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Hi. I have heard the term 'wild camping' banded about, but I'm not quite sure what this entails - can you please tell me if you have been wild camping and is it safe for a single mum and child?

Donna

Wild camping is camping not on a campsite but in the wilds.

Is it safe? Pretty much but with a small child you may need to put your tent up early evening so more chance of someone seeing you.

Legal in Scotland but frowned upon in England + Wales (legality unclear).

Be careful tho, in Oakhampton as a youngster me and a friend got drunk then headed onto dartmooor for the night. It was an awful night, really chucking it down zero visibility. We climbed over a fence and got into the tent quick before getting too wet.

Next morning I looked out of the tent and we weren't on the moors at all - we had just spent the night in someone's back garden!

Here are a couple of links for sites

Wild camping 

Wild camping for motorhomes

As said by winhill it's legal in Scotland, infact the Tourist information office in Ullapool last year provided us with a list of wild camping locations in the area and if you go to the islands (harris/lewis) they give you details of suitable places and a list of water points and chemical toilet emptying locations.

It seems dodgy in England and most of Wales though.

Wild camping is what it's all about as far as we're concerned. Just pick a nice quiet place.... the further away from civilisation the better.

Phil

P.S. don't forget the chemicals for the porta potti , lol

What did ya say ? did i forget the chemicals ............. NO not me !!!!!

i won't forget them again , in a hurry !!!!!

Kev 

I havn't been out on my own with little lad 'wild camping' overnight yet - if there were others I might feel safer but you never know these days who's hanging around. From your posts, it isnt really reassuring for this Country, maybe in some parts of Scotland yes.  Cas54 -  I do intend going more to the beaches this Summer, so I might pluck up the courage and stay overnight.....we'll see.

donnamarrie.

we are also new to motorhoming and I really fancy wild camping. Some of these like deserted beach car parks on that linked site see, worth a try.

if you fancy it in the near future, with my wife and two lads 7-9 years give  me a shout, safety in numbers and all that.

Morrisbob - thanks for the links, I've had a good look at them and made some notes on different places I might visit.

I might take you up on that offer Panagah, my lad is 5 and we love going away at weekends. Have you tried any of the meets yet? My first one was last September and now I'm hooked - booked several for this year. Its still nice to go it alone though now and again for peace and quiet and to do something different.

thanks everyone for your advice - I've noted everything you have said!

 might take you up on that offer Panagah, my lad is 5 and we love going away at weekends. Have you tried any of the meets yet? My first one was last September and now I'm hooked - booked several for this year. Its still nice to go it alone though now and again for peace and quiet and to do something different.

Not booked on any meets yet. However we always do a few. Last year we done alvastone steam rally, that was good and done 2 of bordercaz's meets. She is really good and knows how to arrange a site and a meet.

As for wild camping. Sure just sort it out, I am looking forward to giving it a go. as for where? I have no idea.

Donna

 Assume you mean wild camping in your motorhome, not a tent, have a butchers at the link.

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/

We have wild camped loads and I would do it on my own with the kids - make sure you keep the drivers seat clear etc, keys handy and that you have parked facing forward so that if problems do happen you can drive off in a hurry!

Lots of places are safe but some are more suitable than other due to noice etc Some places have specific charges and some have 24hr charges - but beware becuase quite often the small print will still no sleeping or the like. It's best to do some homework before you go so you have an idea of where you will be staying especially if you will arrive late - as sometimes you will have trouble finding somewhere and end up driving round till the wee hours!