Errr well.. Not exactly 'wild camping', I'm referring here to overnight stops when in transit, or touring, as opposed to using a regular camp site.

Sadly, unlike much of the rest of Europe where it is often mandatory for towns and villages to provide overnight stop-over facilities for motorhomers [known as Aires], there are very few places for overnight stopping for motorhomes and caravans at the roadside or in car-parks in the UK.

Given the popularity of caravanning and motorhoming in the UK, why roadside and overnight stop-over services similar to those provided in other EU states are not provided is beyond me!  The fact is.. You could [in theory] be prosecuted for stopping overnight in a lay-by, car-park, or similar place if it isn't designated as an 'official' stopping place.

I did once hear a local council official say it was to do with issues with the highways authority, rather than themselves, but I fancy that was just the usual 'cop-out', and buck passing that you get from most UK government offices!

UK AIRES - At the time of writing this article, the following list of places are 'approved' for overnight camping.

England

Cornwall
Tintagel:  King Arthur's Car Park, opposite The Old Post Office, Fore Street. Officially licensed for motorhomes to stay overnight at £3 for the night [4.00pm to 10.00am approx]. No services and public toilet block in the car park closes at 10pm.

Kent
Canterbury:  Kingsmead coach park. Kingsmead Road, Canterbury. CT1 1BW.  Fresh water, grey and black water dump facilities at ground level on payment of the parking fee of £5 for 12 hours max. 
Used to be no overnight parking but we believe this has changed now.

Canterbury:  Dover Road Park & Ride, about 1 mile from Canterbury city centre along the A2. £2 per day [includes bus fare]; overnight parking of motorhomes is allowed at 2xDay daily rate.  Water, grey and black Dump [free on payment of parking fee]; 24 large parking bays

Maidstone:  Maidstone Services on M20. £6 Food, shops, toilets, showers.

Oxfordshire
Abingdon:  Rye Farm Pay & Display car park, on the A415 going south from Abingdon, on the left hand side just across the river bridge. £5 for 24 hours maximum.  Public toilets (pay( are just across the road

Scotland

Fettercairn:  Bowling Club car park.

Tomintoul:  Car park of Tomintoul Bowling Club, Lecht Drive, Tomintoul. Off the B9008 Tomintoul to Dufftown road. From Dufftown or Lecht Ski area turn left into Lecht Drive just before the village. From Grantown on Spey, turn left in Tomintoul at sign for Dufftown and Lecht Ski area, then immediately right into Lecht Drive.  Overnight parking of motor homes on hard-standing £5 per night per vehicle. Pre-booking preferred. Drinking water available. Toilets, including disabled, on site. Shops within 200 yards

Northern Ireland

Co Antrim
Ballymoney:  The Angler%u2019s Rest, 139 The Vow Road, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim. Phone 028 2954 0280. Free.
Pub car park; pub serves food in the evenings during the week and all day on the weekend

Broughshane:  Houston Mills. Follow the brown tourist signs to Houston Mills (at the Larne end of the village( and park in its attractively arranged grounds. Euro-Relais bourne (service point( for fresh water and grey and black water disposal. Free overnight parking. £1 charge for services. Fresh water, grey and black water disposal; French style %u2018sani-station%u2019.

Glenwherry:  Ballyboley Inn, 125 Shanehill Road, Glenwherry, Ballymena. BT42 3EP. (on the main road from Larne to Ballymena( Telephone 028 2583 1208. Free overnight but no services in pub car park.

Coleraine
Aghadowey:  Brown Trout Golf and Country Inn, 209 Agivey Road, Aghadowey, Coleraine. BT51 4AD.  Telephone 028 7086 8209. Free overnight parking in Golf Car Park, Maximum Two Nights. Fresh water available

Co Down
Newtownards:  Daft Eddys, Sketrick Island, Newtownards, Co Down. BT23 6QH. Tel 028 9754 1615. Free overnight parking on slightly sloping ground in restaurant car park. No services.