It wouldn't happen here, but at a push I could see it happening in France

[Jim]

With the motorhome population growing much faster than the number of campsite pitches, its getting harder to reserve a pitch almost everywhere. I was interested to see what started in Montana USA is spreading to other states, like Idaho and while I can't see it happening here, I could see it happening in say France.

So incensed are motorhome owners in Montana that their state’s campsites are so popular and typically host so many out-of-state RVers that they cannot book a campsite in their own state without a reservation on short notice.

Going through statute to become law. a new act reads that ..No more than 80% of all available campsites may be reserved in a state park, recreational area, or public camping ground with overnight camping by non residents.

I think the idea is flawed in a number of ways, but when has that ever stopped government officials. It must be frustrating for the French in their camping cars to keep finding their favourite aires and sites full of pale Brits, Dutch and Germans.

 

[Lenny HB]

I remember the C&CC had a rule that 25% of pitches must be left unreserved for visitors wanting a pitch for the night.

 

[emjaiuk]

No idea if this true or not, but I‘m always under the impression that continental Europe understands the value of self contained tourists more than the UK does. You say it wouldn’t happen here, but thinking about the attitudes of a large part of the population regarding that which we can’t discus, I think it could happen here. The only thing that might stop it is that the majority of UK pitches are under the control of profit minded businesses rather than local government influence.

 

[The Wino]

With the motorhome population growing much faster than the number of campsite pitches, its getting harder to reserve a pitch almost everywhere. I was interested to see what started in Montana USA is spreading to other states, like Idaho and while I can't see it happening here, I could see it happening in say France.

So incensed are motorhome owners in Montana that their state’s campsites are so popular and typically host so many out-of-state RVers that they cannot book a campsite in their own state without a reservation on short notice.

Going through statute to become law. a new act reads that ..No more than 80% of all available campsites may be reserved in a state park, recreational area, or public camping ground with overnight camping by non residents.

I think the idea is flawed in a number of ways, but when has that ever stopped government officials. It must be frustrating for the French in their camping cars to keep finding their favourite aires and sites full of pale Brits, Dutch and Germans.

I suspect it's all Brits not just the pale ones! Up here we have a cheaper rate in the council car parks for residents which is the thin end of the same wedge. I wouldn't be surprised if the locals spend less than the visitors.

 

[Sandancers]

And yet on another thread people are commenting how expensive it is to travel thro France with a MH and many, like ourselves, will be using the ferry to get to Spain and hence by-passing France. Others are saying that all-inclusive holidays are much cheaper compared to MH holidays than they used to be.

So maybe, it won't be UK visitors filling up French campsites at least.

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[The Wino]

And yet on another thread people are commenting how expensive it is to travel thro France with a MH and many, like ourselves, will be using the ferry to get to Spain and hence by-passing France. Others are saying that all-inclusive holidays are much cheaper compared to MH holidays than they used to be.

So maybe, it won't be UK visitors filling up French campsites at least.

I don't think it's going to make a huge difference to the numbers. We're headed to Norway I'm pretty certain France would relatively be cheap!

 

[SpeedyDux]

I have thought for several years that the number of new MH registrations outpaces the number of additional pitches in the UK by a large margin.

Not helped by campsite owners reducing their touring pitches and adding more profitable glamping pods, lodges etc. The CAMC seems to be on that bandwagon now. Planning authorities probably have their eye on campsites as future residential development opportunities.

Even taking into account all the CLs and CSs the UK has only half the campsites that France has (or had). At least we aren't being overrun by the Dutch and Germans in caravans and MHs.

 

[Sandancers]

I don't think it's going to make a huge difference to the numbers. We're headed to Norway I'm pretty certain France would relatively be cheap!

But it HAS made a difference to the numbers. On our way down to the South of France and on the way back up we'd have stopped at least 6 different campsite. By going into Spain we are spending less time in France, hence less time at French campsites. Maybe we are transferring some of those nights to Spanish campsites, but certainly two nights we would have been on campsites will be in ferry cabins. Plus one night we might have spent at the Drum Inn prior to going thro the tunnel will be voided as well.

 

[nicholsong]

With the motorhome population growing much faster than the number of campsite pitches, its getting harder to reserve a pitch almost everywhere. I was interested to see what started in Montana USA is spreading to other states, like Idaho and while I can't see it happening here, I could see it happening in say France.

So incensed are motorhome owners in Montana that their state’s campsites are so popular and typically host so many out-of-state RVers that they cannot book a campsite in their own state without a reservation on short notice.

Going through statute to become law. a new act reads that ..No more than 80% of all available campsites may be reserved in a state park, recreational area, or public camping ground with overnight camping by non residents.

I think the idea is flawed in a number of ways, but when has that ever stopped government officials. It must be frustrating for the French in their camping cars to keep finding their favourite aires and sites full of pale Brits, Dutch and Germans.

Even if it happened in France or UK how would the law define 'non-residents'? Fairly easy in the US because of registration plates.

 

[Jim]

Even if it happened in France or UK how would the law define 'non-residents'?

No Idea. Maybe they could ask the question at booking and check proof of address when you turn up. Wouldn't be difficult would it.

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[Billylou]

I guess we’ll have to wait until we have our digital ID’s.

 

[Jim]

I guess we’ll have to wait until we have our digital ID’s.

We'll get there....Never forget your id again. Get a barcode tattooed on your forehead.

 

[SpeedyDux]

But it HAS made a difference to the numbers. On our way down to the South of France and on the way back up we'd have stopped at least 6 different campsite. By going into Spain we are spending less time in France, hence less time at French campsites. Maybe we are transferring some of those nights to Spanish campsites, but certainly two nights we would have been on campsites will be in ferry cabins. Plus one night we might have spent at the Drum Inn prior to going thro the tunnel will be voided as well.

Even the cheapo internal cabins on BF are roughly twice as expensive as a campsite pitch. Three times what I expect to pay in France. I am using BF this year just to get to where I want to go faster, and save 500 miles of driving along the boring bits. Boring to me, anyway.

 

[PP Bear]

We'll get there....Never forget your id again. Get a barcode tattooed on your forehead.

Yep, I’m all for that, might even get a job as a bar code reader

 

[gus-lopez]

Even if it happened in France or UK how would the law define 'non-residents'? Fairly easy in the US because of registration plates.

If you turn up at a campsite in Essex & your driving licence doesn't have an essex address on it you are a non-resident.

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[sciac2001]

It’s the Spanish Motorhomers I feel sorry for.
Young families leave work on a Friday evening and want a weekend break in their motorhome and find most of the best locations taken over by us tourists - not to mention the long-stayers. Aires and campsites.
I used to look forward to our uk weekend breaks after a hard weeks graft and would have hated not getting on where I wanted to be.

I am of course part of the problem myself for the Spaniards but then again increasingly less so as I myself find it harder and harder to find a place too.

 

[Wh05apk]

If you turn up at a campsite in Essex & your driving licence doesn't have an essex address on it you are a non-resident.

I live in Essex, the last place i would want to stay for the night would be Essex!

 

[steve69]

Just book early.

 

[Spriddler]

Going through statute to become law. a new act reads that ..No more than 80% of all available campsites may be reserved in a state park, recreational area, or public camping ground with overnight camping by non residents.

In the U.K. anyone turning up 'on spec' and finding that there isn't a pitch available will be parking in the streets. Particularly unhelpful for tuggers.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I have thought for several years that the number of new MH registrations outpaces the number of additional pitches in the UK by a large margin.

Not helped by campsite owners reducing their touring pitches and adding more profitable glamping pods, lodges etc. The CAMC seems to be on that bandwagon now. Planning authorities probably have their eye on campsites as future residential development opportunities.

Even taking into account all the CLs and CSs the UK has only half the campsites that France has (or had). At least we aren't being overrun by the Dutch and Germans in caravans and MHs.

"At least we aren't being overrun by the Dutch and Germans in caravans and MHs."
Possibly, at the moment, but that may change when/if the £ hits parity with Euro??
Mike.

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[Tea Bag]

Hi.
I have posted this before. Yorkshire Dales august bank holiday... FULL,right back to the A.1. We were on a site ( Forward planning) and the farmers were given Council/Police permission permission to allow more campers on their land. Win Win
If there is room and all the rules are met ( Distancing between units etc.) ........Flexibility.... ?
1974. We arrived at the New Forest and the sites were full. Chap driving down from the front of the queue was shouting out his window. " Follow me,i have been told where there is room for 5/6 units " I did a u'y and followed him,we ended up on the " Road Triangle ",the first one you come to from leaving Setthorns site turning left. We PAID at Setthorns -site and fetched water and emptied cassettes there.
Its not Rocket science if there is a will within local councils.
Tea Bag.
PS. In Germany " Belchenblik ? " site. Travellers were parked up just down the road. After tea time,they came onto the site. Am i right in believing that there is a law in Germany there is a law that enables them to go on a site after a certain time for free of a night. JUST asking.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

If you turn up at a campsite in Essex & your driving licence doesn't have an essex address on it you are a non-resident.

Proud to be a non resident of Essex.

 

[urban_biker]

We'll get there....Never forget your id again. Get a barcode tattooed on your forehead.

Hah Tattooed. So old school! They'll just use the MAC address of your brain implant

 

[grumps147]

Hah Tattooed. So old school! They'll just use the MAC address of your brain implant

Can't they use that chip they implanted with the COVID jabs?

 

[LesW]

Reading this it seems to make avoiding campsites in favour of aires (with no booking in) the better option.

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[nicholsong]

Reading this it seems to make avoiding campsites in favour of aires (with no booking in) the better option.

Spot on, plus wildcamping.

 

[jongood]

With the motorhome population growing much faster than the number of campsite pitches, its getting harder to reserve a pitch almost everywhere. I was interested to see what started in Montana USA is spreading to other states, like Idaho and while I can't see it happening here, I could see it happening in say France.

So incensed are motorhome owners in Montana that their state’s campsites are so popular and typically host so many out-of-state RVers that they cannot book a campsite in their own state without a reservation on short notice.

Going through statute to become law. a new act reads that ..No more than 80% of all available campsites may be reserved in a state park, recreational area, or public camping ground with overnight camping by non residents.

I think the idea is flawed in a number of ways, but when has that ever stopped government officials. It must be frustrating for the French in their camping cars to keep finding their favourite aires and sites full of pale Brits, Dutch and Germans.

I really dont see it being a problem in many areas of France. We go to or through France several times a year and cant remember not finding a space on an aire even in the summer holidays.

Spain in the winter is a different story. But mostly because everyone wants to be in the warm bit.

 

[RobinE]

Reading this it seems to make avoiding campsites in favour of aires (with no booking in) the better option.

Very true, and CLs etc, but how long before booking and enforced EHUs becomes the norm?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Can't they use that chip they implanted with the COVID jabs?

Yes, I have three now, I'm like a "Stepford " husband!!
Mike.

 

[MisterB]

I live in Essex, the last place i would want to stay for the night would be Essex!

there are lots of great little sites in Essex, we stayed at Grange Farm, Thorpe le Soken over the weekend - great little site and i am sure there are plenty more

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