Isn't it the Vagrancy Act that 'stops' wild camping?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdyz848j0no

Hyppy wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:33 pm Isn't it the Vagrancy Act that 'stops' wild camping?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdyz848j0no

Interesting, yes according to this blog

https://www.blacks.co.uk/blog/dartmoor- ... ing-banned

"When did wild camping in England become illegal?

Wild camping has been illegal in the UK for close to 200 years. The Vagrancy Act of 1824 made sleeping rough, regardless of reason, an offense. Its purpose was to deal with the growing number of homeless, but it also put a stop to wild camping. The law also restricted the public right to roam, nullifying the ancient Pass Laws."

I'm sure there's other sources but this came up in a quick online search

Still got the issue of trespass though. Not sure how that will pan out.

"The government's plan includes new legislation which will target crimes such as organised begging by gangs and trespassing, a statement said".

Not sure we beg in a gang very often (although I wouldn't say no if the Spar was shut!) but trespass goes with the territory for us (as it were).

"The Labour government said it plans to replace the Vagrancy Act with "targeted measures".... which will be introduced through amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, will include new offence..... trespassing with the intention of committing a crime".

Assuming 'resting' (in our case, asleep all night) isn't classed as a crime, that might be interesting.

On a tangent, it's always fascinated me that kipping by the wayside during daylight is generally seen as 'snoozing' but in darkness it's 'sleeping' and therefore more naughty.

Snoozing is decadent rather than criminal.

RIP wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:29 am On a tangent, it's always fascinated me that kipping by the wayside during daylight is generally seen as 'snoozing' but in darkness it's 'sleeping' and therefore more naughty.

And also perhaps why I've never heard of any vampires being given stick for wild camping.

No doubt it will remain a grey area open to interpretation until there is a test case enshrined in law. My taking (England & Wales) is that on RoWs we have a right to pass and repass, and to rest but not to erect a shelter. So, bivvy good, tent bad.
Can you imagine the furore once social media climbs onto the 'wild camping is allowed anywhere' bandwagon

psling wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 2:24 pm My taking (England & Wales) is that on RoWs we have a right to pass and repass, and to rest but not to erect a shelter. So, bivvy good, tent bad.

Yes I think the moving bit is the key here, it's what Stephen Neale's book on Wild Camping mentions, he cites the 1935 Vagrancy Act which specifically removed a section of the original 1824 act, "The reference in the said enactment [of 1824] to a person lodging under a tent or in a cart or waggon shall not be deemed to include a person lodging under a tent or in a cart or waggon [aka caravan?] with or in which he [sic] travels', so Neale's take on this for 'wild camping' is as long as we're travelling we're fine!

RIP wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:29 am On a tangent, it's always fascinated me that kipping by the wayside during daylight is generally seen as 'snoozing' but in darkness it's 'sleeping' and therefore more naughty.

Wildlife?