Wild versus Free

Edforth - you make it sound really bad trying to wild camp in the uk:
"Due to my recent experiences and chatting to numerous other m/homers during the last several weeks Im now utterly against m/homing within the UK. It seems to me that our only viable choice for m/homers is to go south to France and beyond."
It takes a bit more thought nowadays, but totally doable in the uk. Googling the area you want to stay for camp sites is easier than driving around looking for somewhere to park up for free or trying to find info on free overnighting.
I thought that was what this site was about - so we can all share the experience!:p
I'd point you in the direction of getting access to the satellite list of wild camping.....but then you'd ask why I aint paid my £15 yet. I'm a freeloader too..:eek::D:D
 
Hi, Absolutely NO problem with parking wild in the UK. A quick perusal of the appropriate areas on this site will establish that. I have been wilding for many years and apart from the odd time when we use a pub site, because we fancy a meal out, then we always wild. The only problem from what I have gathered from the last few posts is possibly the size of the motor home. Ours is a panel van, so obviously is smaller and therefore a lot less obtrusive than the average coach built. If 50 million lorry drivers can find somewhere to stop overnight without paying, how difficult can it be for us? (O.K. O.K. Maybe it just seems like 50 squillion at times)

Dezi
 
After spending the past 2 months wilding in England and Wales, I can only say that we will be looking forward to next years trip to the UK. There are lots of places out there waiting to be be found. By communicating with the locals and passing the time of day we found that we were made welcome and often given suggestions on places to overnight.:)
Respect & enjoy.:)

Regards Nolly
 
Quote: "If 50 million lorry drivers can find somewhere to stop overnight without paying, how difficult can it be for us? (O.K. O.K. Maybe it just seems like 50 squillion at times):Un-Quote.

Mostly the lorry drivers park-up at their Drop-off location and sleep. Their tack-o-graph proves they were not loitering in the cabs when they should have been working.
 
Hi all,
I have just discovered the following document:


Motor Caravan Aires and Wild Camping in suitable locations
by johnthompson on July 19, 2010 at 01:43PM

Permitting Motor Caravans to park in locations other than licenced or exempted caravan sites will require the Public Health Act 1937 section 286 and The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 being ammended.
THe 1937 Act defines what constitues a caravan and the 1960 Act requires that Caravan Sites are licenced or carry an exemption issued by certain clubs and bodies. A Caravan is defined as being a vehicle or vessel that has been built or adapted for human habitation and does not recognise a difference between a Static, Touring(trailer) or Motor Caravan.
Modern Motor Caravans are totaly different and contain superior sanitary and habitation equipment to those envisaged in the 1930s and 1950s. Motor Caravans are in fact luxury hotels on wheels these days with Bedrooms, Kitchens and bathrooms with hot water and showers and sealed toilets.
A recognition that a motor caravan parking overnight does not need the same facilities as a touring caravan is required.
A recognition of the diference between camping and parking (including using the vehicle for cooking and sleeping) is required.
Motor Caravans are much heavier than touring caravans and existing grass caravan sites can prove unsuitable for them in wet weather. A Motor Caravan simply needs a firm level surface to park on and from time to time access to basic facilities for drinking water and to dispose of wet and dry waste.
Camping as defined in regulations for Camping Cars abroard is putting anything including Tables, Chairs, steps, waste and water containers, Awnings, ramps etc outside of the vehicle. There are no restrictions on what you can do within a parked vehicle.
Modern Motor Caravans are totaly self contained and only need facilities to get fresh water and dump black and grey water every few days. They are designed to carry these loads unlike touring caravans.
Local Authorities have the power at present to allow Aire type stopovers on land owned or leased by them under section 11 of the 1960 Act. Few have used this power.
Britain is unfriendly to visiting motor caravan users as we require them to join one of our clubs to use a reasonably priced Certificated site or some of the club sites. Otherwise thay need to use highly priced commercial or club sites.
We can enjoy using our Motor Caravans abroad without such restrictions using the many municipal and private Aires available at very low or even no cost other than a couple of Euros to obtain drinking water.
It has been recognised since the 1960s abroard that Motor Caravan users bring trade into areas they visit, as they need to buy supplies and will use and visit local amenities and eating places. It is time the UK recognised this and became more welcoming to travelling visitors. Many of our authorities are still in the B&B mindset with regards to taking holidays, or are "Traveller" phobic.
Action needed:
Examine and revoke or re-write the 1937 and 1960 acts to bring them into line with todays developments.
Instruct local authorities to remove restrictions preventing the use for cooking and sleeping in parked Motor Caravans.
A recognition that a motor caravan parking overnight does not need the same facilities as a touring caravan is required.
A recognition of the difference between camping and parking (including using the vehicle for cooking and sleeping) is required.
Require local Authorities to make use of existing underused parking spaces at night such as Coach Bays or car parks to permit the overnight parking of Motor Caravans.
Remove height barriers from some parts of otherwise restricted car parks so that larger vehicles can gain access. (Restrictions could still apply to the type of use to which these spaces are permitted to be used for ie no commercial vehicles or trading, and the length of stay permitted).
Why the contribution is important
The Acts governing what constitutes a Caravan and where it can be used are outdated and in need of review.
Modern developments have overtaken these acts adopted in the 1930 and 1950s.
Is this idea inappropriate?
 
Old_Arthur said:
we all do have differant idea's but most of mine are right and others are wrong :rolleyes: it's human nature to think like this,that why the world is like it is:eek::D but like every forum only get involved and take part in that what suits you and just read the other parts
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Please, please, please post all your free camping spots and places where you park-up day and night -- as that way I wont be unfortunate and run into you.

Otherwise take care.
 
Edforth said:
Quote: "If 50 million lorry drivers can find somewhere to stop overnight without paying, how difficult can it be for us? (O.K. O.K. Maybe it just seems like 50 squillion at times):Un-Quote.

Mostly the lorry drivers park-up at their Drop-off location and sleep. Their tack-o-graph proves they were not loitering in the cabs when they should have been working.
Click to expand...

Really! Then who exactly are in the myriad of lorries that park up overnight in the lay-bys that I use occasionally when on long trips. Retires hauliers perhaps, now using the vehicle for a bit of sight seeing? I think not.

Dezi
 
I personally wouldn't think that most of the laybys could be called wildcamping as they are only any use for stopping overnight somewhere on route. Where's the enjoyment being parked at the side of road. :confused: It is unfortunate that there are a limited amount of good wildcamping spots where you can relax without the worry of being moved on or having your peace interrupted in the middle of the night.
Until there is a change allowing some type of aires places to stop we are made to feel unwelcome, its a pity more people didn't sign up to John's petition on the Your Freedom website (only 101 votes :eek:) it should have been the duty of everybody on the site to at least sign up to it & make a comment :rolleyes: there should have been a few thousand comments but instead people have a moan on a forum that is only read by people who have an interest in the subject but does nothing regarding getting the message out to people who can make a difference.

It would be nice if we could get a co-ordinated campaign to make it a big issue, many of us belong to other forums just look how Locksmiths's story spread & hopefully pushed Dunghills into resolving the issue.
 
Dezi said:


Really! Then who exactly are in the myriad of lorries that park up overnight in the lay-bys that I use occasionally when on long trips. Retires hauliers perhaps, now using the vehicle for a bit of sight seeing? I think not.

Dezi
Click to expand...

Hi Dezi
With hijacking of lorries including their cargo's at a peak --secure lorry parks have become the norm for lorry parking otherwise their Insurances and Cargo Cover becomes 'Void'. Small self employed owner-drivers take a chance on parking overnight to get some shut-eye. Thats common sense. Large hauliers are more responsible because they can afford to pay less than an Owner-driver can afford to live upon. Hope that answers your question.
 
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Kontiki said:
I personally wouldn't think that most of the laybys could be called wildcamping as they are only any use for stopping overnight somewhere on route. Where's the enjoyment being parked at the side of road. :confused: It is unfortunate that there are a limited amount of good wildcamping spots where you can relax without the worry of being moved on or having your peace interrupted in the middle of the night.
Until there is a change allowing some type of aires places to stop we are made to feel unwelcome, its a pity more people didn't sign up to John's petition on the Your Freedom website (only 101 votes :eek:) it should have been the duty of everybody on the site to at least sign up to it & make a comment :rolleyes: there should have been a few thousand comments but instead people have a moan on a forum that is only read by people who have an interest in the subject but does nothing regarding getting the message out to people who can make a difference.

It would be nice if we could get a co-ordinated campaign to make it a big issue, many of us belong to other forums just look how Locksmiths's story spread & hopefully pushed Dunghills into resolving the issue.
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Hi Kontiki,
I agree with your sentiments entirely. And yes I have a 'cunning plan' to help equipe m/homers with more than sufficient 'Aires within the UK.'

1: I dont beleive that Petitioning Governments is anything like an answer to our plight simply because government is lazy and it would take too long for them to react Also because they havent got a 'profit motive to act upon' in the first instance.
2: I beleive that 'Private Industry' - is the way to go. All that is required is to show that a profit is waiting to be harvested, and only then will the Horse pull the cart towards the carrot, but quicker.

I dont want to reveal too much at this point but promise to advise further in a later posting.
Take care
 
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Tell me, go on.

You are going to buy all the P.P. truckstops and convert them into aires.;)


Eric
 
It would be interesting to see a list of secure truckstops.

They have all disappeared in my neck of the woods. The only one I know is the one at Hull which allows m/homes to overnight.

This could possibly be added as a new category on this website. ie; Similar to 'Post your pub stopovers'.
 
maingate said:
It would be interesting to see a list of secure truckstops.

They have all disappeared in my neck of the woods. The only one I know is the one at Hull which allows m/homes to overnight.

This could possibly be added as a new category on this website. ie; Similar to 'Post your pub stopovers'.
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Hi, I have used this site for truck information over the years.

TRUCK STOPS LORRY PARKS TRANSPORT CAFES

Dezi
 
Thanks for that info Dezi.:)

ps; I should not be talking to you after the horrible things you have said about my good friend Arthur. He is not all there you know.:eek: Poor beggar.
 
Edforth said:
I dont beleive that Petitioning Governments is anything like an answer to our plight simply because government is lazy and it would take too long for them to react Also because they havent got a 'profit motive to act upon' in the first instance.
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From the Your Freedom website:

We're working to create a more open and less intrusive society through our Programme for Government. We want to restore Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations – both for individuals and businesses.

This site gives you the chance to tell us which laws and regulations you think we should get rid of. Your feedback will inform government policy and some of your proposals could end up making it into bills we bring before Parliament to change the law. We've had an excellent response so far, receiving thousands of ideas, comments and votes.

So if you see an idea here that you agree with, then rate it to move it up the list. If you have more to say about an idea, then add your comment. Or submit your own idea if it isn't yet on the site (the search box is a good way to check). And remember - we want you to suggest ideas for removing laws and regulations, rather than ideas for creating them.

Your Freedom is the part of the most radical shake up of our politics for decades. We encourage you to keep participating in this unpredictable forum. As Nick Clegg said when he launched Your Freedom - 'real democracy is unspun; it is the raucous, unscripted debates that always throw up the best ideas'.
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If we do not put forward or back ideas how, on earth can we expect the government to even consider our case.

AndyC on another forum has expressed an interest in being part of a group to try to move the situation of Aire along. Are any members of this group interested. If so PM me please.

John
 
I have just returned from a two week holiday touring Wales... With a mix of wilding or free parking with a site or two thrown in....
I thought the difference between wilding and free parking was between a nice location or a car park....
The reason that we have good motorhomes with all of the facilities is so that we can wild and not use campsites.... and we are not tight arses of folks with short arms and long pockets.... or dare I say it Scotish....:D by reputation only and not reality:D
Therefore if a person wants assuming he or she is able to find the money and spend it on an 80K unit it is quite justifiable....and he or she should not feel the need to use campsites....
Otherwise we could save money by not having ant 12volt fittings and appliancies....
 
Ridiculous

I have added my contrabution and thank you for sharing this Govt. site with me/us.
I have put forward another idea,that i think is a little unfair,conserning motorists travelling in the EU.
While travelling in a Motorhome or any vehicle,and for instance one of the three documents you need to travel lawfully, runs out...Insurance,MOT and TAX,you have to travel back (which could mean 2000 miles) to your original issue-ing country (UK) for me,and visa versa for a Greek,Spaniard or Bulgarian,but as we're in the EU,and have rights to travel freely (apparantly) in said countries it seems stupid to have to do this,when any country could be used for said documents,as all are recognised throughout Europe !
The only option at the moment is to re-register/export vehicle,which if you look should be done after ...6 months !
Surely this should be ammended,especially for motorhomes,who travel away,long stay.What do you say ?
It's under EU ,tax mot and insuring on the same site,please leave input .
 
Slowhand said:
Unfortunately it's years out of date.:eek:We also have to find our own spots and it is best not to divulge them.;)
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Hi, Two minor points. 1] Some information on truckstops is years old, but that is not the same as being years out of date. 2 ] If you do not intend to divulge ( share) information, may I ask what sort of reception you anticipate getting from members when you ask a question ?

Dezi
 
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