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Britain
Britain consists of 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each has its own section. The Republic of Ireland is a separate country and has its own section. The Isle of Man is also not part of Britain.
Free camping in Britain
Free camping in Britain is a mixed bag.
- England & Wales - Because of problems with 'new age travellers' during the 1980's England & Wales have laws preventing one from just pulling over and stopping for the night. However, it is still possible to free camp, if you choose your location well. But you should always be prepared for a knock on the door from the police who might ask you to move along.
- Scotland - Scottish law allows people the right to roam and camp. Free camping is tolerated if done responsible.
Tips for Free camping in England & Wales
- In popular holiday areas, there may be restrictions on overnight parking in car parks or a road ‘layby’. In quieter areas however, it may be acceptable to find some quiet area to park.
- Upon entering a town look for the sign directing you to the “Long Stay Car Park”, where you generally will be allowed to stay the night. It’s always surprising where you’ll end up, sometimes an ugly industrial area, sometimes a truly wonderful parking spot in the centre of town.
- In popular holiday areas, there may be restrictions on overnight parking in car parks or a road ‘layby’. In quieter areas however, it may be acceptable to find some quiet area to park.
- On many occasions it’s possible to stay the odd night at a rural pub. If you ask the landlord/lady, mostly you’re more than welcome to overnight in the car park. Always pick a place in the car park away from the main traffic in and out so as not to cause any inconvenience to the locals. All villages usually have a decent size pub car park and a lot in the country have wonderful views in the morning. Well worth a meal or few pints
Tesco supermarkets
- The general ruling for Tesco is that they have no problem with motor homes "parked up" for the night IF the following is observed:
- Park in a discreet corner of the car park - i.e., not right outside the front door, blocking others!
- Do not set up BBQ and picnic tables! This also applies to chairs etc.
- If there is more than 2 at any one time they start to worry
- Never leave anything behind; including water on the tarmac because non-campers think it is from the loo. Seriously!
- Only stay one night.
If you follow the above rules you should be ok at most branches of Tesco. If you do some shopping before you leave, it would be a nice gesture to mention to the manager, who you are, and thank him for the use of the car park. Although he may not be aware that you were even there. If he sees you are a customer in his store it could encourage him to keep letting people stay overnight.
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is now used with regard to wild camping. It was introduced on the back of raves and N.A.T.s and all the hassle that went on at Stonehenge a few years ago. Have a look at the government’s own website containing the act.
Scroll down to the sections on trespass and especially the section headed "Powers to remove unauthorised campers"(77). Hope that gives a clearer definition of what’s legal and what’s not....
Basically there's no "right" to stay anywhere, other than on someone’s land with their permission. Thanks to all those 'new age travellers' in the 1980's you can be asked to move on at any time and failure to comply can land you in a whole heap of trouble.
If you stay in a layby or any part of a Highway, like a grass verge, then the local authority can ask you to move on. They first have to know you're there of course, but once you've been spotted and they ask you to move, then you have to move.
The Police have powers to move you from landowners land if there are two people camping and (a) you've damaged property or land or (b) you've been abusive to the landowner when asked to leave. In this instance, damage to the land could include ruts formed in the field by the tyres, so they can force you to leave under most circumstances. This also includes common land if asked to leave by a commoner. Of course, once asked, most people will comply and move on, so no problem, but it's as well to be aware that you've really no rights. Service stations started putting up the time limits for parking at the same time this legislation went through
Camper Van Life is brought to you by Darren Lambert, a big fan of camper vans.
Recently we have enjoyed some lovely overnighters in Scotland. (We have show dogs with us so prefer not to stay on busy camp-sites)
We stayed at:
Loch Garten in the Abernethy Forest - not far from Aviemore. Beautiful views, and numerous laybys and pull in places (but please take your rubbish home as there are no facilities outside local villages)
The Sma Glen - along the road from Creiff to Loch Earn there is a lovely riverside area with a number of Lay Bys - very pretty.
Loch Earn. Between St Fillans and Lochearnhead there are a number of lay bys/picnic areas along the banks of the loch - set back from the road. They get busy with campers and fishermen, but it is jolly. No facilities outside the villages apart fom ample rubbish bins, which are useful. Stunning views of the loch and mountains
Findochty on the NE Coast (Nr Buckie). There is a beautiful beach for an overnight stay. Shop and pub on the other side of the village (and an official - fee paying - campsite, again overlooking the sea. Toilets by the harbour.
If you follow the Moray Coast Trail there are a number of sea side places where a night's stopover is possible in beautiful areas, but please keep them beautiful - take your rubbish away with you!
I always wonder why we motorcaranners dont have some way of letting other know that they can park the night in our garden or driveway.
I like the idea that when in Scotland you can go anywhere and camp out responsibly. I Particularly dislike the South East of England. Arrogant, rude and intolerant.
Devon , Cornwall, Wales, Scotland anytime !!
I avoid the South East especially anywhere near London......I really do not like those people....I would rather lick piss off nettles !!!
if you have the ignition keys on you,you are incharge of the vehicle,keep remote door lock and hide ignition key or leave behind bar. thanks all, great tips as just starting out.
Does anyone know of a website for solo campervan travellers? I am starting with U.K.Also very interested in quiet locations.
douglas allan, you seem to speak as if soctland is not british!!! typical scot, its only british when it suits you and you don't mind taking English money!!
Arthur
I think the point he is trying to make is that there is no British Law
There is:
English Law which covers England and Wales
Scots Law for Scotland
Irish Law for Ireland
in Scotland you can just about camp anywhere as long as you clear up and there is no law of Tresspass.
I wont say anything about "typical english" etc as it is just plain rude.
Good point. I have changed the wording in the article to refer to England & Wales, and Scotland separately.
Either that or the police will do you for drink driving - google it.
The unofficial advice for free camping in the UK is, always carry a couple of beers with you. As soon as you find a place to settle for the night, make sure everyone who is insured to drive your van has had a beer or too. Even if you don't drink, carry a couple of empty beer cans. If the police do try to move you on, POLITELY explain to them that you didn't realise you couldn't camp there, tell them you've had a couple of cans of beer and might be over the legal limit for driving, and tell them you'll move on first thing in the morning. So long as you remain polite and apologetic for any inconvenience, don't appear drunk and disorderly, and genuinely do move on the next morning, then the police won't waste their time hassling you. DO move on the next morning, though, because they won't be as sympatheti if they see you there the folowing night...
Great idea if you want to risk being arrested for being "drunk in charge" of a vehicle!
As we in the country of SCOTLAND have a de facto right to roam you can also camp, responsibly, where you like in any wild place.
In SCOTLAND we have our own laws, religion,culture etc so there is no such thing as british law. I have to emphisise most strongly that if you camp wild you must take great care to leave no trace of your visit.
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