We’ve been coming to Roe Valley Country Park for years. Kids in tow, then grandkids, then just ourselves with a packed lunch and nowhere particular to be. But parking up overnight in a motorhome? That’s a new one. And the reason we’re back doing exactly that comes down to one thing: Starlink. More on that…
A scenic Trory Pier park-up near Enniskillen with space for 6–7 vans, benches, and a large rubbish bin. Levelling ramps required, plus tight access roads and steep inclines. Park at the top and walk down to the pier.
A cracking free park-up beside Lough Neagh near Randalstown, with level parking, peaceful views, and genuinely clean 24-hour public toilets. No surrounding trees makes it a solid stop in bad weather, and there’s easy access with no height issues when we stayed. Ideal if you’re heading into Belfast or picking someone up from the nearby airport, and one of those rare spots that quietly does everything right.
We’ve ditched the coast for the calm of Old Castle Archdale, tucked beside Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh. It’s the kind of park-up where the “stealth campers” all look suspiciously like electricians on a break, the trails are half closed thanks to storm damage, and the dogs think they’ve discovered a new kingdom. Mrs. M’s off celebrating her 50th, I’ve got Starlink pointed at the sky, and the forest is quiet enough to hear Lucky snore — all in all, not a bad way to end the day.
We rocked up to Tiraroe Quay in the kind of rain that makes you question life choices. Park4Night said “one space only,” but someone had beaten us to it. With nowhere to turn on a dead-end road, we parked nose-first at Lough Erne and hoped for the best. Lovely views by morning, but not a spot we’d brave again after dark.
Enniscrone Pier in County Sligo is a winter wonderland for off-season vanlifers—if you enjoy freezing winds and questionable swimming choices! With stunning views and solitude, it’s perfect for dog owners and social media avoiders. Just remember: bring waterproofs, plan for toilet emergencies, and enjoy the sauna-spectator sport!
You’d think Northern Ireland’s second city would have a few basic motorhome facilities, right? Somewhere to dump waste, grab some water, and avoid parking at an angle sharp enough to give you vertigo. But here I am, once again, at St. Columb’s Park, wondering if I need to send Mark Durkan another politely irritated email….
There was a time when Springwell Forest Park was one of our go-to spots. Not for anything fancy, mind you, no water hook-up, no bins every 3 feet, and certainly no free WiFi. But back then, you could actually get a half-decent signal. This was pre-Huawei-ban era, before every mobile provider in the UK collectively…
There’s something incredibly grounding about parking beside a river that literally symbolises decades of political and economic neglect. The River Bann, for those blissfully unaware of Northern Irish geography, is that invisible-but-very-real line that divides East from West — or, in funding terms: “Gets Everything” vs. “Wait Your Turn”. So, here we are. Strand Road,…
There’s a particular type of peace found when your van faces a body of water, there’s no traffic noise, and the only drama comes from watching the ferry awkwardly try to dock in the wind. Welcome to Point Road, Magilligan. Coordinates: 55.18917, -6.96314 if you’re fancy with your GPS. Or just follow the road until…
