It all depends on what your vehicle is registered as. If it’s registered as a camper, you’ll get fined, but you pay less road tax, can drive at 70mph on a dual carriageway etc. if it’s registered as a van, you won’t get fined or moved on and if you do receive a penalty, you’ll be able to get it cancelled, but you’ll pay higher road tax and can only drive at 60mph on a duel carriageway. Pros and cons of both, but there’s the law in a nutshell.
Really? So if my daily driver is a VW California and if I stay in an AirBnB without off-street parking then I get fined on the presumption that I’m guilty of something due to the V5 classification? From what I’ve seen, I’m pretty sure you can exceed 70 in a Sprinter van. In fact, I don’t think they go less than 90.
@@LoveSundays the implication was that you get fined if it’s classed as a camper. Personally I’m not buying it - traffic wardens don’t access the DVLA database and local police have limited jurisdiction and far bigger fish to fry in almost all of the UK.
What annoys me the most is, this was a wholesome, nice experience. You spent some decent money in the town including contributing to the council by using their car park. No rubbish, no harm done, no noise, what is the issue? Penalise the idiots who treat it like shite not the nice dudes like yourself.
The law is supposed to be applied without prejudice. Yes I know that often doesn't happen and in a lot of cases, it's the people you describe above, the ones causing the nuisance that get away with it whilst decent people have to pick up the tab.
Great video BTW - two things if you are letting everyone know about stealth camping won’t that ruin it for when you next want to stealth camp there ? Just a thought!! Second the more the council put away with any free parking or hour free parking the less likely the shops and businesses will suffer in the long run. You use to be able to park and grab a coffee and sandwich for free those days are almost gone!!
I think bringing this to the councils attention might make them reconsider allowing campers to stay overnight with a small overnight charge even if they limit it to 1 night. If the council prevent me from staying there in future I’ll just make another video about it. I probably wouldn’t stay in the same carpark again as I only live up the road anyway.
@@LoveSundays hey that sounds like a good plan. Me and a best mate stayed all over Cornwall and in st ives for one night in a VW camper 20 yrs ago it was brilliant. So many awesome memories. Less restrictions then. 👍
Yeeewww 🤙 🤙 🤙 , we are famous 😂 😂 😂 cheers dude, you legend. That however, was also an epic vlog. Thanks again for the shout out bro. 🤙 Stoking out my mind. - Stevie 🤙 🌊 🚐
@@zoebaboweee9653 cheers me lovely, TSV Fam definitely here supporting Shaun blowing up right now and Shaun gave us an epic shout out 😁 which is sick 🤙 yeeewww 🤙
Hi, as a resident who works next to that car park I can say you were lucky, as we're coming out of season the island car park is still the first to fill up and busiest one throughout the year. As a rule and if down for the day, during summer season the best and largest car parks are up on the hills above the town with one next to the leisure centre and another by the rugby field as they have far more capacity and offer some overnight availably. Still, glad you had a nice time in town and wish you luck in your adventures.
Thank you that’s really nice of you to say. Thanks for the tips. I live locally so tend to stay away from st Ives in the summer months but agree the top carpark is probably more suited
@@ATMS-xp3px because it a low cost way of holidaying etc the council don't like it coz your not spending all your money they try and make it hard as possible for u so that next year your stay in a campsite where u gotta pay or go in a hotel
I have stealth camped for many years and still do. UK and Europe and beyond. No windows in my van. No bulkhead (Instant go access). I love it. Neat and tidy image. No problems.
Nailed it mate! I've 'stealth camped' since even before a name was given to it, never any problems. As you say mate, no windows/bulkhead, all good. Basically, if you van look like a camper, your gonna get attention.
Got to say, I much prefer the camouflage of a bulkhead myself. One side of my bulkhead looks like a cosy home, the other is plain ply, making it look for all the world like a builders van. I do have a hatch though, ostensibly for long items but in reality for me to get through.
St Ives used to be lovley. Now people are too greedy... Pathetic country we live in now.. Were does it end. 😩🤬Our children will really suffer. If they can be bothered to go to this once lovely cornish town.. Over £150,per NIGHT for acomadation... Pathetic.Greedy sad people... 🤬
Great fella I’m homeless and was living in my van in London in a small quit road. All taxed, insured etc Some nice neighbours and bad ones(obviously daily mail readers 😂) I had a little gas bottle cooker. Then st Mungos where I am now are helping me. Lovely people
I have a Berlingo with dark tinted windows and black curtains. I have a solo stealth camping set-up inside with a full length single bed, also with a loo (essential to be discrete). When I visit my daughter at Falmouth uni it saves me a fortune - I never use car parks, just residential back streets. I set up the bed away from where I will stay, then park up midnight ish. Either no one notices or no one cares. Back when I had a T2 I had "the 4am knock" from the police once near London, but this thing just passes for an empty car with tinted windows.
Falmouth is a great place for it because so many vanlifers live there the police and locals don’t tend to notice 😂 it’s the hotels that get annoyed with it
Yes Berlingos are a great workhorse . I just bought another one as a spare for that , but I am not going to be able to do so as the son in law has it until we wanted to go away , and doesn’t want to relinquish it as he needs it . I’d feel too mean but at least he is enjoying the Berlingo. I wouldn’t convert it though many do as it becomes too heavy. But one good idea is you can get like a tent ⛺️ awning for the back door when you are on a camp site. You have got your head screwed on the right way round.
The crochet blanket is just beautiful. And all the more beautiful because your mom made is special, just for you, so you carry your mom wherever you go. That must make you feel wonderful. I smile just thinking about it! 😊 So many places to choose from to get something to eat, and all the places seem so welcoming. The food looks fantastic! The car park looks so peaceful for stealth camping. You look completely relaxed and cozy in your bed. And sleeping straight through the night is like epic. You wake up well rested and ready for another great day! Wow, what a perfect life!
NV200 owner here, first time viewer. Great video, raising some valid points on the NIMBY attitude of councils and authorities in the UK. Wish we had a more sensible approach like the French with aires and designated overnight areas (with a responsible attitude from both the local authorities and campers), things like coded public toilet access for a small fee, with then eating and drinking locally to ensure money entering the local economy, win win all round surely (we have overnighted like you in the video but don't have a toilet in the van which can be quite limiting with a leave no trace mindset!) Cheers!
Beautiful video & music! Thank you for keeping the vibe high & real, leaving no trace & being super grateful! Sweet blanket from your Mom to keep you cozy & feelin’ the love! Get those outside cameras too for peace of mind & protection. Many blessings on your journey💙🌟🌈🕊🙏
When I last visited the UK in 2017 I spent more money on parking than on food. As an expat who has lived in South Africa for 50 years I was seriously pissed off with local councils using parking as a money grab and then still having the cheek to price gouge it.
A lot of the seriously expensive car parks are privately owned. There's certainly some that are owned by the council but they tend to be much much cheaper by comparison.
I’ve just stumbled across your videos because I have the same van as you. It’s just brought so many great memories back watching this video, my nana recently passed away and we used to visit the places you have been on his video, pubs and bars, it’s off seeing the same places open that we’re when I was a child, I’m 40 now. we even used to park in the car park you stayed in, her dog even jumped over the barrier in front of your van chasing after a seagull, he survived, god knows how. I don’t get chance to visit st Ives anymore as I live in York but I will return soon, even try some camping in my new van. Keep up the good work, sorry for the long post. John
This is what St Ives doesn't seem to realise - the amount of trade they lose because people can't stay over in vehicles. Look how you spent your money locally, which might not have happened if you'd had to leave. Certainly you wouldn't be hitting the beer if you knew you had to drive afterwards. In France, I parked in so many free spots with water and bins provided by a town or village. They have just a little sign saying 'You are welcome to use these parking spaces for free, and we hope you will support us with your business in our local shops'. Smart. EDIT: I'm editing this comment and modifying my view a little based on the feedback here. Sadly, I think people have a point about overnight stays going downhill and people abusing the idea. I stand by the suggestion that Wardens could be employed, but I have to admit that it can become a real problem when people do abuse the opportunities provided. Of course disallowing overnight stays won't actually stop the real rule-breakers who will do what they want anyway, so we just end up penalising good people for the sins of a few. But all in all I do take the point that allowing overnight stays does open up a potential can of worms that would need managing. Thanks everybody for making your counter-arguments politely - looks like we can have rational discussions here after all!
the town centres in cornwall are too small and busy as they are to allow overnight camping. there are plenty of spots to park up 10mins up the road. In the off season it would work tho
the thing is, French people don't litter like the English do, so French taxes go on bins rather than litter pickers. To recognise a layby in England, all you have to do is look for the dirty toilet paper and crisp packets, often as not, around the empty bins. Look at Bournemouth beach every summer, it's disgusting.
Hello, you were in my recommendation list so gave it a try. Enjoyed your upload and looking forward to seeing more. It is nice to meet you Shaun, take care.
The crochet blanket is, in fact, a giant granny square. It has a nice colour scheme, unlike a lot of handmade items which tend to be haphazard. Well done to your mother.
I’m so pleased your channel/videos are getting the attention they deserve. Your videos are getting better and I’m so here for it. Look forward to next weeks video 🙂
Hello! I temporarily lived in my car in Surrey last year. I stayed mainly in small town car parks and it really was fine. People look at me in horror and sympathy but I saved money, became braver and loved the challenge! Such a great idea, and I have family from Cornwall so I knew it before it became trendy!!
St ives is a very small beautiful town which gets inundated with tourists every summer to the point where it bursts. Richer people from other parts of the country have bought most of the beautiful houses in this town where I was bought up near and now use them as holiday homes which has bumped the average price to £700.000. Locals on 10 to 15 pounds an hour could never afford that and these people who were born here with family's living here for generations have no hope now. It is absolutely dead in the winter as the houses which should be lived in by locals are empty. Plus there is a housing crisis. It's the winner of national awards as one of the top places to visit which is advertised around the country which entices mases of people to visit. If there were not any parking restrictions in this town it would be absolutely chaos. You can drive about a mile outside of St ives and find free parking if you look which is not thst far tbh. The local people cannot afford to live here anymore and now live in the estates above. Park for night is a good app if you have not goy it. I lived in my van for 5 and a half years so I could afford a deposit for a house in Cornwall but still love my van. Good luck with your travels.
Wasn't it local people who sold their home to wealthier people from the cities in the first place? I mean I totally agree with you about the issue of second homes and holiday homes pushing locals out of the housing market, but I also think it's a bit bizarre to complain that local people who have lived there for generations can't afford to stay when it was also locals who sold their homes and obviously didn't mind taking the higher bids for them, which would be how the prices went up. Why don't locals sell to locals first? £700,000 for a house isn't even expensive in comparison to an overpriced house in London. My grandparents purchased the house I live in, back in the 1960s. Now my home is worth over £1 million, which btw means that had I not signed it over to my abusive mother when my dad died, I would have had to sell my home just to pay the inheritance tax which at the time was 40% of everything over $350,000.
@@CandiceGoddard Estate agents sold the houses for local people to people in the city and did not care how much it would effect the town and your right. Local people who sold the houses wanted the best price. The estate agents should have offered them to locals first. That's not really the issue as anyone can live anywhere in the UK. It was not a complaint it was an observation really. The problem was that richer people who bought the houses did not use them for themselves to live in but to make themselves more money as second homes which has had an effect on the town. 700.000 pounds is not expensive for a house in miami to the people who can afford them as its all relative. Your house may be worth 1 million pounds but the earning power of people who live there is within the range of buying a house of that price. The wages on average in Cornwall are a lot lower so you can't compare without taking average wages into account. I actually went off topic as I was just addressing the reason why st ives has such a stringent parking system. I don't actually like it either as I've been cault myself. I do realise that it is necessary. The fact that inheritance tax is so high and unfair is a totally different subject and as you said a house over 350.000 is subject to the tax. That would effect people with lower earning power even more tbh.
I was born in Hayle and grew up in St Keverne. We moved away when I was fairly young but come back very regularly as it is definitely my spiritual home. I tend to come in the winter when there aren't any tourists and the surfs a bit more gnarly. Just far happier locals and none of those Aussie life guards either, trying to tell you that you can't surf here or can't surf there. Where are they in the middle of February when your out in a 6ft swell and the hail is making your head bleed 😂
Oh, poor locals. Maybe the council should just build some houses but perhaps they just want to keep the village image and the green spaces. You all get what you deserve for being so stupid
@@meilong2338 Not everyone was being so stupid in your words. It's more complicated than that. Locals are not a group identity, they are individuals who had different ideas. Its the few who spoil it for the many. But your attitude is serves everyone right. Where do you live that is so perfect then?
Hi Shaun, enjoying watching your videos thanks. I've (just about) got my van converted and down in Cornwall this week to try it all out. As a bit of a newbie I'm a little bit wary of wild camping, but seeing how you get on is great! :)
@@calvinlomax9546 yep that's rite, so if you do live in Porthcawl, the car space where they put the portable toilets and the skip by that little Square information building, there was a drop kerb there to get to the rlni rescue station, it's been removed now, about 4 years ago there was 12 camper vans parked all the way through there, siren goes off, volunteers drives into the car park to drive down and and couldn't get down to the station, so they left the cars and the campervans couldn't get out, you see the same thing over by Ogmore-by-Sea,,,
The problem is people take the piss. I live in Newquay, many of the council car parks have van lifers camping for the whole summer season (and some for a fair bit of the rest of the year too). And it’s not just kids in knackered transits having a cheap holiday the only way they can. There’s £50k motor homes - these people can afford campsites (and there are plenty of beautiful, we’ll run caravan sites in the vicinity for them). The other issue is, when the holiday accommodation including all the campsites are full in the summer, that’s it. The place is full. The infrastructure is at capacity so that’s why these places are car parks and not campsites. If you can’t book a campsite, you need to get some imagination and go somewhere else, or book earlier next time. We’ve all slept in our cars on the odd night (not since I was in my 20s I might add, I’m old and weak now…), there’s no problem with having the odd night here or there and as someone who works for the council, you’d be very unlucky to get caught doing what this guy in the video has done. But living somewhere for free for months on end is taking the piss. I have to contribute financially to keep the town and county going. I don’t take issue with anyone coming to visit the place as long as they understand that’s it’s only fair they do the same.
Unfortunately there is such a large amount of people doing this now and a lot of people are taking the piss and leaving rubbish and shit, actual shit all over the place. This means those if us who have been doing this for years, quietly, carefully and respectfully are penalised also.
Rare that I enjoy a suggested video in my feed, but this is right up my street! Your van looks nicer than mine! I'd never thought about the negatives of trying to reregister as a camper and losing that stealthy "panel van" label! Will subscribe 👍
I've had a thought about why councils in the UK don't have plenty of free overnight parking. Could it be to stop being over whelmed by travellers? I live on the edge of the M25 just inside London (Orpington) where they do occasionally pitch up at fields and parking spots. Many shopping areas with plenty of free parking there is always a bar over the entrance to stop big/tall campers coming in for that very reason.
Weren't there some laws brought in by Thatcher around 1986/87 associated with the movement of 'Crusties' and the like Post Glastonbury and possibly Ravers occupying fields. I know where I used to surf, once Glastonbury was over, the place was inundated with old ambulances, removal vans and vans of all types with the intention that they were there till early September. I think once those laws were put in place, councils and private landowners all over the country saw a licence to print money via car park restrictions. Like you I'm just outside London (Basildon) and here you cannot stop anywhere for a matter of minutes without being seen by ANPR cameras with the follow up of a £75 fine. Watch out Cornwall I'm sure ANPR is coming your way and that's without any funding from the EU!
You know why there arent more free camping areas ? One word .. travellers .. if you've experienced the mess they leave behind you understand completely.
First time ive watched you Shaun. My heart stopped when someone tried your van door. But hey look were you woke up to. Thank you for the entertainment.
This only happens in our country ...England ...why ...because we are being ripped off big time ...and we all know it ...I'm an Englishman ...this is also my country ..and I pay my way ...in taxes and just about every thing else ...I go where I want in my van ....its supposed to be a free country ...but we All know that is a load of of bollox..
@@LoveSundays it is ...and it's getting worse by the day ...its all pay up ..and do what your told ...I for one have had enough of this crap...Cornwall seems to be the worse place to go now days ...even the locals don't want you there ....check out Mels van life to confirm this ...they act has though its their own part of this country...they seem to forget that without tourism..it would be dead on its feet ..and Cornwall ...belongs to all of us ....
Living in AND being born in Cornwall, camper vans strung along sea fronts of every town is a pain. I know people who have taken with vans or small yachts around Europe and the response is far better. The euro guys have a better set up for people travelling than the English and Cornish. Down here it's very easy to get bitter about tourism because unless your making money off the back of these visitors, then they just get in the way... It only needs a slight change and to have basic places set up near some major towns for campers and motorhomes, just a place for them to go as a base... Loved this video, loves the camper, loved the highlighting the problem
If you’ve got a patch of land in Cornwall, with permission for camping, you can cater to van lifers and make a living or you can build chalets and cater to holiday campers and become a millionaire. Unfortunately we live in a world that rewards one lifestyle over any other.
I normally don't subscribe from just one video but your visual storytelling is something I aspire to achieve. Amazing video, I'll be sticking around # hit that notification button!
Haven’t been to Cornwall for many years because of this. Even 25 years ago it was hard to find an overnight spot. We would park outside an empty looking factory unit in an industrial area in walking distance of a town …
I used to camp out with a former overland coach - I had still all windows in it with black out curtains only and kept the original owner's advertising/decoration to let it look like "just a bus". Worked until I got a motorcycle rack in the back. Today I have a much smaller van I decorated with some freely invented plumber's inscripts for the same reason. Only problem still the motorcycle rack once I mount it, and tool thieves trying to break in when parked in a calm quiet spot (without the rack). Those usually do not pick up a fight though, once You put Yourself out in a threatening attitude with an axe or a canthook at hand.
@@justincase7471 That might be an alternative, right. It all started with a plumber's van I did just not un-decorate, though. But the florist solution (I didn't think of tbh) could work.
Just done exactly the same thing in the same week at Charlestown. So far, so good. There's more cameras up in this area and the residents are up in arms about it all too. Just waiting to see if we got away with our sneaky overnighter too. Fingers crossed 🤞. We noticed there were more than just ourselves stelthing this way.
Has a toilet in the car park (20p card or coin) and wash facilities in my van. Teal wash for hot water. Have an emergency WC but that's the last resort.
I used to kip in my van all the time around St Ives and Newquay. I had a little Maestro and a Transit. Just park up on the side of the road and get a good night's kip, done need a car park. Never any bother, just got to be subtle about it, then you're up with the sun and straight to the beach for a surf.
I share your frustration with the UK mate! I’m travelling around mainland Europe now & even the stricter countries (Croatia, Italy) have camping areas like the ones you mention are in NZ & Oz. Dead easy and accessible. Makes no sense!
I have considered a van many times, but I would not really enjoy being confined to campsites…. But what you have just done would give me so much anxiety (which I have enough of anyway), and they would spoilt if for me…. I admire what you have done and it’s such a shame it’s so restrictive in the uk ☮️
It annoys me so much, I'm not wanting to do the whole van life thing but I'd love to bikepacking and properly live out of a tent for a month or however long which I can do if I find somewhere remote but still a small chance of being found, whereas Scotland are all for wild camping
@@sarahstrong7174 its 368 square miles in area so pretty easy to camp away from a road. i live on the edge of dartmoor and camp most weekends in the summer.
New Zealand brought those restrictions in around 2013. Mine is a 4x4 and not self-contained, so as long as you are not in a city, there's usually somewhere to duck into over night, that the camping gestapo or community patrols can't get to. Scratches are an optional extra.
Shaun it's colin blight, your old head chef from chain locker. Wow man, bro you doing you tube. Your such a legend and I miss you mate. Your a top guy and tha kyou for getting me through 2014.
I love "walking along with you" as you travel. I'm here in dry Arizona, USA. You are taking me along on travels in your country seeing sites I would never see otherwise. I love the background music too!!
I feel the same, watching from NC:) One great thing about being here, in a smaller city outside of Raleigh, is that you can drive a couple hrs east to go to the beaches/outer banks, or drive sev hrs west to get to the mtns. I'd love to see AZ, & feel what dry heat is like! Having 100°+ heat here w/90% humidity is very unpleasant!
Thank you for being so honest. Yes, I, too, don't get it why communities and councils don't understand how much extra money they would make if they provided vanlifers a place to stay. Don't punish unwanted behaviour, reward desired behaviour! Why is is te UK so obsessed over people sleeping in their car? What are they concerned about?
@@gazzag72 No midges in Moray, midges are on the west coast, jocks are great folk where I live, also Moray has something of a micro climate which means it's no where near as cold as central Scotland and the Highlands 😊
Love it! England is rubbish for ‘free camping’, caravan parks are putting prices up so high that you can get a cheap b&b instead, most close end of October. Love all the Tiny Home areas in America/Canada and various other countries……come on England wise up to people wanting to enjoy this type of living!
Back in 1992 I parked a red mk2 Transit right on the end of the pier in St Ives, crashed the night and totally got away with it. Those days are well and truly over, nice vid, well done. 👍😎
It’s a massive conflict between local enterprise (who thrive on the money brought in by visitors) and the public servants whose agenda seems to be to suck the joy out of life in the name of feathering their own nests. One of your other videos shows a German-registered van, whose occupants were probably a bit baffled by the UK’s hostility towards people bringing in money to make British people wealthier. German towns have “Camper Hafen”. Simple areas, frequently attached to car parks, and often close to municipal facilities with showers such as swimming pools. The local government probably breaks even on the minimal amount they charge, but the big gain is that local business thrives and through that everybody wins! It’s all about the attitudes of those we give power and influence to.
I guess the UK is ham strung with limited space Shaun. France is one of the best countries geared up for camping. You can go 5 star through council run and and free official sites. Plenty of decent truck stops on the auto routes too. Another ace vid though. 👍
Yes, check out the population densities of UK, AUS and NZ. Guess who's top of the list. When you have loads of space vs population then you can have super-flexible parking etc.
brilliant video 😎 I did this from 2000-2011 it's easy once you get the hang of it lol no heating needed just get tough 🤣 hunt for dinner in winter eat farmer's veg work where you can the good life 😎
Unfortunately for every one responable van camper there are about 20 iresponsable van campers who spoil it for everyone. I live on a tourist rout and fed up with van campers passing through, camping up for the night, not useing any local ameneties, except the toilets, empty their chemical toilets in the toilet, thus blocking them, leaving their rubbish where they have parked and driving off in the morning. :(
Yup, what would be best is to have it remain illegal, thus unfortunately for the good guys, forcing them to remain super discreet. I'd like it to somewhat be unenforced really (never confirmed though), then it only requires enforcement when irresponsible lots come in.
I tend to agree to a point ,i also stay on a very busy tourist route in Scotland where you are correct about some van owners leaving a mess sometimes, but i wouldn't go to the extent of saying for every 1 reasonable van owner there's 20 that's not responsible , I'd say it's more likely to be only 5% tbh who are irresponsible but its that 5% that' do cause unrest amongst locals, but most van owners I've come across are decent responsible people who are only out to enjoy their freedom, quietness & the scenery & they do quite occasionally use the local amenities which helps the local businesses & the tourism trade👍 ....Unfortunately as you say you will always get the irresponsible few that don't think the rules apply to them , but again tbh you get that even with pedestrians who mis behave litter ,commit vandalism , urinate & cause general unrest amongst local communities .....So my point is this where do we draw the line? ....I believe we as people should have the freedom to travel wherever & whenever we please as long as its not on someones private property & we should appreciate & take due care & attention to the laws of the land we visit, we just can't target & tag van owners with bad reputations ,as many really are decent people just as are the pedestrian folk who visit, It really does feather out quite equally though as we have to pay out some of the money we make for tourism for repairs, extra cleaning & for litter removal left by those who are irresponsible 😥 , the only issues i have is if anyone damages our environments , then they should be heavily fined & even banned from ever returning to that part of Scotland again or face prison if they do 👍....That should send the right kind of message to those who are irresponsible .👌
If you pay for a 24 hour stay then you'll be fine. Also anpr won't identify the van as recreational. You could easily be a builder who's gone for a few drinks and is doing the responsible thing parking up for the night. Just got to hope the yellow peril doesn't spot any zzzz's escaping from inside!
I have my beautiful memories of St Ives, stopping in the "Pelican" cottage up by the Pier , not too bad with the parking , and not all that many people either,,Bliss. I just wouldn't bother now, way to busy/ commercialized now, and too many Tossers. Great video 👍 🏴
Been to St Ives about 15 times in the last 20 years and love the place. The thing about St Ives is that they wish to keep a tight grip on the vibe of the place. In the 20 years that I have been going there I haven't seen anyone rolling drunk or any unpleasant scenes that you do get in other seaside towns in the evening. I am not for one moment saying that vanlife folks would be likely to do that, but if it became the kind of place that had hundreds or even thousands of people camping or staying over for just a night you would probably expect that it may change the character of the place. Yes I'm sure that it would bring in some more trade but there aren't a ton of pubs and the ones there are are always full in high season, as are the restaurants. I don't wish to sound like a reactionary snob but one of the best places in thd world for me is Porthmeor beach on a beautiful summers day. I would hate it to become filled with BBqs and pumping soundsystems etc. Newquay is just under and hour away and caters for the younger market. I love St Ives! It's too expensive and it's too far but it is my place and has so many memories for our family.
I slept many times everywhere around the UK in my Astra Estate. I have a limo black film on the windows. Astra estate has enough space for one person ( l slept with my girl as well ) and l been on the normal road, nobody never disturb my sleep. Best places for sleep in my opinion are the residential areas. Nice, clean, quiet and safe. Perfect for a sleeping, resting etc.
We've just returned from Normandy. We used Aires 8 euros a night electricity and water for 2 weeks travelling around. There were vans everywhere. The money it brings into the local area it's such a simple idea. Were down in St Ives in 2 weeks on the van, can't wait. We love the Sloop fantastic pub.
Finding proper parking spaces in England is a nightmare ... I would like to say we are beyond selfish when it comes to setting up proper parking spaces ... Roads (including some stretches of motorways) don't have a shoulder to pull over for an emergency 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ when will we wake up?
Like your style Shaun👌 You're right there aren't hardly any cheap / free places to stop over like they have in Europe. Hope you get away with it 🤞power to the people ! 🤣
It's probably thanks to everyone who interprets the rules so that it will benefit them that it turns out like this. for example, when it says camping is prohibited, they claim that they have only parked, etc., as here in Sweden it is forbidden to drive off road, but many park/camp on sensitive ground just to get a nice view. the more people destroy, the more prohibition signs come up. it's like on Öland along the coast, where people have parked next to the road for the sake of the view, it's so run over that it looks like parking pockets.
Lived in Cornwall upto 2002, it’s almost unrecognisable now in terms of parking and parking charges. As kids the beach car parks were usually a farmer sat in a hut in one of his fields taking 50p. So sad to see Cornwall like this. We now live in Moray, Scotland, which is like Cornwall 40 years ago. There are lots of un commercialised fishing villages like St Ives with not a double yellow line or car park charge to be seen. It really makes me sad seeing Cornwall now. Can’t remember the last time I had to pay for parking other than forestry commission car parks.
Do it Scott ! I bought a converted movano van last year it’s Awsome from hook ups with pubs and entertainment to wild camping and just being out there in the wild it’s Awsome m8 this winter I plan on doing the city’s stealth camping 🎉
@@Falconer710 Yeah just did my first full year wild camping and a neighbour has a van just like this. Really considering putting the hours in at work. We also have family down Cornwall
@@LoveSundays Yeah just did my first full year wild camping and a neighbour has a van just like this. Really considering putting the hours in at work. We also have family down Cornwall
@@scottmcgreavy3849 The south is on the agenda next summer can’t wait lol 😂 go get those hours in it will be the best thing you have done in a while I love it so many adventures to be had it’s something to look forward to I now kayak (inflatable) fish a lot and have picked back up bushcraft and my family love it good luck m8 wishing you the best ☮️🍀 🏴
Just subscribed. Came across the video as I scrolled, took a look and found it interesting and completely different to what I watch. Now going through your selection. Great work matey.
There are 2 ways to park overnight without getting a fine, 1 Put a hand written sign on the inside of the windscreen saying " Car broken down, waiting for a tow truck " Don't forget to remove the ignition fuse 2 Put a FEDEX signage on the side of your van, it will look like a normal delivery van.
Just returned to Oz and was travelling Cornwall couple of weeks ago. Frustrating thing as an Australian, you pull up to any beach and you have to pay to park. You just can’t get 30 mins to jump out and have a look, makes it hard to sight see. Drove into St Ives, couldn’t find a park, seemed like I ended up in a pedestrian mall, found my way out and never seen the water! Disappointed, but that’s the UK for you. Ripped off for fuel, ripped off on public transport, ripped off for parking, food and grog, omg! Had a good trip, but won’t rush back, felt like people who want to travel are expected to prop up the economy, every council and the government aways got their hand in your pocket! £7:50 to park at Lands End. What for. Not putting money into the car park or walking trails etc in the reserve. On the ticket they say they do, but I couldn’t see any money being spent to improve the place for visitors. Again just a cash grab by government departments.
Been to lands end many times, never payed. Grab a pic then feck off 😂. £7.50 for a sign way too much and the rest of the "attractions" are rubbish anyway. I hope to explore aus in the next chapter of my life, visa in process 😁🤙🏼
@@rolandkaizer4595 They had people on the gate. I tell people, just don’t go, more spectacular views in other parts of Cornwall. I hope you.enjoy your trip. If you seriously going to see the country, you will need a car!
Another top video. Van life in the UK seems to be an anxiety nightmare - compared to other more open-minded countries as you point out at the beginning. 😕
I've never had a problem, but i don't park up in the very popular tourist areas, drive around the bay and there's loads of places to park, i've never ever failed to find somewhere to park.
It all depends on what your vehicle is registered as.
If it’s registered as a camper, you’ll get fined, but you pay less road tax, can drive at 70mph on a dual carriageway etc.
if it’s registered as a van, you won’t get fined or moved on and if you do receive a penalty, you’ll be able to get it cancelled, but you’ll pay higher road tax and can only drive at 60mph on a duel carriageway.
Pros and cons of both, but there’s the law in a nutshell.
This may help you regarding speed limits www.gov.uk/speed-limits
Really? So if my daily driver is a VW California and if I stay in an AirBnB without off-street parking then I get fined on the presumption that I’m guilty of something due to the V5 classification?
From what I’ve seen, I’m pretty sure you can exceed 70 in a Sprinter van. In fact, I don’t think they go less than 90.
A California isn’t classed as a commercial vehicle
@@LoveSundays the implication was that you get fined if it’s classed as a camper. Personally I’m not buying it - traffic wardens don’t access the DVLA database and local police have limited jurisdiction and far bigger fish to fry in almost all of the UK.
Yea I think it’s just a threat to be fair. I stayed there overnight and didn’t get fined
What annoys me the most is, this was a wholesome, nice experience. You spent some decent money in the town including contributing to the council by using their car park. No rubbish, no harm done, no noise, what is the issue? Penalise the idiots who treat it like shite not the nice dudes like yourself.
Cheers Jon
The law is supposed to be applied without prejudice. Yes I know that often doesn't happen and in a lot of cases, it's the people you describe above, the ones causing the nuisance that get away with it whilst decent people have to pick up the tab.
Great video BTW - two things if you are letting everyone know about stealth camping won’t that ruin it for when you next want to stealth camp there ? Just a thought!! Second the more the council put away with any free parking or hour free parking the less likely the shops and businesses will suffer in the long run. You use to be able to park and grab a coffee and sandwich for free those days are almost gone!!
I think bringing this to the councils attention might make them reconsider allowing campers to stay overnight with a small overnight charge even if they limit it to 1 night. If the council prevent me from staying there in future I’ll just make another video about it. I probably wouldn’t stay in the same carpark again as I only live up the road anyway.
@@LoveSundays hey that sounds like a good plan. Me and a best mate stayed all over Cornwall and in st ives for one night in a VW camper 20 yrs ago it was brilliant. So many awesome memories. Less restrictions then. 👍
Good choice on the beer! Bloody love Tribute!
Yeeewww 🤙 🤙 🤙 , we are famous 😂 😂 😂 cheers dude, you legend. That however, was also an epic vlog. Thanks again for the shout out bro. 🤙 Stoking out my mind. - Stevie 🤙 🌊 🚐
Cheers Stevie
Ey Stevie, just seen you on this vlog. How cool was that, nearly spat out my coffee hehe. TSV Salt Tribe in the house. 😛
@@zoebaboweee9653 cheers me lovely, TSV Fam definitely here supporting Shaun blowing up right now and Shaun gave us an epic shout out 😁 which is sick 🤙 yeeewww 🤙
As a crocheter I appreciate your love for your blanket and your mum for making such a nice one.
Hi, as a resident who works next to that car park I can say you were lucky, as we're coming out of season the island car park is still the first to fill up and busiest one throughout the year. As a rule and if down for the day, during summer season the best and largest car parks are up on the hills above the town with one next to the leisure centre and another by the rugby field as they have far more capacity and offer some overnight availably. Still, glad you had a nice time in town and wish you luck in your adventures.
Thank you that’s really nice of you to say. Thanks for the tips. I live locally so tend to stay away from st Ives in the summer months but agree the top carpark is probably more suited
@@DC-xb1ff ?
@@DC-xb1ff what are you referring to ?
Can I ask way in Cornwall they don’t like camping and van life
@@ATMS-xp3px because it a low cost way of holidaying etc the council don't like it coz your not spending all your money they try and make it hard as possible for u so that next year your stay in a campsite where u gotta pay or go in a hotel
I have stealth camped for many years and still do. UK and Europe and beyond. No windows in my van. No bulkhead (Instant go access). I love it. Neat and tidy image. No problems.
Nailed it mate! I've 'stealth camped' since even before a name was given to it, never any problems. As you say mate, no windows/bulkhead, all good. Basically, if you van look like a camper, your gonna get attention.
Got to say, I much prefer the camouflage of a bulkhead myself. One side of my bulkhead looks like a cosy home, the other is plain ply, making it look for all the world like a builders van. I do have a hatch though, ostensibly for long items but in reality for me to get through.
Shame people have to hide in their own country...
St Ives used to be lovley. Now people are too greedy... Pathetic country we live in now.. Were does it end. 😩🤬Our children will really suffer. If they can be bothered to go to this once lovely cornish town.. Over £150,per NIGHT for acomadation... Pathetic.Greedy sad people... 🤬
This just made me miss St. Ives so much. 😊❤😊
Great fella
I’m homeless and was living in my van in London in a small quit road.
All taxed, insured etc
Some nice neighbours and bad ones(obviously daily mail readers 😂)
I had a little gas bottle cooker.
Then st Mungos where I am now are helping me. Lovely people
I absolutely love your crochet blanket, from one crocheter to another, shout-out to Shaun’s Mum! X
She will really appreciate this comment 😂
Crochet blanket is an absolute classic in your type of vehicle. Go Mum!
I have a Berlingo with dark tinted windows and black curtains. I have a solo stealth camping set-up inside with a full length single bed, also with a loo (essential to be discrete). When I visit my daughter at Falmouth uni it saves me a fortune - I never use car parks, just residential back streets. I set up the bed away from where I will stay, then park up midnight ish. Either no one notices or no one cares. Back when I had a T2 I had "the 4am knock" from the police once near London, but this thing just passes for an empty car with tinted windows.
Falmouth is a great place for it because so many vanlifers live there the police and locals don’t tend to notice 😂 it’s the hotels that get annoyed with it
Yes Berlingos are a great workhorse . I just bought another one as a spare for that , but I am not going to be able to do so as the son in law has it until we wanted to go away , and doesn’t want to relinquish it as he needs it . I’d feel too mean but at least he is enjoying the Berlingo. I wouldn’t convert it though many do as it becomes too heavy. But one good idea is you can get like a tent ⛺️ awning for the back door when you are on a camp site. You have got your head screwed on the right way round.
The wife and myself absolutely love the videos Shawn keep them coming please mate.👍😊
The crochet blanket is just beautiful. And all the more beautiful because your mom made is special, just for you, so you carry your mom wherever you go. That must make you feel wonderful. I smile just thinking about it! 😊 So many places to choose from to get something to eat, and all the places seem so welcoming. The food looks fantastic! The car park looks so peaceful for stealth camping. You look completely relaxed and cozy in your bed. And sleeping straight through the night is like epic. You wake up well rested and ready for another great day! Wow, what a perfect life!
Mate getting a spot LEGALLY in Snives is a bloody mission even out of Emmit season so fair play to ya! 😅🤝
NV200 owner here, first time viewer. Great video, raising some valid points on the NIMBY attitude of councils and authorities in the UK. Wish we had a more sensible approach like the French with aires and designated overnight areas (with a responsible attitude from both the local authorities and campers), things like coded public toilet access for a small fee, with then eating and drinking locally to ensure money entering the local economy, win win all round surely (we have overnighted like you in the video but don't have a toilet in the van which can be quite limiting with a leave no trace mindset!) Cheers!
It's rare that I'm interested in UA-cam suggestions, but this one I found fascinating.
Thanks Matt
Beautiful video & music! Thank you for keeping the vibe high & real, leaving no trace & being super grateful! Sweet blanket from your Mom to keep you cozy & feelin’ the love! Get those outside cameras too for peace of mind & protection. Many blessings on your journey💙🌟🌈🕊🙏
Thank you Deborah that’s really nice of you to say. The cctv for the van will happen soon I just need to work out the best option 😊
As a mum who knits her children blankets I love that you take it on your travels 🧶🥾💜 I hope mine do the same when they are older
😊
12:03 beautiful footage there, captures the mood of the seaside
When I last visited the UK in 2017 I spent more money on parking than on food. As an expat who has lived in South Africa for 50 years I was seriously pissed off with local councils using parking as a money grab and then still having the cheek to price gouge it.
Yeah but it’s still better than South Africa in every was as South Africa is an utter shithole
A lot of the seriously expensive car parks are privately owned. There's certainly some that are owned by the council but they tend to be much much cheaper by comparison.
Stay over there then, easy.
@@alcole6511 and that right there is why I do stay here. Enjoy your Brexit economic fallout and winter energy costs.
Keep your old age moaning over there.
I’ve just stumbled across your videos because I have the same van as you.
It’s just brought so many great memories back watching this video, my nana recently passed away and we used to visit the places you have been on his video, pubs and bars, it’s off seeing the same places open that we’re when I was a child, I’m 40 now. we even used to park in the car park you stayed in, her dog even jumped over the barrier in front of your van chasing after a seagull, he survived, god knows how.
I don’t get chance to visit st Ives anymore as I live in York but I will return soon, even try some camping in my new van.
Keep up the good work, sorry for the long post.
John
Glad you enjoyed the video John welcome to the channel and thank you for watching
Lovely crochet blanky, nothing wrong with that, cherish your Mom, 🙏🤗
Another beautiful piece of documentary work on van life. I am so happy I found your channel. Such an inspiration.
Thank you
This is what St Ives doesn't seem to realise - the amount of trade they lose because people can't stay over in vehicles. Look how you spent your money locally, which might not have happened if you'd had to leave. Certainly you wouldn't be hitting the beer if you knew you had to drive afterwards. In France, I parked in so many free spots with water and bins provided by a town or village. They have just a little sign saying 'You are welcome to use these parking spaces for free, and we hope you will support us with your business in our local shops'. Smart.
EDIT: I'm editing this comment and modifying my view a little based on the feedback here. Sadly, I think people have a point about overnight stays going downhill and people abusing the idea. I stand by the suggestion that Wardens could be employed, but I have to admit that it can become a real problem when people do abuse the opportunities provided. Of course disallowing overnight stays won't actually stop the real rule-breakers who will do what they want anyway, so we just end up penalising good people for the sins of a few. But all in all I do take the point that allowing overnight stays does open up a potential can of worms that would need managing. Thanks everybody for making your counter-arguments politely - looks like we can have rational discussions here after all!
That’s exactly the way it should be. But sadly in the uk we just like to fine people. Sad really
the town centres in cornwall are too small and busy as they are to allow overnight camping. there are plenty of spots to park up 10mins up the road. In the off season it would work tho
It’s rammed all the time, I doubt they lose trade.
the thing is, French people don't litter like the English do, so French taxes go on bins rather than litter pickers. To recognise a layby in England, all you have to do is look for the dirty toilet paper and crisp packets, often as not, around the empty bins. Look at Bournemouth beach every summer, it's disgusting.
Me an the missus travelled all around France very accommodating for overnight stays then you will happily spend your money
I admire how much you enjoy life, you can see your smile is very genuine, I hope you can continue to enjoy life in such a way for as long as possible
Thank you 🙏
Hello, you were in my recommendation list so gave it a try. Enjoyed your upload and looking forward to seeing more. It is nice to meet you Shaun, take care.
Thank you for watching I hope you enjoy my videos
The crochet blanket is, in fact, a giant granny square. It has a nice colour scheme, unlike a lot of handmade items which tend to be haphazard. Well done to your mother.
Great film. Great editing. Pleasure to watch.
Thanks Sam
I’m so pleased your channel/videos are getting the attention they deserve. Your videos are getting better and I’m so here for it. Look forward to next weeks video 🙂
Thanks Sarah. Thanks for sticking with me
Hello!
I temporarily lived in my car in Surrey last year. I stayed mainly in small town car parks and it really was fine. People look at me in horror and sympathy but I saved money, became braver and loved the challenge! Such a great idea, and I have family from Cornwall so I knew it before it became trendy!!
St ives is a very small beautiful town which gets inundated with tourists every summer to the point where it bursts. Richer people from other parts of the country have bought most of the beautiful houses in this town where I was bought up near and now use them as holiday homes which has bumped the average price to £700.000. Locals on 10 to 15 pounds an hour could never afford that and these people who were born here with family's living here for generations have no hope now.
It is absolutely dead in the winter as the houses which should be lived in by locals are empty. Plus there is a housing crisis.
It's the winner of national awards as one of the top places to visit which is advertised around the country which entices mases of people to visit.
If there were not any parking restrictions in this town it would be absolutely chaos.
You can drive about a mile outside of St ives and find free parking if you look which is not thst far tbh.
The local people cannot afford to live here anymore and now live in the estates above.
Park for night is a good app if you have not goy it.
I lived in my van for 5 and a half years so I could afford a deposit for a house in Cornwall but still love my van.
Good luck with your travels.
Wasn't it local people who sold their home to wealthier people from the cities in the first place? I mean I totally agree with you about the issue of second homes and holiday homes pushing locals out of the housing market, but I also think it's a bit bizarre to complain that local people who have lived there for generations can't afford to stay when it was also locals who sold their homes and obviously didn't mind taking the higher bids for them, which would be how the prices went up. Why don't locals sell to locals first?
£700,000 for a house isn't even expensive in comparison to an overpriced house in London. My grandparents purchased the house I live in, back in the 1960s. Now my home is worth over £1 million, which btw means that had I not signed it over to my abusive mother when my dad died, I would have had to sell my home just to pay the inheritance tax which at the time was 40% of everything over $350,000.
@@CandiceGoddard Estate agents sold the houses for local people to people in the city and did not care how much it would effect the town and your right. Local people who sold the houses wanted the best price. The estate agents should have offered them to locals first. That's not really the issue as anyone can live anywhere in the UK.
It was not a complaint it was an observation really.
The problem was that richer people who bought the houses did not use them for themselves to live in but to make themselves more money as second homes which has had an effect on the town. 700.000 pounds is not expensive for a house in miami to the people who can afford them as its all relative. Your house may be worth 1 million pounds but the earning power of people who live there is within the range of buying a house of that price.
The wages on average in Cornwall are a lot lower so you can't compare without taking average wages into account.
I actually went off topic as I was just addressing the reason why st ives has such a stringent parking system.
I don't actually like it either as I've been cault myself. I do realise that it is necessary.
The fact that inheritance tax is so high and unfair is a totally different subject and as you said a house over 350.000 is subject to the tax.
That would effect people with lower earning power even more tbh.
I was born in Hayle and grew up in St Keverne. We moved away when I was fairly young but come back very regularly as it is definitely my spiritual home. I tend to come in the winter when there aren't any tourists and the surfs a bit more gnarly. Just far happier locals and none of those Aussie life guards either, trying to tell you that you can't surf here or can't surf there. Where are they in the middle of February when your out in a 6ft swell and the hail is making your head bleed 😂
Oh, poor locals. Maybe the council should just build some houses but perhaps they just want to keep the village image and the green spaces. You all get what you deserve for being so stupid
@@meilong2338 Not everyone was being so stupid in your words. It's more complicated than that. Locals are not a group identity, they are individuals who had different ideas.
Its the few who spoil it for the many.
But your attitude is serves everyone right.
Where do you live that is so perfect then?
Loving all these little insights. 9:27 Good morning Ryan Treyhan! 😂
MORNING ROUTINE 😂
Hi Shaun, enjoying watching your videos thanks. I've (just about) got my van converted and down in Cornwall this week to try it all out. As a bit of a newbie I'm a little bit wary of wild camping, but seeing how you get on is great! :)
Thanks mate glad you’re enjoying the videos. Falmouth is quite a good place to wild camp in the van as a newbie
Such a beautiful sea side town. Looks magical!
Yes it lovely and the pub I went to was built in 1312AD it’s really old
Head to Portreath instead. Way better.
All of Cornwall is beautiful!
What harm are these people doing? ...None ! Great video. Thank you. 🙏
Unfortunately some of these people do a lot of harm. I won't go into detail but you can probably use your imagination.
there are more people who live in houses that do more harm and trust me I do know.
@@calvinlomax9546 yep that's rite, so if you do live in Porthcawl, the car space where they put the portable toilets and the skip by that little Square information building, there was a drop kerb there to get to the rlni rescue station, it's been removed now, about 4 years ago there was 12 camper vans parked all the way through there, siren goes off, volunteers drives into the car park to drive down and and couldn't get down to the station, so they left the cars and the campervans couldn't get out, you see the same thing over by Ogmore-by-Sea,,,
The problem is people take the piss. I live in Newquay, many of the council car parks have van lifers camping for the whole summer season (and some for a fair bit of the rest of the year too). And it’s not just kids in knackered transits having a cheap holiday the only way they can. There’s £50k motor homes - these people can afford campsites (and there are plenty of beautiful, we’ll run caravan sites in the vicinity for them). The other issue is, when the holiday accommodation including all the campsites are full in the summer, that’s it. The place is full. The infrastructure is at capacity so that’s why these places are car parks and not campsites. If you can’t book a campsite, you need to get some imagination and go somewhere else, or book earlier next time. We’ve all slept in our cars on the odd night (not since I was in my 20s I might add, I’m old and weak now…), there’s no problem with having the odd night here or there and as someone who works for the council, you’d be very unlucky to get caught doing what this guy in the video has done. But living somewhere for free for months on end is taking the piss. I have to contribute financially to keep the town and county going. I don’t take issue with anyone coming to visit the place as long as they understand that’s it’s only fair they do the same.
Unfortunately there is such a large amount of people doing this now and a lot of people are taking the piss and leaving rubbish and shit, actual shit all over the place.
This means those if us who have been doing this for years, quietly, carefully and respectfully are penalised also.
Look at that VIEW! lol! Just got to the part where the harmonious music plays when burger arrives-it’s too late at night here to be laughing out loud!
😂
Rare that I enjoy a suggested video in my feed, but this is right up my street!
Your van looks nicer than mine! I'd never thought about the negatives of trying to reregister as a camper and losing that stealthy "panel van" label!
Will subscribe 👍
Great video as usual Shaun. Your mum has great crochet skills 👍
I’ll pass your message on to my mum she’s be happy with that 😂
I've had a thought about why councils in the UK don't have plenty of free overnight parking. Could it be to stop being over whelmed by travellers? I live on the edge of the M25 just inside London (Orpington) where they do occasionally pitch up at fields and parking spots. Many shopping areas with plenty of free parking there is always a bar over the entrance to stop big/tall campers coming in for that very reason.
Weren't there some laws brought in by Thatcher around 1986/87 associated with the movement of 'Crusties' and the like Post Glastonbury and possibly Ravers occupying fields. I know where I used to surf, once Glastonbury was over, the place was inundated with old ambulances, removal vans and vans of all types with the intention that they were there till early September. I think once those laws were put in place, councils and private landowners all over the country saw a licence to print money via car park restrictions. Like you I'm just outside London (Basildon) and here you cannot stop anywhere for a matter of minutes without being seen by ANPR cameras with the follow up of a £75 fine. Watch out Cornwall I'm sure ANPR is coming your way and that's without any funding from the EU!
Travellers tend to just turn up and rake over and then leave a mess depending on which ones but you know if travellers hit the area.
Fantastic Shawn, the Little victories are the sweetest 🎉
Yep tell me about it. The way I look at it £7 for parking plus a £70 fine is still cheaper than an AIR B&B in st Ives 😂
You know why there arent more free camping areas ? One word .. travellers .. if you've experienced the mess they leave behind you understand completely.
First time ive watched you Shaun. My heart stopped when someone tried your van door. But hey look were you woke up to. Thank you for the entertainment.
Thanks Sharon. Welcome to the channel
Great to see your vids getting the attention they deserve Shaun, lots of hard work paying off :)
Thanks Alex I’m really happy with the recent growth 😊
Can you not use a pub car park
And if you have a couple of drinks
And possibly a meal surely they will let you park up for the night!
Yes there’s a few around that allow it but that’s for another video
@@mikeswallow1694 Often the case.👍
This only happens in our country ...England ...why ...because we are being ripped off big time ...and we all know it ...I'm an Englishman ...this is also my country ..and I pay my way ...in taxes and just about every thing else ...I go where I want in my van ....its supposed to be a free country ...but we All know that is a load of of bollox..
Rip off Britain isn’t it Mick
@@LoveSundays it is ...and it's getting worse by the day ...its all pay up ..and do what your told ...I for one have had enough of this crap...Cornwall seems to be the worse place to go now days ...even the locals don't want you there ....check out Mels van life to confirm this ...they act has though its their own part of this country...they seem to forget that without tourism..it would be dead on its feet ..and Cornwall ...belongs to all of us ....
America starting to turn very strict on camping rules too 😢
So on-point! Restrictions, restrictions, restrictions, dictates, dictates, dictates!
Canada too
Living in AND being born in Cornwall, camper vans strung along sea fronts of every town is a pain. I know people who have taken with vans or small yachts around Europe and the response is far better. The euro guys have a better set up for people travelling than the English and Cornish. Down here it's very easy to get bitter about tourism because unless your making money off the back of these visitors, then they just get in the way... It only needs a slight change and to have basic places set up near some major towns for campers and motorhomes, just a place for them to go as a base...
Loved this video, loves the camper, loved the highlighting the problem
If you’ve got a patch of land in Cornwall, with permission for camping, you can cater to van lifers and make a living or you can build chalets and cater to holiday campers and become a millionaire. Unfortunately we live in a world that rewards one lifestyle over any other.
I normally don't subscribe from just one video but your visual storytelling is something I aspire to achieve. Amazing video, I'll be sticking around # hit that notification button!
Thank you mate
Great work Shauny D x
Haven’t been to Cornwall for many years because of this. Even 25 years ago it was hard to find an overnight spot. We would park outside an empty looking factory unit in an industrial area in walking distance of a town …
Yea it’s really difficult down here but as I’m not full time in the van I like the challenge
I used to camp out with a former overland coach - I had still all windows in it with black out curtains only and kept the original owner's advertising/decoration to let it look like "just a bus". Worked until I got a motorcycle rack in the back. Today I have a much smaller van I decorated with some freely invented plumber's inscripts for the same reason.
Only problem still the motorcycle rack once I mount it, and tool thieves trying to break in when parked in a calm quiet spot (without the rack). Those usually do not pick up a fight though, once You put Yourself out in a threatening attitude with an axe or a canthook at hand.
Surely staying on an industrial estate defeats the point in going to Cornwall?
@@manfredschmalbach9023 maybe better to be a florists van rather than a plumbers?
@@justincase7471 That might be an alternative, right. It all started with a plumber's van I did just not un-decorate, though. But the florist solution (I didn't think of tbh) could work.
Awww - I almost never comment or even "like", but when you said it could help towards a parking ticket.. well I was there. X
Just done exactly the same thing in the same week at Charlestown. So far, so good. There's more cameras up in this area and the residents are up in arms about it all too. Just waiting to see if we got away with our sneaky overnighter too. Fingers crossed 🤞. We noticed there were more than just ourselves stelthing this way.
Has a toilet in the car park (20p card or coin) and wash facilities in my van. Teal wash for hot water. Have an emergency WC but that's the last resort.
@chris jones and bladder no less!
@chris jones a bladder to empty is an inconvenience in the most comfortable of environs.
I used to kip in my van all the time around St Ives and Newquay. I had a little Maestro and a Transit. Just park up on the side of the road and get a good night's kip, done need a car park. Never any bother, just got to be subtle about it, then you're up with the sun and straight to the beach for a surf.
I share your frustration with the UK mate! I’m travelling around mainland Europe now & even the stricter countries (Croatia, Italy) have camping areas like the ones you mention are in NZ & Oz. Dead easy and accessible. Makes no sense!
Fantastic video! I am here for more of this 👏
Thanks Graham
I have considered a van many times, but I would not really enjoy being confined to campsites…. But what you have just done would give me so much anxiety (which I have enough of anyway), and they would spoilt if for me…. I admire what you have done and it’s such a shame it’s so restrictive in the uk ☮️
I'd imagine I would enjoy the thrill
It annoys me so much, I'm not wanting to do the whole van life thing but I'd love to bikepacking and properly live out of a tent for a month or however long which I can do if I find somewhere remote but still a small chance of being found, whereas Scotland are all for wild camping
@@drewstreet4178 most of dartmoor allows wild camping, only place that does in england
@@blue0eyes0knight You have to ensure you are very discreet though. You are not allowed to camp within sight of a road.
@@sarahstrong7174 its 368 square miles in area so pretty easy to camp away from a road. i live on the edge of dartmoor and camp most weekends in the summer.
Well done mate,nice sneaky over nighter 👍
New Zealand brought those restrictions in around 2013. Mine is a 4x4 and not self-contained, so as long as you are not in a city, there's usually somewhere to duck into over night, that the camping gestapo or community patrols can't get to. Scratches are an optional extra.
Shaun it's colin blight, your old head chef from chain locker. Wow man, bro you doing you tube. Your such a legend and I miss you mate. Your a top guy and tha kyou for getting me through 2014.
Came from the Two Surfers in a Van Facebook, new subscriber and cracking vlog mate. Very much enjoyed that.
Thank you and welcome to the channel
Great video mate. Sitting here with my last beer of the evening watching this and wishing I was there!
Thanks for watching. Enjoy your beer 🍺
I love "walking along with you" as you travel. I'm here in dry Arizona, USA. You are taking me along on travels in your country seeing sites I would never see otherwise. I love the background music too!!
One of the best holidays I ever had.... A tour of Arizona in a drop top Mustang, bliss.
I feel the same, watching from NC:) One great thing about being here, in a smaller city outside of Raleigh, is that you can drive a couple hrs east to go to the beaches/outer banks, or drive sev hrs west to get to the mtns. I'd love to see AZ, & feel what dry heat is like! Having 100°+ heat here w/90% humidity is very unpleasant!
Thank you for being so honest. Yes, I, too, don't get it why communities and councils don't understand how much extra money they would make if they provided vanlifers a place to stay. Don't punish unwanted behaviour, reward desired behaviour! Why is is te UK so obsessed over people sleeping in their car? What are they concerned about?
Glad I live in Scotland, it really is a different country, Right to Roam and free parking right on the seafront where I live.
Dickhead thinks England is the UK...fck him!
Not at Applecross village. Many areas are being blocked off now and have height restrictions at car parks
Pity it’s absolutely freezing and full of midges and jocks
@@davidhaygarth648 Glad I'm not in Applecross village then.
@@gazzag72 No midges in Moray, midges are on the west coast, jocks are great folk where I live, also Moray has something of a micro climate which means it's no where near as cold as central Scotland and the Highlands 😊
Great video. Laughed out loud at the mummy's boy comment. Love crocheted blankets. Fingers crossed that there is no parking ticket.
Thanks Helen
Love it! England is rubbish for ‘free camping’, caravan parks are putting prices up so high that you can get a cheap b&b instead, most close end of October. Love all the Tiny Home areas in America/Canada and various other countries……come on England wise up to people wanting to enjoy this type of living!
Back in 1992 I parked a red mk2 Transit right on the end of the pier in St Ives, crashed the night and totally got away with it. Those days are well and truly over, nice vid, well done.
👍😎
Awesome video Shaun, and congratulations on the channel growth! It is well deserved :)
Thanks mate I’m really happy 😃
@@LoveSundays .....so jealous lad
It’s a massive conflict between local enterprise (who thrive on the money brought in by visitors) and the public servants whose agenda seems to be to suck the joy out of life in the name of feathering their own nests.
One of your other videos shows a German-registered van, whose occupants were probably a bit baffled by the UK’s hostility towards people bringing in money to make British people wealthier.
German towns have “Camper Hafen”. Simple areas, frequently attached to car parks, and often close to municipal facilities with showers such as swimming pools. The local government probably breaks even on the minimal amount they charge, but the big gain is that local business thrives and through that everybody wins!
It’s all about the attitudes of those we give power and influence to.
I guess the UK is ham strung with limited space Shaun. France is one of the best countries geared up for camping. You can go 5 star through council run and and free official sites. Plenty of decent truck stops on the auto routes too. Another ace vid though. 👍
Thanks Sid good tips looks like I’m off to France then 😂 cheers n gone
@@LoveSundays Don't forget the weekly vids though! 😂
Yes, check out the population densities of UK, AUS and NZ. Guess who's top of the list. When you have loads of space vs population then you can have super-flexible parking etc.
@@y0rkiebar No shit, funny how they all seem to "gloss over" that...shhhhh
brilliant video 😎
I did this from 2000-2011
it's easy once you get the hang of it lol
no heating needed
just get tough 🤣
hunt for dinner in winter
eat farmer's veg
work where you can
the good life 😎
That's the benefit of owning a van!
That's the reason for my next vehicle I'm looking for a mini van (7-seats).
Great place!👌
Thank you
That’s priceless waking up and having coffee on the 🏖 beach crossing fingers no ticket!
Thank you
Unfortunately for every one responable van camper there are about 20 iresponsable van campers who spoil it for everyone. I live on a tourist rout and fed up with van campers passing through, camping up for the night, not useing any local ameneties, except the toilets, empty their chemical toilets in the toilet, thus blocking them, leaving their rubbish where they have parked and driving off in the morning. :(
Yup, what would be best is to have it remain illegal, thus unfortunately for the good guys, forcing them to remain super discreet. I'd like it to somewhat be unenforced really (never confirmed though), then it only requires enforcement when irresponsible lots come in.
I tend to agree to a point ,i also stay on a very busy tourist route in Scotland where you are correct about some van owners leaving a mess sometimes, but i wouldn't go to the extent of saying for every 1 reasonable van owner there's 20 that's not responsible , I'd say it's more likely to be only 5% tbh who are irresponsible but its that 5% that' do cause unrest amongst locals, but most van owners I've come across are decent responsible people who are only out to enjoy their freedom, quietness & the scenery & they do quite occasionally use the local amenities which helps the local businesses & the tourism trade👍 ....Unfortunately as you say you will always get the irresponsible few that don't think the rules apply to them , but again tbh you get that even with pedestrians who mis behave litter ,commit vandalism , urinate & cause general unrest amongst local communities .....So my point is this where do we draw the line? ....I believe we as people should have the freedom to travel wherever & whenever we please as long as its not on someones private property & we should appreciate & take due care & attention to the laws of the land we visit, we just can't target & tag van owners with bad reputations ,as many really are decent people just as are the pedestrian folk who visit, It really does feather out quite equally though as we have to pay out some of the money we make for tourism for repairs, extra cleaning & for litter removal left by those who are irresponsible 😥 , the only issues i have is if anyone damages our environments , then they should be heavily fined & even banned from ever returning to that part of Scotland again or face prison if they do 👍....That should send the right kind of message to those who are irresponsible .👌
I love it - I make a similar comment and get no likes, same with most of my others - Commietube is a joke
Interested to know where your stats come from? Plucked from thin air I imagine as the bad ones are definitely in the MINORITY
What is a rout?
Great video, hopefully you didn't get a fine! The Sloop is my all-time favourite pub in St Ives.
If you pay for a 24 hour stay then you'll be fine. Also anpr won't identify the van as recreational. You could easily be a builder who's gone for a few drinks and is doing the responsible thing parking up for the night. Just got to hope the yellow peril doesn't spot any zzzz's escaping from inside!
😊
If they allow 24 hour parking, then there isn't much they can do even if the vehicle is registered as a camper/RV.
If you drink they can still arrest for drink dfiving my mate parked up car park of pub locjed key un boot still.knicked
@@jamesjones3371 Only if you get in the drivers seat. That's why you only open passenger door when drunk.
I have my beautiful memories of St Ives, stopping in the "Pelican" cottage up by the Pier , not too bad with the parking , and not all that many people either,,Bliss.
I just wouldn't bother now, way to busy/ commercialized now, and too many Tossers.
Great video 👍 🏴
I think the reasoning for charging in the UK for parking is because we have tiniest island compared to other country's
You’re probably right
Such great memories of St Ives and now I have a van / stealth camper, I will try this lol.
I had that burger and onion rings
I'll keep everything crossed for you Shaun 🙅😉🍀. I'm going for a swim tomorrow with no wetsuit 😱...wish me luck 😁. Keep up the van life Shaun ✊🚐
Thanks Sally best of luck tomorrow. You’re braver than I am 😊
If u keep going in from now until jan you wont be fazed when it gets super cold and it feels amazing
Yes like she’ll be acclimatised to it
I'll give it a go...it was a great swim yesterday and I was lucky with the weather 😁👌✊
There is a really nice hostel in St Ives. Fun to see the adorable town again.
Been to St Ives about 15 times in the last 20 years and love the place. The thing about St Ives is that they wish to keep a tight grip on the vibe of the place. In the 20 years that I have been going there I haven't seen anyone rolling drunk or any unpleasant scenes that you do get in other seaside towns in the evening. I am not for one moment saying that vanlife folks would be likely to do that, but if it became the kind of place that had hundreds or even thousands of people camping or staying over for just a night you would probably expect that it may change the character of the place. Yes I'm sure that it would bring in some more trade but there aren't a ton of pubs and the ones there are are always full in high season, as are the restaurants. I don't wish to sound like a reactionary snob but one of the best places in thd world for me is Porthmeor beach on a beautiful summers day. I would hate it to become filled with BBqs and pumping soundsystems etc. Newquay is just under and hour away and caters for the younger market. I love St Ives! It's too expensive and it's too far but it is my place and has so many memories for our family.
I slept many times everywhere around the UK in my Astra Estate. I have a limo black film on the windows. Astra estate has enough space for one person ( l slept with my girl as well ) and l been on the normal road, nobody never disturb my sleep. Best places for sleep in my opinion are the residential areas. Nice, clean, quiet and safe. Perfect for a sleeping, resting etc.
I never go overnight in a car park. Always go residential. Never had a problem in 10 years.
We've just returned from Normandy. We used Aires 8 euros a night electricity and water for 2 weeks travelling around. There were vans everywhere. The money it brings into the local area it's such a simple idea. Were down in St Ives in 2 weeks on the van, can't wait. We love the Sloop fantastic pub.
Finding proper parking spaces in England is a nightmare ... I would like to say we are beyond selfish when it comes to setting up proper parking spaces ...
Roads (including some stretches of motorways) don't have a shoulder to pull over for an emergency 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ when will we wake up?
The scenery is just awesome beautiful!
Like your style Shaun👌 You're right there aren't hardly any cheap / free places to stop over like they have in Europe. Hope you get away with it 🤞power to the people ! 🤣
Fingers crossed 😂
Brilliant vlog keep them coming so enjoyable
Thanks Ian
It's probably thanks to everyone who interprets the rules so that it will benefit them that it turns out like this. for example, when it says camping is prohibited, they claim that they have only parked, etc., as here in Sweden it is forbidden to drive off road, but many park/camp on sensitive ground just to get a nice view. the more people destroy, the more prohibition signs come up. it's like on Öland along the coast, where people have parked next to the road for the sake of the view, it's so run over that it looks like parking pockets.
Lived in Cornwall upto 2002, it’s almost unrecognisable now in terms of parking and parking charges. As kids the beach car parks were usually a farmer sat in a hut in one of his fields taking 50p. So sad to see Cornwall like this. We now live in Moray, Scotland, which is like Cornwall 40 years ago. There are lots of un commercialised fishing villages like St Ives with not a double yellow line or car park charge to be seen. It really makes me sad seeing Cornwall now. Can’t remember the last time I had to pay for parking other than forestry commission car parks.
Hey man, new sub here. What a van and some adventures you've had. Really making me wanna get a van.
Cheers Scott glad you’re enjoying the vids mate. There’s nothing like the freedom of having van mate I would highly recommend
Do it Scott ! I bought a converted movano van last year it’s Awsome from hook ups with pubs and entertainment to wild camping and just being out there in the wild it’s Awsome m8 this winter I plan on doing the city’s stealth camping 🎉
@@Falconer710 Yeah just did my first full year wild camping and a neighbour has a van just like this. Really considering putting the hours in at work. We also have family down Cornwall
@@LoveSundays Yeah just did my first full year wild camping and a neighbour has a van just like this. Really considering putting the hours in at work. We also have family down Cornwall
@@scottmcgreavy3849
The south is on the agenda next summer can’t wait lol 😂 go get those hours in it will be the best thing you have done in a while I love it so many adventures to be had it’s something to look forward to I now kayak (inflatable) fish a lot and have picked back up bushcraft and my family love it good luck m8 wishing you the best ☮️🍀 🏴
Just subscribed. Came across the video as I scrolled, took a look and found it interesting and completely different to what I watch. Now going through your selection. Great work matey.
Thank you glad you enjoyed it 😊 thanks for subscribing
There are 2 ways to park overnight without getting a fine,
1 Put a hand written sign on the inside of the windscreen saying " Car broken down, waiting for a tow truck "
Don't forget to remove the ignition fuse
2 Put a FEDEX signage on the side of your van, it will look like a normal delivery van.
Not sure how I got this on my feed ❤but I like it! Keep it up!!
Subie now
Thanks Suzanne glad you liked the video 😊
Just returned to Oz and was travelling Cornwall couple of weeks ago. Frustrating thing as an Australian, you pull up to any beach and you have to pay to park. You just can’t get 30 mins to jump out and have a look, makes it hard to sight see.
Drove into St Ives, couldn’t find a park, seemed like I ended up in a pedestrian mall, found my way out and never seen the water! Disappointed, but that’s the UK for you. Ripped off for fuel, ripped off on public transport, ripped off for parking, food and grog, omg!
Had a good trip, but won’t rush back, felt like people who want to travel are expected to prop up the economy, every council and the government aways got their hand in your pocket!
£7:50 to park at Lands End. What for. Not putting money into the car park or walking trails etc in the reserve. On the ticket they say they do, but I couldn’t see any money being spent to improve the place for visitors. Again just a cash grab by government departments.
Been to lands end many times, never payed. Grab a pic then feck off 😂. £7.50 for a sign way too much and the rest of the "attractions" are rubbish anyway.
I hope to explore aus in the next chapter of my life, visa in process 😁🤙🏼
@@rolandkaizer4595 They had people on the gate. I tell people, just don’t go, more spectacular views in other parts of Cornwall. I hope you.enjoy your trip. If you seriously going to see the country, you will need a car!
First time I’ve watched any of your content…. Really really great! 😊
Thank you
You can get away with it just about everywhere if you are a bit cheeky and find those spots where it's off the radar
Friends of mine use the train station carpark too, they camp 3 or 4 nights in a row same as you did. Tooshey buddy 👊
Isn't it odd that in the dead of night when everyone's asleep and not in need of the car park, there are restrictions.
Stumbled upon this video by complete UA-cam randomness. Know that area very well. We visited by train 😀😀 Thoroughly enjoyed the content. Stay safe.
Thank you glad you enjoyed the video
Another top video. Van life in the UK seems to be an anxiety nightmare - compared to other more open-minded countries as you point out at the beginning. 😕
Yea it isn’t easy over here but I suppose the challenge makes it fun
I've never had a problem, but i don't park up in the very popular tourist areas, drive around the bay and there's loads of places to park, i've never ever failed to find somewhere to park.