What does wildcamping mean to you.

[Topmast]

I fully realize some people are nervous about being alone and out of sight of other vans whilst others have mobility problems and need more facilities, but for me the further away from so called civilization the better,if I can manage a couple of days without seeing any one I feel that I have achieved something.Yes I am a miserable old sod but I come from a long line of miserable old sods and have had 70 plus years of practice.

 

[antiquesam]

I'm a part time wilder. I like to overnight in secluded spots in the middle of no where and just set off for a walk with the dog, but I also like getting the bbq and chairs out on a sunny day so enjoy the odd night in a CL. We are away this week to avoid dog hairs on the decorator's paintwork, but it's club sites in February I'm afraid.

 

[Obanboy666]

Very much a part time wilder especially in England where I do the odd night wilding usually on route somewhere then spend most time on C&CC CS sites, I’m on one now near Penrith. When visiting the west coast of Scotland which I do at least 6 times a year it’s a different matter. I wild 3/4 nights then visit a site for a night or 2 to replenish water etc.
When wilding it has to be wild not a laybye or carpark, as far away from civilisation as possible suits me best with great views and peace and quiet.

 

[Borders2]

For us ending up on a site is a sign of abject failure.

Over the last ten years or so of ownership with he last van that happened twice.

What bemuses us is being somewhere really remote, think the Uists for instance and we go for a walk, return to find another van parked right next to us with a bloody mile of ground to pick from. We have no idea what drives this flocking instinct but we know how we react which is to move off.

For us wild camping is being together with the dogs away from people. After a number of years running a busy hospitality business we prefer to be solitory. But that is us and it suits us and not everyone can cope with themselves: this we acknowledge.


B2

 

[davep10000]

Making sure we are in solitary confinement is why one my first requirements is to have a 4wd camper - as I do now. Especially in Scotland where I live, its easy to find places to go where no-one else will be around, and in all winter conditions.
Dave.
(Another miserable sod with years of experience!!)

 

[dane]

This.

 

[Channa]

All my working career in some shape or form I have been in the People business and all that entails.

Wildcamping is total freedom and not slave to a hotels agenda or a campsites rules and regulations, Solitary places I have found gives me time to contemplate and more important relate to mother nature marvel and ask myself 101 questions...self sufficiency accommodation on board it is a rewarding lifestyle, One which in the foreseeable future isn't possible but once again one day. Nowdays love reading peoples adventures

Channa

 

[Nabsim]

Presumably you mean off grid cos nobody wild camps really in a motorhome or camper? Very easy to get remote with a bivvy or tent and walking boots.

I think for most wild camping will mean just stopping where they like at any time of the day or night.

Personally I just like the freedom being in the van brings and being able to move at will (usually). I like remote off grid in the van but equally a patch at the side of the road, a car park with a view or a site with some facilities to empty out and recharge

Then again some are just too tight to spend anything so wild camping means everything for free

Just enjoy it, we aren’t here that long

 

[landoboguy]

All my working career in some shape or form I have been in the People business and all that entails.

Wildcamping is total freedom and not slave to a hotels agenda or a campsites rules and regulations, Solitary places I have found gives me time to contemplate and more important relate to mother nature marvel and ask myself 101 questions...self sufficiency accommodation on board it is a rewarding lifestyle, One which in the foreseeable future isn't possible but once again one day. Nowdays love reading peoples adventures

Channa

80% this 20% sites
But Yes I feel just the same, get away from the hectic side, re charge and head back stronger

 

[Borders2]

"Then again some are just too tight to spend anything so wild camping means everything for free" painting with a rather broad brush there.

Not everyone has loads of dosh to spend willy nilly on bloody expensive camp sites.

B2

 

[barryd]

For me it means finding somewhere isolated with plenty of space and a great view where I am unlikely to be surrounded by other vans or disturbed by none motorhomers. Most of our touring is in Spring, summer and Autumn so not always easy to achieve that Wilding utopia especially in July and August. I remember finding a fantastic spot in the French Alps once high up with tons of space and great views. Sadly it was visible from one of the minor roads along the valley and within a few hours there were half a dozen other vans which most annoyingly rather than pick out opposite corners of what was probably about five acres of space they had to form a row next to us didnt they.

I sometimes go out on the scooter "scouting" for such places down lanes and remote areas when we are out and about and then just bookmark them on the GPS. It used to be a bit of an obsession of mine finding what I would class as the perfect 10 out of 10 wild spot but I never found it. They were always a 9 or a 9.5. The game would be over if I found a 10.

Im as happy on one of our favourite CL sites though or an decent Aire in France as long as Im not hemmed in on either side. Nothing worse.

 

[jann]

The more remote, the better

 

[antiquesam]

Presumably you mean off grid cos nobody wild camps really in a motorhome or camper? Very easy to get remote with a bivvy or tent and walking boots.

I think for most wild camping will mean just stopping where they like at any time of the day or night.

Personally I just like the freedom being in the van brings and being able to move at will (usually). I like remote off grid in the van but equally a patch at the side of the road, a car park with a view or a site with some facilities to empty out and recharge

Then again some are just too tight to spend anything so wild camping means everything for free

Just enjoy it, we aren’t here that long

That's not strictly true. I'm quite selective and hunt out small car parks well off the beaten track up single track lanes, an advantage to having an old van, so I'm unlikely to have another van turn up, but it seems you can't get away from the dog walkers and the KFC empty packet distributor, who sneaks up while you're asleep and deposits wrappers, despite being at least 20 miles from the outlet.

 

[Minisorella]

Remote, isolated and getting away from people and the hustle and bustle of life are completely wonderful if you're still lucky enough to have someone to share them with, as most of you do. Hold on tight and make the most of it We loved wilding when my husband was alive but now spend too much time alone for my liking, with plenty of time and solitude for contemplation, so there's no hustle and bustle for me to escape from. I live in an area surrounded by gorgeous countryside and have the coast and both the North and South Downs not far away, so no city or town to escape from either - and no busy, stressful job. Sometimes, I take the train up to London, just to experience some bustle I still adore being away in the motorhome, enjoy travelling and wilding with others or a few nights alone somewhere safe when I'm on the way to meet up with people but for me the joy is exploring on route, whilst knowing there'll be the company of others when I arrive.
:drive:

 

[Tonybvi]

Over the years we have changed completely our motorhoming style - probably to do with increasing confidence. Our first year of motorhoming (2006) we spent every motorhoming night on UK campsites (mainly the two big clubs). The following year we ventured overseas and tried out and enjoyed many French aires but still stayed on campsites at home. Now we only go on campsites for the absolute minimum time to do the normal housekeeping chores. We wild as much as we can. What is wilding to us? Remote spots where we feel secure (plenty of them up here in Scotland) although occasionally we like to be somewhere within cycling or walking distance of a small village or good pub.

 

[Moonraker 2]

"Then again some are just too tight to spend anything so wild camping means everything for free" painting with a rather broad brush there.

Not everyone has loads of dosh to spend willy nilly on bloody expensive camp sites.

B2

Yes please exercise caution with sweeping statements. I free camp almost exclusively because I have such a small income. Two new front tyres has just seriously damaged my budget. If I free camp then I can go to the pub for a drink, local cafe or visit the place of interest so the local community will still benefit from my pitiful pound.
I travel solo and am quite happy in an isolated place but appreciate a car park that allows overnight stops and means I don't have far to walk to explore the local community.
I value the c&c club that gives me a senior single rate as I would be completely unable to afford commercial sites that start at £25 per night.
When in Spain and France I exclusively use the aires.
So I guess I am a free camper rather than a wild camper, but I can get a bit wild at times.

 

[antiquesam]

Remote, isolated and getting away from people and the hustle and bustle of life are completely wonderful if you're still lucky enough to have someone to share them with, as most of you do. Hold on tight and make the most of it We loved wilding when my husband was alive but now spend too much time alone for my liking, with plenty of time and solitude for contemplation, so there's no hustle and bustle for me to escape from. I live in an area surrounded by gorgeous countryside and have the coast and both the North and South Downs not far away, so no city or town to escape from either - and no busy, stressful job. Sometimes, I take the train up to London, just to experience some bustle I still adore being away in the motorhome, enjoy travelling and wilding with others or a few nights alone somewhere safe when I'm on the way to meet up with people but for me the joy is exploring on route, whilst knowing there'll be the company of others when I arrive.
:drive:

I'm allowed out by myself sometimes and it's then that I really get to enjoy the freedom of the wilderness. Chris isn't so good on her pegs anymore and long walks in the country are a bit beyond her now so sites near some sort of civilization is the order of the day when we travel together.
I do have the advantage of having been a European long distance driver for many years, so sleeping in lonely spots was the norm, quite often with Chris as passenger.

 

[rugbyken]

as an ex squaddie used to love going out with just backpack and a bivvybag and curling up on the ground i have woken to snow on outside of bag and nearly been run over i used to hike or canoe till i found a peaceful spot, but now i’m older bones don’t like the floor so can’t really wildcamp, once your away on wheels i guess wildcamping has got to be anywhere that doesn’t have services but realistically if your living in a 20/30/50/100k van you can’t really be wildcamping can you?

 

[antiquesam]

as an ex squaddie used to love going out with just backpack and a bivvybag and curling up on the ground i have woken to snow on outside of bag and nearly been run over i used to hike or canoe till i found a peaceful spot, but now i’m older bones don’t like the floor so can’t really wildcamp, once your away on wheels i guess wildcamping has got to be anywhere that doesn’t have services but realistically if your living in a 20/30/50/100k van you can’t really be wildcamping can you?

Some of us aren't driving Vans with those prices. Mine is now 24 years old, so the odd hedge trim isn't the end of the road.

 

[Wully]

I’ve still got all my camping gear not used it for about six years but wild camping is different for us now days from this
To this in six years I still call it kinda wild camping first photo island of Barra 2nd island of Skye. Still got the tent and miss using it well kinda