TheEscapist Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Hello everyone Nice to forum-meet you all. I have recently ought an 8m A-Class motorhome. I haven't done any motorhoming for many years so can experienced members tell me their experiences of stopping in non-site areas? I'm planning my first trip soon and want to get away from the crowds. I know safety can be a good or bad luck thing but do you generally feel safe parking up in wild locations and where in Europe? I know every country has rules on where you can and can't stop but where in Europe is it generally legally ok to park in a remote location? Thanks in advance Paul B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pagey Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 hi welcome i do not recommend other websites usually but have a look on http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/forum.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Hi, just a suggestion get yourself a copy of France Passions sites lists, no costs for overnights, but farmers, vineyards aires etc etc, offer parking free provided you have bought the book, but hope that you might sample their wares whilst there. book costs around 30 pounds, for years membership, . Similar system runs in italy, spain etcand uk version is known as Britstops. have fun, practice you french, and sample their wares, get well off the beaten track as well. tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEscapist Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 Thanks so much, Pagey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEscapist Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 Hi Tony That’s fantastic advice! Exactly what I’m looking for because I have van so no need for a room but I need a safe secure quiet place to park. Whoever thought that up was brilliant... I’ll buy them. Do you know if any sites offer electricity hook up or maybe dinner for an extra fee? I guess it’s negotibale with some or os it forbidden? Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Hi, with France Passion sites, they all offer the chance to buy thetr products, without obligation, just show the book on arrival, and say thanks on departure. Likewise with the uk version called Britstops, largely pubs, farm shòps etc again no obligation to purchase, but obviously tempting to sample their wares the book costs just over 30 pounds, and covers 12 months from March each year. good value . I have used one near kendal, Swindon, perth, and a garden centre not too far from Avimore, as well as a number of others at various times. France passion sites from a cider museum in northern part of france, lakeside view not too far from Millau, and many others relatively close to the main north south routes through france., including a Buffalo farm., enjoy it. tonyg3nwl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 TheEscapist - 2019-03-06 9:27 AM I know safety can be a good or bad luck thing but do you generally feel safe parking up in wild locations and where in Europe? I know every country has rules on where you can and can't stop but where in Europe is it generally legally ok to park in a remote location? Welcome to the forum Paul. I tour mainly in East European countries and wild camped en route at all sorts of places without any issues at all. Perfectly safe as long as you observe the obvious basics. If i'm transiting Germany to get to another country i'll often use the Autobahn as the rest stop areas there are fantastic...often screened by trees so shaded areas and they range from small rest halts with no facilities to huge service areas with restaurant, toilets and showers. Many will also have metal tables with benches set in the grounds so you can sit out and i've stayed on some rest stops which even had barbecue points. On Autobahn rest stops there is no stay limit at all.....you can stay as long as you like without charge unlike the draconian restrictions here in UK. We are virtually "third world" by comparison! Roadside restaurants are also a good place as many will let you overnight but be sure to give them custom if you do. I've overnighted at some really nice ones in Poland and Romania which i wouldn't hesitate to use again. Excellent food too! In France you've got a multitude of Aires and the equivalent in Germany, Stellplatz. Bordatlas do an excellent POI download of sites for various satnav units; https://www.bordatlas.de/overlays_en.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirou Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Legality largely depends on the country. I hardly ever stay at sites unless forced to by overzealous enforcement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solwaybuggier Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 TheEscapist - 2019-03-06 8:20 PM Hi Tony That’s fantastic advice! Exactly what I’m looking for because I have van so no need for a room but I need a safe secure quiet place to park. Whoever thought that up was brilliant... I’ll buy them. Do you know if any sites offer electricity hook up or maybe dinner for an extra fee? I guess it’s negotibale with some or os it forbidden? Cheers Paul It’s not forbidden at all. In Britstops, the majority of locations are pubs, of whom most offer food. There are a small minority that offer electric hook up as well - mostly for £3-5, although there is one at least charging £10! I don’t think France Passion indicates availability of hook up - never found it in France. The majority there are vineyards or other food producers, but there are some that specify meal is available if booked in advance. Also, don’t forget there are a wide range of Aires across much of Europe, where you can stay safely without paying for full site facilities. They range from free, some even with free electricity. France is seeing some of them become more commercialised, under the CampingCar Park brand. There are various books listing them - in English some use the All The Aires guides, produced by Vicarious Books, although personally I much prefer the more comprehensive guides produced in France, such as the Guide National Des Aires de Camping Car. Or there is a very comprehensive website at www.campingcar-infos.com , which includes other countries. For Germany there is a wide network, called Stellplatze (stopovers) - the book to get is the Bordatlas, which also has some coverage for most of Europe. Finally, someone mentioned the Wildcamping.co.uk website - can I suggest a free alternative, www.motorhomingwild.org. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Solwaybuggier - 2019-03-07 7:46 AM ...I don’t think France Passion indicates availability of hook up - never found it in France. The majority there are vineyards or other food producers, but there are some that specify meal is available if booked in advance... I was a member of the France Passion (FP) scheme for about 15 years. The expectation is that a motorhome arriving at a FP site will be autonomous and not require any ‘services’ like a 230V hook-up, taking on board fresh-water, or emptying of waste-water or toilets. This doesn’t mean that the owner of a FP site will never offer a 230V hook-up or fresh-water even if the motorcaravanner is in desperate need, but it’s wise to always assume that ’servicing’ will be unavailable. I have some reservations about large motorhomes and the France Passion scheme, as Paul’s recently-bought motorhome is an 8m-long A-class design. I’ve stayed at FP sites where parking that size of vehicle would be straightforward, but also stayed at FP sites where it definitely would not. The FP book indicates how many motorhomes each FP site can accommodate, and whether those vehicles can be ‘large’, but there’s no definition of maximum vehicle size. It’s perhaps something to bear in mind... The France Passion website should satisfactorily cover any questions about the scheme https://www.france-passion.com/en/ and the ‘Golden Rules’ are listed here https://www.france-passion.com/en/motorhomers/golden-rules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 I use the book " Camperstop Europe" covers all of Europe and a bit more. I have done much "wild" camping over the years ( about 40 or so) but would advise that most, if not all, countries have a more formal arrangement, costs can be as little as FREE to around €15. Some "wild" camping a locations can be risky, I never ever use a motorway for instance. Try a few nice "Aires" in France and then decide if "wild" camping is worth it, I don't think it is anymore, the police can knock your door at 3 oclock in the morning and make you move, they can and do issue fines "on the spot", use a proper Aire and have a good nights sleep. By the way, Vicarious Books sell all the guides, maps and lots more and they actual visit themselves so "All the Aires France" is a good way to start. H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejkay Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 In the eight years I have spent 10 to 14 weeks each year "wild camping" in Ireland, Scotland, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia. Notice the omission of England! Never, touch wood, have I had a problem. Just be sensible and considerate. In all my time I have used an aire once, in Bruges, because I wanted to be close to the town centre. I would point out that my motorhome is only 6m. An 8m van would probably be more difficult. I have taken my motorhome into some quite hairy places :-D Go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJB Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Camper contact also offers a vast array of options all over Europe. Can be downloaded to a smart phone and used offline. https://www.campercontact.com/en Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Have a good locking system on your motor home When you leave it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Hot news from a club member Please share in the region. Motor home stolen yesterday being Rimor- 51-P-Plus. Belgium plate 1- NLD-532. In Bicarrosse- LANDES France. Basic car Renault semi integral. Just in case you came across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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