What is Wild Camping? (1 Viewer)

[Tincataylor]

We would be interested to know other peoples definition of wild camping as it all seems a bit vague from our observations. For us wild camping is being completely alone in a place of some natural beauty and being totally dependant on the vans ability to support the stay from a heating, lighting, cooking perspective. We find this difficult in England (with the exception of our beloved Dartmoor) but it was wonderfully easy in Scotland. For others we have met it seems their definition is any camp where you do not have to pay for anything. This got us thinking about the following situations and whether other Funsters would consider it a wild camping situation or not:-
a) Camping overnight in a pub car park but without any other facilities being provided.
b) Camping, with others, on a piece of waste ground providing no facilities close to a town.
c) Camping with others on a free Camperstop or Aire providing water and chemical dump.

The Tincas

 

[scotjimland]

My definition of wild camping is the same as yours...

a), and c) are parking

b) is freeloading

 

[Robert Clark]

My definition of wild camping is avoiding campsites, Aires or any other 'official' site, instead parking somewhere alone, or with others where camping is not approved

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[Just smiffy]

When I get my van every night is going to be wild....

 

[snowdrops]

For us, wild camping is where we are completely self-sufficient in relation to water, heat, gas etc, in a place of loveliness/interest. Whether that's a car par nr a beach or lake or forest, a layby or a piece of waste ground.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I completely agree with @Tincataylor and @scotjimland and would also include lay-bys and similar places in b)

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[glenn2926]

My idea of wild camping is a tent on the top of a mountain . What most of us do is near enough the same as being at home. Proper bed, full kitchen, toilet, shower, electric light and central heating if required. Nah that's not camping. Home from home is what it is.

 

[Cat53]

My idea of wild camping is a tent on the top of a mountain . What most of us do is near enough the same as being at home. Proper bed, full kitchen, toilet, shower, electric light and central heating if required. Nah that's not camping. Home from home is what it is.

Yes. Well, I won't be wild camping then.....Ever! Brrrrr.

 

[Chockswahay]

I agree with all that has been said before me

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[CWH]

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EDIT [this isn't me or Him Indoors - our (very similar) wilding photos are on the desktop PC not the one I'm working on - but it was the easiest way of describing MY definition of wild camping!]

 

[GJH]

In the UK there is only one definition of Wild Camping - the one enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (set up as a requirement of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003). The Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives the following advice regarding wild camping: “Wild camping is defined as lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two to three nights in one place. You can camp in this way wherever access rights apply but help to avoid causing problems for local people and land managers by not camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals and keeping well away from buildings roads or historic structures. Take care to avoid disturbing deer stalking or grouse shooting. If you wish to camp close to a house or building, seek the owner’s permission. Leave no trace by: Taking away all your litter; Removing all traces of your tent pitch and of any open fire (follow the guidance for lighting fires); Not causing any pollution.”

Thus, camping in a motorhome is not wild camping. Anything other than as defined by the SOAC is Off Site Camping.

 

[DBK]

I'm with @CWH that's me on the right, 1976 I think. 7,800 feet with the Vignamale (Pyrenees) in the background. The next day we went up the lower Petit Vignamale, well, OK, we got to within ten feet of the summit but chickened out the last bit as it was a narrow ridge with a massive drop either side! But we did see our first Wall Creeper (high altitude bird with red wings) on the way down and God knows what I have on my head. The tents my old Vango Force 10 which I only disposed of recently. Note twee matching down waistcoats my brother and I are wearing and the genuine plus four trousers! I also need to remove the dust from this scanned slide shot too at some time.

Anyway, that's my definition of wild camping and anything done in a MH with the same name needs to be a bit like this.

And while I'm at it here is another look at a very youthful me on the same trip, this time at lower altitudes.

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[MR. FUSION]

We would be interested to know other peoples definition of wild camping as it all seems a bit vague from our observations. For us wild camping is being completely alone in a place of some natural beauty and being totally dependant on the vans ability to support the stay from a heating, lighting, cooking perspective. We find this difficult in England (with the exception of our beloved Dartmoor) but it was wonderfully easy in Scotland. For others we have met it seems their definition is any camp where you do not have to pay for anything. This got us thinking about the following situations and whether other Funsters would consider it a wild camping situation or not:-
a) Camping overnight in a pub car park but without any other facilities being provided.
b) Camping, with others, on a piece of waste ground providing no facilities close to a town.
c) Camping with others on a free Camperstop or Aire providing water and chemical dump.

The Tincas

a, b & c are mild glamping, albeit depending on the level of gin palace you operate

 

[Jandc]

As per my avatar, great wild spot in Glen Sheil but with all the comforts.
Janis

 

[DBK]

OK, twist my arm - here it is, the shot of my brother and I at the top of the Petit Vignamale. The fashion police wouldn't let us near the mountains these days! Me on the right if you must know. I joined the Army a few weeks later - hence the haircut!

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[Forestboy]

This is my idea of wildcamping this was in the desert in Turkmenistan

 

[jumartoo]

This was our camp in Morocco last year.

And us and Spanish friends "wilding" south of Avila.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

This is a picture of Ralph , when we were courting , wild camping !
In a tiny 1 man tent , always room for a tinny or two.....

This is how we wild camp now. Beaches.

Pub car parks ,

Off the beaten track.

But with all the comforts of home.

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[Chockswahay]

@Ralph-n-Bev ....... Husinis Bay ........ one of our fave places

We have managed to park exactly on the same spot too, it's the best one

 

[Chockswahay]

Wild? Free? Who cares? This is how we like it (Not Scotland BTW)

 

[9526]

I've got a feeling we might be freeloaders

Or Gleeloaders possibly (glam freeloaders)

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

@Ralph-n-Bev ....... Husinis Bay ........ one of our fave places

We have managed to park exactly on the same spot too, it's the best one

We had a particularly windy night that night. Ralphs trying to get white sand out of Pugs every orrifice !

 

[Chris]

I've got a feeling we might be freeloaders

Or Gleeloaders possibly (glam freeloaders)

That's a nice looking van

 

[Chockswahay]

We had a particularly windy night that night. Ralphs trying to get white sand out of Pugs every orrifice !

Ooh Matron!

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

Another few "wild camping " spots .

If we told you where we'd have to kill you .

 

[Yorick]

Wild? We were furious

 

[ambulancekidd]

Looks a little like the Mull of Galloway to me, very pretty wherever it is.

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[Crusty jack]

I agree with Snowdrops. Toby Trux

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Anywhere I can stop that does not involve paying an organisation ,in order to pay them some moreto stop somewhere i e CC andCCC etc
I do not want to line up in a place and do exactly what ever I am told to do, and keep here or not there, and certainly not with a load of screaming kids running around. That is why I bought A MH and not a tinbox to go behind a car to go with the other tinboxes.

 

[Tincataylor]

Thanks for all the replies and the votes are now being counted. The phone lines are now closed so your vote will no longer count. I now have the result in my hand and the result is...................(there now follows 30 seconds of a repetitive drum beat to try and rack up the tension).........................wild camping is anything YOU want it to be

The Tincas

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