The Feral Way

A traffic warden knocked on my window at 6:47am in Hackney. I was still in bed, wearing just pants, trying to work out where I was and why someone was banging on my van.

“You can’t park here overnight,” she said through the window.

“I wasn’t parked overnight,” I lied, badly. “I just pulled over because I felt tired.”

She looked at my pillow visible through the windscreen, my clearly lived-in van interior, and the condensation on all my windows.

“Right. Well, you need to move now or I’m issuing a ticket.”

I drove off in my pants, found a side street three roads away, and went back to sleep. She didn’t follow me. I’d learned two things: London traffic wardens start early, and having curtains that actually block the view is essential.

That was three years ago. Since then I’ve spent multiple nights parked in UK cities—mostly London, Edinburgh, and Manchester. I’ve been moved on maybe fifteen times. I’ve been ticketed once (£60, disputed it, won). I’ve been woken by police twice (both times they just checked I was okay and left).

City stealth camping isn’t glamorous. It’s not wild camping with mountain views. It’s parking on residential streets, trying not to draw attention, occasionally getting hassled, and making the best of limited options.

But it’s necessary if you’re: working in cities, passing through, visiting friends, or just need facilities that cities provide. And if you do it right, it’s mostly hassle-free.

This guide covers what actually works for stealth camping in London, Edinburgh, and Manchester—the legal grey areas, the practical realities, and how to not be that dickhead in a van who ruins it for everyone else.

What “Stealth Camping” Actually Means

Stealth camping is parking overnight in urban areas without drawing attention. The goal is to be invisible—park, sleep, leave quietly, and nobody notices you were there.

It’s not:

Camping in obvious tourist spots
Setting up chairs and awnings
Emptying grey water in the street
Being loud or antisocial
Staying in the same spot for weeks

It is:

Parking legally (following all parking restrictions)
Arriving late (after 9-10pm usually)
Leaving early (before 8am)
Being respectful and quiet
Not leaving any trace

Done properly, stealth camping means you blend in with parked cars. Nobody knows you’re sleeping in your van. You’re just another vehicle on a residential street.

The Legal Reality (It’s Complicated)

Here’s the honest truth: sleeping in your vehicle isn’t illegal in the UK. But parking overnight often violates local bylaws or parking restrictions.

What’s legal:

Sleeping in your vehicle (not illegal anywhere in UK)
Parking on public roads where parking is permitted
Overnight parking where no restrictions prohibit it

What’s often NOT legal:

Parking in bays with time limits (even if outside enforcement hours)
Parking in residents-only zones without permit
Parking where signs prohibit overnight parking/waiting
Parking in ways that obstruct traffic or driveways
“Camping” (which some councils define as being in a vehicle overnight)

The grey area:

Most councils don’t explicitly ban sleeping in vehicles. But they ban “camping” or “overnight habitation” which might mean the same thing. Enforcement varies wildly—some areas aggressively move on vans, others don’t care.

If challenged:

You’re “resting because you felt tired” or “working early shift nearby and needed to arrive night before.” You’re not “camping”—you’re parked legally and happened to sleep. This distinction sometimes matters to enforcement officers.

My experience:

I’ve been moved on by:

Traffic wardens (3 times)
Police (2 times)
Council parking enforcement (5 times)
Angry residents (5 times)

None resulted in tickets except once (successfully disputed). Most were just “please move along” conversations. Being polite and leaving immediately has always worked.

Universal Rules for City Stealth Camping

These apply to all cities, not just the big three.

Rule 1: Read the Signs

Every parking spot has signs. Read them carefully.

Look for:

Time restrictions (no parking 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, etc.)
Resident permit zones (you need permit or can’t park)
Loading bays (time-limited)
Disabled bays (obviously don’t park here)
Maximum stay periods (2 hours max, etc.)
“No overnight parking” signs
“No waiting” restrictions

What actually works:

Residential streets with:

No restrictions after certain hours (e.g., “no parking 8am-6pm Mon-Fri” means you CAN park outside those hours)
Free unrestricted parking (common in outer zones)
Meters that are free after 6:30pm (you can park overnight legally)

What doesn’t work:

Residents-only zones (you’ll get ticketed)
Time-limited bays (you’ll get ticketed)
Bus stops, taxi ranks, loading zones (ticketed or towed)
Anywhere with explicit “no overnight” signs

Rule 2: Arrive Late, Leave Early

The golden hours for stealth camping: arrive after 9-10pm, leave before 7:30-8am.

Why this matters:

After 9-10pm: Most people are home, streets are quieter, you’re less noticeable
Before 8am: Avoids morning rush hour, traffic wardens, and being obviously “camping”
Short window: You’re just another car that arrived late and left early

My routine:

Arrive 9:30-10pm (after dinner, people watching TV, not looking out windows)
Park, draw curtains/blinds quietly
Sleep
Wake at 7-7:30am
Leave by 8am latest

If you’re parked and settled by 10pm and gone by 8am, you’re just a parked car. Stay later or arrive earlier and you look like you’re living there.

Rule 3: Be Invisible

Your van should look like a parked vehicle, not a mobile home.

Make your van anonymous:

No obvious campervan signage or stickers
Plain exterior (ideally white or silver—most common van colours)
No roof racks loaded with surfboards/bikes
No awnings, chairs, or camping equipment visible
Blackout curtains or blinds (no light visible from outside)
No condensation on windows (ventilation or crack windows)

My van: White Transit, completely unmarked, blackout curtains, nothing on roof. Looks like a builder’s van. Perfect.

Rule 4: Don’t Take the Piss

This is critical for not ruining spots for everyone.

Don’t:

Stay in same spot every night for weeks (you’ll get reported)
Empty grey water in street (illegal and disgusting)
Put rubbish outside your van
Make noise (music, talking loudly, slamming doors)
Set up chairs/table outside
Run generator or loud equipment
Be drunk/antisocial
Block driveways or tight spaces

Do:

Rotate spots (different street each night or every few nights)
Take rubbish with you (dispose properly elsewhere)
Be quiet and respectful
Park considerately
Leave no trace
Wave/acknowledge residents if they look concerned

One dickhead in a van who empties chemical toilet in a drain or blasts music ruins stealth camping for everyone in that area. Don’t be that dickhead.

Rule 5: Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes spots don’t work out. You arrive and there’s no space, or signs you missed, or just bad vibes.

Always have:

2-3 backup locations mapped out
Nearby 24-hour supermarket car park (emergency option)
Knowledge of next area over (can drive 5-10 mins to different neighborhood)
Enough fuel to move if needed

I’ve driven around for 45 minutes looking for suitable parking more times than I can count. It’s frustrating but it’s part of city stealth camping.

London: The Ultimate Challenge

London is the hardest UK city for stealth camping. It’s massive, parking enforcement is aggressive, and most areas have restrictions.

But it’s doable. I’ve spent a fair few nights parked in London over three years.

Where NOT to Try

Central London (Zones 1-2):

Forget it. Almost everywhere is:

Residents parking only
Metered with overnight restrictions
Business areas with night-time loading restrictions
Actively patrolled by parking enforcement

I’ve tried. I’ve been ticketed, moved on, and hassled. Not worth it.

Tourist areas:

Westminster, South Bank, Tower Bridge area: Heavily restricted
Camden, Shoreditch, Brick Lane: Overnight restrictions common
Kensington, Chelsea: Residents parking exclusively

Parks and commons:

Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath: Bylaws prohibit overnight parking
Richmond Park: Gates locked at night
Clapham Common: Restricted parking

Areas That Actually Work

These are zones and neighborhoods where I’ve successfully stealth camped multiple times. I’m not giving exact streets because that’s how spots get ruined, but these areas are worth exploring.

Zone 3-4: Outer London

North London:

Finchley, Barnet, Hendon area: Lots of residential streets with unrestricted evening/night parking. Some residents-only zones but many streets are free after 6:30pm.
Wood Green, Turnpike Lane: Mix of restricted and unrestricted. Check signs carefully. Streets off main roads often fine.
Tottenham, Edmonton: Further out, more relaxed. Some areas feel sketchy—trust your instincts.

East London:

Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone: Good options. Residential streets with free parking after hours. Near tube stations but not touristy.
Stratford outskirts: Not near Olympic Park (restricted) but residential areas around Stratford are workable.
Forest Gate, Manor Park: Further out but decent parking availability.

South London:

Lewisham, Catford, Forest Hill: Residential areas with unrestricted parking. Not trendy so less enforcement.
Streatham, Tooting (outer parts): Central Tooting is restricted, but edges of these areas have free streets.
Croydon (outer): Yes, it’s Croydon. But parking is easier and you’re still on the tram/train network.

West London:

Ealing, Acton: Some residents zones but many streets free after 6:30pm.
Hanwell, Greenford: Further out, more relaxed parking.
Hounslow (not near airport): Residential areas have decent unrestricted parking.

My Actual Strategy for London

Identify the area I need to be in (meeting, work, visiting friend)
Look at zones 3-4 within 30-40 mins public transport
Use Google Maps to scout residential streets
Check for parking signs on Street View
Arrive evening, drive around until I find suitable street
Park, sleep, leave early
Get tube/train into central London

Example: Need to be in Shoreditch. Park in Walthamstow (20 mins on Victoria Line). Free, quiet, never been hassled.

London-Specific Tips

Parking enforcement:

Traffic wardens start early (6:30-7am in some areas)
They’re aggressive and have no sympathy for “I was just resting”
Evening/night enforcement is rare but exists in problem areas
Tickets are £60-130 depending on violation

Facilities:

24-hour supermarkets: Asda and Tesco extras are all over London
Public toilets: Sparse. Use McDonald’s, Wetherspoons, or train stations
Water: Supermarkets, gyms (if member), or refill apps
Showers: The Gym Group (£20-30/month), PureGym (£25-35/month)

Safety:

Most areas are safe but trust your instincts
Avoid parking in obviously rough areas
Keep van locked always
Don’t open door to strangers
Have phone charged for emergencies

If police knock:

Be polite. Explain you’re traveling through, felt tired, parked legally. They usually just check you’re okay and leave. Police rarely care unless you’re causing problems.

If traffic warden knocks:

You need to move immediately. Arguing is pointless. Just drive away and find another spot.

Cost to stealth camp London:

Parking: £0 (if you find free spots)
Gym membership: £20-30/month (showers and toilets)
Fuel: £10-20 to drive around finding spots and repositioning

London Reality Check

London stealth camping is:

Time-consuming (finding spots takes effort)
Sometimes frustrating (moved on, no spaces, restrictions)
Requires patience and flexibility
Not relaxing (you’re in a city, it’s noisy and busy)

But it’s free accommodation in one of world’s most expensive cities. That’s worth some inconvenience.

Edinburgh: Tourist Trap or Manageable?

Edinburgh is easier than London but harder than it should be because the council has gotten increasingly hostile to campervans.

I’ve stayed in Edinburgh probably 10 or so nights across multiple visits.

Where NOT to Try

City Centre:

Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Old Town: Forget it. Tourist area, restrictions everywhere.
New Town: Residents parking only.
Princes Street, George Street: Commercial with overnight restrictions.
Holyrood area: Near parliament, heavily restricted.

Tourist spots:

Arthur’s Seat car parks: Height barriers or locked overnight.
Portobello Beach: Restricted parking, regular enforcement.
Leith Shore/waterfront: Council ban on overnight parking in many areas.

Problem areas:

Edinburgh Council has become increasingly anti-campervan in response to overtourism. Many previously-good spots now have “No overnight parking,” “No campervans,” or “No motorhomes” signs.

Areas That Work

Leith (carefully):

Residential streets away from Shore area
Check signs obsessively (many have new overnight restrictions)
More industrial areas (careful—some feel sketchy)
Near Ocean Terminal sometimes works

Craigmillar, Niddrie:

Further south/east
Less touristy, more working-class areas
Free parking common
Some areas feel rough—use judgment

Portobello (residential streets, not seafront):

Streets back from beach often unrestricted
Beach area itself is banned for overnight
Pleasant neighborhood if you find spot

Bruntsfield, Morningside:

More affluent areas south of center
Some residents parking but many streets free after 6pm
Quieter, safer feeling
15-20 min bus to center

Blackford, Liberton:

South Edinburgh
University area (students don’t care about vans)
Lots of free parking on side streets
20-30 mins to center

Corstorphine, Sighthill:

West Edinburgh
Near zoo and airport but residential
Less restricted parking
20-25 mins to center

My Edinburgh Strategy

Edinburgh is compact. I park in residential areas 2-4 miles from center and walk, bus, or cycle in. Traffic in Edinburgh center is nightmare anyway—better to park out and commute.

Typical routine:

Arrive late afternoon/evening
Drive to Leith or south Edinburgh areas
Scout residential streets for free parking
Park by 9pm
Sleep
Leave by 8am or walk into town

Festival time (August):

Forget stealth camping centrally. Edinburgh is rammed during Festival/Fringe. Parking is impossible, enforcement is heavy, and everywhere’s chaotic.

Options:

Park way out (Portobello, Blackford, Corstorphine) and commute
Skip Edinburgh entirely during August
Pay for campsite (Mortonhall, Edinburgh Caravan Park are closest)

I tried stealth camping during Fringe once. Took me 90 minutes to find parking, got moved on at 7am by traffic warden, gave up and left Edinburgh. Not worth the hassle.

Edinburgh-Specific Tips

Weather:

Edinburgh is cold and windy even in summer
Condensation is worse than other cities (humidity from sea)
Good ventilation essential

Parking enforcement:

Less aggressive than London but present
Focus on tourist areas and restricted zones
Residential areas rarely checked overnight

Facilities:

24-hour Asda in Chesser (west Edinburgh)
Tesco extras scattered around suburbs
Public toilets near Waverley, St James Quarter, Grassmarket
Water: Supermarkets or public toilets
Showers: PureGym locations (£25-30/month), The Gym (£20/month)

Council attitude:

Edinburgh Council is increasingly hostile to campervans due to overtourism and motorhome influx from NC500. They’ve added restrictions in many areas. This might get worse.

Respect the local sentiment. Don’t park obviously, don’t stay weeks, don’t be the reason they add more restrictions.

Safety:

Edinburgh is generally very safe. Some areas (Craigmillar, Niddrie, parts of Leith) feel rougher but actual crime against parked vans is rare. Use common sense.

Cost to stealth camp Edinburgh:

Parking: £0 (free spots available)
Gym: £20-30/month
Food: Supermarkets cheaper than London
Bus/transport: £1.80 per trip or day ticket £4.50

Edinburgh Reality Check

Edinburgh is medium difficulty. Easier than London, harder than Manchester. Doable but requires effort and flexibility.

Main issues:

Council restrictions increasing
Festival makes it impossible
Weather (cold, wet, windy)
Finding spaces can take time

But it’s manageable for short stays (few days to a week). Longer term gets harder as you need to rotate spots more.

Manchester: The Easiest of the Three

Manchester is the most van-friendly major UK city I’ve experienced. Less parking restrictions, more relaxed enforcement, easier to find spots.

I’ve spent maybe 10 nights in Manchester area and rarely had issues.

Where NOT to Try

City Centre:

Northern Quarter, Spinningfields, Deansgate: Commercial areas with restrictions.
Piccadilly Gardens area: Overnight restrictions, not safe feeling.
Salford Quays: Looks tempting but restricted parking and patrols.

University area:

Oxford Road, Fallowfield: Student area, restricted parking, break-ins more common.

Areas That Work

Manchester has loads of residential areas with unrestricted parking within 15-30 mins of center.

Chorlton:

South Manchester, affluent-ish area
Lots of unrestricted residential streets
Near tram line (20 mins to center)
Safe, pleasant, never been hassled here

Didsbury (West and East):

Leafy suburbs, very safe
Free parking on many streets
Tram or bus to center
Middle-class area (neighbors less likely to care about vans)

Levenshulme:

East Manchester
More working-class, cheaper food/facilities
Lots of free street parking
Train to center in 10-15 mins
Some streets rougher than others—scout first

Withington:

South Manchester
Mix of students and families
Free parking common
Buses to center frequent

Sale, Altrincham:

South/west, technically Trafford but close to Manchester
Suburban, lots of unrestricted parking
Tram line into center
Very safe, never had issues

Prestwich:

North Manchester
Residential with free parking
Tram to center (25 mins)
Jewish area (Friday night-Saturday daytime area is very quiet)

Stretford:

West Manchester
Working-class, cheaper area
Free parking readily available
Tram to center (20 mins)
Near Trafford Centre for facilities

My Manchester Strategy

Manchester is easy. Pick any residential area near tram or train line, park on side street, sleep, done.

I’ve parked in same spot in Chorlton 3-4 nights without moving and never been hassled. Can’t imagine doing that in London.

Typical routine:

Choose area near tram/train
Arrive evening (9-10pm)
Drive around until I find good street (usually takes 5-10 mins)
Park and sleep
Leave when I want (no rush in most areas)

Manchester-Specific Tips

Parking enforcement:

Much more relaxed than London or Edinburgh
Residential areas rarely patrolled overnight
City center has enforcement but suburbs don’t really

Facilities:

24-hour Asda locations (Hulme, Eastlands, others)
Tesco extras scattered around
Arndale has public toilets (city center)
Trafford Centre for everything (massive shopping center, free parking, facilities)

Safety:

Manchester has reputation for crime but parking overnight in residential areas has been fine for me. Avoid obviously rough streets (common sense).

Some areas I’ve avoided:

Moss Side (reputation)
Parts of Salford (varies)
Longsight (heard stories, never tested)

But honestly most of Manchester suburbs are fine.

Transport:

Manchester’s tram system (Metrolink) is excellent. Park anywhere near a tram line and you can get center in 20-30 mins. Much easier than London tube or Edinburgh buses.

Weather:

Manchester is wet. Like, really wet. Good ventilation essential or condensation is awful.

Cost to stealth camp Manchester:

Parking: £0 (free spots everywhere)
Gym: £20-25/month (The Gym Group, PureGym)
Food: Cheaper than London/Edinburgh
Tram: £4.70 day ticket or £2-3 per journey

Manchester Reality Check

Manchester is genuinely easy for stealth camping. If you’re nervous about starting city stealth camping, start in Manchester.

Why it’s easier:

Less parking restrictions in residential areas
Enforcement is relaxed
Easy to find spots (usually 5-10 mins of driving)
Good public transport (tram system)
Cheaper than London or Edinburgh
More van-friendly attitude generally

I’d happily stealth camp in Manchester for weeks without stress. London I can tolerate for a week max. Edinburgh maybe 5-7 days comfortably.

Other UK Cities (Brief Notes)

Birmingham

Similar to Manchester—easier than London, lots of unrestricted residential parking in suburbs. Digbeth and Jewellery Quarter have industrial areas that work overnight. City center restricted. Never had issues.

Bristol

Medium difficulty. Council has gotten hostile to campervans (Clifton, harbourside banned). Residential areas in suburbs okay (Southville, Bedminster, Horfield). Park and ride sites sometimes work overnight but check signs.

Leeds

Similar to Manchester. Easy to find residential parking. Headingley, Hyde Park, Horsforth areas all work. City center restricted. Relaxed enforcement.

Glasgow

Easier than Edinburgh (less touristy). West End (around university) and south side residential areas fine. Some areas feel rough—use judgment. Parking enforcement pretty relaxed.

Liverpool

Easy. Residential areas have free parking (Aigburth, Sefton Park, Wavertree). Waterfront touristy and restricted. Never been hassled.

Newcastle

Very easy. Residential suburbs have loads of free parking (Jesmond, Gosforth, Heaton). Friendly city, relaxed about vans.

Cardiff

Easy. Bay area restricted but residential suburbs fine (Canton, Roath, Cathays). Smaller city so less pressure on parking.

Practical Stealth Camping Setup

What you need in your van for successful city camping.

Essential Equipment

Blackout curtains/blinds:

Must block all light
Must not be see-through
Magnetic or suction fitting (easy to put up/remove)
I use black fabric with silver backing, fitted to window frames with magnets

Ventilation:

Crack windows overnight or you’ll wake up in condensation hell
Roof vent essential (MaxxFan or similar)
Some airflow needed without being obvious

Quiet:

Nothing creaking or rattling when you move
Silent toilet if you have one
Quiet heater (diesel heaters are noisy—use sparingly in cities)

Low profile:

No obvious modifications visible from outside
Plain exterior
No stickers or signs

Security:

Good locks on all doors
Alarm system (optional but reassuring)
Hidden valuables
Keep cab area empty (no laptop bags visible)

Facilities Strategy

Toilets:

McDonald’s (everywhere, always open)
Wetherspoons (cheap food, toilets, no one cares)
Supermarkets (during opening hours)
Train stations (usually accessible)
24-hour petrol stations (small, not great)

Showers:

Gym membership (£20-30/month for budget chains)
Swimming pools (£4-8 per session)
Friends (if you have any left after asking repeatedly)
Truck stop showers (some have them, £4-8)

Water:

Supermarkets (fill bottles from taps in toilets)
Gyms (bottle fill stations)
Refill app (shows places that offer free water refills)

Grey water disposal:

NOT in street (illegal and disgusting)
Campsite waste points (£5-10 dumping fee or free if staying)
Some petrol stations (ask first)
Dedicated motorhome service points

Rubbish:

Take with you, dispose in public bins
Or Tesco/Asda bins when shopping
Don’t leave rubbish by your van

Daily Routine

My typical city stealth camping routine:

Evening:

6-7pm: Finish whatever I’m doing (work, sightseeing, meeting friends)
7-8pm: Find area I’m parking (residential suburb near transport)
8-9pm: Get dinner, use supermarket toilet, fill water
9-10pm: Drive to spot, park, set up curtains
10pm-11pm: Evening routine, read, watch stuff on phone
11pm-midnight: Sleep

Morning:

7-7:30am: Wake up
7:30-8am: Morning routine, pack up
8-8:30am: Drive to gym/pool for shower, or use McDonald’s toilet
8:30am-9am: Breakfast somewhere (cafe, pub, park)
9am onwards: Whatever I’m doing that day

Takes maybe an hour total of “van stuff” per day. Rest is living normally but based out of a van.

When Stealth Camping Goes Wrong

Despite best efforts, sometimes you’ll have problems.

Moved On by Police

Happened to me twice.

First time: Parked in Hackney, police knocked at midnight. Said someone reported “suspicious van.” Checked I was okay, asked me to move. I drove two streets away. No problem.

Second time: Parked in Leith, police knocked at 2am. Same deal—checked I was okay, asked me to move. I left area entirely.

How to handle:

Be polite and cooperative
You’ve done nothing wrong (assuming parked legally)
Just move when asked—arguing is pointless
Don’t take it personally

Police are responding to resident complaints usually. They’re not interested in causing trouble, just want you to move along.

Moved On by Traffic Wardens

Happened three times.

Traffic wardens have less power than police but can issue tickets.

How to handle:

Move immediately
Don’t argue (they don’t care)
Check you weren’t violating parking restrictions
If you were, you might get ticket in post

Angry Residents

Happened five times.

Residents knock on your van or leave notes saying you can’t park there.

How to handle:

If they knock, be polite and explain you’re just resting/traveling through
If you get note, just move (not worth confrontation)
Remember: you’re in their neighborhood, respect that
Don’t park in same spot multiple nights (this causes complaints)

Most complaints come from repeat parking. If you rotate spots, rarely get hassle.

Tickets

Got one ticket in three years.

Camden, parked in bay with restrictions I misread. £60 ticket.

Disputed it (argued signage was unclear). They cancelled it.

If you get ticketed:

Read ticket carefully
Check if parking restrictions were clearly marked
If unclear signage, photograph and dispute
If you were clearly wrong, just pay it (fighting adds stress)

Break-Ins

Never been broken into but know people who have.

City break-ins are more common than rural. Take precautions:

Don’t leave valuables visible
Lock everything
Don’t park in obviously dodgy areas
Alarm system helps (mostly as deterrent)
Consider steering wheel lock for extra security

If broken into, report to police (crime number for insurance) and move areas immediately.

Feeling Unsafe

If spot feels wrong, leave.

I’ve abandoned spots because:

Drunk people hanging around
Felt too isolated
Sketchy area I didn’t notice until dark
Just bad vibes

Trust instincts. Finding new spot is easier than dealing with problems.

The Ethics of Stealth Camping

Stealth camping exists in ethical grey area. Here’s my thinking:

Arguments for:

You’re using public space (roads are public)
Not harming anyone
Parking legally (following all restrictions)
Need accommodation, cities are expensive
Brief stay (not setting up permanently)

Arguments against:

Residents pay taxes/permits for street parking
You’re effectively getting free accommodation in expensive city
Some vans are messy/antisocial (ruins it for everyone)
Takes up parking spaces residents might want

My approach:

I stealth camp but try to minimize impact:

Never stay same spot multiple nights running
Always park legally
Leave no trace (no rubbish, no dumping grey water)
Be quiet and respectful
Move immediately if asked
Use facilities elsewhere (not resident streets for toilet/rubbish)

If everyone did this, stealth camping would remain viable. Unfortunately some people are antisocial, which ruins it and causes councils to add restrictions.

Don’t be the reason your city bans overnight van parking.

Alternatives to Stealth Camping

Sometimes stealth camping isn’t worth the hassle.

Park and Ride sites:

Some allow overnight (check signs)
Usually secure
Transport into city available
Free or cheap (£5-10)

Pub car parks:

Ask landlord if you can stay overnight
Buy meal and drinks (£15-20)
Usually fine with vans
Often have toilets

Campsite outskirts:

Sites on edges of cities (30-40 mins to center)
£15-30/night
Facilities included (toilet, shower, waste disposal)
More relaxing than stealth camping

Park4Night spots:

Crowdsourced database of parking spots
Some near cities
Reviews help avoid bad spots

Friends’ driveways:

Free, safe, facilities available
Requires having friends who don’t mind
Can only abuse this so many times

Hotel/hostel:

Sometimes just pay for accommodation. £40-60 for night in hostel or budget hotel, includes shower, WiFi, breakfast sometimes, and you’re not stressed about parking.

I use mix of stealth camping and paid accommodation. If I’m tired, stressed, or weather’s awful, I’ll pay for room. If I’m on budget and don’t mind the effort, I’ll stealth camp.

Final Thoughts

City stealth camping is never perfect. It’s compromise between:

Free accommodation (pro)
Effort and hassle (con)
Limited comfort (con)
Flexibility (pro)
Independence (pro)
Occasional stress (con)

Is it worth it? Depends on your priorities.

Do city stealth camping if:

Budget is tight and you’re trying to save money
You’re passing through briefly (1-3 nights)
You don’t mind the effort and uncertainty
You want flexibility (no booking, no commitments)
You’re reasonably experienced with vanlife

Don’t do city stealth camping if:

You’re stressed easily
You need guarantees (knowing exactly where you’ll sleep)
You’re new to vanlife (start easier, rural camping)
You have other options (friends’ places, affordable accommodation)
The city has made it very difficult (London during events, Edinburgh during Festival)

After three years doing this, I’m comfortable with city stealth camping but I understand why some people avoid it.

It’s not glamorous. It’s often frustrating. But it’s free accommodation in expensive cities, and that’s valuable.

My final advice:

Start in easier cities (Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle). Learn the basics. Build confidence. Then attempt London or Edinburgh if needed.

Read signs obsessively. Be respectful and quiet. Leave no trace. Rotate spots. Don’t take the piss.

And remember: you’re a guest in someone’s neighborhood. Act accordingly.

Useful Apps:

Park4Night: Finding parking spots (£9.99 one-time)
JustPark: Booking private parking (free app)
Parkopedia: Checking restrictions and prices
Google Maps: Street View to scout spots
Citymapper: Public transport (London, Manchester, Birmingham)

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is based on personal experience. Laws and regulations change. Always check local bylaws and parking restrictions. I’m not encouraging illegal parking—park legally and responsibly. If asked to move by authorities, comply immediately.