To avoid being penalized for barbecuing in an unauthorized area or worse, for causing a grass fire, you should always check with the municipal government where, when and if you can barbecue in one of the designated public places. During periods of drought and extremely hot weather, additional fire restrictions may also be applied due to the increased risk of fire when much of the landscape is dry. In some parts of the country, such as Birmingham and around London, there are regulations that prohibit the lighting of barbecues in green public spaces. 27,000 fires are started every year in the UK on grass, moorland and moorland, which is why public parks and greens have very strict regulations for open fire and some areas prohibit them altogether. Chef and barbecue professional James Peck, founder of Burnt Lemon Chefs, told us earlier, „If you`re using a disposable grill, which you can get in most supermarkets, be careful where you put it – never place it directly on a dry surface (like grass in the park), but place it on bricks.“ While there are strict laws in the UK regarding public barbecue laws, this shouldn`t stop you from cooking outside with family and friends in the summer. Make sure you know what laws apply in your area or the area where you plan to barbeque, and check for additional restrictions during dry periods in the summer. In the UK, public barbecue laws have been introduced to protect people and property and prevent rampant wildfires. Enjoy the summer barbecue season responsibly. Although it is not illegal, it is not advisable to have a barbecue on your balcony as it poses an increased risk of fire.
Barbecue in a greenway in the city is never allowed. Greenways are narrow parks, usually next to a road or highway, that have been laid out to allow more places for walking, biking, and other outdoor recreation. It`s a similar case with the beach and with parks – anyone or any other organization responsible for the beach in question will likely have their own rules, so it`s best to check with them. If you are planning an event with 20 or more people, go to the Parking Event Permit page. Restrictions on barbecues in public spaces are enforced due to concerns about fire safety and the protection of land and wildlife. Some places in London, for example, have regulations against BBQ lighting in green spaces. Many communities in the UK have parks with designated barbecue areas. These areas are usually designed to minimize the risk of grass fires and can be paved, concreted, or with gravel that is less likely to burn. Barbecue in these areas is generally safe and there is almost no risk of a fire breaking. These areas are also reserved for barbecues to prevent people from settling anywhere in the parks and destroying the grasslands. Even if there are no grass fires, the heat of a grill can destroy the grass underneath.
The other reason is smoke. Designated barbecue areas also ensure that smoke from grills is contained in a single area and does not disturb other park visitors who are simply there to spend time outdoors. Whether you`re barbecuing at home or in public spaces, you need to follow the same safety guidelines so you don`t turn a happy day with your family into a disaster. One of the worst culprits is makeshift or disposable grills. Many people think that a makeshift fireplace made of stones or bricks is enough, but there are often too many spaces from which sparks could fly, as well as the fact that these take a long time to cool down so that they can be broken down when the barbecue is over. Disposable grids are not much better because they are quite thin and you have to put them on the floor. Waste heat can damage the grass, these barbecues are almost impossible to remove until the fire and embers are completely burned and everything has cooled. Too often, people leave them behind and leave them unattended, which can become a serious danger. It is also not advisable to have your grill indoors, not only because of the risk of fire, but also because barbecues can also release carbon monoxide vapors for several hours, even after they are exhausted.
The government has strict rules regarding the use of communal land and urban and public green spaces. Whenever you face a fire, even for a simple barbecue, safety should be your first consideration. Whether you`re turning on the grill in your backyard or in a public space, the last thing you want or need is a fire that is racing. This is especially critical in summer during periods of heat when vegetation is incredibly dry. Under these conditions, a single spark is enough for a forest fire to become a major problem for animals, trees and even local residents. That`s why there are public barbecue laws and that`s why you need to be aware of the additional restrictions during peak fire season. With so many rules and regulations regarding public barbecue,[iii] it`s easy to feel discouraged and think you`ll never have a BBQ with family and friends again. But as strict as the laws are, there are still enough places where you can enjoy this centuries-old summer ritual.
Here are some places where you can enjoy this favorite family pastime: In addition, Deputy Commissioner Pugsley said, „Please think twice before barbecuing in parks and public places. We have worked closely with our partners to limit the possibility of barbecuing in parks due to the risk of grass fires. You may be wondering, „Where can I grill in public?“ There is no simple answer to this question and public barbecue laws in the UK vary from council to council and some ban it altogether in public spaces. Unfortunately, not everyone has their own backyard, and there are public spaces where you can grill, but you need to make sure your burgers and hot dogs don`t get you in trouble with the law. BBQ is not allowed everywhere – rather, the rules depend on the regulations that organisations such as your local council or, where applicable, the private owner or the National Trust have put in place. It`s worth checking every time you grill in public, as regulations can change over time. In fact, disposable barbecues are likely to be banned completely in the UK after blatant evidence has shown that they are responsible for numerous fires. This may be a good time to invest in a portable fire bowl deep enough to hold coals and less likely to pick up embers or sparks from the wind and blow everywhere. If you`re thinking about setting up the barbecue in a public place like a park or beach, or wondering if your balcony does the trick, here`s what you need to know. If you have a popular public barbecue area, you should always follow a few safety tips:[iv] Before you start packing a picnic basket and leave, it`s important to brush up on your knowledge of the public barbecue laws that apply in the UK. While we say goodbye to the last cold weather before spring, many of us are already planning our first BBQ and while some of us have a house with a garden for this purpose, others do not and will look at public spaces such as parks and green spaces for an outdoor gathering. Okay, technically, private property is not a public space, but some rural landowners don`t mind families gathering on their land for barbecues.
However, if you choose to barbecue on private property, you will need to get permission from the landowner and ensure that there are no permanent or temporary restrictions.