No overnighting, what do you do ?

tonyidle said:
A bit harsh maybe? You're correct of course but bear in mind that in England at least it is illegal to overnight anywhere that isn't designated as a campsite or subject to one of the few exemptions. Signs or no signs.
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I don't believe your statement is true. Can you give the source of your information?
 
tonyidle said:
A bit harsh maybe? You're correct of course but bear in mind that in England at least it is illegal to overnight anywhere that isn't designated as a campsite or subject to one of the few exemptions. Signs or no signs.
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I’d guess the exact opposite is true, that it’s legal anywhere and everywhere until it isn’t
 
suavecarve said:
(b)if, in the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the caravan is brought on to the land, the number of days on which a caravan was stationed anywhere on that land or the said adjoining land for the purposes of human habitation did not exceed twenty-eight.
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That is a tricky one. We won’t know how many other people have used the spot within the last 12 months.
 
Blimey, this took off faster than I expected.

I posted original question as I live up near Inverness and quite often go to Cairngorms. One popular place to stop is Loch Morlich run by FC, they have signs up saying no overnighting allowed as they have a park specially for that 1 mile down the road, lovely spot. (Alt Mhor)

Cost for any car park up there is £2 per day/24 hours, transferable between car parks, so hardly expensive. But I always seeing people on facebook Wildcampers stopping there for the night even though they shouldn't. Last night there where 4 or 5 motorhomes and firepits too, picture posted of facebook, even though they knew they shouldn't stop there.
I've spoken to my local FC manager and he says eventually they'll put up height barriers if this carries on, I've posted this on the facebook site but I just get ignored.

So these people will just make it worse for all of us.

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tonyidle said:
See previous reply by @GJH - he corrected my statement. It is allowed in roadside laybys for short periods.
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It isn't illegal to park in England. As long as it isn't private land and there are no signs forbidding it you can stay.

I can't see the post you refer to but I expect GJH referred to the rules governing the setting up of caravan sites. That's an entirely different matter and doesn't relate to stopping overnight in your motorhome.

Of course you can't open and operate a campsite without regulations... but then that's not what wild camping is about.
 
Offagain said:
That is a tricky one. We won’t know how many other people have used the spot within the last 12 months.
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The exemption is there to enable people to have the odd visitor (for example a friend staying on their drive for a night or two) rather than regular use. The land owner should know how many nights in such cases. The exemption is not there for people who just see a piece of land where they would like to camp and do so without seeking the landowner's permission (i.e. trespass on the land because it suits them).
BusyBuilder said:
But I always seeing people on facebook Wildcampers stopping there for the night even though they shouldn't.
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Pure selfishness, they do it because it suits them and don't care about the consequences (Cue howls of outrage from such people).
Southdowners said:
It isn't illegal to park in England. As long as it isn't private land and there are no signs forbidding it you can stay.

I can't see the post you refer to but I expect GJH referred to the rules governing the setting up of caravan sites. That's an entirely different matter and doesn't relate to stopping overnight in your motorhome.

Of course you can't open and operate a campsite without regulations... but then that's not what wild camping is about.
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As pointed out time after time, parking and habitation are (in UK law) two different things. Staying overnight is habitation, not just parking, signs or no signs.
The 1960 Act covers all camping, including off-site camping (wild camping is only defined in law in Scotland and is nothing to do with camping in motorhomes).
 
BusyBuilder said:
Blimey, this took off faster than I expected.

I posted original question as I live up near Inverness and quite often go to Cairngorms. One popular place to stop is Loch Morlich run by FC, they have signs up saying no overnighting allowed as they have a park specially for that 1 mile down the road, lovely spot. (Alt Mhor)

Cost for any car park up there is £2 per day/24 hours, transferable between car parks, so hardly expensive. But I always seeing people on facebook Wildcampers stopping there for the night even though they shouldn't. Last night there where 4 or 5 motorhomes and firepits too, picture posted of facebook, even though they knew they shouldn't stop there.
I've spoken to my local FC manager and he says eventually they'll put up height barriers if this carries on, I've posted this on the facebook site but I just get ignored.

So these people will just make it worse for all of us.
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That's exactly what will happen. The minority that ignore NO signs will mess it up for everyone.
 
Nikki said:
If it says no, then please don't, otherwise you and others may encourage barriers or gates to be erected, which spoil it for other users who then cannot visit these places during permitted times
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Exactly what I was thinking and the next time I want to park during the day to visit somewhere and I can’t because height barriers have been put in perhaps It will be because someone who doesn’t understand the word “no” chose to ignore the signs.

Nothing wrong with responsible wild camping, but irresponsible wild camping and ignoring restrictions does nothing to help the acceptance and reputation of motohomers in general.

It not alright to just think “I’m alright Jack” wherever you happen to be, and sod anyone else that might come along in the future.

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tonyidle said:
You're correct of course but bear in mind that in England at least it is illegal to overnight anywhere that isn't designated as a campsite or subject to one of the few exemptions. .
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Prove that statement.
 
Barclaybasher said:
Most barriers have been erected as a result of 'Travelers' and fly tippers' abuse rather than Motorhomers........

Regularly motorhomers are 'jumped on' without real reason (or is it envy or local campsite owners?) such as the report of a motorhome taking mother and child places in a supermarket carpark even though the owner claimed to have been given permision...

.
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You are probably right to a point but I doubt motorhomers help the situation by ignoring no overnight signs and I expect there are places which now have barriers and no overnight signs where a self respecting, if there is such a thing, Traveler would not dream of staying. I can think of five within a mile or two of my house and if pushed could probably name another ten within a few miles. These restrictions being nothing to do with Travellers. Those who impose restrictions do not differentiate between Travellers and ordinary non traveller. I have yet to see a sign which reads, “Overnight sleeping in motorhomes permitted, except for Travelers Itineramts, etc”
 
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buttons said:
I wouldn't entertain buying a house next door to a home with two motorhomes parked in the front garden, so you could say your neighbor has a fair complaint as your unsocial behavior will be affecting the value of their own property....
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Have you seen my drive ?
Can you see the motorhomes from any neighbours drives ?
I suspect the answer to the former is No and I know the answer the latter is No.

My immediate neighbours both bought their houses after the period when we had 2 motorhomes.

Please explain my antisocial behaviour. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/38/contents You may use this as reference.
 
Following the last comments, I believe it is not legal to park in "any" lay-by, as a HGV driver I parked in a lay-by for one night in my truck, but, I was facing the wrong way with no lights on so I was prosecuted!! Apparently form they told me it is ok if the lay-by has a verge of some kind between the highway and the lay-by. Don't know if this still applies.

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@GJH I was reading the first few sections and everything to do with that was to do with the licence and i corrected myself on the way. You will note that i gave the definition of a "caravan" later which obviously agrees with your view that camping in a motorhome is illegal, and i stuck it in bold. Perhaps i could have made myself clearer that i was writing as i read the relevant parts.
It is then the amendment at the end which basically describes the difference between camping staying over, so i actually agreed with you
 
The thing with this is the 'its only one night' mentality.. yes its one night for you, and then next night it will be someone else.. etc etc .

The sign is for a reason. Heed it or face the consequences
 
TrebleH said:
Following the last comments, I believe it is not legal to park in "any" lay-by, as a HGV driver I parked in a lay-by for one night in my truck, but, I was facing the wrong way with no lights on so I was prosecuted!! Apparently form they told me it is ok if the lay-by has a verge of some kind between the highway and the lay-by. Don't know if this still applies.
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yes its correct. a layby with no verge or kerb separating it from the road is part of the highway.
 
It must be nice when you can choose which laws you need to obey :)
 
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Spriddler said:
Slightly O/T but on Radio 4 yesterday I heard a council official refer to Travellers as 'Urban adventurers'. :rolleyes:
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I prefer my Socially Corrupt Urban Muppets ®(y)

iandsm said:
I have yet to see a sign which reads, “Overnight sleeping in motorhomes permitted, except for Travelers Itineramts, etc”
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Can't see why not ?
 
They actually make tv adds that clearly state that if your are tiered you must pull over and have a sleep before continuing ! , it might take 8hrs of sleep to be fit to continue
 
JJ said:
Oh dear...

There are many reasons not to overnight in a location but a sign is not necessarily going to stop me.

Being in sight of house dwellers will though.

A lot of them are miserable, anti motorhome folk.

JJ :cool:
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You know why don’t you, it’s because some motorhome folk ignore the signs:LOL:

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suavecarve said:
@GJH I was reading the first few sections and everything to do with that was to do with the licence and i corrected myself on the way. You will note that i gave the definition of a "caravan" later which obviously agrees with your view that camping in a motorhome is illegal, and i stuck it in bold. Perhaps i could have made myself clearer that i was writing as i read the relevant parts.
It is then the amendment at the end which basically describes the difference between camping staying over, so i actually agreed with you
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Thanks. It wasn't actually clear :-)
 
JJ said:
Oh dear...

There are many reasons not to overnight in a location but a sign is not necessarily going to stop me.

Being in sight of house dwellers will though.

A lot of them are miserable, anti motorhome folk.

JJ :cool:
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Theres room on my drive, out of sight of all neighbours, for another if youre interested. (y)
 
TrebleH said:
Following the last comments, I believe it is not legal to park in "any" lay-by, as a HGV driver I parked in a lay-by for one night in my truck, but, I was facing the wrong way with no lights on so I was prosecuted!! Apparently form they told me it is ok if the lay-by has a verge of some kind between the highway and the lay-by. Don't know if this still applies.
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As you say, you were prosecuted for parking the wrong way and with no lights, not for parking in the lay-be per se.
That is why I clearly highlight, on This Page which deals with overnighting in such situations, the requirement to comply with the law as explained in the Highway Code.
 
GJH said:
Thanks. It wasn't actually clear :)
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It was my fault. middle of the night. I was trying to make notes as i was reading through it and the whole lot of the first part of the act was all about licences and parking for caravans and i was thinking "theres nothing here" when there was i adjusted it, where as i should have deleted my original thoughts. I think i had to get up and actually do some work so my train of thought may have been lost (bit of an excuse but i think possibly true) anyway, having read the salient bits youre right and i never knew about it. Never even heard of the Act. And when it came up i thought it was an urban myth because i should have heard it.

So on that basis i thank you for educating me
 
I have often "overnighted". (Note; NOT deliberate "wild-camping") Both as a Motorhome and R-V user, And an HGV driver, In the latter case it is generally the fact that it is LAW that rest periods must be taken. It is not always (in fact hardly ever) "convenient" to be able to make provision to be in a "facility" for the purpose. In fact, most of the time you are dependant upon the whims of Traffic Schedulers or Just "the customer". For example you cannot remain in certain parts of London after 9pm!, without penalty..

As a Motorhome user, I am aware of the "regulations", but I am also aware of the dangers of driving whilst tired. It is a balancing act and I choose to work on the safe side, and as such I WILL if necessary park up where I have a reasonable chance to take "rest". I am perfectly happy to argue that case in front of a Judge or Magistrate, should it come to it.

One of the most Criminal issues is the fact that UK Motorway services make a charge after 2 hours. That they have NO regard for safety is appallingly apparent.

In recent years the service provided by the likes of "pub stops" have made overnights in lay-bys almost a thing of the past (for me).

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