New Forest camping - not on a site!

[Jonboy_t]

Me and a few mates are looking to head out to the forest to do some dawn photography and get some arty-farty shots, so we're thinking of taking my camper, stopping somewhere and then getting up at about 4/5a.m to get going.

I'd rather not stay on a normal site out of courtesy as we will, without a doubt, be really noisy and disruptive, both in the evening (beer) and in the 'morning' (sorting equipment). Does anyone know if we can just park up in one of the normal car parks and stay the night?

Oddly, despite having had a camper for ages, I've never stayed in the Forest, so have no idea on their rules for this kind of thing!

[Tonsko]

As far as I know, it's not legal to do that anywhere in England. Scotland, yes. England, no.

[SS2.]

Jonboy_t said:

Does anyone know if we can just park up in one of the normal car parks and stay the night?

I think there are signs at the car parks confirming that overnight parking is prohibited.

Whether you'd actually be caught in a car park that was tucked out of the way, and whether you'd simply be moved on if you were - who knows ?

Foresty Commission Byelaws said:

7. No person shall on the lands of the Commissioners:

i. drive a motor vehicle as a learner driver;

ii. use or operate a motor vehicle without an efficient silencer;

iii. park or leave unattended a motor vehicle between the hours of sunset and sunrise except by the side of a highway for a stop of reasonable duration for refreshment or other reasonable cause.

[Tonsko]

SS2. said:

Whether you'd actually be caught in a car park that was tucked out of the way, and whether you'd simply be moved on if you were - who knows ?

I think realistically, an out of the way car park you might not be caught. However, it being the new forest, they might be more aware of people trying it and consequently be more alert. If you do try it, report back

[SydneyBridge]

How about the motorway services, on the M27

[SS2.]

Tonsko said:

I think realistically, an out of the way car park you might not be caught. However, it being the new forest, they might be more aware of people trying it and consequently be more alert.

I use the New Forest quite a lot and it's not uncommon for people to get very 'precious' about the rules & regs out there.

Ramblers, horse riders, locals - all could be candidates for phoning the police or the verderers when they see a camper parked up after sundown.

If it was me risking it, I think at least one of the group would have to stay off the ale, just in case plod did rock up and insisted we moved on..

[SS2.]

SydneyBridge said:

How about the motorway services, on the M27

Not particularly scenic, and will cost you maybe £20 for a camper.

And no decent pubs within walking distance..

[Tonsko]

SS2. said:

SydneyBridge said:

How about the motorway services, on the M27

Not particularly scenic, and will cost you maybe £20 for a camper.

And no decent pubs within walking distance..

Yeh, M-way services have signs to say you can't stay for longer than 2 hours. You can pay for longer though.

[Jonboy_t]

Cheers all!! Maybe a rethink might be in order. I might call a few sites and see if they could perhaps tuck us away in a dark corner somewhere so we're not a nuisance to anyone. Will have a think!

SS2. said:

If it was me risking it, I think at least one of the group would have to stay off the ale, just in case plod did rock up and insisted we moved on..

That's a good point! What would happen if we'd all had 3 pints and the Plod arrived? I guess probably towed away if it was that serious?

[SS2.]

Jonboy_t said:

That's a good point! What would happen if we'd all had 3 pints and the Plod arrived? I guess probably towed away if it was that serious?

I doubt it, but they might be keener to issue a penalty for the byelaw infringement if you couldn't simply move on.

And at the risk of putting a match the blue touch paper, there's always 'drunk in charge' to be mindful of..

[Tonsko]

We (on our campsite) do have some kind of customer selection, as loud parties of youngsters (and twenty, sometimes thirty-somethings) tend to be more hassle than they're worth, as they ps off the core clientele. We do have a canoe area that is sound-proofed by trees where we can put parties who will be a bit more carousive, so you might be lucky and find a site that can accommodate you. Best of luck!

[rehab71]

You're not allowed to 'camp' in the car parks, however if you stopped in a really quiet spot you'd proberly be ok.

I live near this pub http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/58/5829/Cuc... and it has a layby opposite that I've seen the odd camper in over night which doesn't seem to cause a problem.

[Lozw86]

You will be fine in a well selected and remote car park. Just don't leave any mess

And watch out for doggers

[iiyama]

Red Shoot campsite?