Is Motorhome Wild Camping ILLEGAL? (Vanlife UK tips)

Рет қаралды 25,865

Күн бұрын

Download your FREE motorhome wild camping checklist here: wandering-bird.ck.page/3ccf5c...
An update to the UK trespassing law was passed in May 2022, called the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. Part of this law has some wording which seems to forbid wild camping with a motorised vehicle. (And yes, you might not like the term wild camping when it applies to motorhomes or camper vans, but that’s what most people call it so that’s what I’m calling it too.)
This has caused lots of concern to many people who enjoy staying off-grid around the UK, so I wanted to share some facts about the new law and what it means for motorhome wild camping in the UK.
Get your FREE motorhome wild camping checklist here: wandering-bird.ck.page/3ccf5c...
See the law on the Gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/government/publica...
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Thanks for watching!

Пікірлер: 85

@motorhomecockerpoos1946 Жыл бұрын

Wow thanks so much Kat for sound and sensible guidance with link and experts from the law. Phew what a relief 🙂

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I didn’t want to add to the ‘drama’.

@motorhomehobos4212 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant video Kat. Brings some clarity to what has been a confusing situation for far too long. Thank you.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Glad you found it helpful

@Adrian-fy7rd Жыл бұрын

Arguably the best post on this topic! Brilliantly presented and yes, you just got a new subscriber👍 thank you🙏🏿

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Awww, thanks very much. I appreciate that and glad it was helpful. Thanks for the support.

@philharrison9450 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this Kat. Reading between the lines, the change in the law does not seem to be directed at the vast majority of wild campers who are responsible, but at a different sector of society. It was very useful to have the change highlighted - and I was particularly interested to note that the "free for all" in Scotland does not apply to motorised vehicles. This was news to me!

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

You’re probably right, not that anyone would ever admit it. But they can’t create a law for one section of society, so we all need to be aware of it. And yes- Scotland confuses many people. Lots of incorrect info out there sadly.

@petebarry6449 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for that video, helps a lot in terms of understanding the new law from a motorhome owners point of view.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Glad it was helpful 😊

@carolynandcocohaywood2638 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Kat, you have made it very clear. As you said this only really applies to the bad wild campers. ❤️

@Chilliesauce69 Жыл бұрын

I am hiring a camper van from my work and plan to wild camp but was quite concerned when I heard it was not actually legal to do. So this video was very well put and put me at ease with my plans. I was sent here from a link in the Kat at Wandering Bird email I’ve subscribed to 👌🏻

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Thank you- have a great trip 🙂

@suzannelinch9234 Жыл бұрын

Hi Kat, I took this to mean exactly as you say, thank you for your clarity

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@SearchMTB Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video! Makes total sense and I agree its a good thing to stop the people who are determined to give us all bad names! 😁👍

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!!

@arriesone1 Жыл бұрын

I must say for me I prefer the safety and security of a CL site for a few quid, only 5 vans allowed so you still get your peace and quiet, usually in an attractive location, facilities available for waste etc and no nighttime worries of being knocked up in the middle of the night or worse.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Totally get that and there’s no rule which says you must wild camp. Sadly, the CL sites often get booked up far in advance too

@jacquesrock8337 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this Kat, I also thought that by wild camping I would be committing an offence. At first sight this seems to be pretty comprehensive, but, and I agree with Victor here, it does not define who is considered to be the necessary authority to request you leave. The Act appears to be in 2 parts, the first is definitive (with caveats) and the second seems to be subjective. I quote (The numbers and capitalisation are mine) : (1) The offence will be committed if a person who resides or intends to reside with a vehicle on land fails to leave the land or remove their property without reasonable excuse when asked to do so AND (2) they have caused, or are likely to cause, significant damage, disruption, or distress. As I read it, because of the AND in the clause, both parts need to be met in order to have committed an offence. Further, Para 3.1 states (in clarification), "two or more persons are trespassing". So a lone traveller cannot be deemed to be committing an offence under this Act. Just saying 😉. 😎

@CarmenCole1 Жыл бұрын

Nice 1 😊 thanks for the info and for not causing panic attacks! Leave no trace and for those that do you deserve to be penalised for being arseholes and spoiling it for the rest of us 🤨

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@irvingbenjamin4507 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful video. Thanks, Kat

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. ☺️

@manondeslauriers2645 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your reading of the law. It is of course subject to interpretation, but if I am asked to move, whoever asks me to move, I will do so. I do not wish any problems with locals, landowners and authorities.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Very sensible.

@amandabooth708 5 ай бұрын

Thanks Kat, that was really useful 👍

@qwhjrf Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot I thought the same as you. I had to laugh when you said go to a campsite for a good nights sleep. I was on a site in Cheddar once and some first timers were playing loud music and drinking beer until 2am. Fortunately those situations are rare.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Oh, I know. Worst nights we've ever had were on a campsite- that's why we started staying off-grid. Everything has pros and cons I guess.

@janestuarthigham502 Жыл бұрын

I bought a campervan, as I have Grade 4 cancer and I can get away LOVING 'Wild Camping' when I feel good so booking ahead is not an option for me. If anyone knocked on my door I would just smile and say I needed a few hours sleep and this lovely spot seemed perfect.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

And you’d be fine. 🙃 have some epic adventures xx

@cybercazful Жыл бұрын

Thank you very clear information indeed. Have a nice day :)

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Thank you- you too 🙂

@Mikescamperadventures 9 ай бұрын

Another great video with some good information

@maryt2422 Жыл бұрын

The most common sense and clear explanation I have seen. Too many scare vlogs out there at the moment.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I tried to be as factual as possible to not add to the chaos

@anthonyclark725 Жыл бұрын

The sad fact is that, as usual, the minority spoil things for the majority. As a keen mountaineer I have been wild camping in a tent for some 50yrs in a time when no one else wanted to do it. In the last few years everyone else has started doing it and unfortunately they don't all respect the countryside code or the true nature of 'leave no trace'. I now see used nappies left in rivers along with empty drinks cans etc. From March next year I will be living and travelling full time in an A class motorhome but already I see more and more previously used park ups being closed off to van lifers with height restrictions and signs banning overnight stays. Unfortunately, and because we are now all being pushed into using campsites instead, the campsites are capitalising on this by charging extortionate prices in the UK. I wonder, will the police being moving on the gypsy travellers that often cause more damage and distress than anyone else who lives in a van or motorhome? My experience tells me not because they are afraid to get involved when they may encounter violence.

@l33jcm Жыл бұрын

Thanks Kat! I just hope that vigilante private individuals don't interpret this change as a licence to bully people excessively.

@alberttickle1106 Жыл бұрын

good information Kat. My only comment is the application of the (and any) law or act by the police. You have pointed out the wording that should allow wildcamping to continue BUT some over enthusiastic cop will either find some other offence or give you a hard time. Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about that.

@CarmenCole1 Жыл бұрын

Offer them a cuppa they appreciate that 😊

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

I guess that applies to many laws. But if the police ask you to move on, you should do so.

@motorhomecockerpoos1946 Жыл бұрын

Also absolutely agree that those people causing damage, distress etc can be moved on.

@SlimTortoise Жыл бұрын

Sadly these days causing distress to someone can be caused by just smiling at them.

@wheelhouseadventures8176 Жыл бұрын

Thanks 2 time I did watched. Thanks again

@roberthardy2013 Жыл бұрын

If you are asked to move on would it be a defence to say you are really tired from driving and would be a danger to others until rested OR if you have had a drink could you say you are not fit to drive legally? Just asking for a friend… great advice by the way . It will be nice to get the Black Belt Lawyers views on this.

@richardgiles2484 Жыл бұрын

Really interesting and useful 👍

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@markwilkinson2673 Жыл бұрын

Very good informative vid , would it be possible for you to put the highlighted sections of the law you talked about on a printable sheet ? thanks

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful. The link is to a printable guide so I guess you could print that if you wish.

@diwarburton5369 Жыл бұрын

I’ve interpreted the Act just as you have Kat.

@NigelLoker-qq8hx 2 ай бұрын

Hi Kat, according to my local Council it is illegal to camp on your own land in a van without residencies planning permission.

@dianegriffen2756 Жыл бұрын

An 'act' is not law - it's legal. The two are not the same. We have FOUR laws here in England and Wales. The rest is legal. Learn legalese while you're there. Laws can put you in prison and rightly so if you break one. Legal is "a request" or "guidance". Learn the difference between the two, how you can protect yourself, and take your power back. The police have no new powers than they had before. What Kat talks about here is common courtesy, pure and simple.

@russellstanford4584 4 ай бұрын

All of this is true. But it is very hard to Police. The reason is because lorry drivers who sleep in their trucks. This country doesn't have enough amenities 4 trucks drivers. So most of them have to sleep any where (WILD CAMP) and a lorry driver cannot move on once parked.

@geoffbutton3544 Жыл бұрын

Hi Kat, thank you for this video, my question is, when you are first requested to move on, MUST it be a police officer or can anyone request you to move?

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Police, land owner or a representative of the land owner.

@geoffbutton3544 Жыл бұрын

@@WanderingBird many thanks, for that.

@VHogg5432 Жыл бұрын

I can see busy body vigilantes knocking on doors at 2am as you say who don't have any connection to the land and get a kick out of doing it....

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Possibly. But they could do the same before. People who enjoy doing that aren't new, but thankfully aren't too common.

@slojam100 Жыл бұрын

Interesting.. Once again the law will seem to apply to the van owners who disrespect where they think they have a right to stop.

@SlimTortoise Жыл бұрын

Good info, But I'm happy staying in France 🙂

@pzolsky 4 ай бұрын

I’m confused. How is parking overnight on a road or public lay-by considered trespassing on private land?

@1954Hamster Жыл бұрын

I noticed on the way back from Keswick that lots of lorries are parked in lay-bys for the night so do these laws apply to them too? And I mean a lot ie at least 4 or 5 in one lay-by

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Lorries have a right to park up to sleep- which is fundamentally what we do when we're wild camping. It's not long stays- just enough to sleep and move on safely. I'm not sure on the laws regarding lorries specifically but they are allowed in laybys, as are motorhomes.

@1954Hamster Жыл бұрын

@@WanderingBird so we can park in laybys as long as it doesn’t say no overnight parking?

@terrymorris3293 Жыл бұрын

To be fair these law changes are aimed at gypsy travellers who do all of the above. Police now have the law on their side moving these people on. Especially when they are disrespectful and cause a mess. Although I hasten to add that not all gypsy travellers are disrespecting and cause a mess

@user-ry5hm7ho8t 4 ай бұрын

One person in a van travelling arouns sleeping where they stop, as an adventure is not a 'social problem. A group of them turning up on a housing estate stealing from peoples gardens and leaving piles of rubbish every where, is a social problem.

@dilligafmat Жыл бұрын

Wow, thats all im saying.......

@whatsmining9917 4 ай бұрын

How do you find the places you can stay the night

@robertgolding7152 5 ай бұрын

An Act IS Law

@LoftechUK Жыл бұрын

Ok I’m sure this has been asked….. I’m the best clean and behaved camper in my Motorhome BUT I’ve pulled up and had the knock on the door and asked to move and the dilemma is I’ve had a few glasses of vino before bed and maybe over the limit.

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

Don’t drink while you’re wild camping. It’s a park up, not a campsite or aire and you could be asked to move on. That’s the easiest solution.

@richardhewitt.easyvanlife.6957 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for common sense.

@jamesleftlion Жыл бұрын

What happens if you've parked up, had a couple of pints, and can't move on?

@yogibear9540 Жыл бұрын

I think maybe need to use common sense, if there's a chance you'll need to move during the night, be that police, landowners or undesirable behaviour, one driver needs to stay within the limit. Sensible? If on a campsite etc then fine, have a drink and fill your boots!

@WanderingBird Жыл бұрын

I would alway recommend you don't drink when wild camping. Just in case.

@trydowave 23 күн бұрын

makes you feel like a prisoner in your own country. Btw. What are these places that you mentioned, that allow you to camp for cheap. The sports centers etc?

@CampervanTales Жыл бұрын

We don't think it helps sensible people when you get groups of van owners congregating in one area such as at the Blue John mine in Castleton. Sadly people publicising on their social media channels has made it a magnet for people in vans/motorhomes, especially at weekends. Sometimes it looks more like a travellers community there and just creates a bad impression

@jaimz33 Жыл бұрын

I just put my pikey irish accent on thick and the cops dtive off

@nielshansen8548 Жыл бұрын

Whatsinnit b4u

@pujapete3665 4 ай бұрын

just do it...we are free and pay for the upkeep of this country through taxes.dont park on a persons driveway in front of their house :)

@marcocubeddu2085 Жыл бұрын

The law is to stop Muppets parking on your property for 6 months

@LivegoodWilliam 22 күн бұрын

You can wild camp to your hearts content here in Scotland just use some common sense

@drewhodge3820 Жыл бұрын

Sadly it's the tiny minority of bad people spoiling it for everyone else. I've already seen this used on travellers. Just a single caravan. They parked up late at night at the end of a cul-de-sac and the following morning 10am the police turned up and they moved on in less than 30 minutes. If the travellers understand they need to move on then and that there is no point arguing then we should do the same. Importantly if you park up record any rubbish that is already there so you can't get blamed for that rubbish. A 30 second recording on your phone could easily save you from a lot of hassle. I'm going to be fitting a 360 degree CCTV system that records 24/7 with audio to protect myself from false accusations from locals. With the added bonus of protection and knowing what's going on outside at night, without having to open/remove window covers.