how easy is it to wild camp in UK - Page 2

GJH · 19-05-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim

Its not against the law for you to sleep in a public place in your motorhome.

Not sure that's actually true. Strictly speaking I think you need the permission of the landowner - and all land in the UK is owned by someone, be that a real or a legal person (such as a public authority).

The term "wild camping" can be misleading as well. The only place in the UK where "wild camping" is actually allowed by law in some locations is Scotland and the definition of "wild camping" excludes use of vehicles in the majority of cases.

Often enough, "wild camping" may be tolerated but that does not mean it is allowed by law.

Jim's mention of irresponsible people is especially relevant. Sometimes even the act of staying in a van overnight has annoyed local residents to the extent that their lobbying results in total MH parking bans by the local authority concerned. This is particularly so where people camp overnight in defiance of local regulations.

If anyone wishes to "wild camp" then fine - but first make sure that doing so has no detrimental effect (or potential detrimental effect) on anyone.

Graham

Bulletguy · 20-05-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJH

Not sure that's actually true. Strictly speaking I think you need the permission of the landowner - and all land in the UK is owned by someone, be that a real or a legal person (such as a public authority).

The term "wild camping" can be misleading as well. The only place in the UK where "wild camping" is actually allowed by law in some locations is Scotland and the definition of "wild camping" excludes use of vehicles in the majority of cases.

Often enough, "wild camping" may be tolerated but that does not mean it is allowed by law.

Jim's mention of irresponsible people is especially relevant. Sometimes even the act of staying in a van overnight has annoyed local residents to the extent that their lobbying results in total MH parking bans by the local authority concerned. This is particularly so where people camp overnight in defiance of local regulations.

If anyone wishes to "wild camp" then fine - but first make sure that doing so has no detrimental effect (or potential detrimental effect) on anyone.

Graham

I think the keyword is tolerance.

Go to Dover Port at any time of the year and MH's are always parked up on the sea front ready for their early ferry crossing. Behind are two large blocks of residential flats but i dont think anyone has ever moaned.

Thepips · 20-05-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulletguy

I think the keyword is tolerance.

Go to Dover Port at any time of the year and MH's are always parked up on the sea front ready for their early ferry crossing. Behind are two large blocks of residential flats but i dont think anyone has ever moaned.

Wise words indeed. Thank goodness those that use that parking area are responsible motorhomers. All it would take is for a couple of complaints about rubbish and the council would stop it in a heartbeat.

Digger Driver · 20-05-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJH

Not sure that's actually true. Strictly speaking I think you need the permission of the landowner - and all land in the UK is owned by someone, be that a real or a legal person (such as a public authority).

The term "wild camping" can be misleading as well. The only place in the UK where "wild camping" is actually allowed by law in some locations is Scotland and the definition of "wild camping" excludes use of vehicles in the majority of cases.

Often enough, "wild camping" may be tolerated but that does not mean it is allowed by law.

Jim's mention of irresponsible people is especially relevant. Sometimes even the act of staying in a van overnight has annoyed local residents to the extent that their lobbying results in total MH parking bans by the local authority concerned. This is particularly so where people camp overnight in defiance of local regulations.

If anyone wishes to "wild camp" then fine - but first make sure that doing so has no detrimental effect (or potential detrimental effect) on anyone.

Graham

I think the law side of it is a load of gonads!
Truckers can stop and sleep anywhere within reason to comply with their driving hours!
So anyone who trys to impose a law on motorhomers would have no case in a civil court!

GJH · 20-05-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger Driver

I think the law side of it is a load of gonads!
Truckers can stop and sleep anywhere within reason to comply with their driving hours!
So anyone who trys to impose a law on motorhomers would have no case in a civil court!

You're entitled to your opinion DD but the facts may well prove you wrong.

Parking orders may well allow HGV drivers to stop and sleep but at the same time ban similar activities by motorhome drivers. That is especially the case in towns where overnight sleeping might be restricted to certain vehicle parks - and then allowed only for HGV drivers.

There are a number of parking orders accessible via my web site but, alternatively, you could always ask authorities for copies of their orders to check for yourself.

Graham

Bulletguy · 21-05-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJH

You're entitled to your opinion DD but the facts may well prove you wrong.

Parking orders may well allow HGV drivers to stop and sleep but at the same time ban similar activities by motorhome drivers.

HGV drivers are governed by law on how many hours spent driving and have to take time off.

MH/RV/van or car drivers are not restricted or governed by the same laws. They can drive as many hours as they like. Far more sensible though to allow a driver of either of these vehicles to park up and sleep than carry on until they fall asleep at the wheel and run into the back of someone.

As long as people use a bit of common sense and park up their MH or car without causing obstruction, i really cannot see what all the fuss is about.

All Motorway service areas should openly encourage this yet many don't. Think of the increase in trade as well.

GJH · 21-05-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulletguy

HGV drivers are governed by law on how many hours spent driving and have to take time off.

MH/RV/van or car drivers are not restricted or governed by the same laws. They can drive as many hours as they like. Far more sensible though to allow a driver of either of these vehicles to park up and sleep than carry on until they fall asleep at the wheel and run into the back of someone.

As long as people use a bit of common sense and park up their MH or car without causing obstruction, i really cannot see what all the fuss is about.

All Motorway service areas should openly encourage this yet many don't. Think of the increase in trade as well.

Another factor, though, is that there are camp sites of various types which are there to be used by motorhome drivers but are not available for use by HGV drivers. Any MH driver with common sense will not drive on when too tired but will plan for rest/sleep stops at appropriate times.

Councils, especially in tourist areas where there are commercial camp sites (the owners of which pay business rates), might be understandably reluctant to provide anything more than daytime parking or overnight stays for (say) more than one night in seven.

Parking without causing an obstruction could be open to interpretation. There have been a number of cases - the Aldeburgh thread is an example - where residents of an area cite obstruction of their view as an argument for banning overnight parking.

If facilities are to be provided then councils will first have to be convinced that they will be an advantage to the local area and that they will not be abused. The way to encourage them is to present evidence of the advantages to be gained.

I agree that it would be nice to see motorway services encouraging overnight stays but they might need an incentive because they are really in the business of making money from their shops etc. They do all allow overnight parking for a fee though don't they?

Graham

Road Runner · 21-05-2008, 11:35 PM

I try to camp in a good mood but after my wife has made me move 5 times after changing her mind where to pitch I can become a wild camper

This is not really a joke BTW

Bulletguy · 22-05-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJH

Another factor, though, is that there are camp sites of various types which are there to be used by motorhome drivers but are not available for use by HGV drivers.

I agree that it would be nice to see motorway services encouraging overnight stays but they might need an incentive because they are really in the business of making money from their shops etc. They do all allow overnight parking for a fee though don't they?

Graham

Graham

I take your point about there being numerous commercial camp sites provided for MH owners, but as the thread is about 'wild camping' i don't quite see much 'wild' about paying to park up on a commercial site.

And as for, "It would be nice to see motorway services encouraging overnight stays but they might need an incentive because they are really in the business of making money from their shops etc."
What better incentive could they wish for than MH owners or car drivers travelling long distance parking up overnight? I've done it many times and the first thing i do is go to the Cafe and have a brew. And if they can manage to be open early morning i won't even bother cooking breakfast.....i will go to the services cafe...IF they are open. The problem with a lot of 24hr motorway service cafes is you are lucky to get much more than a tea or coffee after 10pm and most of that is overpriced boiled to death dishwater.

The only 'fee' some motorway service areas charge for overnight parking is a clamping fee.

The sooner councils use a bit of plain common sense the better but i think there's more chance of hell freezing over. Whilst Government is busily taxing motorists off the roads altogether, Councils make potty prohibitions which drive motorists away from towns and shops.....and then wonder why so many small businesses are going to the wall.

Gonewiththewind · 22-05-2008, 07:54 PM

I have wild camped all over the place and never once been asked to move on, that is not to say that I will never be. I suspect that local authorities are scared of encouraging Travellers to park up due to the legal cost of removal. My method is simple, Only park up for one night and move on. If it is at all possible, I ask permission, and the normal response is "as long as you are not looking to set up camp".
Wild should really be Widerness as that is what it is about. I dont want to park up in the middle of a city, I want the peace and quiet of the country side. I have stayed on many a car-park with the feared "no camping" sign, have had the Police circle in the middle of thew night, and go on thier way.
I dare say they come back later to see if I am still there, but as I have said, only one night, so I am gone. Never been moved.

Use common sense, keep it clean and clear. and you shouldnt have problems. with exception of yobo,s. But touch wood, I havent had problems with them.