POI in towns e.t.c

[Coolasluck]

This one is for canalsman really and is maybe a bit of a daft idea but i think it could be a useful one.My idea is this.
I am wondering if it would be worth having a separate poi for quiet streets to park in for a good nights kip.I know a lot of people do get nervous and indeed edgy whilst wild camping at a so called wilding spot and or car park and that people would also find comfort in being near civilisation but just on a nice quiet road which is more than likely to be a better spot to spend a night than a car park and the hassles of boy racers and the general weirdo.I am intent on full timing in a few years time and have decided that we are prepared to look around also to spend time on roads as that perfect spot is not always going to be around.
I am not saying to poi every single quiet road but just those that would make for an ideal peaceful nights sleep where one would not be disturbed at the side of the road.
Just in my humble opinion a good idea.
I have felt compelled on a number of occasions to knock up wilders and to tell them of a more peaceful spot where i know they could relax easier ,but i dont in case they think me a weirdo too
Just an idea i though i would share with you all,i wonder what you all think?

 

[Canalsman]

It's a good suggestion ...

I'm happy to add a QS (quiet street) category to the database.

However, this will require individual submissions - most likely local knowledge from forum members ...

 

[Coolasluck]

Im certainly willing ,but if noone else thinks its a good idea then it may be pointless.
It would be nice if folk on here gave their opinions too.
Come on you lot

 

[milton]

Seems like a good idea to me. We are about to start wildcamping this year and it has occurred to me that a quiet street may be a good place to stop when passing through towns, but it would be easier if there were some recommendations.

Milton's Crew

 

[Coolasluck]

Thanks for replying Milton,for a lot of women or OAPs in particular i know that they would find value in parking in a safe street.We have heard concerns when we mention wilding to motorhomers of not feeling safe in remote spots and so they feel they have no alternative but to park on official campsites.

 

[Tbear]

Hi

I am a bit split on this one. Much as I like the sound of being able to park overnight with no bother. Parking up in the late evening and being off before breakfast, great. What worries me is the thought of half a dozen vans moving into my street for a fortnight. Will it mean that all the vans in a town will end up in the same street.

Richard

 

[bmb1uk]

this sounds a brilliant idea,i have wild camped on laybys,carparks etc but never on a street, do you all wild on the actual street baz.

ps sorry if i have jumped into your thread.

 

[Coolasluck]

ps sorry if i have jumped into your thread.





Not a problem at all indeed i am encouraging a debate here.
I have not parked on the street as of yet but it has been something that i have discusssed with my wife about as we are going to be fulltimers in the next year or 2 and those perfect spots are not always going to be around.Some of the wilding spots we have visited on here have not really been ideal or have been car parks that we have not liked the look of,after having the awful experiance of having a quiet rural car park turn into the m25,we are now more cautious and careful as to where we overnight.
T-bear i am quite certain that you wont find roads clogged up with motorhomes overnighting,there is not enough of us for that.I have not been to a spot yet that has been

 

[Tbear]

Hi Coolasluck.

I do hope you are correct but we are not the only group to wild and I am sure the other groups monitor this site. Not all the others are as responsible as I think most of the members on this site are. I do support your idea but feel we should show how responsible we are and if it starts to course lots of problems that section of the POI file should be stopped. Then for once we would have the moral high ground. The sort of thing we want to be able to present to councils that are against us. This in no way would stop people using quiet streets for a night or two and there have been previous posts recommending areas.
There is also the chance that it might be a massive success which I hope it is

Richard

 

[David & Ann]

Parking on a private street could be a problem, especially if they are in front of peoples houses. When I pop in to see my Mom in Sydenham, London, I park on the street as she lives in a cul-de-sac. There are no drive ways or entrances to the houses. The sidewalk is broad and no parking regulations for this part of the street. But people who live there think they have a God given right it is their parking space instead of a public road. I still park there when I visit but I feel uncomfortable. Fortunately they cannot do anything about it as it is a public road. So beware!!!!

 

[Firefox]

This is just another name for stealth camping in urban areas which I've always done and always maintained it is a lot less risky or intrusive than wilding in rural areas. The spots are much easier to find than rural wild camping places, you'd hardly need a directory, just drive round town for 10 mins and you'll see loads of them.

People are parking overnight in urban areas anyway, so strange vehicles are expected as part of the regular scenery. The obvious explanation is that they are sleeping in a house nearby. But in a rural area with no houses nearby, it is clear there is likely someone in the vehicle so it immediately attracts attention. Either of criminals or some local busybody who thinks it's his duty to "report" you.

One problem about putting such urban places in a directory is that if they get known and regularly used then local residents may start complaining or demanding residents only parking or parking restrictions, especially if they find out it's in a directory. Unlikely but possible, and easy to avoid as you can find the places quite quickly without a directory

Some pointers I use.

1. Select a middle class or posher area of town. Simple to tell from the housing.

2. Don't go for social type housing or rough areas where large gangs of youths congregate round benches looking for trouble eg Strange motorhomes they can chuck stones at the wheels of during the night.

3. Don't stay more than one or two (max) nights.

4. Don't park directly outside houses. The best place is a side street where a high long back garden fence is behind the pavement.

5. Other places include private schools or residential homes or public buildings again with a high fence, hedge, brick wall, or trees behind the pavement down one side of the property. Or alongside parks in posher areas. Obviously a chav park or local rec is not a good location.

6. Visitors bays in better housing estates. If you're just there for a night, nobody knows you are not a temp visitor. They expect frequent changes of vehicles.

7. Invest in blackout curtains and low lights. Especially in a motorhome, light at night attracts attention.

 

[John H]

I have to agree with Firefox. We have overnighted on the street many times but I would be reluctant to start a directory for the reasons he gives. His list of places to look for and avoid is very sensible and should enable anyone to find a good spot in any town.

The problem with parking in the street is that often the slope of the road into the gutter makes for an uneven night but if you choose a spot carefully and considerately you shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[Coolasluck]

Firefox s post makes common sense and i would have thought that most would adhere to them kind of guidelines anyhow.I think finding the perfect streets is just as hard as finding wilding sites,some of them on here are less than ideal.