As virgin motorhomers as opposed to experienced caravanners . When we had the caravan we never went away without prebooking sites . But I now want to me more spontaneous and just go without booking . Anyone else just go, and what's the law regarding (if we can't find anywhere)using laybys
No so much about if the law allows it, as it will vary from area to area depending on the byelaws of the local councils and highway agency.
However, you are never as secure parked up in a remote area without the security of a campsite, and at the mercy of any passing yobs and crooks who are out to cause havoc to those onboard for their own amusement or gain.
For this reason we never stop in anything other than a designated area with Cctv and onsite security when traveling overnight to our intended destination, its simply not worth the risk. Theres normally a CL or CS or even a well lit service area with security thats available for a stopover until you reach your destination.
There are also other reasons that stoping in parking areas on seafronts and beside rivers may not be a good idea due to the risk of overtopping at high tides or flooding, or the risk of landslide from overhanging cliffs that you would not be aware of until it was too late, simply because you were asleep.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Its a sad fact that this country goes out of its way to make wild camping illegal possibly because of travellers who cause mayhem to areas and also motorhomers/caravaners who sometimes leave things behind which they should not, spoiling it for decent motorhomers. I would think if you were up in the wilds of Scotland you might be ok for a overnight stop, but in general you need to find a CS or small site for the night.
If you want more freedom then going abroad to say France may well prove to be better. I think that in this country some of the site fees are bordering on Rip Off, IMO.
You just use the sense you have been born with. There’s always somewhere to park overnight for free close to where you want to be. Truck drivers manage it night after night & you can too. Just watch where you are treading when you get out because unfortunately plenty of overnighers do indeed leave more than their tyre tracks...
As others have said(and as you'll already know) there are plenty CLs/CSs, small pub type 'sites/locations and there's the likes of Britstop etc...
Unless just pulling over for safety reasons,to get some sleep mid-journey,I just can't see the attraction of using "laybys" etc..
Pulling over as and when and kipping wherever one wants, may sound like a great idea...but in reality in the UK, those that do it do run the risk of *pishing somebody off- local residents, the landowners, those that have to clean up after them? etc
*Of cause those doing it usually aren't the ones who hear the complaints! The first they know about it is when they read on forums that "their" layby, pull-in or grass verge, has since had a barrier or bollards erected!
(Also, those "Wildcampers" who jemmy up random drain covers, to dump the loo contents into, don't exactly endear us to the wider public either! )
Having said that, I don't think that you necessarily need to "book", BUT if you don't, then you do need to be more flexible.
(our away-time tends to be limited, so we have to be "targeted" as to where we are going/staying, so we do tend to sort out a few options as to where we'll be staying beforehand).
We got our first motorhome last year and decided to go on a mystery tour without booking.
What we did was book our first site in Camberidge. Then we had a list of all the areas we would like to visit and just added a couple of sites in each area, then telephoned our next site from the site we were stopping on. We even managed an unplanned week on the Isle of White.
The beauty of touring this way is that if you like a sight you can stay a bit longer. If you don't you move on..
We are just in the process of deciding/planning. our 2019 outing.
If you have areas in mind ask on the forum for nice sites. Worked for us.
Although we do wild camp at times, we are exceptionally careful and utterly considerate for and about wherever we stop, normally in the middle of absolutely nowhere with only grouse and sheep as neighbours.
We are members of the Caravan & Motorhome Club and stop mostly on CL sites where we have an unwritten rule that we only stop on sites costing less than £10 as an absolute maximum. In actual fact we have stopped on dozens costing £7 or less with so many of them being absolute gems!
We also travel to France a lot and only this year only stopped on Aires which were absolutely free of charge of which there are hundreds, but you do have to search them out. We even discovered one that had showers, EHU's, toilets, fantastic views etc. etc. all for free!!!!
------------- There is a great World to be found out there, but by the very day, to find where it is becomes more of a challenge!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Caravan to motorhome part2
