February, 2011

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By Stephen Neale

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The National Trust is one of the biggest member organisation’s in the world.

This may be the year when it asserts its unofficial position as the largest ‘camping organisation’ – taking over from the Caravan Club and its one million members. The Trust announced plans to add to its portfolio of 50 campsites (some managed by the Caravan Club), in February 2011.

The charity is one of the largest land owners in the UK, responsible for managing 630,000 acres of countryside (almost 1.5% of England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

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Stourhead (by obenson)

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Revenue is generated from the National Trust’s 3.8 million members who will pay an annual direct debit subscription of £63.38 (for a family) in 2011.

We joined in 2005. It’s probably fair to say we don’t always take full advantage of the free entry and parking at the 300+ historic houses and gardens, so a shift in the trust’s priorities could be a bonus.

The 50 official campsites are mostly run by tenant farmers and other camping organisations like the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Fifteen National Trust campsites are next to water, so I’ve listed them all here. My favourite is Stourhead, in Wiltshire, mainly because the 1,072-hectare estate is one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the UK.

On Wednesday Februay 9, 2011, the National Trust revealed plans to create a network of new, ‘simple campsites’ in what it described as ‘stunning locations’.  This announcement coincided with a general boom in popularity in UK camping holidays and outdoor activities.

The trust described its plan as a ‘major shift’ to promote camping, walking, mountain biking, kayaking and surfing. The main activity for 2011 will be walking, with plans to create 100 miles of new paths over the next 11 months, and 1,000 miles by 2020.

Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “For too long it’s felt that outdoor spaces have been the Trust’s best kept secret.  We want to play our part in helping to reconnect the nation with outdoor spaces, whether in the Lake District or a local park.”

The Trust owns about a quarter of the Lake District; one fifth of the coast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (704 miles, 1126 km), and has a campaign, Project Neptune, which seeks to acquire more.

Thousands of members will be encouraged to help design local routes.

Jo Burgon, Outdoors Programme Director at the National Trust, said: “It’s clear that people simply love being outdoors surrounded by nature and walking is the easiest way to do that.  We want to work with our local communities to help shape and create new walking routes on our land for people to explore and get closer to nature.”

FOOTPATH: Gurnard's Head (by treehouse1977)

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A series of seven cycling challenge rides are planned for 2011 on Trust  from Pembrokeshire to Cambridgeshire. In July the Trust’s first ever cycling festival will take place at more than twenty places throughout the country including an evening community bike ride at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire and a kids On Your Bike weekend at Scotney Castle in Kent.

Further details of the festival will be published on the National Trust website at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walkin

There are over 240 free downloadable walks on the National Trust website at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks.

These include some of the most iconic sites in the UK with bracing coastal walks at the White Cliffs of Dover to wandering through Constable country in Essex.  The walks provide a map with directions and details of what you might see en route.

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PIER: Brownsea Island, Poole (by Jim Linwood)

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Stourhead (by MarilynJane)

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Eype Beach (by Joccay)

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Ullswater (by Vicky Hugheston)

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Coniston (by dpicker)

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Ilam (by PeakDistrictNT)

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Pumsaint (by Dave Hamster)

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VIEW: Wastwater (by MarchieCTID)

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Views across the lake, but a shame no waterside sports are allowed here, either on the river or the lake.

Still, one person’s loss, is another’s gain. This is a great site if you just want to take in the peace and quite or go for a stroll.

Fishing is available during the summer months for small day-fee payable to the site owner.

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by steve p2008

The legality of overnight camping on public highways is unclear. But if you decide to do it, the best advice is to park late and quiet, and then move off early and without a trace.

For those that like to know their rights, here is the legal position:

The legislation that controls overnighting in caravans and motorhomes is the Caravan Sites & Control of Development Act.

The act defines a caravan as:

” … any structure designed or adapted for human habitation which is capable of being moved from one place to another (whether by being towed, or by being transported on a motor vehicle or trailer) and any motor vehicle so designed or adapted …”

Caravan sites must be licensed under the terms of the act, but there are license exemptions:

” … the use of land as a caravan site if the use is incidental to the enjoyment as such of a dwellinghouse within the curtilage of which the land is situated.” (this means you can live in a caravan in your back garden without a license.)

” … the use of land as a caravan site by a person travelling with a caravan who brings the caravan on to the land for a period which includes not more than two nights—

i) if during that period no other caravan is stationed for the purposes of human habitation on that land or any adjoining land in the same occupation, and

ii) if, in the period of twelve months ending with the day on which the caravan is brought on to the land, the number of days on which a caravan was stationed anywhere on that land or the said adjoining land for the purposes of human habitation did not exceed twenty-eight. “

This exemption allows hotels, pubs and restaurants to permit a single motorhomer to camp overnight on their car park, as long as the area isn’t used for camping more than 28 days a year.

” … land occupied by the local authority in whose area the land is situated.”

This is an important exemption, as it allows local authorities to approve motorhome stopovers on car parks, roads and other land in their control.

Some council don’t clarify the position, but a list of caravan friendly councils is here.

Above all else, the attitude of local people, police and council officials to your caravan/motorhome is the most important factor in determining whether you are moved on or not. Always remember there is no ‘right’ to park any vehicle on the road.

For more on ‘wild camping’ visit here.

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Set in secluded parkland with views over the lake and just 4 miles from the junction of the M6 and M56. Fishing available to club members and caravan and vehicle storage is available.
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A level and grassy site, overlooking Cefni Lake. Day permits are available for fishing.

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An all year site in a woodland with three ponds stocked with carp, tench and trout. Free half day fishing with all confirmed weekly bookings.

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Camp next to a well stocked carp fishing lake with 26 pegs. A gastro pub (The Wellington Inn) is within walking distance across the fields and a Garden Centre and Queenswood Country Park are close by.

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