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 not tolerated. Because of problems with 'new age travellers' during the 1980's Britain has 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.
Tips for Free camping in Britain
- 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
