CAMpRA and the National Trust

Closing the gate is not foolproof as I'm sure you realise, Steve, and it couldn't be locked without a means of emergency exit/entrance so I could understand any reticence on the part of the NT.

A similar situation occurs at the moment. National Trust Sites that have room are open to MH’s using the car park to visit the property. I’m not certain they would be so keen on caravans, although you see some at Clumber Park, where parking is not as regimented.
If the provision was made, I would expect it to be at no cost to the NT over time and actually make money once the initial investment had been paid for. I’m not sure why you see a MH that has been parked for nothing during the day, paying £20 to stop overnight when everyone else has left, as a bad thing. Other than that they may not permit  the same for caravans of course.

I doubt it too ET, but then I doubt many with caravans would possibly want to stay. Most tuggers want to get to a site, drop the accommodation off, and then start the holiday. It’s more likely they will be staying for a few nights in an area, rather than linear touring. That’s why you see the queues at Club Sites at or before arrival times. We did actually take our van on the back to a few big houses and gardens sometimes, but getting in isn’t always as easy towing as it is driving in with an MH. We have, many moons ago actually overnighted in our van in a couple of EH car parks, with permission I add. But a very long time ago, and remote properties.

The NT provides campsites that exclude MHs and caravans (small camper vans are ok) but it’s mainly down to the locations. No way would you get a van into Lansallos campsite, we know, we have looked. Many NT properties would be a challenge for larger MHs as well as caravans. So I don’t see it as a van v MH situation, more how each tour slightly differently. 

It would be nice if the NT joined something like Britstops or Campra, but it won’t alter how we tour with MH much anyway, as even in a touring boom period, with half the UK determined to tour SW, we managed with very little bother to do as we usually do. All legally, all at a price we thought great value. 

I’m sure we can all think of potential problems TW. However, I don’t think any are insurmountable. I doubt they leave the gate unlocked on a night at the moment, so there would at  have to be provision for emergency entry. Personally I think they would get enough takers at circa £20 to make it worth there while.

That’s the bit that needs consideration. NT needs to keep out the undesirable element, having been inside Clumber and seeing some of what goes on in there, it’s no wonder it’s heavily gated now. Access is ok to Club Site, but that’s just off a public road anyway. But those who take bikes to Clumber need to know how vulnerable it is. We wouldn’t overnight there😱

I wouldn’t want the NT to commit to making car parks into anything other than a simple park up. Taps and waste aren’t really required for a simple sleep over for a night. So it’s the access and egress that really needs consideration. Let those willing to pay a small fee in, but keep out those hel bent on mischief. Not easy🤔

This is what is on offer re- camp sites with the NT. LINK

There's quite a bit on offer already.

I don't see why they shouldn't. The problem arises with self-sufficiency. Motorhomes can generally manage three days or more without any infrastructure except somewhere to put their wheels. Caravans seldom can, although possibly could for one night. The aim was to facilitate "no frills" overnight parking for a nominal fee. I don't see how that is really "special provision" for motorhomes.

Is the concept of 'drive to an NT property, visit house/gardens, park overnight and move on the next day' such a reprehensible ambition?

Any where that gives cheaper stopovers for LVs will have unless policed,the problem of "freeloaders" using the facility ,

When Folkstone racecourse had a cc site ,it was a real problem for the site staff ,with it being so close to the Tunnel and Dover,

The Chemical emptying point was past the wardens compound ,,there was a big field used as LNA and Early Departures, It  it was the hedges round this field that were often used as an efluent and waste dumping area rather than be noticed they were there

The site wardens were out in the early hours taking down vehicle reg numbers making sure the owners of the LVs saw them

Not sure if it is still in operation? but if a cc site was on NT property you got cc members prices if a NT member ,

is it resiprical?

There aren't any gates at Stourhead. I can't imagine the NT would invest in any, I expect deliveries come in early both for the NT premises and the farm shop etc. There are a lot of NT properties which don't have gates. The concept of allowing other vehicles in for overnight stays would be quite complicated and in the case of Stourhead might disturb local residents. The fact that a CL exists is probably the limit of hospitality.