Wild camping (1 Viewer)

Lenny HB

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Oct 18, 2007
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they then told me that their preferred places to stop are sea-fronts in fairly large towns so that the children can find something to do, or adjacent to the large theme parks etc, as they don't like being too far away from , as he put it "civilisation"
Sounds like Motorhome life is not really for them.

For us the Motorhome is a great way to escape civilisation a nice wild spot up in the mountains or by a remote river when we can find them.

We also do a lot of "off grid" camping as opposed to wild i.e. Aires & official stops without or with minimal services for us anything is better than a camp site.
 
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Minxy

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Aug 22, 2007
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I went on to explain to him that it is exactly that sort of behaviour is why we are being banned from seafronts and town carparks etc, and that wild camping is just that, being discreet, responsible, and thoughtful.
Not sure how that went down, but they have now gone away somewhere,
Thanks, All
Joe
Did you also advise him on how to do the cassette emptying etc or just give him the lecture?
 
Jul 24, 2015
374
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Ramsgate Kent
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Thanks all,
It appears that most people agree with my thoughts plus one of mine is that after a day of travelling and exploring, that you find somewhere around where you have ended up at, not a planned spot at a pre-determined destination.
the reason for my asking was because i have recently had a long discussion with people who live near us and have brought a mid range MH, without much research it seems,
I was approached by the young man one evening and asked a few questions about using the MH, and then he asked what we do about waste, especially the cassette, power, electricity for their "Tech" etc as they were "planning a wild camping holiday because as they have a MH they do not see any point in paying for campsites ever, they then told me that their preferred places to stop are sea-fronts in fairly large towns so that the children can find something to do, or adjacent to the large theme parks etc, as they don't like being too far away from , as he put it "civilisation"
I went on to explain to him that it is exactly that sort of behaviour is why we are being banned from seafronts and town carparks etc, and that wild camping is just that, being discreet, responsible, and thoughtful.
Not sure how that went down, but they have now gone away somewhere,
Thanks, All
Joe
I agree , a planned holiday parked up on the seafront is exactly what is upsetting locals and councils..
Seen it around our way ,all the toys sprawling across the pavement or grass..grey waste left open..and cassette dumped anywhere.
It's a shame because this sort of behaviour is ruining it for motorhoners who just want to pull up in a local town with a sea view ,not necessarily sleep but relax .
This is what's wrecked it for us in Thanet, we can't even park in the beach carpark for the day..the carpark is huge ,never seen it fully packed.

Once this bloody virus is controlled were clearing off abroad,..
 
Jan 19, 2014
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There should be a Motorcaravan test for a special "Wild Camping" licence. With it you are trusted to camp responsibly anywhere, without it, same punishment as driving without a driving licence - big fine. Leave a mess/stay too long - licence lost, and big fine.

I hate rules and regulations in general but I'm afraid we need them.

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Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
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hey then told me that their preferred places to stop are sea-fronts in fairly large towns so that the children can find something to do, or adjacent to the large theme parks etc, as they don't like being too far away from , as he put it "civilisation"

We've done the same for years, some of our best 'wild camping' is is the middle of large cities. Why on earth would you put them off doing that. Ensure upon them they need to get in late, leave early, never stay in the same place two nights on the trot etc. But parking in and near seaside towns and theme parks and other attractions, is essential for us to get the return on our investment. For us it's what a van is for.
 
OP
OP
J
Nov 6, 2016
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2 words which seem to be the basis of this style of camping are "wild" and "overnight" which to me imply being well away from others and just for the one night, not setting up camp for days on end in an urban environment,
Thanks everyone, looks we are not alone in our thinking,
we use a mixture of full blown sites, CL's, pubs, Park 4 night, Britstops, and some discreet wild spots, and that works for us, and we are always prepared to pay for the privelidge of visiting some of the wonderful places around this country of ours.
Happy travels everyone
Joe & Sue
 
OP
OP
J
Nov 6, 2016
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We've done the same for years, some of our best 'wild camping' is is the middle of large cities. Why on earth would you put them off doing that. Ensure upon them they need to get in late, leave early, never stay in the same place two nights on the trot etc. But parking in and near seaside towns and theme parks and other attractions, is essential for us to get the return on our investment. For us it's what a van is for.
Hi Jim, could not agree more, but my point wast that they want to set up for days on end in a town / city without paying a penny,

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Oct 12, 2009
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I do not agree with what the young couple want to do, but if they want to be near 'Things for the children to do' in towns and at the seaside, then even if they paid not many campsites fit that bill do they?

As somebody said maybe motorhoming is not the right way. Perhaps a caravan on a site and a car to visit where the kids want to go would be more appropriate, but not free.

Do theme parkas allow overnight stays for customers?

Geoff
 
Jan 1, 2019
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I stay in a mixture of places and I consider myself an FLT. It’s about being considerate and leaving the area cleaner than you left it. Van is fully prepped for ‘off grid’ with 2x cassettes.
Live and let live I say.
That said, I headed for home firstthing this morning in Pembrokeshire as it is absolutely manic here today.
 
Oct 12, 2009
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Car parks or lay-byes are not my idea of fun places to camp.

I agree with you about laybys if next to the road, but some are OK, e.g laybys which are part of a wide bend on an old road where the new straightened road is about 100m away, often with landscaped area between the two, and maybe picnic table and a sandwich bar for a bacon sarnie in the morning.

Likewise some CPs, e.g there is one near the Hot Air Balloon roundabout on the edge of the Cotswolds looking out to Gloucester - used to have a height barrier, but somebody had 'seen to' that - may have been replaced. There are many others. Even stayed on one in Bridgnorth behind the library, very quiet and convenient for the town. Lots of nice ones in some pretty French villages.

Geoff
 
Nov 17, 2012
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I agree with you about laybys if next to the road, but some are OK, e.g laybys which are part of a wide bend on an old road where the new straightened road is about 100m away, often with landscaped area between the two, and maybe picnic table and a sandwich bar for a bacon sarnie in the morning.

Likewise some CPs, e.g there is one near the Hot Air Balloon roundabout on the edge of the Cotswolds looking out to Gloucester - used to have a height barrier, but somebody had 'seen to' that - may have been replaced. There are many others. Even stayed on one in Bridgnorth behind the library, very quiet and convenient for the town. Lots of nice ones in some pretty French villages.

Geoff
Sorry you are not doing a good job selling it to me anyhow. Parked behind a burger truck with the waft of onions hmmm.
 
May 8, 2021
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Car parks or lay-byes are not my idea of fun places to camp.

I agree with you about laybys if next to the road, but some are OK, e.g laybys which are part of a wide bend on an old road where the new straightened road is about 100m away, often with landscaped area between the two, and maybe picnic table and a sandwich bar for a bacon sarnie in the morning.

Likewise some CPs, e.g there is one near the Hot Air Balloon roundabout on the edge of the Cotswolds looking out to Gloucester - used to have a height barrier, but somebody had 'seen to' that - may have been replaced. There are many others. Even stayed on one in Bridgnorth behind the library, very quiet and convenient for the town. Lots of nice ones in some pretty French villages.

Geoff

Sorry you are not doing a good job selling it to me anyhow. Parked behind a burger truck with the waft of onions hmmm.

LOL aye, I do agree about the burger van :LOL: BUT sometimes the use of a layby or carpark is literally just about the practical stop, ie using it as a practical stop to get some kip in your longer journey? I've a 570 mile journey to look forward to next week which will involve either the use of a wild spot / layby / pub stop.
 
Apr 12, 2010
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In the USA wild camping is an area called BLM. Bureaux of land management. you’re allowed to park and stay, no facilities, but often in beautiful areas. People are expected to respect the environment and mostly do. We used them many times over on our last trip and met some really nice people. Every few days used a regular campsite to take on dump off etc. I wish we had the same system in GB.
I have attached 3CACD44B-CC81-4C44-ACE9-A53AAB7C77CF.jpegD74B0E93-B574-4A82-8EF6-14BB011879FE.jpeg
3CACD44B-CC81-4C44-ACE9-A53AAB7C77CF.jpeg
D74B0E93-B574-4A82-8EF6-14BB011879FE.jpeg
A couple of photos of BLM stopovers.
 

Langtoftlad

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Apr 12, 2011
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Fundamental difference is that 'they' have loads of space... we don't.
It's a blunt but significant statistic;
USA 36 per Km2
England is by far more densely populated at 432 people per square kilometre.

Plus I don't believe the US has the fear of roving itinerants, who seem to be beyond the law, which makes councils & communities fearful of providing any facilities.
Broken Link Removed
 
Jun 14, 2014
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While I know exactly what the true meaning of wild camping is, I have learnt to accept that it’s use as a description for free parking with sleeping etc is understandable.
We do it lots but avoid saying it as it seems to bring out the keyboard warriors
Like this 👻
3C9DA2C5-9C7D-4C7E-80CC-1F3B500D9B45.jpeg
 
Jul 9, 2017
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Fundamental difference is that 'they' have loads of space... we don't.
It's a blunt but significant statistic;
USA 36 per Km2
England is by far more densely populated at 432 people per square kilometre.
Lets not forget Scotland as i know you English often do Scotland has a population density of 67.2/km2 (174/sq mi).(y)
 

Langtoftlad

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Apr 12, 2011
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Lets not forget Scotland as i know you English often do Scotland has a population density of 67.2/km2 (174/sq mi).(y)
Still nearly twice the density but also different regulatory authority.
AFAIK, their forestry are trying to allow organised wild camping (if that's not an oxymoron)

Slightly OT... I don't recall ever seeing reports of p1keys trashing private land/parks...
Does it happen?
 
Nov 13, 2017
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I stay in a mixture of places and I consider myself an FLT. It’s about being considerate and leaving the area cleaner than you left it. Van is fully prepped for ‘off grid’ with 2x cassettes.
Live and let live I say.
That said, I headed for home firstthing this morning in Pembrokeshire as it is absolutely manic here today.
You’ll find being back in Pembrokeshire is manic too ☹️

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Phileas Fogg

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Apr 27, 2014
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If anyone can be bothered to log on to Cornwall Live and register to comment their is a whole argument with the locals going on about wild camping and what it means. If you want to comment I appreciate the support, I am just one little voice against a big megaphone.
 
OP
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J
Nov 6, 2016
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If anyone can be bothered to log on to Cornwall Live and register to comment their is a whole argument with the locals going on about wild camping and what it means. If you want to comment I appreciate the support, I am just one little voice against a big megaphone.
Can you provide a link please, but if the locals are objecting to the behaviour described in my OP then i can see their point
 
May 8, 2021
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