Campervan owner feels less welcome in one of his favourite parts of Wales

‘I’ve done a lot of work highlighting the beauty of north Wales on social media. But I now wonder what’s the point of ever going back up there.’

A campervan influencer claims parts of Wales are becoming increasingly unwelcoming towards motorhome drivers. Bristol-based businessman Neil Marsh is fond of visiting Wales but he believes the steps being implemented to address campervan-related issues are having the opposite effect and could prove costly for the economy in Wales.

Neil, who particularly enjoys venturing to north Wales, criticised the move after Eryri National Park Authority (ENPA) decided to impose overnight parking restrictions across 11 car parks.

The park authority took the action after monitoring revealed unauthorised campervan use, informal camping, littering and anti-social behaviour had become worse at the site.

The authority dismissed claims that Eryri had become a “no-go zone” for campervans. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

Neil, who has a substantial online following through his page Nemo’s Camper Adventures, said a “small entitled minority” of owners were spoiling campervan privileges for the vast majority, and he pleaded for a more collaborative strategy rather than blanket prohibitions.

He urged for enhanced facilities and oversight, including better communication with campervan owners. Patrols and penalties were also necessary to tackle the “1% of idiots who have now ruined it for people exploring north Wales”, he said.

“I just really can’t understand why the majority are being punished because of the minority,” said Neil. “Councils should set up meetings for campervan owners highlighting local businesses and showing beautiful places to visit. They should also give them parking hints and tips rather than just go for automatic bans.

“Councils could mount patrols to enforce these rules, fining people if necessary. Or they can put a contract out to tender to a security company to do it instead. It seems to work well in mid Wales. You have car parks down there where you can stay one night in every seven.

“Most of these car parks have CCTV and ANPR and I’ve also seen some of these car parks being patrolled by the police. People do respect it – but the minority do take the p*** and stay longer.”

Recognising their tourism importance, local authorities have started establishing overnight stopping points specifically for campervans and motorhomes.

Cyngor Gwynedd pioneered the approach with six “Arosfan” locations. Anglesey Council is presently trialling three car parks across the island, while Denbighshire Council revealed last week it would be creating six stopover locations throughout the county. Conwy Council provides basic motorhome spaces in certain car parks but otherwise prohibits overnight parking.

Critics said this response falls short of meeting the needs of campervan owners. On social media, one person criticised ENPA’s position saying: “Down the line the decision will bite them in the backside as tourist numbers dwindle.”

There are worries that overnight parking prohibitions at some of Eryri’s most frequented car parks will restrict the early morning hiking sector. Growing numbers of walkers are ascending peaks like Yr Wyddfa before dawn to arrive at the summit by sunrise. There are also concerns that Eryri’s ban might prompt parking in residential areas and rural lanes.

“I think this ban will simply push people to park on verges and side roads rather than tackle the problem,” said a Gwynedd woman on social media.

However, there is considerable backing for the overnight prohibition. Frequently it is residents who must contend with the less pleasant elements of campervan tourism. While many vehicles are completely self-sufficient, some are not.

A Tanygrisiau campervan owner said: “Some of the walks I go on are near lay-bys that are full of human faeces and emptied toilets – self contained or not. I’m not talking a little bit of mess, it’s bucket loads.”

Locations such as Llanberis have endured issues with littering and thoughtless parking for years. A local woman said visitors also discharged their toilet cartridges or cleaned their dishes in Llyn Padarn, amongst the largest natural lakes in Wales.

She added: “My partner drives to work over Pen-y-Pass to Betws y Coed every day and she has seen a lot of inconsiderate, stupid and downright dangerous parking and driving. But I don’t believe bans change behaviour. Better facilities and tourism management are needed.

“Part of the challenge too is the attitude of people when asked politely not to do something. The amount of times I’ve been told to “f off” and mind my business when trying to explain to people not to wash their oily bike in a llyn (lake) that has one of the most protected underwater grasses in the world, use a BBQ in a meadow of special scientific interest, is unbelievable. Or not to park so a car, never mind an ambulance or mountain rescue team, can get past.”

Neil described himself as “disgusted” by such selfish and disrespectful behaviour. Last year he shared footage of himself clearing bags of rubbish from farmland below Nant Gwynant’s breathtaking viewpoint in Eryri.

However, he insisted that such individuals were in the minority and that sweeping bans were not the answer. “I’ve done a lot of work highlighting the beauty of north Wales on social media,” he said. “But I now wonder what’s the point of ever going back up there.

“Locals are worried that if you take away the campervans and motorhomes, you will take away a massive chunk of incomes from businesses. I don’t want to see that happen and I’m pretty sure the people of north Wales don’t want that to happen as well.”

But others say that campervan owners should accept the situation and use campsites. For many, this undermines the sense of freedom that owning a campervan offers. Others claim that campsites are prohibitively costly and overly restrictive.

One Derbyshire motorhome owner noted that campsites were increasingly becoming the sole viable option. “I have started to look for basic sites and pub stopovers,” she said. “There is no such thing as a hidden gem anymore.”

Eryri National Park (ENP) said the authority’s overnight restrictions across 11 car parks has been erroneously reported as an outright ban on all campervans or motorhomes within the national park. ENPA said that all its car parks remained accessible to all visitors throughout the day.

At nine of the affected car parks, the restrictions are from 10pm–3am; at the two Llyn Tegid facilties, Bala, they are from 10pm-6am. ANPR cameras will shortly go live at the Bala car parks.

ENP said that the restrictions were enforced at car parks “where pressures have been greatest”. A spokesperson added: “These measures have been introduced following a period of monitoring and data collection, in response to increasing issues linked to overnight stays, including unauthorised campervan use, informal camping, littering, environmental impacts and some instances of anti-social behaviour.

“Importantly, many car parks remain available for use during the day (for up to 17 hours), and some key locations continue to operate on a 24-hour basis.

“Our car parks are designed primarily for daytime access to leisure opportunities and are not equipped with facilities for overnight stays by motorhomes or campervans.

“Our position has not changed in regards to overnight camping at our sites, the new operating hours is a formalisation of our car park use.

“We continue to welcome these vehicles during the day, but encourage those planning to stay overnight to use official campsites, designated motorhome facilities or Arosfan sites.

“These provide appropriate amenities while also supporting local communities and reducing pressures on sensitive locations.

“We recognise that the majority of campervan and motorhome users behave responsibly. However, the restrictions are aimed at addressing the cumulative impact caused in specific high-pressure areas.

“The measures will be kept under review and any necessary adjustments will be implemented over the summer. More broadly, these measures are about balancing access with protection.

“While some recent comments suggest the area is becoming a ‘no-go zone’ for campervans, this is not the case. Visitors travelling by motorhome remain very welcome, and there are ample facilities both within and just outside the national park to support overnight stays in a more sustainable way whilst contributing to the local economy.”

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