A full day of gleaming lorries, roaring monster lorries, stunt action and family entertainment is one thing. Waking up on site ready for day two is another. So, can you camp at lorry shows? Often, yes – but it depends entirely on the individual event, venue and the camping package you book.
At major weekend festivals, camping can turn a brilliant day out into the full live-event experience. You avoid the long drive home, spend more time with fellow fans, and arrive at the gates ready for more lorry displays, arena action and family fun. But camping is not automatically included with every ticket, and the small print matters.
Can You Camp at Lorry Shows? Check Before You Travel
Many large lorry shows offer dedicated camping areas for visitors, exhibitors and lorry entrants. Some include space for tents, caravans, motorhomes or campervans, while others cater only for particular vehicle types. Day-only events may have no overnight option at all.
The first rule is simple: never assume that buying admission gives you permission to stay overnight. A day ticket usually gets you into the event for the day or days specified. Camping generally needs its own package, pass or add-on, often booked in advance because site capacity is limited.
Camping arrangements can also vary by venue. A showground with permanent facilities may have a structured camping field, toilets, showers and clear arrival times. A temporary event site may offer more basic facilities and tighter restrictions on where vehicles can be parked. The atmosphere can be spot-on either way, but it pays to book the experience that suits your group.
For a major festival such as Lorryfest, camping is part of the appeal for visitors who want the whole weekend rather than a dash in and out of the gates. Always check the event-specific ticket information before setting off, as packages, permitted vehicles and site rules can differ between dates and locations.
What Your Camping Ticket Usually Covers
A camping booking normally secures your pitch or allocated space for the stated nights, plus event admission where the package says it is included. Do not guess what comes with it. Read the booking description carefully, especially if you are bringing a caravan, motorhome, tent, trailer tent or additional vehicle.
Arrival and departure windows matter too. Some campsites open the day before the main show, while others allow entry only from a set time on the first event day. Turning up late may mean joining a queue or, in some cases, missing the chance to access your preferred area. If you are travelling with friends, arrive together where possible. Event teams cannot always hold spaces so separate vehicles can camp side by side.
Also check how many people are covered by your booking. A pitch may be sold with a certain number of adult weekend tickets, while children, extra adults, vehicle passes or electrical hook-up could be charged separately. It is far easier to sort this before you travel than at a busy gate.
Camping, exhibitor and lorry-entry areas are different
This catches people out. Visitor camping is not the same as the lorry display area, exhibitor camping or a working paddock. Those areas may require separate accreditation and can have different access hours, safety rules and vehicle movement restrictions.
If you are entering a show lorry, bringing a trade stand or travelling as part of a fleet, use the instructions issued for that category. A spectacular display lorry needs a different arrival plan from a family arriving with a tent and a cool box. Keeping the areas separate helps the site run safely and makes the visitor experience better for everyone.
Choosing the Right Way to Stay
Camping is ideal if you want to make a proper weekend of it, especially when the programme is packed from morning through to the final arena show. Families often value not having to load tired children into the car after a long day, while enthusiasts get more time to walk the displays, talk lorries and soak up the evening buzz.
A tent is the straightforward choice for a lightweight, social weekend. A caravan, motorhome or campervan brings more comfort, storage and weather protection, but may need a dedicated vehicle pass or a larger pitch. If you are travelling in a larger vehicle, confirm height, length and towing restrictions before booking.
Not everyone wants to camp, and that is fine. If you live nearby, have young children who sleep better at home, or prefer a hotel bed and a hot shower, a day ticket may be the better call. The key is matching the plan to your group, not treating camping as a one-size-fits-all add-on.
What to Pack for a Lorry Show Camping Weekend
British event weather can deliver sunshine, wind and rain before lunchtime, so pack for all three. Good footwear is non-negotiable. Showgrounds are big, and grass can quickly become muddy after a shower. Bring a waterproof coat, warm layers for the evening and something suitable for proper summer heat too.
Your essentials should include:
- Your tickets, booking confirmation and photo identification if requested
- A sturdy tent or properly prepared caravan or motorhome setup
- Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and a ground mat or air bed
- Torches or lanterns, plus spare batteries or a power bank
- Refillable water bottles, cups and basic washing supplies
- A small first-aid kit, sun cream and any regular medication
Keep valuables to a minimum and lock them out of sight in your vehicle where possible. Take a photo of your pitch or note a recognisable landmark when you arrive. After a full day among thousands of lorries, food stalls, attractions and fellow visitors, every camping field can look remarkably similar.
Food, drink and cooking rules
Food and drink options are a huge part of the festival atmosphere, but you may still want breakfast supplies, snacks and water at your pitch. Before bringing a barbecue, gas stove or generator, check the event rules. Open flames, fuel containers and generators may be restricted or prohibited due to fire risk, noise or venue conditions.
Never cook inside a tent, awning or enclosed vehicle. Carbon monoxide is silent, fast and deadly. If you are camping with children, keep hot drinks, cooking equipment and guy ropes in mind from the moment you set up.
Camp Like a Good Neighbour
The best lorry show campsites have a real community feel. People have travelled from across the country, and there is always someone keen to admire a well-kept motor, swap stories or point you towards a must-see display. That only works when everyone respects the shared space.
Keep noise sensible late at night, use bins or take rubbish home, and follow the event team’s directions on vehicle movement. Children should be supervised, particularly near roads, displays and busy access routes. Pets may be allowed at some events but not others, so check the policy before bringing one and make sure they are comfortable in a lively environment.
It is also worth planning your exit. The final afternoon can be busy, particularly when lots of vehicles leave at once. Pack non-essential items away before the last show if permitted, but do not move your vehicle until the site team says it is safe to do so. Large lorries, pedestrians and family vehicles need careful management in the same space.
Make the Most of the Weekend
Camping gives you time to slow down and enjoy the parts of a lorry show that are easy to miss on a rushed day visit. Walk the lorry lines early before the crowds build. Catch the arena programme without watching the clock. Let the children have another go on the attractions. Then head back to your pitch knowing you are already where the action is.
Book the right camping package, arrive prepared and respect the site rules. With that sorted, your weekend can be about the proper stuff: big rigs, brilliant displays, great company and another full day of festival action waiting just beyond the tent zip.