Is it ok to walk across other people’s pitches?

In line with us covering some other motorhome pet peeves, such as people parking up too close when other spaces are available, dogs barking at 2am and the overuse of garish fairy lights, we thought we’d now turn to the issue of walking across other peoples’ pitches…

So picture this. You’ve arrived at your campsite, without too many arguments, and a bearable amount of ‘I Spy’ played on the journey. You’ve got the kettle on, the dog’s bowl is out, and you’ve unfolded everyone’s reclining chair without losing any fingers. Your pitch is all yours - your little patch of gravelled, grassy heaven for the weekend. And then… someone wanders straight through it, like you don’t even exist. No eye contact. No nod. Just a full-speed diagonal march to the shower block. You look around, indignant. Did anyone else see that? Is this ok? Surely not!

So let’s ask the burning question: Is it ok to walk across someone else’s pitch?

Short answer? No, it’s not!

Longer answer? No, that’s really rude! In fact, it’s the motorhoming equivalent of walking into someone’s house without knocking, and heading straight on through to the garden…

Right, now that we’ve answered that quite confidently, let’s delve a little deeper into this relatively common issue!

Isn’t it just a bit of grass, though?

That’s the thing. It’s not just a patch of grass. It might look like open space to the untrained eye, but to your average camper, it’s sacred ground. It’s where we’ve put up our awning, maybe laid out a mat for the dog to roll about on, or set up a little table with citronella candles in a vain attempt to ward off flying things. It’s our little space - that we’ve paid for, marked out and (hopefully) respected.

You’d like to think that no-one would step across someone’s picnic blanket in the park just to shave five seconds off their stroll, wouldn’t you. Or that someone wouldn’t walk through your private garden just to get to the neighbour’s house a little bit quicker. 

So why do it on a campsite, you might wonder…

Who does this?

If you’ve ever stayed somewhere in your motorhome for more than about five minutes, you’ve probably encountered at least one scenario akin to the following...

There’s the wandering dog walker, who has their cockapoo on a 10-metre-long extendable lead, with no awareness of boundaries, and who is fully engrossed in an animated phone conversation. There’s also the parent-plus-children convoy, being marched through your setup like they’re going on a bear hunt, Scouts-style, albeit with no whistles to blow. Then there’s the diagonal dasher - usually alone, stealthily cutting corners on pitches, and generally heading to the loos or bins, or laden with a full washing-up bowl of dirty crockery that looks a little heavy…

Does it really matter?

Let’s play devils advocate here for a minute. Camping and indeed motorhoming are communal experiences, are they not? You’re sharing space, sharing facilities and, in many cases, sharing the soundtrack of some stranger’s snoring. Is a bit of pitch traversing really that annoying? And, as pitch owner, have you definitely kept to your designated space, or have you expanded a little into grey territory?

Anyone?

Oh ok - we get it. It does matter. Walking through someone’s pitch can actually feel a bit intrusive to those that ‘own’ it. People relax differently when away - some want to sit quietly with a book, others want to enjoy a peaceful cup of tea in their own surroundings. No-one really wants to feel like they’re in the middle of a public footpath. It’s about respecting that little bubble of personal space - even if it’s only marked by a windbreak or a strategically-positioned seating area. 

Let’s not forget - there’s also the potential for some damage to be caused - perhaps to guy ropes if you’ve got an outside area set up, for example, or perhaps someone tripping over the hookup lead. Also, there’s possible opportunities for theft and other wrongdoings if strangers veer too close to your space and belongings. 

Can we forgive the perpetrators?

Sometimes, a site’s layout makes it a bit tricky for people to get to where they want to go. Maybe the path to the shower block feels miles away, and your pitch just so happens to be right in the middle of a shortcut. Still, people should try to take the long way round. If they absolutely must pass through (and let’s be honest, that’s rarely the case), they could at least make eye contact, smile, and offer a quick, ‘Sorry, mind if I squeeze through?’ Us motorhomers are a friendly bunch and will mostly wave people through (unless it’s the third time it’s happened that hour, and you've been up all night due to some snoring stranger).

But doing it silently or repeatedly - and God forbid with muddy boots or dripping wet washing-up bowls? That’s a one-way ticket to cold stares and a chilly reception at the site bar, surely…

How are we leaving this, then?

Think of it like this: your pitch is your home for the weekend or beyond. Just like a house, you don’t want strangers wandering through it, and there is an etiquette to follow. Pitch etiquette isn’t about being overly precious - it’s about being decent, respectful and aware that others are trying to relax too.

So, if you’re a distracted dog walker or a diagonal pitch dasher - walk around, not through. Make friends, not enemies… And if in doubt, imagine someone doing the same thing to you, with a dirty dog, a football and a bunch of dripping wet towels. Not ideal!

And if it happens to you, well, maybe you might want to speak up, albeit politely. Or rearrange your outdoor setup to look like Fort Knox… Or quote the site rules to the pitch invaders, if there are any…

Good luck!

Let us know your thoughts on this issue!