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Camping on uneven overgrown land?

B

Barry Chuckle

Messages
560
Location
UK
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 204
I own a small plot of land in Yorkshire, which is quite isolated and has beautiful views. The land is a little uneven and it gets very overgrown as I only visit several times a year. I was wondering if anyone has ideas on the feasibility of being able to camp on there in the Cali? I'm not sure whether there is some ground sheets I can put down before I drive onto the land or whether I can even drive over the foliage to flatten it when it grows. I've looked into getting it leveled and covered with stone but the cost is prohibitive for the times I'd use it. Any ideas as to whether it's even worth staying on the land or how to easily cut it with tools I could carry in the van? I'm guessing I'd need leveling blocks as an absolute minimum.
I could be open to allowing members from here to stay on the land on the premise they cut the growth down for the area where they leave the van.

I've attached a picture of the land along with another of how quickly the growth returns, any ideas/suggestions would be most welcome!

land overgrown.jpegLand mowed.jpeg
 
Barry Chuckle said:
I own a small plot of land in Yorkshire, which is quite isolated and has beautiful views. The land is a little uneven and it gets very overgrown as I only visit several times a year. I was wondering if anyone has ideas on the feasibility of being able to camp on there in the Cali? I'm not sure whether there is some ground sheets I can put down before I drive onto the land or whether I can even drive over the foliage to flatten it when it grows. I've looked into getting it leveled and covered with stone but the cost is prohibitive for the times I'd use it. Any ideas as to whether it's even worth staying on the land or how to easily cut it with tools I could carry in the van? I'm guessing I'd need leveling blocks as an absolute minimum.
I could be open to allowing members from here to stay on the land on the premise they cut the growth down for the area where they leave the van.

I've attached a picture of the land along with another of how quickly the growth returns, any ideas/suggestions would be most welcome!

View attachment 117565View attachment 117566
Click to expand...
A Petrol strimmer fitted with a Brush blade would cut that down and then peg out weed proof membrane on the access and a pitch area? Ideally cover with a load of " scalpings".
 
WelshGas said:
A Petrol strimmer fitted with a Brush blade would cut that down and then peg out weed proof membrane on the access and a pitch area? Ideally cover with a load of " scalpings".
Click to expand...
Will weed membrane be hard wearing enough for vans driving onto it?
 
This should take care of it. Maybe the US Airforce have a barrel going spare.
Unknown-1.jpeg
Beautiful location.....
 
Barry Chuckle said:
Will weed membrane be hard wearing enough for vans driving onto it?
Click to expand...
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WelshGas said:
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Fabric Comparison Guide

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Click to expand...
You've been ever so helpful thank you ever so much. I'm going to try the membrane solution, I suppose the only challenge is going to be it slopes downwards slightly so I'm not sure how long the stones would stay in place for. I know you can get some plastic gridding which can aid with this.
 
In my motorhoming days, I carried an old fashioned sickle, to the metal haft of which I could fix a short wooden handle or a long broom type handle, both of which had other uses and both designed to just bolt into the haft to be secure. It was very effective.
 
Barry Chuckle said:
You've been ever so helpful thank you ever so much. I'm going to try the membrane solution, I suppose the only challenge is going to be it slopes downwards slightly so I'm not sure how long the stones would stay in place for. I know you can get some plastic gridding which can aid with this.
Click to expand...
Unlike the more decorative gravels Scalpings won’t “ flow” so easily. You could lay the membrane and lay some timber across it at right angles to the slop, using roofing battens which come in long lengths and are treated, pegged into the ground and then place the scalpings in between. This would stop the gravel sliding. Would probably only need 2 or 3 on the access and same on the pitch. Use cheap rock pegs to secure.

 
Have a word with local farmer(s) as they might be able to offer a viable solution.

Beware that it may then be attractive to the Traveller types to pitch there.
 
B J G said:
Have a word with local farmer(s) as they might be able to offer a viable solution.

Beware that it may then be attractive to the Traveller types to pitch there.
Click to expand...
I agree. Leaving land open and accessible is asking for trouble. You will end up with a load of free mattresses and sofas. I'd be tempted to make it less accessible
 
B J G said:
Have a word with local farmer(s) as they might be able to offer a viable solution.

Beware that it may then be attractive to the Traveller types to pitch there.
Click to expand...
Thanks didn't think of that point, and there is a lot of heather on the land ;) .......
 
Barry Chuckle said:
Thanks didn't think of that point, and there is a lot of heather on the land ;) .......
Click to expand...
They'd have fun trying to pitch one of their caravans on that, and how close is it to any conurbation where they could do business?
 
Depending on how wet & soft the ground gets I would be inclined to keep the ground planted, rather than clearing it. The roots of the vegetation will help it bind together and reduce the chances of sinking into the mud. Maybe level it a bit.
 
ArunAlec said:
Depending on how wet & soft the ground gets I would be inclined to keep the ground planted, rather than clearing it. The roots of the vegetation will help it bind together and reduce the chances of sinking into the mud. Maybe level it a bit.
Click to expand...
That's another idea, and when I took my Land Rover onto it, I just used it to flatten the growth which was about 3ft high. But the LR had much higher ground clearance would that approach be advisable in the Cali?
 
WelshGas said:
A Petrol strimmer fitted with a Brush blade would cut that down and then peg out weed proof membrane on the access and a pitch area? Ideally cover with a load of " scalpings".
Click to expand...
Strimmers are the cause of horrendous injury to wildlife. Could you please consider even beating( as in beating the bounds) prior to strimming.
 
If you use the diesel heater, then there is a risk of it burning the grass under and causing a fire.

I would carry an electric brush cutter with me and just clear enough for me to park when I need it.
 
Or just leave it as the natural habitat it already is……
 
I used these gravel grids for a hard standing for our caravan.

It's a great solution.

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Also as someone mentioned above the green reinforcing GR14 is also very good. Grass and weeds still grow through it and it becomes invisible over time.
 
Local farmer could help. A couple of sheep would sort that along with some flattened rubble through the gateway. This would look normal for a farmers bit of land and not too noticeable for general public.
 
Last edited:
larrylamb said:
Local farmer could help. A couple of sheep would sort that along with some flattened rubble through the gateway. This would look normal for a farmers bit of land and not too noticeable for general public.
Click to expand...
Sheep only eat short grass - goats would do it but they are escapologists!
 
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