Land and how do you get the right response?!?

[PhilParry]

Hi All,

Newbie here, and trying to get some skills practice....living in Buckinghamshire there are lots of woods in the area, but how do you get permission from the landowners and what are you're rights of access (probably none from a camping perspective....but!!?!)?

Where do you start?!!?

All advice appreciated!

Phil

PS Smile....it makes people wonder what you've been up to!

 

[anthonyyy]

Good question. Wish I knew the answer. How do you approach a landowner asking for permission? In fact, how do you find out who the landowner is?

 

[JoshG]

Good question. Wish I knew the answer. How do you approach a landowner asking for permission? In fact, how do you find out who the landowner is?

Same problem here. This discussion has been all over alot recently, check the recent threads. Some people here are suggesting we find landowners (by guessing that they own the land because their farmhouse is nearby) and ask them for permission. Personally, I don't have the time for such vague guesswork driving around the country trying to identify a possible landowner.

Nobody wants to encourage everyone to wild-camp on land that belongs to the FC or other such folks, but at the end of the day options are extremely limited.

 

[spamel]

Careful now, you may upset a mod or two!! And they've got a lot of catching up with British Blades to do!!

Keep things legal, if you want to discuss bad stuff, I'd recommend you do it somewhere else.

 

[swamp donkey]

It is pretty easy to find out who owns land in this country , Just pop along to the land registry (on line) armed with the correct info location etc. only trouble is that you have to pay but only a couple quid a time . You can also get good ideas by going to your local record office. Does not always give you an up to date address.
But locals nearly always know, a few pints in the local nearly always brings results

 

[Ed]

Same problem here. This discussion has been all over alot recently, check the recent threads. Some people here are suggesting we find landowners (by guessing that they own the land because their farmhouse is nearby) and ask them for permission. Personally, I don't have the time for such vague guesswork driving around the country trying to identify a possible landowner.

Well you could always go to your local land registry and obtain the infomation. I'm not sure how much this will cost though, it may be quite expensive hence the reason people are suggesting just asking local people.


Ed

 

[swamp donkey]

Theres an echo on this site

 

[happy camper]

hello
this might give you some info on rights of access..
http://cms.countrysideaccess.gov.uk:80/places_to_go/open_access/
dont know about camping from a legal point of view, i live in scotland and the laws about access are different. Even up here i tend to say hello and seek permission / let people know what i'm doing if i see anyone who looks like they might either own or manage the land, it's only polite, and it's definately not a good idea to be too discrete and hide away anywhere there might be a chance of any shooting.

 

[JoshG]

Well you could always go to your local land registry and obtain the infomation. I'm not sure how much this will cost though, it may be quite expensive hence the reason people are suggesting just asking local people.


Ed

I might have to take up the registry idea, as I live in a pretty built up area and I can't think of any woodland nearby that could be privately owned.

 

[Abbe Osram]

Here in Sweden if I want to find out who is the owner of a particular place I mark it on my map and go to the town authorities which are responsible for land and measurement. Here its called "Landmäteriet" they measure the land. They have a register with the address and phone number of the family holding the rights to the land. To all this people you could first mail a letter in which you nicely write about your needs, wishes and that you taking well care for the land etc.
After a week you give them a call and check if they got your letter and what they think about it. You might even consider leasing a little bit of their land, it usually doesn’t cost that much.

Hope that helps
Good luck
Abbe

 

[rich59]

I am currently working on putting an advert in a journal "Small Woods" that goes to about 1500 recipients once a quarter, looking for people who might allow use of their land for meetups.

Suggestions please for some wording that would encourage positive replies. Here is my initial enquiry to the magazine.

<<
To: The Editor
Smallwoods

Dear Sir,

I would like to place an advert in your magazine. Could you tell me your terms and conditions, options on sizes etc.

I am a member of a hobby organisation called "Bushcraftuk" See http://www.bushcraftuk.com/ This is a mostly adult organisation that promotes and encourages its members in using traditional or ancient skills to not only survive in but to care for and enjoy the natural environment. One thing members enjoy doing is meeting to camp for weekends in natural environments, especially woodland. There are many parts of the country where such meetups have been very successful on privately owned woodland. However, in other areas, including SE England, no meetup has been possible so far for lack of a suitable site. On such meetups there is usually camping in tents (or sometimes bivuaks), cooking on open wood fires, sharing of bushcraft skills such as fire lighting, rope making, carving, identifying and using wild food etc. There is a mixture of singles and families. Meetings could be just a handful or up to 50 or more depending on terms layed down by the owner/ manager. Antisocial or offensive behaviour is frowned upon, there is no litter, everyone expects to co-operate fully with all rules, needs and wishes of the land owner and any neighbours, there is a profound respect for the natural environment, protecting rare plants and animals, and every effort is taken to leave the site as it is found. If there are any practical tasks needed to be done to help care for the woodland then bushcrafters may be pleased to help.

Therefore I would like to place an advert to see if it is possible to identify any landowners willing to allow a bushcraft meetup in their woodland.

Richard Neal
>>

Any feedback as to whether i have got the tone/ facts right etc much appreciated.

 

[jdlenton]

That’s a nice idea rich59 would be a good idea to talk to Tony before you publish something with the bcuk name in it and get his permission. As for the wording I'll have another read and let you know

James

 

[Celt_Ginger]

There is no alternative but to go and find out who owns the land. Ask in the local pub, ask the Butcher or postman, or call at the nearest farmhouse. Take a letter of introduction, with your name and address on it, be polite, and don't go dressed in combat gear or anything like that. It may help if you know one or two other local people who may give you a refference. Another thing to do, is go to local Farmers Markets, and while buying a few things, strike up a conversation with the stall holder, and ask them if they either know, or if they own the land. I am fortunate to live in the country, with farmers as my neighbours, and the one thing they hate, is people taking advantage of them. Always ask permission. You will be surprised as how nice some people will be to you. another thing to consider is joining an organisation that will provide you with insurance while out in the country, such as the Country Side Allience or even the BASC. Then as least the land owner knows you have the means to pay for any dammage you (might) do, and it will not be left to them.

 

[fa11en ange1]

The land registry really will be your best bet to find the contact details of a land owner. You can aid your search with an OS map, as these list the individual names of woodland and also indicate which are private and which already have casual public access (e.g. FC woods).

 

[jdlenton]

fftopic: ish

Celt ginger I'm interested in the insurance idea I've been talking to a local land owner and one of our big stumbling blocks is insurance please tell me more either by pm or here if it fits with the thread
Thanks James

 

[Celt_Ginger]

Here is a link to the Countryside alliance's Insurance.
http://www.countryside-alliance.org...rance_summary-of-cover-updated-final-2005.pdf

 

[rich59]

That’s a nice idea rich59 would be a good idea to talk to Tony before you publish something with the bcuk name in it and get his permission. As for the wording I'll have another read and let you know James

Thanks James for the feedback. It was on my mind that someone representing bushcraftuk, (i.e. Tony) should be consulted. You have pushed that thought more to the foreground.


Celt_Ginger

The idea of insurance made me think - perhaps bushcraftuk could offer insurance. I will suggest that on the members forum.

 

[Kane]

Perhaps it's time to formalise a Bushcraft organisation - bit like the Ramblers etc. Benefits could include insurance cover, code of conduct, an element of respectibility (if you know what I mean) the chance to negotiate group discounts with suppliers etc etc

Kane

 

[swyn]

I agree whole heartedly. I feel that it is time to form an association. I feel that realistically this is the only way forward with regard to land use. Public access is an accepted part of the countryside along with the Governments responsibilities. Bushcraft skills are firmly entwined with country skills. A blanket public liability insurance scheme would enable landowners to focus their liabilities too. This would possibly ensure an even playing field within the insurance world. There are no problems with powered machinery use. All access is on foot. Overall there are many benefits to woodland owners. Here's hoping!

 

[Gorge]

Why not look for droves on os maps. They are public land so there is no trespass and providing you dont obstruct the highway (such as prevent a farmer from being able to get a tractor past) are therefore commiting no crime.

Droves open up a lot of the countryside, and bushcraft doesnt just have to be practised in woods. Though plenty of woods with right to access lie next to droves.

Also look for disused railway lines, or canals. Once more it is very unlikely you are commiting trespass.

Though some droves may be well frequented by hikers. It is possible to find some very isolated places of great beauty