Hi all,
I intend to do a trip to Ireland with my Defender, staying on English campsites en route. It is not a real campervan, I will put up a make-shift bed and curtains/sheets to cover the windows. Will this be allowed on camp-sites in the UK?
Kind regards and Happy New Year from Germany
Chris
I know a few sites state "no conversions without prior agreement" in there terms and conditions. Which means they don't accept old minibuses etc converted to campers. There is one nice site we stop at regularly and a German unimog 'over lander' conversion was there so it certainly isn't an outright ban. There are also sites where "continental caravans" are not allowed. Possibly because the door opens on the opposite side but mainly because they are popular with the "traveller" comunity.
I think some campsites have these 'rules' reserving right of entry to certain vehicles/caravans because the specific area tends to attract hippies in old vans & groups with large German caravans who's lifestyle, might cause friction with other campers.
This does not mean, for example a Dutch couple arriving with a small Hobby touring caravan would be turned away, nor would it mean the op would be turned away in his Defender.
I don't think many sites would mind you sleeping in your Defender, but it may be useful to have a small pop up festival type tent which Dinkum suggested alongside anyway, for extra storage. I can't believe they will check if you are sleeping in the tent or the car. It won't cost any extra, I imagine you will pay tent camper prices that way too, rather than campervan or motorhome price, which is usually more expensive.
I know these are expensive but the roof tents available for Land Rover are great, if this is a one off you could get one then sell it after ok you will make a loss but may not be that much im sure theres a huge demand for that sort of thing
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
Just get an awning for the back of the defender, you can leave the rear door open...or not. This way if you chose to stay over, you can leave the awning on your pitch, whilst going out for the day in the L.R.
I think different places have different rules ,where are you planning to go ? Before going camping ,my suggestion is asking someone who had experience with the place .
Quote: Originally posted by AdanClinton on 08/1/2016
I think different places have different rules ,where are you planning to go ? Before going camping ,my suggestion is asking someone who had experience with the place .
Yes, agree. There's no "one size fits all" ruling.
When we were still tent camping I used a tidy, "un-sign written" Vauxhall Comb van as my transport.. and we were turned away once or twice because of it... ("no commercials")
On the flip side, we have used sites that have allowed converted ambulances and old horseboxes, with wood burners!
So as well as checking first, I'd also be looking at keeping your "set-up" as flexible as possible...
So a simple tarp'?, a shelter/utility tent? and maybe a *small pup tent (*just in case you can't pitch in/with your vehicle?),should cover most bases...
(...but still...don't expect to be welcomed onto Caravan Club-like 'sites, nestled in the likes of the Cotswolds etc... )
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: Camping in a Defender
("no commercials")
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