Top Stopovers & Campsites in Hertfordshire

Purpose-built sites in the Chilterns cater to larger vehicles, with most offering hardstanding and 10-14 amp hookups. Village car parks in Berkhamsted and Tring permit overnight parking (check local signage). Canal-side stopovers along the Grand Union Canal between Kings Langley and Berkhamsted are popular. The county's three main stopover areas offer good drainage: the Chilterns ridge, the Lea Valley floor, and the chalk uplands near Ashwell. Working farms host seasonal motorhome parking near the M25 corridor.

Suggested Touring Routes in Hertfordshire

Route 1: Chilterns Discovery (2 days, 45 miles)

Start near Berkhamsted (A4251) and head through the Chilterns toward Ashridge Estate. Suits motorhomes up to 7.5 metres. Visit Berkhamsted castle ruins and High Street. Day two: loop to Tring via B4635 and B4009, visiting Tring Reservoirs. Return via A413.

Route 2: Royal Hertfordshire Circuit (3 days, 65 miles, 6-8m motorhomes)

Begin at Hatfield (A1000 from M25 Junction 7). Drive to St Albans via A1170 for Roman heritage and cathedral. Day two: Berkhamsted (A4251) then Tring via B4009/B4635. Day three: return via Harpenden (A1081) and Welwyn Garden City.

Route 3: Lea Valley Waterside Tour (2 days, 40 miles, all sizes)

Follow the River Lea from Waltham Abbey north. Visit Hertford (free parking near castle) and continue to Ware and St Margaret's. Minimal height restrictions, straight roads, excellent for larger motorhomes or first-time touring drivers.

Things to Do in Hertfordshire

The Chilterns AONB dominates the west: Ashridge Estate offers free parking and walking trails; Ivinghoe Beacon provides panoramic views. Historic sites include Berkhamsted Castle (free), St Albans Cathedral, and Hatfield House (coach parking, advance booking advised). The Grand Union Canal between Kings Langley and Tring is excellent for towpath walks. Tring Reservoirs are outstanding for birdwatching. Market towns like Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, and Hitchin have independent shops within walking distance of parking. The Lea Valley Walk offers riverside scenery without strenuous hiking.

Practical Information for Motorhomers in Hertfordshire

Service points at Tring (A41), Hemel Hempstead (A414), and Hatfield (A1000) have waste disposal and fresh water. Tesco Extra and Morrisons near A1 junctions accept large vehicles. Primary routes (A1, A41, A414) clear for 3.8m+ vehicles; some Ashridge lanes are tight. Avoid village centre car parks after 9 p.m. (permit-only). Chilterns lanes can be slippery November-March.

FAQs: Motorhome Touring in Hertfordshire