View Full Version : no hammocks on public campsites?
outdoorgirl
27-05-2006, 18:19
Hi all,
I'm trying to plan a short 'family' camp (me, the fella, and three dogs) in June and have been trawling the camp site directories for somewhere nice, out of the way, but near to the coast (Dorset, Devon). Having rung a couple of places and asked about slinging a hammock only to be told 'that wouldn't be possible', I finally was told that any 'public' campsite with a 'star' rating would not permit hammocks due to the risk of injury to other campers (garotting was mentioned)...
Has anyone else experienced this phenomena?
ODG
Hi all,
I'm trying to plan a short 'family' camp (me, the fella, and three dogs) in June and have been trawling the camp site directories for somewhere nice, out of the way, but near to the coast (Dorset, Devon). Having rung a couple of places and asked about slinging a hammock only to be told 'that wouldn't be possible', I finally was told that any 'public' campsite with a 'star' rating would not permit hammocks due to the risk of injury to other campers (garotting was mentioned)...
Has anyone else experienced this phenomena?
ODG
similar but not exactly the same, i was told on a site near scarbourgh that could put up a hammock if, 1) i paid for the pitch/ space it took up, 2) it was no more than 6" off the ground for insurance ,3) i took it down at night, lol, lol, lol , i think he wanted to say no, but didnt want to upset a paying guest, lol
We used a forestry commision site in the New Forest and put up hammocks for lounging on during the day with no problem, we didn't ask but nobody said anything. The other option might be scout campsites, but some will only allow groups to camp.
wentworth
28-05-2006, 00:28
My partner and I had a similar experience when camping last year. Hammocks were prohibited at the camping grounds (more akin to a car park than a campsite). So we went 50 metres of the beaten track and set up our hammocks. It was a much nicer campsite, no noise from any neighbours.
The last night, there was a huge storm which brought tree limbs crashing down. We slept comfortably and dry, but on arriving back at the designated campsite, found that everyone in tents had been drenched by sidewards blowing rain!
Hi all,
I'm trying to plan a short 'family' camp (me, the fella, and three dogs) in June and have been trawling the camp site directories for somewhere nice, out of the way, but near to the coast (Dorset, Devon). Having rung a couple of places and asked about slinging a hammock only to be told 'that wouldn't be possible', I finally was told that any 'public' campsite with a 'star' rating would not permit hammocks due to the risk of injury to other campers (garotting was mentioned)...
Has anyone else experienced this phenomena?
ODG
Interesting that garrotting was mentioned..... I wonder how people fare when they put a washing line up (as so many campers and caravanners do??? Makes ya think eh ?? :confused:
Hi,
The campsites that i have usedmy hammock at seem not to have been a problem mind you i didnt ask and just set it up but no one complained, mind you that might have been due to the range of sharp things laying around :lmao:
as a second thought it was at This place (http://www.tomsfieldcamping.co.uk/index.html)
i will let you all know how things pan out tomorrow night when i try again.
louis
PhilParry
20-06-2006, 23:03
So if there are tents around with guy ropes what happens? If kids are running around they are equally likely of garrotting themselves. :togo:
I had a similar experience recently at a camping and carravan site - all very "poshe" but no flexibility at all. :rant:
And people wonder why we go off into the undergrowth to do our thing?!! :cussing:
Ahem...perhaps I should re-phrase that..... :o
Phil
wentworth
21-06-2006, 00:33
No, I think you've got a wonderful way with words :D
I wonder sometimes if it wouldn't be better to beg forgiveness, than ask permission? :lmao:
I wonder sometimes if it wouldn't be better to beg forgiveness, than ask permission? :lmao:
Try the salesmans method: don't ask a question that can be answered with a no.
It is always easie to say no than yes. It saves having to engage in further conversation.
If you have to ask try, "Would you prefer that I sling my hammock over there, or over there?" Or combine with flattery and start with: "My friend stayed here last year and told me that your site is immaculate. Would you prefer .... etc."
We stayed at the YHA site near Wantage where they have camping and two static wigwams for 'hire'. There is a small copse on the site and when I enquired the Wardens said that we could have put a hammock up. I think the novelty value may have had something to do with it. We walked part of the Ridgeway - as its on our doorstep - and we thought it would make for a cheap holiday / getaway. Only 2 campsites listed in the guide book - so you are pushed towards stealth camping, or worse - B&B :eek:
One place we were at in the Highlands last summer said it would have been fine to put up hammocks, and they had kids running around the wooded parts of the site all the time. This was on the West Highland Way, so they has allsorts of folks calling in.
Most places we try seem to only want to have caravans / touring tents that have their own facilities and need electricity. Not our kind of camping. Seems to be a SE thing. Too many people chasing too many SUVs! :lmao:
Someone made a point about guylines and tents. A childhood friend tripped and fell over a tent guy and her cheek was impaled on a tent peg. She was fine, but had a nasty scar. Your point is well made.
Aside / BTW: Your help is appreciated with this, as it's kind of related:
I'm trying to find a good campsite in the east of England - around Thetford Forest - where you can camp in a tent or hammock, that doesn't require you to have your own chemical toilet (nasty unhygenic things :yuck: ) Any ideas on this guys and gals? please pm me. I've found one site that is on the edge of Mildenhall airbase, so far!
ilovemybed
21-06-2006, 13:17
I wonder sometimes if it wouldn't be better to beg forgiveness, than ask permission? :lmao:
That was my first thought to (Almost word for word :lmao: )
But unfortunately you really should abide by the landowner's rules, no matter how outlandish. If you don't like 'em, I'm afraid you should just find somewhere else.
Not quite 2p worth, but you can keep the change :p
demographic
21-06-2006, 18:58
I wonder sometimes if it wouldn't be better to beg forgiveness, than ask permission? :lmao:
My technique down to a T:D
bombadil
17-07-2006, 18:02
Come here to the Amazon......hammocks are the only beds you'll find :p
:1244:
mealex666
13-08-2006, 21:46
Hi all,
I'm trying to plan a short 'family' camp (me, the fella, and three dogs) in June and have been trawling the camp site directories for somewhere nice, out of the way, but near to the coast (Dorset, Devon). Having rung a couple of places and asked about slinging a hammock only to be told 'that wouldn't be possible', I finally was told that any 'public' campsite with a 'star' rating would not permit hammocks due to the risk of injury to other campers (garotting was mentioned)...
Has anyone else experienced this phenomena?
ODG
me and my friend never have any problems like this, i live in dorset and we often go for walks around for a few days and set up camp were ever we want. when we go, no one would ever know we've even been there,
:)
Spikey DaPikey
13-08-2006, 22:19
Myself, Womble_Lancs and Maddave all stopped here the night before the bushmoot. Great site, friendly staff, and the local chinese takeaway deliver to it as well !
When asked about hammocks, he said he had never heard of them for camping, but it's something he's going to look into :)
LINK HERE for Acorn Campsite (http://www.campingandcaravansites.co. uk/index.htm)
Dont know the owner's etc just a damn good site, and it was also biker friendly, and stayed open for us, when we rang to say we were running late :)
me and my friend never have any problems like this, i live in dorset and we often go for walks around for a few days and set up camp were ever we want. when we go, no one would ever know we've even been there,
But its still illegal mate..... you really should take the time to get the land owners permission.... you never know, you may get a nice private spot you can use regularly along with permission to take wood (both dead and green) and maybe the odd bunny ;)
Please guys and gals.... keep within the law
Ed
The laws an :censored: in england when it comes to camping.
there should be a right to camp law. I live within a couple of miles of cannock chase and there is strictly no wild camping on the chase, how stupid can you get
:censored: 's.
Someone should start a campaign to have the right to camp on any land you want as long as you follow certain codes. This should include private land as well.
:soapbox:
sorry for going off topic :naughty:
Cairodel
14-08-2006, 20:16
Thought about buying a hammock, but........
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/Cairodel/Sinai/263_000_P_011A.jpg
You could always string it between 2 camels, just watch out for the spiders :yuck:
Someone should start a campaign.....:
Well volunteered! :p
drstrange
15-08-2006, 19:27
It is illegal to sling a hammock in the deep dark wood and sleep there.
Better not do it then.
HAVE WE ALL GONE MAD????? :confused:
My god, you just have way to many rules. Shouldn't people be given some responsibility. I guess you have it like in Germany too then, where almost all cliffs are fenced off if they are along a public hiking route?
My opinion is that it is your own responsibility to keep yourself healthy and alive. Normal caution should be expected by anyone. Speed limits are okay, but as long as things are to be considered non-moving objects, such legislation is insane.
Torjus Gaaren
drstrange
15-08-2006, 20:25
Torjusg,
My post was sarcastic about not hammocking in the deep dark wood, I agree with you that there are times personal responsibility and considered risk in the interest of reasonable personal freedom is better than blind adherence to laws.
Althoug I would ask permission to fly on private (farmers land etc.) in the interest of not getting a shotgun pellet in my Butt! :)
Torjusg,
My post was sarcastic about not hammocking in the deep dark wood, I agree with you that there are times personal responsibility and considered risk in the interest of reasonable personal freedom is better than blind adherence to laws.
Althoug I would ask permission to fly on private (farmers land etc.) in the interest of not getting a shotgun pellet in my Butt! :)
I didn't bother reading more than the first few posts so I answered only to the first post. Should have stated that in my post. Sorry :o
Torjus Gaaren
Spikey DaPikey
15-08-2006, 20:43
welcome to the uk :o
Not the UK. England and Wales.
Here in Scotland you can wild camp/hammock almost anywhere provided you do so responsibly. It is similar to the Scandinavian 'allemansratt.'
I think the situation in England has come about partly because of history (feudalism) and partly due to population density (about 4 times that of Scotland.)
drstrange
16-08-2006, 15:43
What happens to someone who gets caught fly hammocking?
Has anyone ever been convicted of this offence, if so, how was it dealt with by the law?
i've never heard of anyone being prosecuted. You would probably be asked to leave. I think the very worst that could happen was a prosecution for tresspassing but very unlikely.
Spacemonkey
16-08-2006, 19:26
It's a civil thing isn't it, not criminal??? So you'd probably just get 'moved on'.
drstrange
17-08-2006, 11:14
I can see it now:
Good evening, due to the growing interest in the environment, and many more people taking an interest in the activities of television personalities such as Ray Mears and that bloke from South Africa wot catches snakes, local farmers and institutions such as the National Forestry Commission and The National Trust are worried about the increasing number of so called 'bushcrafters' whose woodland hammocking activities, they say, pose a serious threat to the British way of life. A NFC spokesman added: "I can't understand these people, they have nice televisions, various food outlets all within driving distance (a quarter of a mile), nice, solid walled houses and flats, yet they persist in wanting to come out here, and ILLEGALLY sleep between two old trees, at night". An official from the National Trust added: "some of these modern day 'Davy Crockets' even have spouses and children who they openly encourage to copy their anti-social behaviour".
A community divided
Following the recent high-profile raid on a house in Ballham where two suspected 'bushcrafters' were arrested by police for plotting to hammock in a pre-selected area of Ashdown Forest and where police recovered items from the house such as 'Nickwax and Grampas pine tar soap (evidence of a laundering operation) and exremist literature such as 'Ray Mears essential bushcraft', and in the wake of the 8.14 atrocity where four groups of 'back-countrymen' (as they are sometimes known within restricted circles) simultaneosly hammocked in four different secluded woodland areas in an evil act designed to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible, the governement is seeking stronger powers to clamp down on what they are describing as 'the most significant threat to normal-acceptable consumer values in recent years'. A goverment spokesman explains: "We can't let this continue, we have to think about the well-being of countless multinational corporations, not to mention the media, advertising industry, supermarket chains, military industrial complex and so on... if people start to rely on their own initiative and imagination, then who knows where it will all end up, our advisors are already running worst case scenarios around nightmare situations such as vastly reduced ITV1 viewership, group-buying syndicates (whole groups of friends bulk-buying essentials together and sharing the savings), and the reduction of the tourism industry and the package holiday". "It's up to the general public to be vigilant" he added, "but we must be mindfull, and avoid a backlash to the general camping and caravaning community whose activities are completely legal". We asked a group of caravan club memebers how they felt in the wake of recent events: "It's realy been hard lately, people have been looking at us differently, we can't go into a Millets store or buy a bottle of calor gas without arousing suspicion, it's a shame that a small minority of extremists can spoil things for all of us" and the Camping and Caravan association of UK issued a statement condemming the recent hammockings as "an act of pure evil, attacking the values of the whole community".
Sleeper cells
Following a recent visit to the UK by controversial and outspoken bush-cleric Moors Konchisksi, the government is looking at other ways to deter what it calls 'home-grown countryside-longers', and is working with the Swedish and Canadian authorities (countries where bushcraft training camps are said to exist) to stop the flow of impressional young converts between there and the UK .
Watch this space.
gregorach
17-08-2006, 11:33
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Spikey DaPikey
17-08-2006, 12:42
Very good :lmao:
weekender
17-08-2006, 14:11
:lmao: :lmao: thats what it will come to you can just imagine :rolleyes: lol
spikeydapikey you said you found a biker friendly campsite as a fellow biker when i get the chance to get out(IOM booked for next year :D ) could you give me the details of where it was.
cheers
weekender
no worries just found your thread.
:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Hi guys, new to the forum, nothing witty to say, but would like to know if I am breaking site/forum rules to advertise my spectacular bushcraft campsite that allows hammocks and campfires for responsible campers and groups.
drstrange
05-09-2006, 22:41
Hi guys, new to the forum, nothing witty to say, but would like to know if I am breaking site/forum rules to advertise my spectacular bushcraft campsite that allows hammocks and campfires for responsible campers and groups.
**** the rules, wheres the site!!! (no offence mods!)
People have no respect for the alternate campers. Theres the security issue though with tarps and hammocks, if thats what your reffering to. You cant leave your tarp n if you take it with you, your spot might get taken........especially during the packed summer months.
drstrange
05-09-2006, 23:34
Lets face it. public campsites are for 'the public'.
so is Bingo
so is Eastenders
so are Thorpe Park
so is Nike
so is Strictly come dancing on ice in the jungle
so are Ready Meals (even though its the same initials as Ray Mears)
so is Cillit Bang
so is The National Lottery
so is DFS
so is Wogan
so is Peter Storm
so is Nissan Micra
so is Chicken Tonight
so are Plug-in air fresheners
so is Hammocking (er, no sorry that isn't)
so are OK and Hello magaznes
so are Clip Shows
so is Decking
so are those "Beautiful and useful awnings" wot John Stalker advertises
so are Easter Bank holiday DIY projects
so is Cilla Black
so were 'The Swinging Sixties'
so were 'The Sweaty Seventies'
so is Madonna
so is Calor Gas
so is Fashion
so are The Chuckle Brothers (They're not that bad actaully)
so is Religion
so is Classic FM
so is Smooth FM
so is Lager
so is Crimewatch UK
so is The Daily Mail
so are rediculously easy Phone in Quizzes like "What is The Earth: a) Our Planet or b) a shoesize or c) your elbow
So is So is So is........
The chuckle brothers are still around!? There welllllllllllllllllllllllll old. I rember watching them when I was like 7 or somthing. Woah they must be gettin on in years.....prunes.
Where is your site PaulCD which allows hammocks and fires? PM sent.
I'm sure Paul will post soon, but it's near Hay-on-Wye (http://www.yellowwood.co.uk/).
After Bushmoot we all hightailed it up to the Cairngorms and then West Scotland for three weeks. Were accosted by a ranger who (upon seeing a Kelly Kettle of all things) got all chatty and realised we were being responsible campers. The Scots have wonderful access laws (very recently tweaked and codified) which allow you to wild camp anywhere as long as you are willing to be 'responsible for your actions' (can't see that catching on in England!!!). I was so impressed I might even get a kilt.... :eek:
N
I'm sure Paul will post soon, but it's near Hay-on-Wye (http://www.yellowwood.co.uk/).
Thanks for the link, Led.
I'm just putting finishing touches to the forestry track which will enable access into the woodland, then I will be putting up details on my website pretty soon.
We need a list of basic campsites like this, don't we? Somewhere you can turn up after a weeks work, at a favourite spot, light a fire and pitch tent/hammock, mix with others under a para or keep yourselves to yourselves? Hope to catch up with some of you soon. PCD
After Bushmoot we all hightailed it up to the Cairngorms and then West Scotland for three weeks. Were accosted by a ranger who (upon seeing a Kelly Kettle of all things) got all chatty and realised we were being responsible campers. The Scots have wonderful access laws (very recently tweaked and codified) which allow you to wild camp anywhere as long as you are willing to be 'responsible for your actions' (can't see that catching on in England!!!). I was so impressed I might even get a kilt.... :eek:
N
Woah, sweet! I might just take the gruling train ride up there next year and get away from everything.....it'l be just the like the 39 stepsss....(damn I hate that book).
Sorry, I dont know how to use the fancy quote box thingy but someone asked what would happen to you if you were caught illegally hammocking. well, as a cop I tend to avoid odd looking folk, hiding in the bushes with pointy things but it's not a criminal matter really, it's a civil thing. you would mostly just be asked to move on and have your details taken and passed on to the land owner who may decide to take legal action. Thats how I see it but then again it doesnt come up that often in Manchester.
I've found exactly the same problem with hammocking at "proper" campsites. I got the same feedback about garoting etc, and also about not being allowed to tie anything onto trees, as apparently this would harm them.
Ironically I have hammocked at a large service station just outside of Frankfurt, between a tree and a lamp post in the parking area. The German police had a look at me setting up, and then left me to it. I also got a lot of strange looks from the caravan dwellers. :yelrotflm
I sometimes find the time to go surfing in North Devon, and would ideally stay on a campsite with washing facilities (hot showers!) and sleep in my hammock (so much more comfortable). If anyone knows of anywhere around Croyde, please PM me, or reply on here.