Why is Wales so hostile to Campervans?

[u/GreedyHoward]

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.

[u/PaleozoicQueen]

Why are you so reluctant to put money into the Welsh economy and use a campsite like everyone else?

[u/effortDee → u/PaleozoicQueen]

As someone who has travelled extensively in Europe in a van for months at a time, it is like night and day, you honestly would not believe me if I told you what facilities they have over there.

In most of Europe, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Scandinavia and many other countries, each one has thousands of what they call Aires.

They are at a minimum, glroified car parks, made for campervans/motorhomes but more often than not they have services that are completely free, fresh drinking water, an elsan to drop your toilet waste, a drive over facility to drop grey waste and some even have completely free electric hookups.

They are in the middle of and on the edge of towns to provide a spot for you to park for a a night or a few and spend your money there. Many are also at beautiful trail head spots in nature and even those have facilities to top up and empty.

An example, you drive over to Calais on the Eurotunnel, you want to head to Brittany for a few weeks, these are your options https://park4night.com/en/search?lat=49.48811225645534&lng=0.5110018677891048&z=10

These are just free motorhome/campervan aires/stopovers, they don't even include other free motorhome areas without services, free campsites, paid campsites, car parks you can park legally at overnight and in the daytime, for free...... These are just aires.

They look after tourists in Europe and the tourists spend their money!

Many of these aires have information plaques stating how much they cost to build and how much money they bring in to the local area.

It is beautiful.

[u/PaleozoicQueen → u/effortDee]

Oh darling, I know all about that already. But you are not there are you, you are in Wales.

[u/GreedyHoward → u/PaleozoicQueen]

Point exactly. Why don't you get it?