Where can (or can't) I use those disposable BBQ grills?

I am SO craving for a BBQ!!

I live in a flat so there is no option to have a BBQ here. I saw some disposable BBQ grills in Tesco...but where can I lit it? In a park? or are there designated places for them?

A little bit clueless in UK culture!  just don't want to be arrested in the middle of a delicious BBQ!!!

Last year, we bought of of those apple shaped small cheap bbqs from Morrisons I think.  We have a balcony so we put it there.  Only used it a couple times but I am hoping this year we'll get to use it more.

As for public places, I don't know.  I'm sure there are parks out there that have special areas for these things.  I know  of one in North London, close to where I live.  I guess it's just a matter of looking around.

Sorry I can't be of much help!

June

You're not supposed to use them in most public parks as we found out a couple of years ago on a UK Yankee 4th July picnic! Best to contact your local council and ask them if there are any public spaces in your area where it's ok.

We're in a flat, and our neighbors bar-b-que all the time. They do it in the back garden, and before the back garden was set up, (grassed and fenced in and all) they would b-b-q in the car park! We were just recently walking along a canal, and was I ever surprised to see a picnic area, canalside, with built in bar-b-ques! There's also an abby and country park we went to recently that had a bar-b-que area. They exist, you've just got to find them!

I see people BBQ-ing and camping all over the banks of the Thames in the summer.  I've been told that none of those activities are allowed....

I saw some people bbq'ing at Regent's Park a few weekends back.  I'd just do it, and if you get yelled at...claim that you didn't know!

I live in Leeds, and people use these all over the big park by my house. Go to your local park some sunny Saturday afternoon and see if lots of people are barbecuing - if so, you'll be fine. I would just make sure to get the ones with the little legs, or bring a couple of bricks or something to keep it off the ground because the heat is really, really intense and it will kill the grass underneath. There are quite a few rectangular bald patches in the grass from unscrupulous barbecuers! Also, bring a big bottle of water (or make sure there's a bubbler or public toilet where you can obtain some water) so you can put it out when you're done. I learned this the hard way - I had to use a perfectly good bottle of beer to put it out so we could throw it away!

We use them on the beach nearly every weekend.

I live in Leeds, and people use these all over the big park by my house. Go to your local park some sunny Saturday afternoon and see if lots of people are barbecuing - if so, you'll be fine.

Not necessarily so, they may just be doing it illegally.

The website of your local council will have detail on all the parks in the area, and most will say if barbequeing is permitted or not.

Vicky

I saw some people bbq'ing at Regent's Park a few weekends back.  I'd just do it, and if you get yelled at...claim that you didn't know!

It definitely isn't allowed in Regents Park or any of the Royal Parks. I know because when we were organising that UKY picnic I mentioned Regents Park was the original choice of venue but I phoned the park people to ask about this and they said NO barbecues or fires allowed in any of the royal parks.  And it's not just a question of getting shouted at, you might be subject to a fine or some other penalty if it breaches a local by law.