Leicestershire

Free camping on the A444

Between the M42 and the A5. There are about 6 'old road' layby’s, some screened from the road by shrubs. The council has recently put notices restricting parking to a max of 12 hours - so they would be OK for overnights. They are between Twycross and Fenny Drayton. The one nearest Fenny Drayton (just north of it) has a caravan cafe during the day - so could provide breakfast. It is only about 5 minutes off the A5 so is you are looking for somewhere there, it could be worth a short detour.

Free camping near M42/A444/A5

Just off junction 11 - M42/A444 where the M42 becomes the A42 - half a mile towards Measham on an unclassified road (used to be the A453 before the A42) there is a large layby (old road). Used by lorries some nights, but I've never seen it full and its empty at weekends. There is a McDonald's and fuel at the Motorway Island, and 2 miles beyond the layby, in Measham itself is a Cantonese takeaway next door to a fish and chip shop. There is also a hotel (the Metro) at the Motorway Island - which has a restaurant, so plenty to eat! The junction is half an hour from the NEC off peak (an hour plus between 7.30am and 8.30am).