The Cotswolds are beautiful but restrictive for van life — most of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is private land with strict parking rules. Here are the laybys that work.
Verdict
The Cotswolds is not a wild camping destination. But the B4068 laybys and the A433 gravel spots work for a quiet night. The pub parking option is the most reliable — eat at a country pub and sleep in their car park for free.
The Challenge
The Cotswolds is a National Landscape (AONB). Most of the land is privately owned farmland. There is no right to wild camp. Car parks are pay-and-display and often have height barriers or overnight bans. The solution: find the quiet laybys on the minor roads between villages. The Cotswolds has hundreds of miles of B-roads and unclassified lanes. Many have wide grass verges suitable for a single van.
Best Laybys
- B4068 near Sapperton: A long, straight stretch of road through the woods. Three gravel laybys large enough for a van. Quiet at night. 1 mile from the Tunnel House pub (good food).
- A433 near Barnsley: Two wide gravel laybys on the road between Cirencester and Burford. Busy during the day, quiet after 8pm. Room for 2 vans each.
- B4425 near Coln St Aldwyns: A quiet road with a wide grass verge near the River Coln. Room for 1-2 vans. Very quiet. 10-minute walk to the Coln Arms pub.
- A40 near Andoversford: Three large laybys on the old A40 (now a B-road). Popular with truckers. Safe, busy during the day, quiet at night. Room for 5+ vans. No view (it is a road layby) but reliable.
- B4077 near Withington: Wide verge near the Roman villa site. Room for 2 vans. Quiet rural lane.
- Rack Isle (near Bourton-on-the-Water): A National Trust car park. Free for NT members. Overnight parking is tolerated (discreet use). 10-minute walk to Bourton.
Van-Friendly Pubs with Parking
- The Five Mile House (near Duntisbourne Leer): Large gravel car park. Buy dinner, park overnight. Dog-friendly.
- The Keepers Arms (near Chedworth): Small car park but the landlord allows vans. Call ahead.
- The Potting Shed (near Malmesbury): The car park is massive. Book a table and ask about overnight.
- The Hatherop Arms (near Lechlade): Quiet pub, large car park, dog-friendly.
CAMC Sites
- Cotswold View (CAMC, Moreton-in-Marsh): £25/night, electric hookup, showers, WiFi. Book ahead in summer.
- Bourton-on-the-Water (CAMC): £20/night, basic, good location for the villages.
What to Avoid
- Bibury: The entire village has no overnight parking. The car park closes at dusk. Wardens patrol.
- Broadway: Controlled parking zone. No overnight in the village car park.
- Burford: The High Street has 2-hour parking only. The car park closes at 6pm.
- Stow-on-the-Wold: The market square is pay-and-display, 8am-6pm. No overnight.
Amenities
- Cirencester: Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose, fuel, launderette, public toilets
- Stroud: Full facilities, farmers market on Saturdays
- Moreton-in-Marsh: Co-op, fuel, the CAMC site for facilities
- Water: Cirencester public toilets, Bourton-on-the-Water public tap
