Stopping in Laybys

[Aaldum]

Hi all,

So new to camping!

The question is where can you stop? Can you just stop anywhere? Whats the rules are there any?

Cheers

Adam

[T'Onion]

Depends on where about's you are thinking of stopping ,
Most of the nice places in the Uk its frowned upon , Dales, Lakes , Peaks etc etc .
Rule of thumb ,do your research on the area your 'visiting' , look out for the signs ' No Over-Night Camping/Parking' , beer cans ,condoms, tyre marks is a tell tale sign that the local doggers ,teens use it for 'fun' so best find something better

There's loads of info about 'over-nighting' ,'sleepy spotting' 'wild camping' call it what you like ,on the net and on here

Best to ask if anyone knows of a nice spot that has been tried and tested ..

[braceuself]

in wales you never get bothered.in the brecon beacons anyway.very rare you see a police car and as long as your not a nuisance they leave you alone

[roberts-t25]

My dad had a Type 2 when we were kids and spent quite a few nights in laybyes. My and my brother would 'sleep' in the 2 coffin style hammocks in the musty pop top. I say 'sleep' because we would never get much sleep, everytime anything drove past the whole van would sway, lol!

[Louey]

As for the van swaying when traffic passes by:
Avoid lay bys were there isn't a gap between you and the moving traffic - all it takes is a sleepy driver and SMACK!!


Try ones where if you are lucky, that have a gap and if lucky, a line of trees for cover.


But as Mark said, look for signs of abuse of parking area.

[Madwitch]

Google earth is fantastic for finding sleepy spots - pick somewhere you like the look of then zoom in and take the little orange man for a walk!

[HarryMann]

That sounds a great tip carolyn

[jed the spread]

that what we do too

jed

[HarryMann]

Typical Neighbourhood watch email these days...

Dear Coordinator,

The stealing of catalytic converters from vans and the theft of diesel fuel from heavy goods vehicles continues across Dacorum. The offences are usually committed in the dark 'small' hours.

Catalytic converters are quickly and quietly stolen from beneath vans using a professional cutting tool. The metals they contain are of high value and offences have been committed in the last couple of days in Marchmont Green in Highfield, Ebberns Road in Apsley and in Dudswell. Newer vans are usually targeted. [West Herts: Hemel Hempstead area - Ed]

Diesel thefts are frequently committed in the lay-byes on the A41 by-pass and in the industrial estate areas across Dacorum when HGVs are parked up for the night. These thefts often occur whilst the drivers are asleep in their cabs! Some arrests have been made in the last few days but this type of offence is likely to continue as fuel cost continue to rise.

Watch members are asked to pay attention to anyone acting suspiciously near to parked, commercial, vehicles during the hours of darkness. Do not approach suspects but phone the Police immediately using the 999 system.

[lloyd]

Stop into a pub with a nice carpark and ask if it's okay to sleep in their carpark if you have a few pints and/or dinner. Never been turned down yet.

[Bert1985]

What a great idea!!! Will def have to try that

Stop into a pub with a nice carpark and ask if it's okay to sleep in their carpark if you have a few pints and/or dinner. Never been turned down yet.

[keith]

campsites can be good too....

there are hundreds of little cheap ones if your looking to cut down on cost...
caravan club and C&cC have literally thousands of certified locations ...most less than a tenner.

wild camping somewhere remote i can understand...but stpping overnight in a layby ???

[davescampers]

Take a look at the Motorhome Stopover website. It is £30 for the year, over 500 pubs registered, can download the info on your sat nav, we have been using them for 18 months. Takes the hassle out of looking for free overnoight parking. Not for everyone but got to be better than a layby! http://www.motorhomestopover.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
our customers also use them at http://www.southeastcamperhire.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;