wildman
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you are not supposed to stop on an aire for more than 24hrs, 48 at the most.
MentalMicky
Guest
I was wild camping in France for 10 months over the last year and have very few problems and even then the fella who knocked on my door would tend to be polite and sometimes suggest a place nearby where I could park-up out the way, so to speak.
When I arrived in England, it was a bit of a shock, with the overall lack of suitable places to overnight. I got stung in London when I stayed too late on a Monday morning after a weekend partying! And at a McDonalds I stayed longer than 90 mins and was threatened with a 90 pound fine!
Now it's been a few weeks I feel much more comfortable parking-up and even staying for several days in the same spot (admittedly I have a semi-stealth camper). It's an art in itself finding the perfect little spot in each town or village (I tend to avoid big cities, I have a very big van). For example, where I am now in Folkestone I am on the street but it's not a through road so it's nice and quiet, also it's opposite a park which means less traffic, a nice atmosphere and more parking space (only houses on one side of the road = fewer cars!), plus there is a public toilets. I'm also careful to avoid parking directly in view of someones front windows, as that might piss them off a little. Instead I would look to park opposite a large hedge, or perhaps a large block of flats or offices, that tend to be set back off the street somewhat. Basically, find a place where there is ample space for all and people will generally be more relaxed about you rocking-up for a few nights, perhaps longer.
Fingers crossed, but right now I'm happily camping in an area where, according to POI database, there are almost no wild camping spots.
When I arrived in England, it was a bit of a shock, with the overall lack of suitable places to overnight. I got stung in London when I stayed too late on a Monday morning after a weekend partying! And at a McDonalds I stayed longer than 90 mins and was threatened with a 90 pound fine!
Now it's been a few weeks I feel much more comfortable parking-up and even staying for several days in the same spot (admittedly I have a semi-stealth camper). It's an art in itself finding the perfect little spot in each town or village (I tend to avoid big cities, I have a very big van). For example, where I am now in Folkestone I am on the street but it's not a through road so it's nice and quiet, also it's opposite a park which means less traffic, a nice atmosphere and more parking space (only houses on one side of the road = fewer cars!), plus there is a public toilets. I'm also careful to avoid parking directly in view of someones front windows, as that might piss them off a little. Instead I would look to park opposite a large hedge, or perhaps a large block of flats or offices, that tend to be set back off the street somewhat. Basically, find a place where there is ample space for all and people will generally be more relaxed about you rocking-up for a few nights, perhaps longer.
Fingers crossed, but right now I'm happily camping in an area where, according to POI database, there are almost no wild camping spots.
Last edited:
MentalMicky
Guest
No. It varies from aire to aire, especially in the off-season.