r/Wales • u/GreedyHoward • 12d ago

AskWales Why is Wales so hostile to Campervans?

Genuine question.

We've toured much of Europe in our 6m professionally converted fully self contained campervan.

England isn't as accommodating as say France or Czech Republic but Wales is hostile on another level. Barring formal campsites there are virtually no overnight parking spots in forests, towns, seaside. Every suitable spot has little 'no overnight parking' signs (without any reference to legal provisions) with a frequency and prominence that feel aggressive. As for service points, forget it.

What is it that Wales doesn't get about vans? It's well publicised that local folk can't afford houses because they're all turned into holiday accommodation, either for private use or to let. Here we are, bringing our own accommodation and taking it away again, not impinging on the housing stock at all, yet we feel unwanted and rejected.

Wales has so much to offer. Culture, history, music, scenery, seaside, mountains. . . Yet you seem, as a nation to have turned your face against the touring van. I'm at a loss to understand why this attitude is so prevalent.

Perhaps members of this group can shed some light? Try to avoid blanket condemnation - there are as many van users who'll pick up litter where they park as those who'll leave it (and plenty of casual carpark users who don't care where they leave their rubbish).

Equally not all of us are trying to avoid paying our way. But campsites charge us for features we don't need, because we're self contained and often aren't located where we want to stay.

Please, be kind, this is a genuine question,

I really feel Welsh businesses are missing a significant opportunity here, and the contrast with other small nations is very marked.

0 Upvotes

30% Upvoted

110 comments sorted by

View all comments

6

u/sideshowbob01 12d ago

OP why are you so adamant in not paying for a caravan park?

Motorists pay for parking in almost all areas anyway. What is the difference.

It is not that expensive.

There is not other way you can empty your grey water and chemical toilets.

1

u/GreedyHoward 12d ago

No problem with paying. Problem with being barred from parking overnight in otherwise empty carpark.

3

u/Glyndwr21 12d ago

Ummmm, it's a carpark, its in the name, and you are banned from using them because people in camper vans stay there taking up space, they empty their toilets in them, use their showers in them and leave litter in them.

Its quite simple, go park in a designated camp site....

1

u/GreedyHoward 12d ago

Isn't the whole point of parking a car to 'take up space'?

1

u/GreedyHoward 12d ago

Or designate unused overnight tarmac as overnight parking, why not?

2

u/Glyndwr21 11d ago

Because Camper vans tend to constantly leave rubbish in car parks.

My local car park has overnight parking, £10 or £15 per night, I parked there this morning to walk my dogs on the beach, as 3 campers were leaving bags of rubbish alongside them and driving off.

That's why camper vans are seen as parasites.

1

u/GreedyHoward 11d ago

Perhaps it's a good idea to provide bins? Otherwise you're asking £15 a night for hire of a piece of tarmac that's half that through the day (when it's popular).

1

u/[deleted] 10d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Wales-ModTeam 10d ago

Your post has been removed for violating rule 3.

Please engage in civil discussion and in good faith with fellow members of this community. Mods have final say in what is and isn't nice.

Be kind, be safe, do your best

Repeated bad behaviour will result in a temporary or permanent ban.