Can you test putting up a tent in local parks?

Posted by AlexSniff7@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 39 comments

So basically me and my partner are heading to a music festival in the summer and reusing our tent from last year (since it ain't cheap.)

We would like to do a test put up to refresh ourselves on how to do it whilst airing it out and making sure everything is in place.

We have moved since last year and no longer have a grassy backyard nor do we know anyone with one. If we head down to a park would we be allowed to put it up?

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DameKumquat@reddit

Go for it.

Very good idea - I once went camping with a boyfriend who had tested one of the family tents, chucked it as it was.mouldy, and picked up the other tent which wasn't mouldy.

At around 10pm in the middle of nowhere (and too tipsy to drive away), we found we had a dome tent and A-frame poles...

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fickle_tartan@reddit

I live across the road from a big park and see this happening every summer, you're fine, if anyone moans just explain that you're not trying to sleep in it.

A few hours of blocked sunlight isn't going to kill the grass, and if you had a picnic blanket out it would have the same effect but no-one would give a shit.

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TheClnl@reddit

Yeah if you're down there with sleeping bags and setting up a BBQ then maybe expect the warden to say something but otherwise it's fine.

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Tbf I have seen people do that to test out their entire set up and make an afternoon out of it, but definitely more likely to be questioned. As long as you're not actually camping out overnight it would probably still be fine in most places, you'd just be doing a bit more explaining.

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Tonythepillow@reddit

I find the fact you had to justify reusing a tent a little bit sad.

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poacher5@reddit

I've got the same tent my dad bought with his first paycheck in the 1970's - canvas vango force 10. Doesn't hold a candle to some of my newer gear weight wise but I could set a landmine off inside it and it'd probably stay in one piece.

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fickle_tartan@reddit

Oh wow I didn't even notice that at first, that's depressing, I know some people are shitty and buy cheap tents and then just bin them but they're usually trying to justify that behaviour, not the reusing of a reusable item.

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laidback_chef@reddit

I dont, so any mention that anyone had an issue with them? They're asking if they could do it before they do it.

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fickle_tartan@reddit

and reusing our tent from last year (since it ain't cheap.)

This part, like the fact they had to specify they're "reusing" a tent from last year, and then a reason as why they're reusing it.

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laidback_chef@reddit

This was supposed to be the guy above you. Im questioning why you think he needs to justify it.

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fickle_tartan@reddit

Im questioning why you think he needs to justify it.

I've never said they do? I'm saying it's sad that they felt like they had to.

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laidback_chef@reddit

I'm saying it's sad that they felt like they had to.

I think you're reading in this way too much. They're asking if it's okay to do something and giving context as to why. The context as to why helps people answer.

I've never said they do?

If you read the first part, i did say this was for the guy above you. But tbh it still is applicable to you.

I'm very confused by this interaction right now.

That doesn't suprise me. But have a good day.

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fickle_tartan@reddit

They're asking if it's okay to do something and giving context as to why. The context as to why helps people answer.

It doesn't help people in answering though. It makes zero difference to the answer or whether what they want to do is allowed or not. If it was a brand new tent or one they've been using for 20 years the answer is exactly the same.

If you read the first part, i did say this was for the guy above you.

Okay, they also never said they have to justify it? They were saying the same thing as me, that it's sad they felt they had to.

That doesn't surprise me

I'm guessing this is frequent occurrence for you then.

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fr1234@reddit

Bizarre state of the world when someone thinks you have to justify using a tent a second time rather than throwing it away and buying a new one 🤣

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binaryhextechdude@reddit

Practice packing it away while you're at it so you can bring it home again. Too many one way tents at these festivals.

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liverwool@reddit

To add to this, it's usually easiest of you lay the outer fly out with the inner rooms on top. Then fold the edges in until it's roughly the size of the pole bag. Lay the pole bag (with the poles in it) on top of the fly at one end and roll as tightly as you can to the other end. This hasn't failed me with any of my tents yet!

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LucyLovesApples@reddit

You’re not sleeping in the park so that’s not a problem.

I remember when I was a kid and my parents set up our new tent in the park for us kids to play in all day.

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strodey123@reddit

Do you normally use disposable tents? Strange comment lol

Just do it, if anyone says anything just say your making sure all the parts are there and reminding yourself how to do it.

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Milam1996@reddit

Yes of course. Me and my friends take a tent with us when we go on day picnics so we have a shady place to store food/drinks/dogs/phones/babies. Nobody cares. You’ll get weird looks if it’s like a 10 man teepee but yeah nobody cares. Just maybe wear some nicer clothes so you don’t get mistaken for a new setup homeless encampment

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ResplendentBear@reddit

I can see someone might object, but as long as you explain what you're doing I can't see why it would be a problem.

Also, how long does it take to test a tent? Unless the park rozzers are already there, you'd be done before anyone arrived.

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thegentleduck@reddit

Depends on the tent and the ability of the people putting it up. I've seen people spend a surprisingly long time putting up their tents before.

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Dreadheaddanski@reddit

It's a public space, for the public, you are members of the public, if anyone complains just explain your setting if up and not planning on wild camping

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SimplyFootballNet@reddit

I did this once at midday nd some Karen tried to stop me because I was obstructing access.

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Connect_Remote2890h@reddit

maybe put it up in a clearing that would be away from the main stream of public use, so your not obstructing anyone of 'anything!' failing finding a park space, depending on where you live, maybe pack up a picnic, drive out to any moor lands and pitch up there for a few hours! i remember years and years ago, we were given a tent. we wanted to try it out before making any plans to go camping. my then husband approached a farmer and he allowed us to pitch up for the night providing we cleared our rubbish and didnt let our children annoy any livestock. we spent the night. i hated it. i couldnt use the bushes to go for a 'wee' so i was in absolute agonies when we got home next morning for holding myself! kids loved it though!!

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abstract_groove@reddit

of course, why not? Sleeping in it overnight in a park isn't allowed and would attract unwated attention but if you're just airing it out and setting it up during the day nobody is going to care.

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Icy-Belt-8519@reddit

Why would you not reuse your tent from last year? Lol

Na you're good, my moms house backs on to a canal with quite a bit of grass around it so we did it there occasionally, I'd probably pick something like that rather than a busy park to avoid funny looks 😂, but other than that you'll be fine

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cantunderstandlol@reddit

Some people just overthink way too much. Just do it.

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Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit

Yeah I don't see a problem with that! I once did this in the living room with an ex and...well....it turns out the tent was a lot bigger than we ever expected. So I do recommend you do this outside!!

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segundovolante7@reddit

Check the byelaws for the park before you start, there's usually a sign at the entrance that tells you everything you can and can't do.

Even then it's a civil matter anyway so unless there's a park warden or council member there when you do it it's very unlikely anyone is going to come tell you you can't.

Should be absolutely fine but if the byelaws say no camping or anything like that try somewhere else.

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Hunter037@reddit

there's usually a sign at the entrance that tells you everything you can and can't do.

In very general terms, yes. It'll probably say "no overnight camping". There's unlikely to be a specific rule for "no putting up a tent and then taking it down again".

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landwomble@reddit

I mean who's going to stop you? If anyone moans just say you're practicing

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