: The vehicle is not causing an obstruction (but remember that there is no 'right' to park any vehicle on the road); there is no specific local by-law prohibiting overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles; you are not in the same place for more than a day or two.

I have used laybys occasionally for an o/night stop. I pick one which has a piece of land between me and the road, normally a realigned road is the answer. I have never been moved on either, but have tended to use CLS for the last few years.