Problems of Youth

[O'Donoghuge]

Hi all, I have a couple of problems that I need sorting out.

Firstly, I live in the rural county of Wiltshire which is all farmland with very few large, wooded areas. The exam period is over in a few weeks so I would like to find somewhere to wild camp. The only area suitable for wild camping near me is Savernake Forest although it is frequented by other young people who go up there to do drugs.
If anyone knows where there is some suitable woodland for this I would be very grateful. Bear in mind that as I am just too young to drive it cannot be someone too far away from Wiltshire.
Secondly, Does anyone know of a good alternative to a tent? I dislike the size and obtrusiveness of a tent and would prefer something smaller like a bivvy bag. I've not got much money so would appreciate it if you limited suggestions to items south of £50.
Thanks in advance.

 

[bambodoggy]

Can't help with location as not my area but try swapping your tent for a tarp....even a green cheapy builders tarp would do but there are as many tarp types as tent types if you want to be a little exotic lol Do a search on here for tarps and have a go.

Good luck

 

[Harvestman]

For summer use, because it isn't the warmest solution, and it is bulky, you could look at the Czech army bedroll. Under £15.

http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1772

 

[Bishop]

Stand the problem on its head...
You don't need a lot of cover to conceal a tent or tarp setup so instead of looking for a huge woodland to hide in, find a smaller area that is harder to see or get to from surrounding roads, farms or houses.
Bing maps may be useful with the ability to switch between aerial photo and Ordnance Survey views of an area.

Secondly.. never underestimate 'pound' shops ..
gaffer tape, garden refuse sacks/ builders-painters plastic dust sheets/ foil survival blankets == DIY lightweight bivvy bag

PS..
there's no shame in catching a bus anyplace. It's cheap, almost as quick as a car and you can sleep en-route so ideal when making an early start or getting back from a rough night.

 

[ged]

Firstly, I live in the rural county of Wiltshire which is all farmland with very few large, wooded areas. The exam period is over in a few weeks so I would like to find somewhere to wild camp. ...

First it must be clear that "wild camping" (camping without permission) is mostly illegal in England, and that the forum rules (to which you have agreed in order to join the forum) do not permit us to encourage illegal activity.

That being said I feel unable to continue to the second issue.

But welcome to the forum anyway.

 

[Seadog]

A bit of a harsh reply. Firstly lets consider the difference between criminal and civil law. Wild camping [which is not always without permission] provided it is not associated with criminal damage is at worse trespass. Civil matter. If we are going to get picky the knives section on here [thanks to our barking mad laws] is a hot bed of real illegality of the sort that the police would actually be interested in. When I was young [a long time ago] I used to ask if I could camp overnight, one advantage of being younger and on ones own is that people often said yes. Agree that bag and simple tarp set up would work well.

keep your set up simple and unobtrusive, be polite and ask, and prepared to move on if it is a no. And keep your blade legal - the last thing you need is some policeman taking an interest in your kit and finding a knife that falls foul of the rules.

 

[Goatboy]

Feel really sorry for you and access laws was one of the reasons I didn't settle in England when I lived there many moons ago. Wilshire isn't landlocked though from memory (fuzzy though it is) would a spot of costal camping near a riparian zone maybe be an alternative?

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[sunndog]

as said mate, look for smaller places....theres no need to do naughty things either. go and ask some farmers for permission.
many farms have small stands of trees that are perfect for overnighters....you may have to offer some cash or even a bit of labour in exchange, one of my neighbors let some folks stay a couple of nights on his land in exchange for them pulling up a load of ragwort a while back

as someone else said, youth is on your side here. if you come across as a decent sort of lad you probably stand more chance than someone who looks like grizzly adam's rough uncle lol

.....adam

 

[Bishop]

Yep, never hurts to ask for permission in advance and it helps to provide identification of who you are and where you live. It's not so much they are worried you'll burn a copse down or find where the bodies are buried but rather that you might be part of some gang intent on rustling livestock, siphoning diesel, taking vehicles etc etc

 

[mrcharly]

Get a bicycle. If you are young and healthy, 50miles is nothing on a bike and will open up other areas of countryside.

Seadog is wrong about the knives; I've never once read anything on here about illegal behaviour with knives. That said, reduce your chances of falling foul of someone not understanding section139 by carrying a small Swiss army knife, one with a saw.

 

[boatman]

If Savernake is an option then you are not far from the Ridgeway. Had much pleasure from camping up along it. I believe that there are even some water points somewhere nowadays. At the risk of wrath from mods think about the Valley of the rocks near Fyfield or even Fyfield Down itself for a bit of stealth. Loads of wooded copses around you and you could even be legal and ask, say, the Home Farm Partnership for permission and possible sites around Mildenhall, Marlborough.

http://www.iwiltshire.co.uk/profile/193035/Marlborough/Home-Farm-Partnership/

Oldbury Camp, Cherhill hillfort was another great spot. Barbury Castle also but more frequented.

 

[oldtimer]

Yes, breaking the law can't be condoned, but neither can cramping the enthusiasm of youth. Camp late, leave early, leave nothing behind but good memories. That's been my practice for over 50 years and I don't feel like a criminal.

Can you get as far as Dartmoor? They seem more enlightened down there.