how easy is it to wild camp in UK

fabweb · 18-05-2008, 06:45 PM

i see you all say that that MH are great for France Aires and Wild CAmping
but
how easy is it to wide camp in UK please

thank you for your replies

RockieRV · 18-05-2008, 07:31 PM

Hi fabweb

We have a wild camping section:

HERE

That may offer you some of the answers

Digger Driver · 18-05-2008, 08:11 PM

Ive been doing it for two years now!
Industrial estates are brilliant if you get up early!
Theres normally a couple of truckers sleeping there too so you have a bit of comfort!
And never park outside someones house!
If theres no-one to complain chances are you will get away with it!
Pizza and Kebab shops will deliver anywhere so don't be shy!
Hope this helps!

Bulletguy · 18-05-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fabweb

how easy is it to wild camp in UK please

Very easy!!!!!!

ralph-dot · 19-05-2008, 02:29 PM

It is easy just beware

Assault at motorhome

Ralph

Bulletguy · 19-05-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralph-dot

It is easy just beware

Assault at motorhome

Ralph

Taking reasonable precautions goes without saying for anywhere really...in any country. Using internal blinds instead of external is a good point. Ensure all doors are locked and never ever use confrontation. Just drive off.

On my way back from a trip around the Outer Hebrides last year i landed in Oban late evening so parked up 'in the middle of nowhere' on a country forest carpark. Apart from a truck driver i was the only person there but it seemed ok even if somewhat desolate.

Then some local teenagers pulled on with 'boom boxes' thumping away and general showing off to the girlies.

Amazingly as if 'on cue' a Police car arrived and simply sat there watching them and waiting. As soon as the teenies moved on.....the Police left.

Jim · 19-05-2008, 06:15 PM

Its not against the law for you to sleep in a public place in your motorhome. However some local laws can prohibit this, and signs will be placed informing you, so look out for them. There are plenty of irresponsible people among the motorhoming community and they break simple rules, like staying for far too long and producing noise and mess. This is why more and more of these "camping prohibited" signs are appearing. The key to successful wild camping is to keep as low a profile as possible, if the Police swing by and see your "camp" with deck chairs and awning outside complete with a black sack off rubbish then they are probably going to bang on your door and ask you to move on.

Security is a concern of many who wild camp and it should certainly be high on your priorities when looking for somewhere to spend the night. a few security tips to use when wildcamping are..

1. Look at the area, does it feel right? Is the place littered with rubbish, used condoms, skid marks, this might indicate that idiots use the place at night.

2. Dont be a Nosey Parker!! always park in such a way that you can drive away, nose out, without having to do a 7 point turn!

3. Don't put screens (sliver screens insulation) on the outside of windows, these will impede your ability to drive away. Driving away is the very best defence for many security situations.

4. Try to be as inconspicuous as possible, difficult in a 25 foot long bright white motorhome, I agree. But do not put awnings and deckchairs out and light a camp fire, unless you are certain your actions are not going to attract attention from undesirables.

5. Make sure when you turn in that everything is stowed, doors are locked and you are not too drunk so as you won't wake and be able to drive away if an incident occurs.

Wild camping is fun, and is nothing to be scared of, some caravan sites are less secure that some wild-camping places especially those with a bar on site!. Just apply a little common sense, be aware of your surroundings and have fun.

Terver · 19-05-2008, 08:08 PM

One further precaution we take if wild camping is to fix infra red security sensors to each top corner of our motorhome. These were purchased for £5 each from Aldi. They have 2 settings - alarm and chime. We fix them to the rear top corner of each side and one on the top corner of the back all of which face down the side/back. We set them to chime and it is impossible for anyone to approach close to the motorhome without triggering the chime. In the morning I pull the sensors off the velcro strips.

Digger Driver · 19-05-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terver

One further precaution we take if wild camping is to fix infra red security sensors to each top corner of our motorhome. These were purchased for £5 each from Aldi. They have 2 settings - alarm and chime. We fix them to the rear top corner of each side and one on the top corner of the back all of which face down the side/back. We set them to chime and it is impossible for anyone to approach close to the motorhome without triggering the chime. In the morning I pull the sensors off the velcro strips.

I just use a very big dog!

I don't even lock my door!

Bulletguy · 19-05-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim

Its not against the law for you to sleep in a public place in your motorhome. However some local laws can prohibit this, and signs will be placed informing you, so look out for them......

Especially signs from the nanny state reminding you on motorways "Tiredness kills Take a Break", only to pull off on the next Service area to be greeted by whacking big signs "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING" etc etc.

Nobody takes any notice of them though! As long as you are quiet you will be left alone. The authorities stick them there to exempt themselves from any 'blame claims' should anything happen.