Dartmoor and Exmoor (2 Viewers)

Aminthule

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Are there any LEGAL wild camping spots on Dartmoor or Exmoor?
 
May 24, 2014
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I dont think there are any official/legal spots - but there are parking/picnic areas that I know and often use on Exmoor that dont restrict overnighting via official notices...so just a bit of common sense and respect for the location and enjoy (y)

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Abacist

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I think that there is a National Parks by-law against it other than things like tents used by walkers like ten tors challenge etc.

There are park rangers who will move you on.
 

Hollyberry

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I parked up here Broken Link Removed overnight, few years ago now though. Had no problems and had beautiful walk with the dogs.

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Abacist

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Extract from Dartmoor bylaws:-

6 Camping
(1) No person shall knowingly use any vehicle, including a caravan or any structure other than a tent for the purpose of camping on the access land or land set out for the use or parking of vehicles except on any area which may be set apart and indicated by notice as a place where such camping is permitted.
 

Abacist

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Naturally the permitted places are official campsites where you have to pay!

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GJH

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I dont think there are any official/legal spots - but there are parking/picnic areas that I know and often use on Exmoor that dont restrict overnighting via official notices...so just a bit of common sense and respect for the location and enjoy (y)
And the more people do that, in deliberate contravention of the bye laws, the more likely it is that barriers will restrict daytime parking as well as camping.
Common sense and respect means obeying the bye laws. That includes making sure what they are in advance, not using an excuse that there was no notice visible.
 
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Aminthule

Aminthule

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It's such a shame that motorhomes/caravans are effectively excluded from the moors and the only sites that the NP info. lists are off the moors, forcing motorhomes to commute up onto the moor and clog up the roads. Makes little sense to me, but so be it.

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Vanman

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It's such a shame that motorhomes/caravans are effectively excluded from the moors and the only sites that the NP info. lists are off the moors, forcing motorhomes to commute up onto the moor and clog up the roads. Makes little sense to me, but so be it.

Sorry, I may have misunderstood ... there seem to be plenty of sites that do MH's ... this one for example -

http://www.westermill.com/

or this one?

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/devon/tavistock/tavistock
 
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XRN

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Plume of Feathers pub at Princetown have a camping area at the back which is used by a lot of walkers/team building/military groups and would probably allow MH on their car park. Beer and food is good also!
 

GJH

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It's such a shame that motorhomes/caravans are effectively excluded from the moors and the only sites that the NP info. lists are off the moors, forcing motorhomes to commute up onto the moor and clog up the roads. Makes little sense to me, but so be it.
Who forces motorhome/caravan owners to do anything? The park authorities try to encourage everyone to use public transport in the parks to avoid clogging up the roads.

Unrestricted camping in our national parks would soon spoil them for everyone, not just motorhomers and caravanners, just as it would in the rest of the country. That was recognised in the 1930s and 1950s when the legislation we have in place was drafted - and when there was far less indiscriminate camping than there would be now.

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Khizzie

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Who forces motorhome/caravan owners to do anything? The park authorities try to encourage everyone to use public transport in the parks to avoid clogging up the roads.

Unrestricted camping in our national parks would soon spoil them for everyone, not just motorhomers and caravanners, just as it would in the rest of the country. That was recognised in the 1930s and 1950s when the legislation we have in place was drafted - and when there was far less indiscriminate camping than there would be now.
Absolutely. !!
 

Khizzie

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It's such a shame that motorhomes/caravans are effectively excluded from the moors and the only sites that the NP info. lists are off the moors, forcing motorhomes to commute up onto the moor and clog up the roads. Makes little sense to me, but so be it.
Nearly broke rule 1 with my intended response to this post. ..
 
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I accept what some have responded, but I would still argue that should a responsible motorhomer decide to stop overnight for one night in an area put aside for parking, does not set up awnings, tables and leaves wildlife undisturbed then that could be acceptable. I don't think that this would result in the location becoming anunofficial campsite.
I have often wild camped on Exmoor, Dartmoor and also on National Trust sites and as a "thank-you" before I depart I often scavenge the immediate area to litter pick from those that have picnicd before and left their rubbish behind.
If I recieve a "knock-on-the-door" then I would move on graciously accepting the request (Probably get drummed out of the C&CC now lol)

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Khizzie

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I would still argue that should a responsible motorhomer decide to stop overnight for one night in an area put aside for parking, does not set up awnings, tables and leaves wildlife undisturbed then that could be acceptable. I don't think that this would result in the location becoming anunofficial campsite.
I have often wild camped on Exmoor, Dartmoor and also on National Trust sites and as a "thank-you" before I depart I often scavenge the immediate area to litter pick from those that have picnicd before and left their rubbish behind.
If I recieve a "knock-on-the-door" then I would move on graciously accepting the request r.
Unfortunately not all motorhomers wildcamping are like yourselves that's why the rules are in place . ...
 

GJH

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I accept what some have responded, but I would still argue that should a responsible motorhomer decide to stop overnight for one night in an area put aside for parking, does not set up awnings, tables and leaves wildlife undisturbed then that could be acceptable. I don't think that this would result in the location becoming anunofficial campsite.
I have often wild camped on Exmoor, Dartmoor and also on National Trust sites and as a "thank-you" before I depart I often scavenge the immediate area to litter pick from those that have picnicd before and left their rubbish behind.
If I recieve a "knock-on-the-door" then I would move on graciously accepting the request (Probably get drummed out of the C&CC now lol)
Unfortunately not all motorhomers wildcamping are like yourselves that's why the rules are in place . ...
Also, if people see one doing it then it encourages them to do it; the very reason why legislation was brought in all those years ago.#

The other aspect is disturbance of nocturnal fauna which can occur when people camp in their territory.
 

Vanman

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I accept what some have responded, but I would still argue that should a responsible motorhomer decide to stop overnight for one night in an area put aside for parking, does not set up awnings, tables and leaves wildlife undisturbed then that could be acceptable. I don't think that this would result in the location becoming anunofficial campsite.
I have often wild camped on Exmoor, Dartmoor and also on National Trust sites and as a "thank-you" before I depart I often scavenge the immediate area to litter pick from those that have picnicd before and left their rubbish behind.
If I recieve a "knock-on-the-door" then I would move on graciously accepting the request (Probably get drummed out of the C&CC now lol)

I hear what you're saying and that works - if you haven't had a drink and if you are the only one. What happens when the 2nd, 3rd and twenty third motor home decides to stop there that night?

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Aminthule

Aminthule

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Thanks VanMan, but it's sites up on the moor that I was really trying to find.
 

MotorhomeMart

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I live on Dartmoor, and yes it is strictly prohibited to overnight in the public car parks. However, many of the pubs will allow you to stay over night. The Fox and Hounds at Sourton has a campsite and direct walking access to the moors.

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Feb 18, 2014
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The Highwayman at Sourton will allow overnighting in the car park if you have a few drinks. Check out their website, very unusual pub.
 

MotorhomeMart

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Hey MHM, is it true NT has put parking metres in some of the
laybys?
I understand that they are planning to put parking charges in to several of the bigger car parks, I have heard Haytor Rocks and Meldon reservoir mentioned, but I am not sure if they are in place yet.

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PP Bear

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Plume of Feathers pub at Princetown have a camping area at the back which is used by a lot of walkers/team building/military groups and would probably allow MH on their car park. Beer and food is good also!
I know it's a dated post, but without the promp I wouldn't have headed to the pub, sooooooo......

Sat in the Plume of Feathers car park now and the weather is side ways, but its toasty warm and cosy inside.

Four pints of local ale and a lambs liver and bacon supper later, I dont care what the weathers doing and I'm off to bed, nun nights :)..........
 

jollyrodger

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Have PARKED at lots of stops overnight on both moors and Bodmin moor
Not camped molland is a favourite never been asked to move on.
Did have a jobsworth ranger a while back suggest a campsite was "down the road" told him not camping but tired and resting . No problem says he.
Be sensible (y)
And the Plume , recommended.?
IMG_20190928_224305_191.JPG

Like Lazarus init! ?
 
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