National Trust Overnighting Pilot

maz said:
Can you provide more info about these reservoir stops, please, as we are heading towards Northumberland.
Click to expand...
Lookup Northumberland water, we stopped at Derwent reservoir and Keilder, on the way back we intend to use Forestry commission stops around Cheviot Upper.

We found them on park4night app 👍, then used Google to check access etc.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: maz
We wild park in the UK having and have had a holiday recently in Wales where we 'wild parked' throughout (12 days in total) and are now in Scotland where we have 'wild parked' but broke our 'duck' three nights ago by paying £5 to park on Ayr seafront in their new MH bays ... I'm a Yorkshire lass so you can imagine how difficult it was to extract the payment info from me! We had no objection to paying for it however having stayed on it we won't do again as although on the face of it, it is a great facility the reality was far from that with boy/girl racers from mid-evening until past midnight going up/down/round us, consequently for the last 2 nights we have stopped in a quiet dead-end side street a stone's lob from it for nowt and are doing so again this evening before moving on tomorrow.

I applaud the NT for doing this at some of their sites but feel that £10 is way too much especially when you then have to pay for day-time parking too if you want to visit the attraction etc as well. If they were to make it cheaper or free for members then I'm sure they would encourage a lot more to join just to be able to use this facility.
 
Pilot scheme Mel so hoping they will fine tune it to the advantage of us members👍

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Another charitable body that could provide overnight stops is the RSPB they have some stunning reserves with large car parks. Emailed them as a 55 year member last year and asked them to consider it but never received a reply 😢😢😢
 
Typical, I spent about two hours yesterday trying to find out where these pilot sites are, with the intention of piloting them myself last night (couldn't go in the event anyway). £10 is what I expected, and I don't mind paying it. (although I was hoping for £5 and thinking they might chance £15). There seems to be a big increase in the whole 'Vanlife' movement, where people expect to be able to live in their vans and park for free all over the place, and I'm pretty sure the NT want no truck with that. I don't know what the pilot sites are like, but our local NT is a gravel car park, looking out over the deer enclosure, and beautiful parkland with gates that close at 5.30. I would cheerfully pay £10 to drink my sundowner there, partly because the sorts of people who who I would be uncomfortable camping around wouldn't pay it. One of our local (ungated I assume) NT car parks has several reviews on the various site search apps as a dogging venue, and I wouldn't feel comfortable parking overnight there on my own. They are a charity, and we can't expert it for nothing, plus then (some) people would freeload and wouldn't be spending money in the tea rooms to boost the NT's coffers. Ultimately, it's a charity, it has to raise cash for its cause. That's it's whole point.

I agree that £5 for parking and £5 for services would be fairer, but more difficult to administrate, so I can't see them doing that. I'm hoping for an 'overnight annual pass' where you can pay a lump sum and overnight for free, cos it's one less thing for me to faff with onsite. But a tenner for a nice view and a day out? I'll take it. If it were free, I would have at least a boozy lunch, partly because I wouldn't be driving and I could, and partly because I think you should put back in if you get something for nothing.

Also, if you are visiting, you're probably a member, and if you aren't, you ought to be. You get free parking and free entry to the gardens and houses. Its costs me £6.50 a month. I know some people have policy issues with them, but you can't really argue with it financially. Its been a Godsend for us. They'll be one around somewhere, wherever we go, and I can get a day out for 50p, take a picnic and I know they'll be something on for kids in the holidays, I'll get a nose at some history, they'll be a good play area and a decent coffee. I kept paying for National Trust when it was practically the only luxury in my really tight budget. They have a special place in my heart, as they are the only place that's ever offered me a single parent family rate. If English Heritage take start doing it, I'll join them as well.

Has everyone filled in the survey saying we'll all spend much more money with them if they let us sleepover? The more responses, the more likely it is to go ahead. Its here, under 'latest news'

campra.org.uk

Campaign for Real Aires UK - CAMpRA

This campaign is to encourage spending in the local economy by the provision of Aires
campra.org.uk campra.org.uk
 
The more aires there are the better for me . Price is not our determining factor because does it really matter if its free or £50 to stay, the more choice we have the better it is, And let the market sort out the winners from the losers like it did in Guisborough and Canterbury ( no offence anyone)
 
I think this is a great idea. There are a few NT car parks in South Pembrokeshire that I would love to overnight on.
 
Wellington said:
Typical, I spent about two hours yesterday trying to find out where these pilot sites are, with the intention of piloting them myself last night (couldn't go in the event anyway). £10 is what I expected, and I don't mind paying it. (although I was hoping for £5 and thinking they might chance £15). There seems to be a big increase in the whole 'Vanlife' movement, where people expect to be able to live in their vans and park for free all over the place, and I'm pretty sure the NT want no truck with that. I don't know what the pilot sites are like, but our local NT is a gravel car park, looking out over the deer enclosure, and beautiful parkland with gates that close at 5.30. I would cheerfully pay £10 to drink my sundowner there, partly because the sorts of people who who I would be uncomfortable camping around wouldn't pay it. One of our local (ungated I assume) NT car parks has several reviews on the various site search apps as a dogging venue, and I wouldn't feel comfortable parking overnight there on my own. They are a charity, and we can't expert it for nothing, plus then (some) people would freeload and wouldn't be spending money in the tea rooms to boost the NT's coffers. Ultimately, it's a charity, it has to raise cash for its cause. That's it's whole point.

I agree that £5 for parking and £5 for services would be fairer, but more difficult to administrate, so I can't see them doing that. I'm hoping for an 'overnight annual pass' where you can pay a lump sum and overnight for free, cos it's one less thing for me to faff with onsite. But a tenner for a nice view and a day out? I'll take it. If it were free, I would have at least a boozy lunch, partly because I wouldn't be driving and I could, and partly because I think you should put back in if you get something for nothing.

Also, if you are visiting, you're probably a member, and if you aren't, you ought to be. You get free parking and free entry to the gardens and houses. Its costs me £6.50 a month. I know some people have policy issues with them, but you can't really argue with it financially. Its been a Godsend for us. They'll be one around somewhere, wherever we go, and I can get a day out for 50p, take a picnic and I know they'll be something on for kids in the holidays, I'll get a nose at some history, they'll be a good play area and a decent coffee. I kept paying for National Trust when it was practically the only luxury in my really tight budget. They have a special place in my heart, as they are the only place that's ever offered me a single parent family rate. If English Heritage take start doing it, I'll join them as well.

Has everyone filled in the survey saying we'll all spend much more money with them if they let us sleepover? The more responses, the more likely it is to go ahead. Its here, under 'latest news'

campra.org.uk

Campaign for Real Aires UK - CAMpRA

This campaign is to encourage spending in the local economy by the provision of Aires
campra.org.uk campra.org.uk
Click to expand...
I've looked for the NT survey before and I'm not finding it, any ifea where on the site it is?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
jongood said:
I've looked for the NT survey before and I'm not finding it, any ifea where on the site it is?
Click to expand...
The CAMpRA NT one?
Wellington posted a how to find here but this link should be to the survey.
 
Not been involved in the latest round of campaigning for NT to open up for overnight parking. I have in the passed asked MotorhomeFun members twice to send requests to NT for this service, it great to see something might be getting of the ground.
 
Campra need details of suitable properties, a brief description and location and if they have toilets would it be easy to add a disposal site etc the more people that send details the better,I have sent details of a couple of suitable sites in cornwall
 
Jim said:
I have friends who have quietly wild parked all over the UK for 30 odd years. They have not broken any laws and are certainly not criminals
Click to expand...
that’s the point Jim, they have not broken any laws because an offended party the landowner has not made a complaint, probably because he doesn’t know they we’re there and as long as they are responsible and leave as they find then no harm done.

there will be trespass which is ‘Common Law‘ and there are ‘Bye Laws‘ created by Authorities for other land which can be used for the prosecution of ‘offenders’.



have a watch ofthis which talks about wild camping on beaches.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Otter Spotter said:
that’s the point Jim, they have not broken any laws because an offended party the landowner has not made complaint, probably because he doesn’t know they we’re there and as long as they are responsible and leave as they find then no harm done.

there will be trespass which is ‘Common Law‘ and there are ‘Bye Laws‘ created by Authorities for other land which can be used for the prosecution of ‘offenders’.



have a watch ofthis which talks about wild camping on beaches.
Click to expand...

Whilst I recognise that for some this topic is highly sensitive on the forum Otter Spotter I would be inclined to disagree with your early part of the comment & have quoted in full so as not to alter the context of what you said :giggle: 'they have not broken any laws because an offended party the landowner has not made complaint' I would think if there was a Law and it was broken then just because those who can or could complain have not done so this does not mean that the alleged breaker has not broken the law. A more clear example would be that if I stole a chocolate bar from a shop and the owner did not see or pursue me then it does not mean I have not broken the law of theft. I have and if prosecuted and found guilty then I would have a conviction for theft but irrelevant of the legal process I have committed theft when I took it. It does not make my actions legal by the owner not making a complaint to the relevant authority, the Police in that case, it just means I got away with it.

Illegal is something not allowed by law.

Your reference to Trespass is the one aspect of Wild Camping that I suspect would meet most situations and as per Wikipedia, see below, which I respect as a truthful source of information and easy to find on the internet says it can be both a Civil and Criminal breach of the Law. If it were not for this aspect of English Law then when people camp on the council playing fields or a business park, as an example, without authority, then they are breaking the Law and are subject to what the Court decides. Any finding of guilt would amount to a breach of the relevant law and therefore be illegal. Some may not see it this way but there are many who do and I am one who believes that Wild Camping in England is illegal regardless of whether many, or any, get taken to court for doing so. Let people Wild camp if they desire so long as they know the potential outcome of their actions

Trespass to land[edit]​

Trespass in English (and Welsh) law is mostly a civil tort rather than a criminal offence. The circumstances in which it is a criminal offence are usually trespass on educational premises, railway property, protected sites, etc.[50][51]

In English law, trespass to land involves the "unjustifiable interference with land which is in the immediate and exclusive possession of another". It is not necessary to prove that harm was suffered to bring a claim, and is instead actionable per se. While most trespasses to land are intentional, in <Broken link removed>,[52] the courts decided that it could also be committed negligently. Accidental trespass also incurs liability, with an exception for entering land adjoining a road unintentionally (such as in a car accident), as in <Broken link removed>.[53] Although previously a pure tort, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 created some circumstances in which trespass to land can also be a crime.[6]

Land is defined as the surface, subsoil, airspace and anything permanently attached to the land, such as houses. The rights of landowners over airspace are not unlimited; in Bernstein of Leigh v Skyviews & General Ltd,[54] the action for trespass failed because the violation of airspace took place several hundred metres above the land. This was backed up by the <Broken link removed>, which provides that it is not trespass if the aircraft is flying at a reasonable height.[55] An overhanging crane can constitute trespass, as in <Broken link removed>,[56] as can an advertising sign, as in <Broken link removed>.[57] Possession does not necessarily mean the ownership of land, but the right to eject or exclude others from it.[58]

Keep smiling and happy camping
 
royandsharont said:
Whilst I recognise that for some this topic is highly sensitive on the forum Otter Spotter I would be inclined to disagree with your early part of the comment & have quoted in full so as not to alter the context of what you said :giggle: 'they have not broken any laws because an offended party the landowner has not made complaint' I would think if there was a Law and it was broken then just because those who can or could complain have not done so this does not mean that the alleged breaker has not broken the law. A more clear example would be that if I stole a chocolate bar from a shop and the owner did not see or pursue me then it does not mean I have not broken the law of theft. I have and if prosecuted and found guilty then I would have a conviction for theft but irrelevant of the legal process I have committed theft when I took it. It does not make my actions legal by the owner not making a complaint to the relevant authority, the Police in that case, it just means I got away with it.

Illegal is something not allowed by law.

Your reference to Trespass is the one aspect of Wild Camping that I suspect would meet most situations and as per Wikipedia, see below, which I respect as a truthful source of information and easy to find on the internet says it can be both a Civil and Criminal breach of the Law. If it were not for this aspect of English Law then when people camp on the council playing fields or a business park, as an example, without authority, then they are breaking the Law and are subject to what the Court decides. Any finding of guilt would amount to a breach of the relevant law and therefore be illegal. Some may not see it this way but there are many who do and I am one who believes that Wild Camping in England is illegal regardless of whether many, or any, get taken to court for doing so. Let people Wild camp if they desire so long as they know the potential outcome of their actions

Trespass to land[edit]​

Trespass in English (and Welsh) law is mostly a civil tort rather than a criminal offence. The circumstances in which it is a criminal offence are usually trespass on educational premises, railway property, protected sites, etc.[50][51]

In English law, trespass to land involves the "unjustifiable interference with land which is in the immediate and exclusive possession of another". It is not necessary to prove that harm was suffered to bring a claim, and is instead actionable per se. While most trespasses to land are intentional, in <Broken link removed>,[52] the courts decided that it could also be committed negligently. Accidental trespass also incurs liability, with an exception for entering land adjoining a road unintentionally (such as in a car accident), as in <Broken link removed>.[53] Although previously a pure tort, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 created some circumstances in which trespass to land can also be a crime.[6]

Land is defined as the surface, subsoil, airspace and anything permanently attached to the land, such as houses. The rights of landowners over airspace are not unlimited; in Bernstein of Leigh v Skyviews & General Ltd,[54] the action for trespass failed because the violation of airspace took place several hundred metres above the land. This was backed up by the <Broken link removed>, which provides that it is not trespass if the aircraft is flying at a reasonable height.[55] An overhanging crane can constitute trespass, as in <Broken link removed>,[56] as can an advertising sign, as in <Broken link removed>.[57] Possession does not necessarily mean the ownership of land, but the right to eject or exclude others from it.[58]

Keep smiling and happy camping
Click to expand...
Why do I think your the sort of guy who sucks lemons in front of a brass band 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 put to bed now
 
Thread 'Just testing the waters' Broken Link Removed

Just throwing this into the mix for you all 🤣
 
Words fail me, just posted on a fb group.😡😡😡
14E3BAD7-3C6F-457C-9A00-28E919233703.jpeg
 
Stealaway said:
No mention of times to arrive or leave. I guess us members will get free parking either side of the overnight. I think it's expensive as aside from a toilet there's no facilities or any nearby attractions -- or even a bus stop
Click to expand...
Bus stop would be of very limited use at 6.30pm :(
 
sonny said:
imIt states no subsidy for members 👍
Click to expand...
Im booked in at Stourhead NT and enquired about NT discounts and was informed that it was not possible to do this because of the NTs charitable trust status and it would be discrimination in favour of members.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Arnside037 said:
Im booked in at Stourhead NT and enquired about NT discounts and was informed that it was not possible to do this because of the NTs charitable trust status and it would be discrimination in favour of members.
Click to expand...
That sounds like an excuse as members don't pay for parking but non members do.
 
Arnside037 said:
Im booked in at Stourhead NT and enquired about NT discounts and was informed that it was not possible to do this because of the NTs charitable trust status and it would be discrimination in favour of members.
Click to expand...
If they made it a member benefit, there shouldn't be a problem
 
namwaldog said:
There is anther one at Fontburn Reservoir as well.
Click to expand...
I mentioned tbis place at post #58 in this thread..
Got here today to have a looksee.
Fontburn Reservoir, just south of Rothbury.
IMG_20210725_113145.jpg
run by Northumbria water.
Lovely and quiet. Great for fishing. Would imagine the anglers car will be gone overnight.
Machine wasn't accepting any form of payment today.

IMG_20210725_113245_1.jpg


IMG_20210725_113351.jpg


IMG_20210725_113358.jpg


IMG_20210725_113416.jpg


IMG_20210725_113513.jpg


Edit. Just discovered the other side of the reservoir where you buy your fishing permits and can also stay overnight. There is also a small visitor centre with playground and a map of the circular walk.

IMG_20210725_120728.jpg


IMG_20210725_120652.jpg


IMG_20210725_120607.jpg


IMG_20210725_120545.jpg
 
Last edited:
Stealaway said:
No mention of times to arrive or leave. I guess us members will get free parking either side of the overnight. I think it's expensive as aside from a toilet there's no facilities or any nearby attractions -- or even a bus stop
Click to expand...
Tenner seems very reasonable given the peace and quiet and outdoor space you will get
 
namwaldog said:
Edit. Just discovered the other side of the reservoir where you buy your fishing permits and can also stay overnight. There is also a small visitor centre with playground and a map of the circular walk.
Click to expand...
My dogs would LOVE that slide! :giggle:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top