... without booking a campsite? Are there any specific rules about sleeping over in a remote car park near a beach etc?.... or does each local Authority have its own rules?
Theres no specific rules, its down to the individual council bylaws. Seafront carparks will often have low height barriers or they may have prohibition on overnight parking. In Clacton until last yr there was no restrictions on parking along seafront road & plenty of motorhomes parked overnight. Then a restriction was put on the road banning motorhome & campervan parking on seafront road at anytime.
Away from seafront anywhere though you should find some parking with no restrictions if you use your sense though.
I don't think there is a height restriction at the car park at Rhoscolyn, and very unlikely that anyone will be checking (but don't blame me if there is!), lovliest part of Anglesey imo (west part of Holy Island, turn left in Valley and follow the signs). Nice local pub too.
Rather than running the risk of upsetting "locals" (and raising the possibility of barriers being erected in the future?), what about asking if,in return for a meal and a *drink, you could overnight in the corner of the car-park of the local pub that Anne mentions above? ....
Some good suggestions, many thanks. I especially like the idea of finding a corner of a pub car park. We have a VW T5, so we might get under car park barriers too, but wouldn't ever be in any one place long enough to upset any locals. We just want to be able to go away for a single night here and there when the weather's good. Thanks for the motorhomingwild.org link too, it looks interesting!
When I was in the TA, a bunch of us walked past a car in the early hours of the morning - it was parked in a quiet lane with the occupants enjoying themselves, shall I say. About 30 people banged on the roof and windows as they went by. I've also heard of police waking you up to make sure you're still alive. A friend with a camper lays up in Forestry Commission woodland without problems so far - it's done discreetly, and he makes sure he doesn't look like he's stayed overnight if anyone in a work van pulls up first thing (as it's against their bylaws). You can get a taste for this style of camping, very different from those sites with clubs & play areas.
Wild camping is great up north during the summer when it's warm and never goes dark, though we can only do it for a day or two between sites as our fridge doesn't work off gas any more. But wild camping isn't my idea of fun during the long cold dark nights, as we need the EHU for the heater (again, won't work off gas).
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: a cheeky night away in Anglesey...
)
