Is it “illegal” to wild camp in England?

[SimonM]

I very seldom have a need or desire to stopover at all in England as I mostly go direct to France or Scotland. I have, and do however, find a nice quiet spot to stop on those very unusual occasions when I’m in England. I’ll either make use of WC app or p4n to find somewhere

my question is - is it illegal - to wild camp? I don’t mean frowned upon or undesirable, is it potentially a criminal or civil offence ?

I’m not a member of CMC but posed a question asking if a member of said club was permitted to drive into a fully booked club site and just empty a WC. They have said no because wild camping is illegal and they won’t allow it, also Scotland sites - where Wilding is permitted, aren’t allowed to offer the facility unless an overnight stop is paid for.

 

[RichardHelen262]

It is illegal to drive whilst tiered, I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for wild camping,but maybe someone has

 

[r4dent]

Generally, it is illegal to wild camp in England and Wales without the express permission of the landowner.

Is it legal to camp anywhere in the UK?

Generally, it is illegal to wild camp in England and Wales without the express permission of the landowner.

www.geppsolicitors.co.uk

 

[mark61]

The CMC have no idea if loo has to be emptied because of wild camping. Could have been stuck on the M25 for a couple of days.
Sounds like a badly thought out excuse to me.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Generally, it is illegal to wild camp in England and Wales without the express permission of the landowner.

Is it legal to camp anywhere in the UK?

Generally, it is illegal to wild camp in England and Wales without the express permission of the landowner.

www.geppsolicitors.co.uk

That link is talking specifically about tent camping, not motorhome/campervan "camping".

 

[Nabsim]

Wild camping does not apply to vehicles as such, I think you are meaning off grid/ad hoc stops. In this case there is no problem stopping in lots of places in England. If it isn’t expressly forbidden by correct signage you should be fine.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

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Looking for motorhome or campervan parking places? Want to stay legal, or find free spots? Here's how to find motorhome parking near you.

www.wandering-bird.com

 

[davep10000]

I always wonder what category truck drivers come in, when a sleep stop is essential if up to the tacho hours limit?
(I also think truckers get a raw deal from the appalling layby facilities in this country).

 

[barryd]

If you listened to those on the "NC500 the land weeps" FB group they seem to reckon "wild camping" (in a motorhome) is less legal in Scotland than it is in England! They hate the term "wild camping" though when referring to camper vans of any description.

As far as I can tell I think you are legally allowed to stop overnight on public land within 15 yards of a road unless there are signs there with a TRO stating otherwise in the UK. On land owned by someone you are supposed to seek permission. This is how I understand it anyway. So yes, in certain places its perfectly legal.

 

[n brown]

i believe it ,like lots of things ,is illegal if a copper decides it is i imagine the Vagrancy Act would cover it ].
normally they only enforce these things if they get a complaint or have another agenda . however i wouldn't let it stop me ,although i'd exercise discretion in choosing a spot

 

[barryd]

They did slip in a lot of new legislation in Covid I think. The rozzers were authorised to chuck anyone out of the Lake District national park at all hours and they did so. As far as I am aware thats not been rolled back. Not worth trying there now really anyway apart from a few hidden away spots.

 

[alcam]

Think they often operate on the basis most people will do what they're told , pay the fines etc
Most of the parking up referred to on here is certainly not criminal.
Vagrancy act ? Doubt even the bolshiest copper would try to use that
Would they ?

 

[Robmac]

You could try arguing with cops about TRO's etc. but in my experience, they don't like smartarses.

You may end up getting a ticket for that broken tail light you're about to get.

 

[n brown]

Think they often operate on the basis most people will do what they're told , pay the fines etc
Most of the parking up referred to on here is certainly not criminal.
Vagrancy act ? Doubt even the bolshiest copper would try to use that
Would they ?

i know 2 guys who got done for sleeping ,in sleeping bags ,in a public park . 6 months suspended for 2 years .

 

[Fisherman]

Wild camping does not apply to vehicles as such, I think you are meaning off grid/ad hoc stops. In this case there is no problem stopping in lots of places in England. If it isn’t expressly forbidden by correct signage you should be fine.

Now that’s what I call good old common sense, and although succinct it states clearly were we stand. But the problem is some who try to enforce the law, don't even know what a TRO is. My advice if asked to move, move, if there’s a sign which states no overnight parking, even though it has no legal standing don’t stay overnight, your not welcome. But what’s really needed are clearly defined rights, that we all understand, negating the need for this debate.

 

[n brown]

Now that’s what I call good old common sense, and although succinct it states clearly were we stand. But the problem is some who try to enforce the law, don't even know what a TRO is. My advice if asked to move, move, if there’s a sign which states no overnight parking, even though it has no legal standing don’t stay overnight, your not welcome. But what’s really needed are clearly defined rights, that we all understand, negating the need for this debate.

asking a bureaucrat for guidelines is like giving them pandora's box . i remember whay happened at DVLA when some self builders asked for clearer rules . suddenly there was no leeway and loads fewer motor caravans

 

[trevskoda]

You are not allowed to wild camp, ie tables awning chairs out and a fire lit, however if just having a nap as with rule 91 h way code then you are ok, iv had a sleep many times through England and wales, even had cops pull up have a look and drive off.

 

[Fisherman]

asking a bureaucrat for guidelines is like giving them pandora's box . i remember whay happened at DVLA when some self builders asked for clearer rules . suddenly there was no leeway and loads fewer motor caravans

Yes but this is all being reviewed, and the DVLA have been roundly condemned for how they have handled this. But that’s not what I was meaning. Leaving things as they are is not an option, when we don’t know were we stand, hence the debate. And those charged with applying the law(s) don’t fully understand them either. This whole situation is a shambles.

Government ombudsman criticises DVLA over campervan confusion

Communication failures by the DVLA about what a campervan is are leaving people confused and is a failure of its role, according to the national ombudsman

www.outandaboutlive.co.uk

 

[mark61]

Best of without guidelines thanks. Last thing anyone needs is more rules.

 

[Fisherman]

Best of without guidelines thanks. Last thing anyone needs is more rules.

The last thing we want is guidelines, even less more rules. Whats required is us all knowing were we stand, and those charged with applying the law knowing what they are doing.
The lack of clarity is why we are debating something, we should all be clear about.