Where can you legally stay overnight in a camper?

[tight fart]

Without having mr plod knocking on the door asking you to move on?
Friends have told me different things such as anywhere you can legally park in the new forest, & Dartmoor.
A lot of car parks will say no overnight etc but if not mentioned is that considered ok?
And is the law different in Scotland?

[Spuffington]

In Scotland you can pretty much wild camp where you like. A new rule has been introduced in the National Parks (Trossachs and Loch Lomond) where you're restricted to campsites due to people littering and not respecting the environment. But I've just come back from a week of wild camping, staying at some awesome spots. Just steer clear of anywhere which explicitly states "No Overnight Parking or Camping". Otherwise plenty of places. Read my blog on NW Scotland to see what I experienced.

In terms of England, I understand Dartmoor is fine for Wild Camping but maybe only in a tent and not in a Motorhome. Such a shame that Motorhomes are not encouraged here as in the same way in France & Germany.

[Zetec-S]

I can't speak for anywhere else, but wild/free camping in the New Forest is not allowed.

I'd be keen for more responses on what you can do in other areas, as I'm considering a camper (conversion) in a couple of years and would be curious to get an idea of how it could be used outside of traditional sites.

[Spuffington]

Zetec-S said:

I can't speak for anywhere else, but wild/free camping in the New Forest is not allowed.

I'd be keen for more responses on what you can do in other areas, as I'm considering a camper (conversion) in a couple of years and would be curious to get an idea of how it could be used outside of traditional sites.

Wild Camping is basically illegal in England & Wales. There are definitely people who will do it and won't have had a problem. But technically you can be moved on by the Police wherever you park up.

I used to just accept it and use campsites without giving it too much thought, but now having had the experience (and joy) of wild camping in Scotland and Aires in France, I've not really got an awful lot of desire to use campsites in England. I will do just as a way of seeing places, but the rawness of waking up in the middle of nowhere and being entirely reliant on your own water & energy supplies is priceless.

[Spuffington]

Whilst looking for something else, I stumbled across this....

http://www.practicalmotorhome.com/blog/44178-free-...

[oblio]

I believe that there is a fraternity of wild campers - including MH owners - who guard their special places fiercely

Also, aren't there websites that specifically deal with wild camping? Might be worth some research...

[Kneetrembler]

www.wildcamping.co.uk

[smifffymoto]

I would have you were technically parked in a motorhome not camping.If there are no parking restrictions I would go for it.To be even more anal don't put down the legs so you are then properly parked.

[Jonboy_t]

Where would you stand if you pitched up somewhere and all people present were 3 pints down already so couldn't drive?

[Spuffington]

Jonboy_t said:

Where would you stand if you pitched up somewhere and all people present were 3 pints down already so couldn't drive?

I guess if you met a particularly unpleasant, jobsworth Policeperson, they might consider drink driving (keys on you and in the vehicle).

[Ali Chappussy]

oblio said:

I believe that there is a fraternity of wild campers - including MH owners - who guard their special places fiercely

Also, aren't there websites that specifically deal with wild camping? Might be worth some research...

Aren't they called camp sites?

[oblio]

Ali Chappussy said:

oblio said:

I believe that there is a fraternity of wild campers - including MH owners - who guard their special places fiercely

Also, aren't there websites that specifically deal with wild camping? Might be worth some research...

Aren't they called camp sites?

No...the key word that I used was "wild"...

[rambo19]

Park where you like and claim your a member of the traveller community...............

[Foliage]

Spuffington said:

Wild Camping is basically illegal in England & Wales. There are definitely people who will do it and won't have had a problem. But technically you can be moved on by the Police wherever you park up.

Nope, All land in the UK is owned by someone, you can camp anywhere with the land owners permission, the police will move you on if you are trespassing or committing any other offence such as public order etc

[mm0mge]

? and what happens if your Van brakes down and wont start ?

[Antony Moxey]

Spuffington said:

Jonboy_t said:

Where would you stand if you pitched up somewhere and all people present were 3 pints down already so couldn't drive?

I guess if you met a particularly unpleasant, jobsworth Policeperson, they might consider drink driving (keys on you and in the vehicle).

They'd have a difficult job securing a conviction.

[Chrisgr31]

There is a camper van in which a couple live in in our town, often to be found in the main town car park but on occasions in other locations. Dont know if they get moved on at all.

[Nigel Worc's]

Is this any good to you, £30 a year :

http://www.britstops.com/

[Spuffington]

Nigel Worc's said:

Is this any good to you, £30 a year :

http://www.britstops.com/

I've got this and used a couple of the stops and they've been great. Closest thing to "legal" wild camping mixed with French Aires in the UK IMO.

[Kneetrembler]

Restaurants & Pubs will always let you camp in their Car Parks as a rule when you eat in their food establishments, but don't abuse it by using as a general park and go shopping etc.

We often do this when we have nothing previously booked or are mid way in a journey bity here and in Europe.