The "Golden Age of Motorhoming" is....

[maureenandtom]

I lived through the Golden Age and if it's not yet over then it's almost dead.

Sure, many wildcampers want to be out in the wilds somewhere or if urban to search around until an industrial complex or quiet residential area is found but I don't. I want the wild places sometimes but more often I want a comfortable place – a beach car park suits me but very often so does a town car park. Roadside places and laybys depress me - I don't want them. The places I want are being denied me – more are being denied every week – or so I seems to me.

Without looking any up I can think of Llanddullas and, confusingly Llandonna, Keswick-Portinscale not too long ago, Rother, Conwy motorhomes, Black Rock Beach (Gwynedd), Betws y coed and there'd be plenty more if I took time to think. There would have been Fleetwood (some would sneer) and that was lost until some argued for a trial aire. It seems every week there's another loss.

This has been coming a long time and I began my campaigning to have a UK aires system established and I think this is the only future for my sort of freedom – our sort of freedom. It's ok for some of us to look down on we urbanites a bit sneeringly but I know what I want and it isn't to have to book a place in advance or worry about whether I'll find a suitable place.

If aires are established and taking most of the pressure of casual motorhome parking then maybe the other places will remain unpressurised and continue to be free of council interference.

 

[barryd]

I dont think proper wild camping was ever easy. I think it depends how you define the term. If your just looking for a spot to park up and have a few ours kip then I guess any old layby or car park might do but to me a wild camping spot, a proper gem of a wild camping spot is everything motorhoming is about and they are never found easily. Well sometimes they are but usually they either need some scouting about online or when your out and about.

Does anyone remember "The Belgian"? (RIP Leo). Sadly no longer with us but him and I traded wild spots in mainland Europe for years (Well him more than me). He contributed so much on here in the early years and it seemed like his mission in life was to find wild spots all over Europe and share them. I have his entire database (well out of date now).

We always talked about finding that perfect 10 out of 10 wild spot and would grade them but of course there was never a "10" as the game would then be over.

Much of the fun, in the early days at least was finding that exclusive 10 out of 10 wild spot that nobody else knew about

This is my idea of wild camping.

Or

 

[Full Member]

I'm A Relative..........

........newcomer to wild camping in a Moho, having only had a Moho for about 5 years. In that time I've had many wonderful nights wild camping across the UK and Mainland Europe.
This evening three of us are stopping at the POI at The White Horse, Westbury, Wiltshire:



I've no idea whether the 'Golden Age' is over or indeed if there ever was such a thing. I do, however, know that there's plenty of positive experiences to be had wild camping in a Moho. Observing members of WC and MH I've noticed that an open mind, a flexible attitude and a sense of fun seems to help.

Colin

 

[rugbyken]

Lee & I with Partners spent about 6 weeks Nr the coast on the Spanish Portuguese borders our best camping was 4 spots neither of us had beenn to before a forest near the border a lovely border crossing by the river near the beach at huelva and the town called Osuna , now we are both experienced travellers I took lee a couple of places he’d never been and vice versa but these four were just found!!!! It’s not dead just people with pre conceived ideas ie wanting 5* facilities for nowt

 

[Mick H]

Sadly, I believe that the Golden age of motorhoming, has passed. It's all the restrictions that are doing it, probably the worst being Low Emission Zones, that are increasingly being rolled out, all around Europe.
I've just been looking at the Belgian ones, and realise that one of our favourite wildcamping spots, at Antwerp, is now in a LEZ, and we can no longer go there.
What the future holds, we can only guess, but it doesn't look good.
I fully realise that air polution is a problem, but, as low mileage motorhomers, we are being treated unfairly.

As others have pointed out, the increase in popularity, of motorhoming, brings about many restrictions. For those that have been touring Europe, for a number of years, you can't help noticing the amount of van's on the road, throughout the year.

 

[phillybarbour]

It’s still a great way to explore and travel. The future may make wilding more difficult but the bigger concern is banning diesels although it’s still some way off for commercials.

 

[mistericeman]

Sadly, I believe that the Golden age of motorhoming, has passed. It's all the restrictions that are doing it, probably the worst being Low Emission Zones, that are increasingly being rolled out, all around Europe.
I've just been looking at the Belgian ones, and realise that one of our favourite wildcamping spots, at Antwerp, is now in a LEZ, and we can no longer go there.
What the future holds, we can only guess, but it doesn't look good.
I fully realise that air polution is a problem, but, as low mileage motorhomers, we are being treated unfairly.

As others have pointed out, the increase in popularity, of motorhoming, brings about many restrictions. For those that have been touring Europe, for a number of years, you can't help noticing the amount of van's on the road, throughout the year.

Possibly it's passed for those that enjoy car parks, in town/City centers...
However for a lot of us it just re enforces the case to avoid conurbations and seek solitude in the great outdoors...
Yes...
Possibly not true 'wildcamping' BUT being out in the wilds away from everyone else is pretty good for the soul IMHO.

As I posted earlier... Still loads of spots to find and enjoy without signs (or the need to ignore them whilst quoting how they aren't legal etc etc)
Just be wary of plastering them all over T'interweb or likely as, not there will be a barrier next time you visit a hidden gem.

 

[DnK]

If you use a pvc without the windows then what are you?
A van?
Or a motor home?

Stealth camper?

 

[Kajay]

This is my idea of wild camping.

Or

[/QUOTE]

That is our idea of Wild camping. Off beaten track, solitude, fantastic view, with only wildlife and birds for company. If we ever do bump into another wild camper they’re usually like minded

 

[barryd]

Years ago I used to play a game where the goal was to seek out the perfect 10 out of 10 wild camping spot. I used to compare notes with Leo (The Belgian) off here (Now gone RIP) and see who could find the best spots (he was a WC Guru). I would spend hours out on the scooter looking for places like the ones in the pictures. Im not as obsessed now but Ive never given any spot a "10" ever over the years as the game would then be over. A few 9s or 9 1/2's though.

 

[trevskoda]

It’s still a great way to explore and travel. The future may make wilding more difficult but the bigger concern is banning diesels although it’s still some way off for commercials.

Sorry to say all will be banned at the cut of date.

 

[Channa]

Years ago I used to play a game where the goal was to seek out the perfect 10 out of 10 wild camping spot. I used to compare notes with Leo (The Belgian) off here (Now gone RIP) and see who could find the best spots (he was a WC Guru). I would spend hours out on the scooter looking for places like the ones in the pictures. Im not as obsessed now but Ive never given any spot a "10" ever over the years as the game would then be over. A few 9s or 9 1/2's though.

Leo was a star and a great loss to our community, Belgium and Holland he was like a tourist info officer ...I hope he sleeps safe ,,,and smiles at our antics, A man who really did embody wild camping very knowlegable and never rocked the boat

We have lost one or two great guys ..God bless them all ( if there is one) certainly inspired me in my travels

Channa