More grief about motorhomes

[spitfire]

Bloody well shouldn't be then as for paying campsite closing theirs then they should expect something in the bins or in the hedges.

Perhaps you did not read my post . The toilets in the north of Scotland are cared for my the locals . Do you want to be responsible for cleaning your local toilets in the Pandemic ?

The campsites are closed and reflected in the cost . Scotland is trying to maintain its low transmission rate . On site you are asked to use your own facilities and have still emptying etc provided . Have you stayed in the site in question ? If yes then you will know why people chose to stop there . Also knowing the owner then a polite request to empty etc for a small fee if you are just passing through be accepted to save ditching wherever .

 

[Northernraider]

[

We have a British van and can manage quite easily without sites! 6 weeks in France, Spain and Portugal earlier this year and only 2 nights spent on sites.

Yes because all those countries have facilities to do it hence my point

The uk doesn't

 

[Northernraider]

Perhaps you did not read my post . The toilets in the north of Scotland are cared for my the locals . Do you want to be responsible for cleaning your local toilets in the Pandemic ?

The campsites are closed and reflected in the cost . Scotland is trying to maintain its low transmission rate . On site you are asked to use your own facilities and have still emptying etc provided . Have you stayed in the site in question ? If yes then you will know why people chose to stop there . Also knowing the owner then a polite request to empty etc for a small fee if you are just passing through be accepted to save ditching wherever .

In my experience there are very few campsites in scotland that will allow you to dump and fill even for a fee....ive tried literally dozens over the years

If you're not staying on site they are not interested

 

[tonyidle]

When I first went caravanning with my parents there were either no sites or very very, few. My Father would each day ring a farmer in the vicinity of where we were headed to arrange a place to stay. On occasion he might ask a garage with a large unused piece of ground. We had numerous holidays by such methods.

During the period when I was taking my own holidays I lost sight of what was happening in the camping world and by the time I bought my first caravan sites were pretty numerous. More importantly so were CL/CSs. Those and the THSs and car club meets have been my staple. I don't expect to park on someone else's land free of charge as my holiday site. In general I still use sites, often booked under rally terms, as well as the aforementioned less formal locations. The group of friends I camp with six or so times each year are a good mix of tuggers and mh users so I do spend a fair amount of time on sites. It's good to break a journey with an overnight stop and that is my bit of wild camping - if it isn't on a motorway services. In France and Spain I've used sites and Aires. It would suit me therefore to be able to spend 24h on existing car parks (paid of course).

The UK Aires network is the CL / CS provision by (mainly) the prominent Clubs. In most towns I can't see valuable land being set aside for dedicated mh parking when the likely result is that travellers would take it over. A change in the law to allow overnighting and the provision of a tap and waste drain is the very best we could hope for. Which will never happen whilst there's no money for public toilets.

 

[TM59]

In my experience there are very few campsites in scotland that will allow you to dump and fill even for a fee....ive tried literally dozens over the years

If you're not staying on site they are not interested

What would be an appropriate fee for fill and dump? would anyone pay £5 as an example.

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[Northernraider]

Read your own post. You called people who spend £30 stupid. You are the intolerant one. Not the vast majority.

I'm perfectly aware what I wrote and like all those who frown upon wildcampers I'm entitled to my opinion and that happens to be that anyone who buys a motorhome and then pays £30+ per night to park it is stupid that's my opinion ....its not aimed at any particular person just like most of the comments on here calling people free loading tossers is often not aimed at a particular person.

If certain individuals feel offended by that maybe they need a thicker skin or it could be the truth hurts and thats why they get all hissy about people who refuse to do it as its then the old hate someone getting something for nothing approach.

The reason we have such a problem with wildcamping in the uk and more and more reports of it is simply because more and more people are coming round to my way of thinking and not willing to pay the high prices to park a motorhome.

Thats life

 

[Northernraider]

What would be an appropriate fee for fill and dump? would anyone pay £5 as an example.

Yes I think most would ....i did so in europe when need be.

Anything more than that i think is overpriced

Especially in scotland where water is in abundance

 

[Larrynwin]

I'm perfectly aware what I wrote and like all those who frown upon wildcampers I'm entitled to my opinion and that happens to be that anyone who buys a motorhome and then pays £30+ per night to park it is stupid that's my opinion ....its not aimed at any particular person just like most of the comments on here calling people free loading tossers is often not aimed at a particular person.

If certain individuals feel offended by that maybe they need a thicker skin or it could be the truth hurts and thats why they get all hissy about people who refuse to do it as its then the old hate someone getting something for nothing approach.

The reason we have such a problem with wildcamping in the uk and more and more reports of it is simply because more and more people are coming round to my way of thinking and not willing to pay the high prices to park a motorhome.

Thats life

No truth to hurt , we treasure and protect our environment by using CLs and sites.

 

[Northernraider]

When I first went caravanning with my parents there were either no sites or very very, few. My Father would each day ring a farmer in the vicinity of where we were headed to arrange a place to stay. On occasion he might ask a garage with a large unused piece of ground. We had numerous holidays by such methods.

During the period when I was taking my own holidays I lost sight of what was happening in the camping world and by the time I bought my first caravan sites were pretty numerous. More importantly so were CL/CSs. Those and the THSs and car club meets have been my staple. I don't expect to park on someone else's land free of charge as my holiday site. In general I still use sites, often booked under rally terms, as well as the aforementioned less formal locations. The group of friends I camp with six or so times each year are a good mix of tuggers and mh users so I do spend a fair amount of time on sites. It's good to break a journey with an overnight stop and that is my bit of wild camping - if it isn't on a motorway services. In France and Spain I've used sites and Aires. It would suit me therefore to be able to spend 24h on existing car parks (paid of course).

The UK Aires network is the CL / CS provision by (mainly) the prominent Clubs. In most towns I can't see valuable land being set aside for dedicated mh parking when the likely result is that travellers would take it over. A change in the law to allow overnighting and the provision of a tap and waste drain is the very best we could hope for. Which will never happen whilst there's no money for public toilets.

There are places coming round

The Facebook group campra has had quite a few positive responses from councils

There is work being done on Skye, there's a disposal point etc being created in aberfeldy , hawick is putting in dump facilities. ......

 

[Ernesto]

Might be a good idea if you actually read the post? It is about the UK! But maybe you just wanted to be part of it!

But if you spent in campsites, then this is not about you! But of course I guessed people like you with nothing to add would come back just to join in! What people like you fail to think of it car drivers do that as well, plus they pay for accommodation! AND they have to eat out!

Hi
Funnily enough, I do exactly the same in the UK as well. Its just last weeks trip was the most recent.

I won't stoop to abuse "people like you" back, as thats not what this forum is about but please dont assume to know what I'm thinking. I'm well aware car drivers buy stuff as well - but whats that got to with anything? Both should be catered for, if you want to run successful, thriving tourist location

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[TM59]

Is staying on an aire classified as wild camping? not in my opinion. If and when aires are created, will people be happy to spend £10/15 per night? or will some still revert to their own methods because of the price.

 

[nicholsong]

I might be persuaded to pay money for a campsite if it could provide the following

Be walking distance to a small town with good patisserie, delicatessen, restaurants.

Free of children

Free of dogs.

Free of late night parties

Free of BBQ smoke

Pitches twice the average distance apart of most campsites.


Please list appropriate ones and prices.

Geoff

[BTW if I park on a town CP which does not charge between 1800-0800, some, am I a FLT?]

 

[LesW]

Free of children

Free of dogs.

Free of late night parties

Free of BBQ smoke

Just had two nights at a site in Sandringham that had all this and more in abundance.

Our first and last time on a site in the high season.

 

[tribalbrit]

I think part of the problem and I'm going to get flack for this is, that a large number of motorhome owners are not campers in the true sense of the word. Many owners merely bought a motor home when it became fashionable to do so. Many have retired and chose to spend their pension pot on a nice flash state of the art motor home and that's their choice. I wonder how many have ever spent a night under canvas, how many are aware of the camping code, it's not written down but those that have camped know the do's and don'ts' . I have spent all my life as a camper, camped as a child, then as an adult on a motor bike, then with my kids, still on a motor bike, sidecar and trailer, 3 kids. Later bought a caravan, then a motor home, then a caravan, then a camper van now a motor home. I have wild camped, I stay on Aires in France and Germany, I also stay on sites when I choose to do so, both here and abroad.
Those that choose to wild camp are perfectly free to do so but when their numbers and, or behaviour begins to affect those that do not wild camp by means of threats to impose taxes or levees on all of us to allow others to wild camp then they need to stand back and take stock of the situation. It is the increasing numbers of wild campers or free loaders as others call them that is the problem, after all if everyone did it the countryside would be awash with motor homes and it would soon be stopped.
There needs to be a balance, we need to use the campsites otherwise these will close, yes the fee's can be a little high on some but many are reasonable given what it must cost to run these days.
Those that free load for the want of a better word at some point need to empty their waste and fill with water at some point. The facilities to do this are provided by the local community or a campsite. These have to be run and paid for.
House holders pay council tax for the local amenities, why should others get to use them for free.
With the on going staycation there are many more non campers out there behaving badly and unfortunately we are all going to get tared with the same brush, including the experienced wild campers who may find their way of life comes to an end or becomes frowned upon.
If I choose to wild camp it does not make me a tosser but if I choose to stay on a site it doesn't mean I'm stupid either.

 

[Northernraider]

Is staying on an aire classified as wild camping? not in my opinion. If and when aires are created, will people be happy to spend £10/15 per night? or will some still revert to their own methods because of the price.

I wouldnt pay £10 - 15 for an aire either

But

There are many who will therefore leaving the wild spots i usually use free or less busy win win

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[Herbyventures]

I've just been reading guidance from the British Motorcyclists Federation pleading with bikers to behave responsibly and remember to socially distance and not stand out too much when they stop anywhere, it is such a sensitive time. So we are not alone, any group which stands out whilst enjoying themselves will be targeted for negative comments. I'm baffled by the quoted article however. How is taking 'gallons of water' a problem, unless there's a water shortage? And how on earth does people camping in a Motorhome in a car park 'cost tax payers a fortune'? I can see why wild campers disposing of rubbish and toilet waste irresponsibly is a big problem, I'd not blame local authorities from taking action over that. But in a sea side resort, in high summer? Is a queue of traffic really that much of a surprise? The word overreaction springs to mind.

 

[Potty]

What would be an appropriate fee for fill and dump? would anyone pay £5 as an example.

Yes!

 

[GeeCee]

Message sent.
Come on everyone it takes two minutes to leave a message. Lets stop complaining and fight our corner.

Done

 

[Greenie]

Done

 

[Nanniemate]

Well, I just hope that campsite or wilding some of you are not parked next to each other as there may be fireworks and you would keep everyone else awake with your discussions........................ and their off again

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[Don Campbell]

Councils simply don't appreciate how much they could enhance their towns by providing decent aire type facilities and attracting people who generally spend a fair amount of money in places they are welcome. Keeping toilet facilities closed while encouraging visitors is pretty illogical. The biggest problem though is that the sort of people who are causing all of us embarrassment are not the ones who are contributing to sites like this so regrettably nothing much is going to change.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Yes I earn my money in the uk and spend it in europe NOT what the uk government wants us to do but then who's fault is that.


Spending money on a campsite doesn't put money in to a local economy it puts money in to the campsite owners pocket.

So where does he and his staff spend their money ?

 

[Northernraider]

So where does he and his staff spend their money ?

Go ask him

 

[Otter Spotter]

I'm perfectly aware what I wrote and like all those who frown upon wildcampers I'm entitled to my opinion and that happens to be that anyone who buys a motorhome and then pays £30+ per night to park it is stupid that's my opinion ....its not aimed at any particular person just like most of the comments on here calling people free loading tossers is often not aimed at a particular person.

If certain individuals feel offended by that maybe they need a thicker skin or it could be the truth hurts and thats why they get all hissy about people who refuse to do it as its then the old hate someone getting something for nothing approach.

The reason we have such a problem with wildcamping in the uk and more and more reports of it is simply because more and more people are coming round to my way of thinking and not willing to pay the high prices to park a motorhome.

Thats life

So where do you deposit your waste ? How do you support the economy ?
i do not have a problem with wild campers as long as they do not leave the camp as a dump.
i intended to wild camp whilst travelling up to Shetland last year but the 2 places I stopped at which already had 1 or 2 vans in site, looked like fly tip sites. That’s not fair on the locals.

 

[Northernraider]

So where do you deposit your waste ? How do you support the economy ?
i do not have a problem with wild campers as long as they do not leave the camp as a dump.
i intended to wild camp whilst travelling up to Shetland last year but the 2 places I stopped at which already had 1 or 2 vans in site, looked like fly tip sites. That’s not fair on the locals.

In scotland im never away long enough to have an issue dumping waste ...i have 2 cassettes that does me 8/10 days ....i know public toilets where i can empty on route or i use the few places in the Highlands that do have a dump point ...same for water

Haven't holidayed in England for over 10 years as its not wildcamp friendly ...only a road to europe.

In europe i use the hundreds of free aires and park up spots

As for spending it depends where i am ...but i don't carry loads of shopping and supplies with me so its bought local , takeaways , bakers , butchers etc etc etc

I tend to park in the wild and away from others unless there's a reason not to ie if I want close to something I'm visiting then a carpark does for me

No interest in sitting outside drinking and bbq etc
I leave an area better than I found it often collecting other peoples rubbish

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[Abacist]

I have to say that I am joining this late but the ending of lockdown and the opening up of facilities or not as the case may be has brought much trouble on those that failed to be organised and open up toilets and provide adequate refuse bins for everyone dying to get away to the seaside or country. What else could they expect? Dartmoor National Park is as guilty as any with toilets at beauty spots closed and bins filled to overflowing.

We have to recognise that we live in a densely populated country relative to France or Spain. Lots of housing is terraced in streets never designed for the working man to own a car let alone a motorhome. They are still at it building starter homes on narrow streets with inadequate parking. Land is at a premium and starter homes are already out of reach for most youngsters without parental support. People cannot afford to move up from their starter homes so you end up with 2 up 2 downs with four cars outside causing parking chaos.

All these cars travel on holiday and councils are expected to be able to provide car parking for them all in seaside or inland resorts of one sort or another. It is not surprising that Motorhomes that take up more than one space are expected to pay for 2 spaces and the travelling community are the root cause of many car parks having height restrictions. People are right to say that car travellers are going to spend more than motorhomes with the turnover and throughput of cars compared to motorhomes.

We antagonise people at our peril. Those that leave a place better than they found it are to be commended. Those that do not follow the common courtesies in life are a growing number that fail to follow the camping code or even the basics of not littering!

 

[Trev45]

Councils simply don't appreciate how much they could enhance their towns by providing decent aire type facilities and attracting people who generally spend a fair amount of money in places they are welcome. Keeping toilet facilities closed while encouraging visitors is pretty illogical. The biggest problem though is that the sort of people who are causing all of us embarrassment are not the ones who are contributing to sites like this so regrettably nothing much is going to change.

As others have mentioned on here I don't think motorhome owners are seen as big spenders once they turn up in a town . Sadly any aire type facilities in the UK would attract the travelling community and with the increased reluctance to deal positively with such groups facilities would soon close down . I live near Peterborough and travellers regularly wild camp around the city upsetting residents as they have been doing for years and years . Whilst I'm sure non of the members of this Forum would leave rubbish / scorched earth from fires . sadly many others do . Eventually there will be legislation to deal with the travelling community and this legislation is likely to have implications for members of this forum who wild camp. In the next village to me is a CS that charges £7 a night and from there you can walk about 200 yards to pubs , chip shops , restaurants ,charity shops etc but it would appear that a £7 site fee would be too much for some wild campers.

 

[Northernraider]

As others have mentioned on here I don't think motorhome owners are seen as big spenders once they turn up in a town . Sadly any aire type facilities in the UK would attract the travelling community and with the increased reluctance to deal positively with such groups facilities would soon close down . I live near Peterborough and travellers regularly wild camp around the city upsetting residents as they have been doing for years and years . Whilst I'm sure non of the members of this Forum would leave rubbish / scorched earth from fires . sadly many others do . Eventually there will be legislation to deal with the travelling community and this legislation is likely to have implications for members of this forum who wild camp. In the next village to me is a CS that charges £7 a night and from there you can walk about 200 yards to pubs , chip shops , restaurants ,charity shops etc but it would appear that a £7 site fee would be too much for some wild campers.

£7 would be great

But don't you have to join a club to use them ?

 

[Sticky Biscuit]

MHs parked offsite in the UK will always be a problem. Combination of: Population and Road Density in this country is more dense than in most European countries. Local Government is too under resourced to provide the necessary infrastructure for Offsite parking and ..
...importantly most local folk who reside in areas where MHs want to park cheaply or for free would just prefer them to stay away or if they have to visit congregate on site with facilities which can cope with them...... I have a MH and also live in Cornwall and Summer is my least favourite time of year. It is just too busy..

 

[Otter Spotter]

In scotland im never away long enough to have an issue dumping waste ...i have 2 cassettes that does me 8/10 days ....i know public toilets where i can empty on route or i use the few places in the Highlands that do have a dump point ...same for water

Haven't holidayed in England for over 10 years as its not wildcamp friendly ...only a road to europe.

In europe i use the hundreds of free aires and park up spots

As for spending it depends where i am ...but i don't carry loads of shopping and supplies with me so its bought local , takeaways , bakers , butchers etc etc etc

I tend to park in the wild and away from others unless there's a reason not to ie if I want close to something I'm visiting then a carpark does for me

No interest in sitting outside drinking and bbq etc
I leave an area better than I found it often collecting other peoples rubbish

Great answer, I have to admit we try to stay away from supermarkets and shop local whether we go. Not travelled abroad yet.

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