Hello my name is Richard I'm new on here and new to camping, I'd love to get out there only don't have any transportation nor would I know where to go as I live in Birmingham
Welcome. Check out the Backpacking forum & think about using the train / bicycle / walking. However, I don’t know the law about wild camping south of the border (it’s different up here), others will advise.
Hi Fiona thank you for the reply, I know what you're saying about using trains ect it's the not knowing where to go and things that play on my mind. I'd be taking my dog and was thinking about getting the train just wouldn't know where to go, I've got all the gear every thing I'd need but haven't a clue where to go
And no to joining you on an adventure - I prefer to go camping on my own with my dog at sites with good facilities and EHU for comfort.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
If you're using public transport and walking with a dog everything you have has to go in to rucksack, but if it's a large dog you could get dog panniers.
You'll be using a one or two man tent, lightweight stove and mess tins. If you can't carry it you won't have it but you can still be comfortable.
Well, first off I’d suggest enjoying the winter at home, planning & also having a trial camp in your back garden (or a friend’s) so you & dog can go back indoors if necessary. I know you want to go wild camping, but I’d suggest going to a site with basic facilities first - as already suggested, browse the Site Search (tick the tent, toilets & dogs allowed boxes). Some pubs allow tents. Or you could join the Caravan & Camping Club as their sites take tents and there’s a Lightweight Camping section that organises group camps.
You do need to be clear on the English & Welsh law about wild camping, as I think you’ll have to be discreet, probably arriving late & leaving early.
Where? I’d look at the map of the AONBs (areas of outstanding natural beauty) - but you haven’t said what interests you.
The legislation is different up here in Scotland, more permissive of where you can camp in a tent if it’s done responsibly (so think about toileting, carrying your litter away etc) and you’ve arrived under your own efforts - on foot, bike, canoe, horse etc. You could walk any of the Long Distance Routes up here (West Highland Way, Speyside Way, Cowal Way, John Muir Way, Fife Coastal Path, St Cuthbert’s Way - dozens of them and many accessible from a train station). However, distance means that’s not feasible if you can’t take off at least a week at a time.
"Does Birmingham really have more miles of canal than Venice? The exact numbers depend on where you draw the city boundaries, but the whole Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) system adds up to 100 miles of canals."
"The mainlines and city centre canals are busy with boaters, walkers and cyclists.
However, elsewhere on the BCN, you can really get away from it all on winding suburban canals and some surprisingly rural branches. In the northern waters of the BCN, there are some rarely-explored waterways that are truly off the beaten track."
Over the winter start exploring the "rarely-explored waterways", look for spots where you could put up a small tent out of sight and without disturbing anyone.
Do some research and bit by bit build up the camping gear you'll need, you don't need the best and most expensive tent but you need something better than a supermarket tent that claims to be showerproof.
In the spring you'll be ready to go.
A weekend in a proper campsite wont hurt, you'll have hot and cold running water, toilets and showers. Book in advance if you're bringing a dog.
Fiona, I'm not really sure what to say in regards to what I'm interested in I just know I have to go for it, what ever that is. I'm 37 been thinking about it now nearly 3 years while I've been getting the stuff I'll need, I do know I love animals, wildlife etc so probably just take it step by step once I know roughly where I'm going to go
OP, you have been given some very good advice with regard to where to go etc...
I believe it is now up to you to decide where to go, by performing your own due diligence, based on your ability and circumstances.
It is not possible for me to decide on what is blocking you from finding a suitable site based on a handful of posts, physically, mentally or otherwise.
Good luck.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Makkyboy on 15/11/2023
Did I even ask you mate,Dk who are you mind your own business
Please note: YOU posted a thread in an open message board for all to see asking for advice, and I responded in kind, thinking I was helping a newbie.
I rest my case as I doubt if you have read what I had suggested.
Good luck, you need help, and not just from UKCS and camping related issues based on just a few posts YOU had posted in an open message board.
DK
Post last edited on 15/11/2023 12:29:36
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
The road goes on forever and ever. JRR Tolkien.
You're ready for an adventure, go out and explore!
If you vaccinate and chip your dog you could end up going from campsite to campsite in France.
No French food is so bad that you can't ram it down with enough jam.
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: Wild camping
via mobile 12/11/2023 at 8:02pm
