Wild camping
Hello everyone.
I am just about to embark on a 'Wild Camping' weekend here in Kent. I have downloaded Camper Van /Motor Home apps and suggestions but I just wondered if any of the members on this Forum do this regularly?
Given my circumstances I want to get OH out as much as possible and get him experiencing different environments at weekends but my budget is very limited. I think 'Wild Camping' is my option.
Does anyone wild camp in their MH often and if so, any suggestions my neck of the woods?
Comments
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Sorry, Arty, but I'd need to be desperate to do that.
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Pointless comment.
The lady is clearly trying to provide some sort of rehab for her OH and is seeking advice.
I'm based in the West of the S East and know Kent and E. Sussex quite well. I think you'll find it difficult to wild camp and be relaxed that you're not 'trespassing' or liable to be moved on. I do know of a couple of people who park overnight on various sea fronts although it is not often officially permitted and they can be rowdy and brightly illuminated all night by very bright street lighting.
Perhaps the nearest you'll get to wild camping in the S. East is from the Brit Stops guide which gives pub, vineyards, farm shops etc. where m/homes are welcome to stay on the understanding that they eat in the pub or buy a bottle of wine or a home-made apple pie.
The next best to 'wild' would be one of the CAMC CLs.
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It can be a great experience if your geared up for it. A decent solar panel helps with an inverter but as your on a budget that will have to wait. Try a nice quiet spot along a coastal route. Use food that can be heated on a small fire, stove to save power & gas.
If you want to get some good ideas, try looking up Wiltshire Man on Youtube, he camps wild often albeit in a tent or open air, but you will get some great tips from these videos
camping off grid is a lot of fun for people who would rather not mix with folk or are just dodging noisy kids or inconsiderate youth.
Enjoy
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Would you rather I had said bluntly that the OP would, in my opinion, be crazy to undertake an unsafe activity such as wild camping with her OH in less than full health?
Instead, I chose not to cause offence as I would never wish to upset Arty and, far from being pointless, my post was aimed at making her stop and think but perhaps it was too subtle for you, Spriddler.
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artyboo - have a look at - www.wildcamping.co.uk - specifically for Motorhome owners like yourself.
I joined about a year ago, not everyone wild camps but many do, and there's plenty of helpful advice on the forums.
For 'proper' wild camping you'll probably need to go abroad - perhaps next time?
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Unsafe activity. Wherever do you get that idea. We've been doing it for a long time and have seldom been killed and eaten by irate locals
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It's a great resource. You can download places to stop onto a Garmin.
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What about the other clubs THS set up as well? Economical pitch prices and some handy locations. Not wild camping but a cost effective way of getting out and about
edit - this one for example
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I would highly recommend a dog as a great camping companion. But ArtyBoo may not like the idea. They are great companions and healers as well as great eyes and ears. I almost feel my dream of Camping in New Zealand wouldn't work without a dog.
Farm Shops and Pubs sound a great idea. Artyboo if you venture as far as Lincolnshire you would be very welcome to park up here - my neighbour would park you up if I happened to be travelling. Depths of the countryside here so don't attempt if you like street lights! About 2 miles from the Market Rasen Club site.
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great idea, Jay.
quiet, laid back, relaxing, low cost camping, with a few other like minded folk around to add the 'safety' feeling if preferred.
Good luck, Arty.
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Thank you all.
i had not considered some of the options so thank you.
I will certainly research some more; indeed £7/8 a night isn't breaking the bank 😬.
I HAVE got a couple of solar panels on the roof; I need to go back to dealers and ask them about the inverter. I remember it being mentioned when I collected the MH but I cannot remember what or where the 'switch' might be🙀
Thanks all will keeep you posted.
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Ha silly me - you already camp with pets!
If you don't have an inverter don't go to the dealer for one - a trip to Maplin could see you sorted or Ebay etc - my current one just clipped onto the battery but later at a service I had it done more permanently. Just remember to switch it off when not in use. I don't use mine all that much - most things work with 12 v and the correct adaptors.
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Ha silly me - you already camp with pets!
If you don't have an inverter don't go to the dealer for one - a trip to Maplin could see you sorted or Ebay etc - my current one just clipped onto the battery but later at a service I had it done more permanently. Just remember to switch it off when not in use. I don't use mine all that much - most things work with 12 v and the correct adaptors.
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Ha silly me - you already camp with pets!
If you don't have an inverter don't go to the dealer for one - a trip to Maplin could see you sorted or Ebay etc - my current one just clipped onto the battery but later at a service I had it done more permanently. Just remember to switch it off when not in use. I don't use mine all that much - most things work with 12 v and the correct adaptors.
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Ha silly me - you already camp with pets!
If you don't have an inverter don't go to the dealer for one - a trip to Maplin could see you sorted or Ebay etc - my current one just clipped onto the battery but later at a service I had it done more permanently. Just remember to switch it off when not in use. I don't use mine all that much - most things work with 12 v and the correct adaptors.
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Arty, the inverter 'should' be close to the leisure battery(ies) connected by nice, short, stout red/black cables....these provide the 12v input to the inverter.
it will also have a female 13a/230v socket which is the output and allows connection of (some) 230v appliances.
the inverter should have a switch to turn it on/off. this should be 'off' even if you dont have anything plugged into it, as it draws a small amount of current even when not in use.
your inverter will have a maximum output wattage (300/500/1000/2000) and you should not exceed this with the connected appliance.
the larger the wattage, the more drain on your battery and the qucker it will run down, so use sparingly.
an inverter running (say) a mains Sky box can safely be run for a couple of hours from a decent 95ah battery.
what use do you have for the inverter? if youre not running any mains devices, you wont need it. stick to 12v/gas where possible.
good luck.
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'Arty' Hi ,,if you fancy camping in a boatyard (not a marina) near Faversham,you're welcome to use my facility anytime.Nearby pub's & shops,good walking area,lots of wildlife,etc etc .Call me 07716-430.430. Pete .
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Thanks BB. I will have a look.
Mainly to charge my iPad etc which will use very little power. I have tried using a 12v kettle but cannot seem to get it work maybe I am doing something wrong. No big drama really, as you say, we have gas ⛽️ 😬
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stick with gas for the kettle, just not worth hammering batteries for a cuppa.
ipads (and phones) can be charged perfectly well with the USB cable.
if you dont have any USB sockets, you can convert a normal 12v socket with a cheap ebay adaptor with, say, two USB sockets, simples...no inverter
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Small devices like iPads etc are best charged by a USB lead plugged into an adaptor which uses your car/ van cigarette lighter socket. Don't buy the cheapest though because they don't always provide enough power for charging bigger items like tablets.
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Ah ha, found 'the' switch indoors, now charging my phone 😬.
we have a lovely day down at Dungeness Old Light House. We are now at 'The Pilot' fish restaurant with a glass of wine (in the MH) in the car park. Blinds up one side with a fab view of the sea n the other, right on the beach.
The Pilot allow Motorhomers to park for free overnight provided you eat in the restaurant. The restaurant has come highly recommend by a number of my friends and associates so I thought I would give it a go.
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there is a 'pub stopovers' database (with POI files) somewhere, ive used a few....
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Regularly wild camp particularly in Wales and Scotland. You very often see other vans particularly foreign ones wild camping. I would suggest you don't do it within village locations and you leave as if though you had not been there. Never had a problem
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