Wild Camping, What, Where And How? (1 Viewer)

[Deleted member 36503]

As a totally straight person with the best SWMBO on planet earth I hate the term 'Wild Camping', but hey ho if that is what it is called then hey ho!
I used to own my own caravan sites in France, both of which I built and both of which were regarded as being the most popular and busiest of their type over there (according to the authorities), but now I am back in the UK and in the process of building my own panel van conversion I am starting to look at where to go when 'Millie' is finished.
Not that I am antisocial but I hate large sites and generally speaking any site where I can see another caravan or motorhome is too crowded for me and as for going on rallies........ blah-humbug!
So for me, the thought of just parking up anywhere I carefully and considerately believe will not upset others is a prospect I am rather looking forward to.

But as I haven't done any of this yet, I would love to hear any hints and tips from those who have a lot of experience at this game.

 

[CWH]

Hello @Buzzy-Beans

I hate the term 'Wild Camping', but hey ho if that is what it is called then hey ho!

... also known as "stealth camping" but I think that's worse, it sounds as though you know you're doing something somewhat illegal and probably wearing a mask!
But wild camping is also a specific term in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for TENTS not m/h's so there can be some confusion.
There are some dedicated wild campers on here and I'm also looking forward to seeing some good advice.
Good fortune with Millie and happy travels

 

[DBK]

As a generalisation, and therefore not wholly true, wild camping is frowned upon in the UK. There are places like Scotland where it is fairly widely practised but anywhere in England you risk getting woken up and moved on.

There is also the problem of the lack of places to acceptably empty waste, particularly black waste. You will also want large water and waste tanks - something our PVC lacks although building your own you would have the chance to address this, space permitting.

This is not to say there aren't car parks and out of the way places you can hole up for a few days, but they are not common and often not advertised as those that use them want to keep them for themselves.

I would forget it for the UK and go to say France and use the aires, many of which are free or almost.

 

[Jim]

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[StitchesnFluff]

Have a look at
Park4night
Camper contact
And a general search can give you a start, I expect you'll find a couple of your own in your travels!

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[Paddywack]

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Good article ans some useful comments.

One thing I now advocate is not publicising spots, in this I am being a little hypocritical as I started out using websites to find spots, but I have now realised that such publicity causes overuse and potential friction with locals.

Only other thing I would add is street view on Google is a good way to check out some spots before you go, but the best one, so far, was found en-route.

 

[Dave and Ginny]

We were never comfortable with the notion of Wild Camping but we wanted to visit Shetland a few years ago where there are just a handful of very small sites. I enquired about wilding it with the local tourist office and was quite surprised to receive a very positive response.

We have since visited Shetland a second time, Orkney, the western isles and the west coast mainland. Almost exclusively wilding it. There is nothing that can beat finding a 'secret' cove or a clifftop with stunning views or maybe a lochside where if your lucky you may have deer meander down right up to your van.

We always follow the code and leave any spot we have enjoyed tidier than we found it (if necessary).

It doesn't appeal to everyone, which is just as well. Many will say it's about saving a bob or two. The issue of water and waste can be dealt with quite easily and with a little planning and forethought.

Just thinking about it makes me want to head off to Scotland!

 

[Dave and Ginny]

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Good article. I think the 'keeping a low profile' is the best advice!

 

[JJ]

For successful "Off Site" motorhoming I always avoid stopping anywhere I can be seen by house dwellers...

JJ

 

[Eve]

There,s nothing wrong with wild camping as long as you don,t offend anyone. In UK you pay your road Tax ,plus lots of places now provide a place to park in there cities,usually park and Ride and it's great if you want to visit something special.

I tend to keep my nice spots to myself ,as it does not take long for them to be put on the net,next time you go,everyone is there.

If you are doing your own van,paint it green so it blends in well,you need binoculars ,don,t ever hang washing out,and keep things outside to the minimum , most sites will let you empty toilet waste,if you use chemicals do not empty except at a chemical point.
Buy the air de services book for France,Spain Portugal,there are many more Italy Sweden Denmark,Vacarious books sell them.
Use airs were appropriate ,respect other countries rules and you cannot go wrong.
Enjoy your travels .Eve

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[StitchesnFluff]

There are some great spots and they do need protecting but that's a shame in some respects.

 

[pappajohn]

The Americans call it "boon docking"

Sounds total nonsense and worse than anything we call it.

My interpretation is exactly that.
....wild camping.
Not hidden away behind a derelict factory or in a layby.
That's just tightwad free camping

 

[pappajohn]

Curiosity has got the better of me...

As a totally straight person with the best SWMBO on planet earth I hate the term 'Wild Camping'

What has your sexual orientation got to do with wild camping ?

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Have wild camped in Wales but most impressed with west Scotland & of course, France

 

[DBK]

The Americans call it "boon docking"

Sounds total nonsense and worse than anything we call it.

The word boondock comes from the word bundok, used in some parts of the Philippines for a remote rural area. The word was brought back to the USA by American service personnel.

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[Ginge3685]

As a totally straight person with the best SWMBO on planet earth I hate the term 'Wild Camping', but hey ho if that is what it is called then hey ho!
I used to own my own caravan sites in France, both of which I built and both of which were regarded as being the most popular and busiest of their type over there (according to the authorities), but now I am back in the UK and in the process of building my own panel van conversion I am starting to look at where to go when 'Millie' is finished.
Not that I am antisocial but I hate large sites and generally speaking any site where I can see another caravan or motorhome is too crowded for me and as for going on rallies........ blah-humbug!
So for me, the thought of just parking up anywhere I carefully and considerately believe will not upset others is a prospect I am rather looking forward to.

But as I haven't done any of this yet, I would love to hear any hints and tips from those who have a lot of experience at this game.

Last year we did 6 weeks in Scotland and only used 3 campsites, we did have the benefit of the "Wild Camping" app on my Garmin Nuvi.
This will give you legal places to pitch up, and also water points.

 

[Stealaway]

We never use camp sites unless we need a washing machine. There is no need in the whole of France, although we sometime used camperplaats in Germany.
Having the free Camper Contact on your satnav is all you need. - http://www.campercontact.com/en/content/downloads
It's harder in the UK but you soon build up a library of spots if you keep your eye out. I actually enjoy the challenge of finding water in obscure places.
We travel 3 or 4 hours every day (also to re-charge the battery's) so camp sites hold no attraction to us. We love travelling and seeing what the new day brings.

 

[mjltigger]

Sometimes you can find places that are like Aires.. be aware these are overnight parking places no wildness involved. You have to pay but they are quite cheap. Sometimes you can find lovely places to sleep off the beaten track where you wake up to peace and quiet and the countryside. Sometimes you end up in a layby.. it's an adventure.

 

[Deleted member 36503]

Thanks one and all, still some time away for me as I still have a veritable building mountain although today I did finish installing all the rooflights, windows and vents. Next week it is the total swab down before spray foam insulation and then the build proper starts!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[irnbru]

Have you looked the wild camping section here on Fun? Lots of good places mentioned.

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[Wildman]

Curiosity has got the better of me...




What has your sexual orientation got to do with wild camping ?

camping as in camp!

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Wild as in " screaming camp"

 

[Wildbill]

We called in at a farm to get some duck eggs and got chatting to the farmer ask if there was anywhere we could park up for the night.
He sent us to a spot where the road has ben started and the old road is Owned by him just park there do what you want just keep it tidy.
we had the wind out awing out to check it when he dropped by in his brand new land rover I explain I was just checking it and would be winding it in he just smile just live it out lad and enjoy your night put your wind brakes out to keeping this spot a closely guarded secret
bill

 

[jollyrodger]

You could look at this but how accurate it is I don’t know





http://www.nomadgb.co.uk/

 

[vwalan]

uk is easy if you just look about a bit . i think its the easiest place in eu for water . every village park as a water fountain or tap. we have public toilets all over the place with taps . almost every tap in uk is drinking water unlike many in eu they use untreated water in many rural areas and isnt potable , ie, drinking water.
just sensible parking and you get away with murder in uk.
even in many cities street parking gives a night here and there.
just a shame its not warmer and drier in winter be no point going abroad . other than beer ,fuel and fags uk is probably cheapest country in europe to be in .

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[mariner]

For successful "Off Site" motorhoming I always avoid stopping anywhere I can be seen by house dwellers...

JJ

Very good advice. Pity more "Free Campers" don't follow it!

 

[gazza280]

uk is easy if you just look about a bit . i think its the easiest place in eu for water . every village park as a water fountain or tap. we have public toilets all over the place with taps . almost every tap in uk is drinking water unlike many in eu they use untreated water in many rural areas and isnt potable , ie, drinking water.
just sensible parking and you get away with murder in uk.
even in many cities street parking gives a night here and there.

Totally agree!!
If you respect anywhere you park up, you can park up just about anywhere.
No loud noises, no generator, rubbish taken away and disposed of properly.

I travel on my own and like to just park up for one night, then move off to a different location next night. I will park in laybys, on the quiet streets where there is enough room, so that I am not causing an obstruction and quiet country spots that I am shielded from traffic and not in full view. I don't have any lights on, theres enough light coming from the TV and laptop. Don't have anything on loud so no noise can be heard from outside.
Curtains closed round cab and the habitation door is locked with a fiamma swing bar across door, mainly for security, so I just exit by cab doors, no problem.

I have never been asked to move on, and in the winter I even have the Eberspacher heater ticking away and still don't get bothered.
My bed is over my garage and I have a curtain that I can pull across to be hidden at the back, so I have on a few occasions when feeling tired after a long drive, not drawn the curtains across the cab so anyone that looks in would just see an empty motorhome, and not know that I was asleep in the bed area. Sneaky I know!! But it works a treat because the alarm is still on.

For a change I will use a campsite occasionally. Its not because I am cheap but I like the freedom and bit of adventure.

If I'm staying somewhere for more than the night, and there are more of these places than you would expect, then I have my habitation door open, chair, table out with a cold beer.
Its what motorhoming freedom should be.

Its the inconsiderate that spoil it for everyone.

 

[Stealaway]

You forgot the wine!!
A bottle of good Riesling (recommended as a best buy in the Metro) in Aldi is £4.99.
The very same bottle in Aldi ---Germany ------------------ is less than-----------£1.50!
Bought 3 crates back.

 

[vwalan]

beer wine same voice.
but you can get 3ltrs of wine in asda for a fiver.
me i bring back aldi,s bonus cartons or lidl conde noble .59c a litre . cant be doing with expensive stuff like you bring . i get three litres for 1.50 pounds you get 70 cl.
if you go only once in a few years and bring back enough for ages .
mind i do have 5 ton payload . ha ha . cant just bring wine , gotta bring some argus beer from lidl and a few solera . i must learn to count hee hee,

 

[Dave and Ginny]

You do need to be careful about having a drink though, just in case you do get asked to move on. No worries here though, nearest

policeman is a ferry trip away!

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