Another New Member

[Voyager]

Hi Everyone

I have only just discovered this site whilst surfing through some of the Motorhome sites, and it looks like I made an excellent discovery!

I have been wild camping for several years now, but in an MPV not a campervan or motorhome, and mostly on the south coast where I indulge in my sport, which is windsurfing.

But I have now bought a coachbuilt motorhome and I'm finding that I have to think harder about where I camp, both to make sure I don't break the law and because the motorhome is much bigger than the MPV.

In respect of the law though, can anyone point me to the definitive Act of Parliament that dictates the laws on camping and parking? I read in one of the threads that Motorhomes are not considered to be caravans and therefore are treated differently. Can anyone expand on the detail of this differentiation?

Voyager

 

[Voyager]

Well there's nothing like announcing your arrival in triplicate is there?

Sorry about the three identical postings, but I kept getting an error message saying the server wasn't available (or something like that) and so I had another go...and another go.....and now I can't find a delete button!

Voyager

 

[hemlock]

Hi Voyager
I'm no legal expert but I think the prohibition is down to local by-laws rather than a national act of parliament.
Local authorities seem to be able to ban just about anything(boozing in public for example) and make up parking rules to suit themselves with no logical explanation.
What do the rest of you feel/know?

Hemlock

 

[roifromnwales]

hi there and croeso to wildcamping voyager.
I think Hemlock is right and much is down to local by laws.
I, personally feel that land bought with public money is there fore owned by the public and can be used by the public. That includes highways and lay by's, forrestry land, moor land etc
We should NEVER use private land without permission of the owner.
anything else is fair game for me. I'll argue [gently] the toss with any plod who asks me to move on but I do have the advantage of being on strong painkillers and can use that as an excuse.
I am also happy to quote the advert at them
"if you're tired pull over for a rest!"
I'm just a bit better equipped than most motorists for that.
wagon drivers HAVE to do it.

 

[Voyager]

Roi and Hemlock

Thanks for your advice. If any of you are down my way in North Hampshire, let me know, and I'll show you all my secret spots. I know a few on the south coast as well if you are interested.

Voyager

 

[JohnSandyWhite]

Hi Voyager. Welcome to the site. If you have any Wild-camping sites? Why don't you add them to the threads already there? Unless of course you don't want to be inundated with Wild-campers?

Wild Camping For Motorhomes ->Wild Camping Sites ->England ->Hampshire

 

[Voyager]

JohnSandyWhite

Thanks for the link, I will add some of my sites to the database, although I do worry about broadcasting the existence of some of the locations because in the last few years several of my favourite spots have been closed down. These have been off-road lay-bys which have had the entrances blocked by the Council; I'm not sure why they have been closed, whether to keep fly-tippers away or to prevent over-night camping, or some other reason. Any thoughts?

Voyager

 

[JohnSandyWhite]

Hi again Voyager.

Quote: These have been off-road lay-bys which have had the entrances blocked by the Council; I'm not sure why they have been closed, whether to keep fly-tippers away or to prevent over-night camping, or some other reason.

I think you hit the nail on the head. The council is trying to discourage fly-tipping but also the possibilty of over-night-camping becoming a more permanent abode for travellers. It's a shame, but that's the way of life. We shall just have to keep finding more and more Wild Camping spots won't we? B)