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AIBU?

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Original poster

To camp in random fields without permission in England

236 replies

feellikeahugefailure · 02/08/2016 14:09

I'm thinking about doing a solo trip around Devon and Cornwall in a car. Campsites seem expensive, you have to book and often there aren't any where I need them

I've got a pop up tent.

Would it really be so bad to just pitch it at 9pm in some quiet field out of sight (and without animals) spend the night, then come 6am pack it up and move on?

Obviously I wouldn't litter or leave any sign that I was ever there.

OP posts:
Pearlman · 02/08/2016 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wasonthelist · 02/08/2016 14:48

I think you can camp like this in a lot of countries. England seems more restrictive.

This is true, but for flip's sake don't try it in the USA or New Zealand.

BlueLeopard · 02/08/2016 14:49

Where would you park your car that you are travelling around in? In the field too? You do realise that a) if your car gets stuck in mud in a field, that your insurance or AA membership wont cover the cost of recovery truck simply because one of those trucks would be too heavy and also sink in the mud. So you'd need a tractor to tow you to a road. And likely the only tractor in the vicinity would be owned by the same person that owns the land you were illegally camping on. Awkward.

If it was my dad's land he'd know about your impromptu campsite within an hour because someone local would use these things called a telephone and let him know.

And then he'd move a narky goat into the field. And put a heavy duty padlock on the gate, then fuck off to the pub for the day with the key and his mobile off. And he's a nice farmer who would gladly find a nice patch of camping ground on his lands for people who asked him first. There are many around who'd be making you pack up your tent at 3am or call the police.

Don't be a dick. If you see a field you'd like to camp in, enquire in the village shop or pub, and see if you can contact the farmer and ask them for permission.

Farmmummy · 02/08/2016 14:50

Very very unreasonable! As name suggests we have fields and have been tortured by people who trespass, hunt and generally think they can do what they want. Have also successfully prosecuted several. Here's a different perspective for you we have an awful lot of red tape and paperwork for Assured Produce Schemes, I am aware of what is sprayed and where and follow appropriate protocols and notifications for the relevant people. However when you rock up on the qt think it's hunky dory and poison yourself I've covered my arse but you are a. Sick, b. Facing between £400-1000 fine and a criminal record c. Listening to a seriously pissed off farmer in the small hours when we spot you and evict you. Another point is we have dogs who are perfectly friendly to people they know, they are guard dogs, they ummm guard against tresspassers for example. You will definitely meet at least one of the 4 they won't be pleased to see you, they are on their land and we have the required beware of the dog and no trespassing signage so again your problem. It's not just some random field it's our livelihood for generations (and yes it was paid for pp) and it's bloody hard work without adding entitled idiots with no concern for their safety into the mix

RosieSW · 02/08/2016 14:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

heron98 · 02/08/2016 14:52

I have wild camped quite a bit. If you see a farmer, ask if you can camp in their field. Usually they say yes. Otherwise woods are good places to camp. There are a few people who regularly camp in my local woods. I see them when I go jogging. They're just council-owned so no one minds.

BoGrainger · 02/08/2016 14:53

Just looking at the cost of CC certified locations and I'm surprised how much they are now. Even so, if you found somewhere with stunning views etc it would be nice to know that you could spend some time there instead of having to move on at the crack of dawn.

RedHareWithBlondeHair · 02/08/2016 14:54

Even with permission this type of adventure sounds like my worst nightmare Grin.

You'd do well to plan in advance and ask otherwise you might be in for quite a few hairy surprises.

BoGrainger · 02/08/2016 14:54

Not the cc ones I meant the c&cc. Don't know if the cc ones accept tents

LilacInn · 02/08/2016 14:55

Where would you relieve yourself?

MitzyLeFrouf · 02/08/2016 14:58

'have been tortured by people who trespass'

I initially read that as 'have tortured people who trespass'^!

Egosumquisum · 02/08/2016 14:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Billben · 02/08/2016 14:59

I often walk our dogs in our fields in the middle of the night and you'd have a rude awakening if they/me found you there.

"Well who decided that the whole country should be calved up and people own land and take it away from public use?" - idiotic comment of the week, and it's only Tuesday! I own land that I grow crops on that probably feeds you too.

PatMullins · 02/08/2016 14:59

Sounds like my idea of hell Smile

practy · 02/08/2016 15:00

I have family who are farmers. They wouldn't care for 1 night, more than this they would.

Just2MoreSeasons · 02/08/2016 15:01

I always thought camping within a few metres of a riverbank was ok ...

ilovesooty · 02/08/2016 15:02

I don't often post in AIBU
Hmm

ilovesooty · 02/08/2016 15:03

Oh, and I don't think it's acceptable to camp on land that belongs to someone else without asking permission.

Egosumquisum · 02/08/2016 15:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bearleftmonkeyright · 02/08/2016 15:06

Ive done it before, but I have asked the farmer. I have camped all over the place before and after kids. Me and dp toured on our bikes and we found some farmers were happy enough to let us camp for a few quid or for free. We did it fairly recently when we took our caravan up to Scotland. We pulled off the M6 and lovely lady let us stay on their land for the night and use outside toilet in Lake District. If you're on your own you should be able to do it easily. Call in at a local village shop or pub and I am sure someone will be able to help.

carefreeeee · 02/08/2016 15:09

If you are discreet, wild camping isn't a problem - get there late, leave early. But it would be tricky with a car as you'd be stuck by roads and a parked car makes it obvious there's someone around.

Also I can't really see the point if you have a car - just sleep in the car!

9/10 of the world's population don't have access to showers or flushing toilets - they still manage to be clean!

But you need to think about where you will get water from - if in a car it's no problem but if on foot will need to be near a lake or river that looks cleanish - plus carry a couple of litres for drinking

Shizzlestix · 02/08/2016 15:11

YABVU. Ask, don't just imagine you can pitch a tent. I'd go ballistic if you did this on my land.

Farmmummy · 02/08/2016 15:13

Haha Mitzy there's an idea Grin

gillybeanz · 02/08/2016 15:14

Just knock at farmhouse and ask permission, they can only say no.
You can't just bed down on somebody else's property.

JenLindley · 02/08/2016 15:14

Haven't read the thread so hope I'm not repeating anything. OP you can buy inflatable beds that fit over the rear seat of most cars. Not sure of the legality of sleeping in your car in car parks but its an option if allowable.