New campervanner looking for a good place to test

I think you should perhaps start by checking the law on wild camping. Here’s one source of info to get you started -https://www.salopleisure.co.uk/press/articles/motorhomes/a-guide-to-wild-camping-with-motorhomes-in-the-uk/3272

As you’ve joined CAMC, why not try using a CL if you’re looking for a secluded location rather than a big site? It'll be safe and have the basic necessities you'll need such as a toilet emptying point, fresh water supply and rubbish bins. Many even have electric hook-up points.

Tbh, I don’t think you’re posting on the right forum for info on wild camping park-ups but welcome to CT anyway.

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Alastair

You could have a look at the "Life is too Short" channel on YouTube. They have a similar sized van to yours and they do a lot of no campsite camping. I think there is a website called something like PitchUp which lists places where you are allowed to stay which are not campsites. Having said that might it not be a good idea to use a campsite for your first night where at least you would have all the facilities you might need?

David

My family had a Mazda Bongo, mostly used for trips to France. Can you heat yours easily? You might be better near an EHU as a start to see if everything works and the EHU might give you some back up especially if we have a cold snap. Good luck with your travels. 

You do need to do a bit of research around what is and isn’t allowed in terms of overnight camping. It’s always best to stay legal, but this doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. There are some lovely no hook up CLs that won’t cost very much, and you can always look at the Britstops option, which may or may not involve a small fee, but is very nice as locations are often based at pubs, craft type centres, some cafes etc…Just search “Britstops”. 

Just parking up and dossing down for free might not get you the welcome you expect, and if you are new to campervanning, you don’t really want a bad first experience. SearchforSites is another good website and will tell you if overnight stops are allowed, and how safe, enjoyable, peaceful they are. Some of the Forestry car parks welcome overnight stays for a small fee, so suggest you take a look. We did a couple of very nice Forestry stays in Scotland last year.

I agree with all the previous responses. However, for you first trip out with a new van I would pick a camp site. You will have all the facilities you need, and people around to help if there are things that go wrong, or you are not sure of.

Although I dont use CAMC club sites very often these days, I would actually go for a club site.  Then you have a warden on site, and despite some of the moans on here and elsewhere, most Club wardens in our experience have always been helpful.

If you're looking for a small, quiet site in the Forest of Dean for your first trip you could do worse than look at Hawthorne Cottage. You'd have full facilities and the reassurance of fellow campers to help out with any first time out questions.

https://www.hawthornecottagecaravansite.co.uk/facilities

Alastair, there is a "bongo" owners club which might be of interest to you, as they regularly have meets and would perhaps help you with any problems you may have. You can find a link on Facebook to them. We have a friend who owns one, is a member and enjoys her outings with them.I

You could you the Searchforsites website to find somewhere that would suit your requirements.

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/webapp.php

There have been some excellent points made in the responses so far.

If it is a first test run, surely you should test everything.  On a campsite with electric hook up  you will be able to do that. If you have any problems then hopefully you can sort them or have them sorted before you embark on any longer trips.

Why do you wish to "just park up and camp"?

Do you have a toilet of any kind  in your van? 

Do you have any heating in your van? If not, a small panel heater and/or a small fan heater will be most useful if you are using an electric hook up on a  campsite.

Like others have said...  I'd go to a proper site for the first journey out, at least..  Test everything out, and there will be someone around to ask for help if you need it.

I guess Cirencester Park CAMC site isn't too far away.... then there's the sites at Tewkesbury, Cheltenham (Racecourse), and even the 'Cotswolds sites' (Burford, Bourton, Moreton-in-Marsh).  Go close to home the first time out.....  if you forget anything, you can always nip home for it..  🙂

David

There are three pub based stop overs in the Forest of Dean, one with EHU. All have decent reviews. Just use Searchforsites.