Hi all. I have recently come across an app on my iPhone called "Park4Night"
It does what it says - tells you about spots where you can park up for free for an overnight stay without being moved on. Users get to add places they have found, along with photos and comments, and share their finds with the community. It's been fantastic for me while touring Scotland.
The app is French, and it appears to have really taken off on the continent- loads of spots showing up on the European map. Not so much in the UK yet though - so please get it downloaded, and get adding! Especially if you know of places in the area that you live - a bit of local knowledge is very helpful to campers eg: nearest water source etc.
I don't know if the app is available for android?
Please please check it out :)
Chris
PS: I have no affiliation with the app creators, and am not benefitting from it financially - just an enthusiastic user ;)
NP
I really don't know. Some of the best nights I've had in the motorhome have been in a quiet layby on the side of a mountain, surrounded by nature, and no-one else to see for miles. Really can't understand why more people arn't doing it, especially given the well equipped units on the road these days. Food for thought......
Quote: Originally posted by chris220480 on 25/4/2014NP
I really don't know. Some of the best nights I've had in the motorhome have been in a quiet layby on the side of a mountain, surrounded by nature, and no-one else to see for miles. Really can't understand why more people arn't doing it, especially given the well equipped units on the road these days. Food for thought......
Absolutely couldn't agree more! I have downloaded app, thanks
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Chris
Tho' I guess if too many peeps did it you wouldn't be on your own - bit like following the Tour de France! But 'tis true when you look around - there is still a lot of open country even on this crowded island. We just love Scotland. (Your area pretty good too!)
P.s. Many 'non-enlightened' folk think all MHs and caravans are a blot on the landscape ... So why can't we buy a MH in a dark green colour?
Quote: Originally posted by chris220480 on 25/4/2014
NP I really don't know. Some of the best nights I've had in the motorhome have been in a quiet layby on the side of a mountain, surrounded by nature, and no-one else to see for miles. Really can't understand why more people arn't doing it, especially given the well equipped units on the road these days. Food for thought......
I'd be thankful that more aren't doing it..if they did, your mountain side laybys, would be full up..nor would they be so quiet
(I could never quite understand such things as "wildcamping websites" etc,surely a quite little "hidie hole", won't remain as such, once it's broadcasted over the www).
Besides, "people" as a group, tend to have a habit of b*ggering things up....
In the UK there just aren't really enough isolated, appropriate "public" places for it do be done in any real numbers(not without causing "issues").
As with any parking/overnighting, when one or two do it, it can be tolerated or overlooked, whereas if it's done in greater numbers, it tends to raise objections from locals or from those authorities charged with protecting the area in question.....
Totally agree with you Pepe ! Was thiking eeeek when I read this - sorry I'm not blabbing about our fav private wee places either, we seek out places like this to get away from everyone else. Not a problem if others turn up of course even though it's preferable to us to get a spot all to oursleves, but more than a 2 or 3 is, as Pepe says, likely to attract problems.
I do take your point, and hadn't really considered those factors.... I'm not very good at setting out on a jaunt without a plan, and this app gives me the ability to plan ahead a bit. There are pros and cons. Maybe I should learn to be a bit more spontaneous.....! ;)
I'm not sure this app is that much use for UK. If you want to 'wildcamp' in campervan or motorhome you suss it out at the time wherever you are. In the UK its mostly about what you can get away with particularly in coastal areas where you might be ok off season but not so much at peak time when there would be more enforcement.
you cannot compare France to UK. France allows motorhome parking almost anywhere, the only restrictions are in very popular coastal holiday areas. For the French the app my help to find a nice spot overlooking the sea but in the UK such a spot would inevitably have parking restrictions.
Agree with last few posts!
If the app works as suggested the result is like 'shooting oneself on the foot'
E.g. All these wonderful secret places will soon become public - especially in the UK! And from our experience of touring our beloved Scotland just one campervan in a lay-by or especially in a 'passing place' can sometimes be a b***** nuisance!
Easily said for us - we are now in the twilight years of our camping lives (since the early 50's!) we much prefer the safety and predictability of proper campsites even if our pensions are well stretched by such adventures!
However we well remember us and our 2 very young children being 'moved on' at 0500 hrs by a 'Gamekeeper of the Laird' when we were illegally tent/bivouac camping in the forest near Loch Morlich in the very early 70's! Happy days!
Post last edited on 26/04/2014 21:05:11
------------- The older I get the better I used to be.
Quote: Originally posted by HT James on 28/4/2014
I have my favourite little spots hidden away up and down the country..........damned if I'm going to tell all and sundry though.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Park4Night app - potentially brilliant
