Where to camp or not?

[Gretl]

Dear all,
next week we bring a visit to Devon to do a.o. some greenlaning. Are we allowed to camp anywhere we want in the UK? I mean, if you ask the owner of the land (if one can find him/her) can we then just settle down for the night?

regards from the Netherlands

[ROB 110 HICAP]

You would probably be fine if it was somewhere quiet with 'common' rights such as on moorland (but don't if there is no vehicular access). Offroad/greenlane issues are very sensitive in the UK. There is no way I would wild camp on anyones open land without their knowledge/permission, even if they have a legal greenlane running across it. I reckon a quiet fenced greenlane which would leave enough space to get round your vehicle would be ok.

[Gretl]

Would it then in all cases be wise to contact the local GLASS rep or can I just ask at the tourist info in one of the cities nearby a lane?

b.t.w. How come the sensitivity towards greenlaning when official maps show RoW's?

[JamesD]

GLASS rep cant really advise on camping, and tourist info will give you oodles of information on paid camping sites. it's legal to camp on dartmoor common areas and also woodbury common but dont expect to get much rest because there'll be 300 odd marines doing exercise up there who may run right through your campsite... especially on woodbury common!

[ROB 110 HICAP]

b.t.w. How come the sensitivity towards greenlaning when official maps show RoW's?

General public in the UK hate 4x4s and motorbikes, especially as they are perceived as being scum who ruin the countryside.

Ordnance Survey maps do show ROW but it does not mean they are legally open to vehicles. Red crosses and dots are 'Byways Open to all Traffic' (BOAT) and are generally open. red dots and dashes are 'Roads used as a public path' (RUPP) and don't neccesarily have vehicular access as they may have been downgraded to bridleways (red dashes).

The start of a greenlane is often signposted with a red arrow to show it has vehicular access, in some counties a blank 'finger post' (as opposed to having a walker/horse on it), or no signpost, or if you are lucky an arrow showing a Landy being jumped by a motorbike (but if this is in a big white circle with a red edge, it means no access).

Also there may be a piece of laminated A4 paper put up by the council telling you if the lane has a Temporary Restriction Order (TRO) which means it is closed. Some lanes local to me have apparently been closed because of continental 4x4 clubs abusing the rights of way.

Sounds gloomy, but it is enjoyable! Just use your common sense! Contacting a local GLASS member would be good.
Enjoy

[manthing]

tis a good idea to contact a Glass rep for info on those lanes that are open, but please give plenty of notice as the reps do all the work gratis and in their free time.
you could also contact the local 4x4 clubs and ask for the help of their ROW officer, maybe sujest an information swop for any of their members traveling to the Netherlands.

[Gretl]

Hi there, will do. I have sent some mails around, and will bring phonenumbers from GLASS reps etc. :)