LEGAL INFORMATION
&
CHANGES TO THE LAW

Legal Information relevant to Camping & Caravanning

Camping Equipment:

When deciding on the equipment you choose to take with you when Hiking, Exploring, Hill Climbing and any form of Camping, it is important to understand the Laws in the country in which you are travelling.

In the US you may be allowed to carry Hunting Knives, Camping Knives, Rifles, Crossbows, Bows and Arrows, and be allowed to lay certain types of traps.

But these are not allowed anywhere within the UK.

The UK have very stringent knife laws, and these laws are not just limited to knives, but also Hatchets, folding saws, ice axes, and other sharp bladed articles that an outdoor enthusiast might carry.

Ensure you know the Law regarding the carrying of knives and what can be classed as an offensive weapon!

Knife Laws in the United Kingdom

UK KNIFE LAW KEY POINTS
  • The legal length for a non-locking, folding blade is 3inches/7.62cm
  • A knife with legal length can still be deemed an offensive weapon if it can perceived as such by someone else
  • Locking folding knives, fixed blade knives and knives longer than 3inches/7.62cm are all illegal for carry in a public place without a further defence
  • It is the duty of the person carrying the knife to know and understand the law – ignorance is not a defence
  • Access land and public footpaths are also public places

  • WHAT CAN I CARRY?

  • Well, the broadest answer is a folding blade, without a locking mechanism of no more than 3inches/7.62cm. That leaves you with something like the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife – however, even though it is not illegal necessarily to carry this as a knife, you could still be accused of carrying an offensive weapon.

WILD CAMPING LAWS

WHERE CAN I WILD CAMP?

The Law regarding Wild Camping differs greatly depending on if you are in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland.

Scotland:  wild camping is generally permitted anywhere in Scotland in accordance with the access rights established by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. However there are still some restrictions, for instance you cannot camp in someones private garden, school grounds, playing fields, quarries, golf courses, building sites, or anywhere on Military bases or Military owned land.

Wales, England and Northern Ireland:  permission must be gained from the landowner before camping anywhere in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Wild camping is however permitted on Dartmoor for up to two consecutive nights in the same spot provided it’s more than 100 metres from any public roads and is not within an enclosed or otherwise restricted area.

Always check local byelaws for the area you are visiting, and research the area before you go.

CHANGES TO TOWING LAWS IN THE UK

CHANGES TO TOWING LAWS FROM 15TH NOVEMBER 2021

There will be new rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car from 15 November 2021.

CHANGES TO TOWING ALLOWANCES

Youtube Video

Credit to:  Original Outdoors

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