Guide To Wild Camping in the UK

So, you fancy escaping the world for a night under the stars, swapping traffic noise for the hoot of an owl and your mattress for a slightly-too-thin sleeping pad on lumpy ground? Come on in! Or should that be come on out? Okay, moving on…

Before you start stuffing your rucksack with questionable snacks and gear purchases you probably agonised over, let’s talk about where you can camp, how to do it responsibly, and how not to become That Camper™ who leaves a mess and ruins it for everyone else.

Seriously, don’t be That Camper™.

Where Can You Legally Wild Camp?

The UK has some fabulous spots to explore, but when it comes to actually pitching a tent and spending the night, its legal situation is… well, let’s say unhelpfully complicated. Typical!

SCOTLAND

The land of Munros, midges, and, thankfully, legal wild camping. Thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you can pretty much pitch up anywhere on unenclosed land, as long as you do so responsibly. There are some restrictions in places like Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park (because too many scruffy bastards ignored the “responsibly” bit), but otherwise, Scotland is your wild camping playground.

ENGLAND AND WALES

So here’s the thing. Wild camping is technically illegal unless you have permission from the landowner, which, as you might imagine, is a bit of a hurdle. However, some places (like parts of Dartmoor, at least until recently, and parts of the Lake District) have traditionally tolerated wild camping.

Elsewhere, it’s more of a “discreet arrival, respectful departure” kind of situation. If you camp late, leave early, and don’t make a mess, chances are nobody will mind, or even know you were there. The “discreet” part is particularly crucial for this.

It’s important to note that wild camping is technically a form of trespass, and whilst trespass is a civil, not criminal act, it can become a potential crime if you’re asked, by the land owner or a representative thereof, to move on and you refuse to do so, and the situation escalates further. So if you’re asked to leave, just do it.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Similar to England and Wales, but with even fewer unofficially tolerated spots. Your best bet is to stick to designated camping area, ask for permission, or be very stealthy in places with very little overnight footfall, like the mountains.

The Wild Camping Rulebook

The golden rule of wild camping is simple: leave no trace. The goal is for nature to look exactly as it did before you arrived, as if you were never there at all, like a sort of camping ninja. The basic guidelines are:

Pitch Late, Leave Early The less time you spend hanging about in one spot, the less likely you are to attract attention (from both humans and nosey sheep). Arrive as it’s getting dark, pack up at sunrise, and no one will be any the wiser.

Choose Your Spot Wisely Flat, durable ground away from paths, water sources, and definitely not in someone’s field where cows may decide to investigate your tent at 3AM. Cows are the wild camper’s enemy. Trust me on this.

Avoid Making Fires Yes, we’ve all seen those romantic camping scenes in films where the protagonist roasts marshmallows over a roaring fire. But in reality, open fires cause damage, leave ugly scorch marks, and can start wildfires. When you cook, use a camping stove and be careful. And remember what I said about wild camping being a civil, not criminal act? Starting a fire on private property can be considered damage, which could put you at risk of an aggravated trespass charge if the owner decides to press charges. There are some places that fires can be safely made, such as rocky shorelines below the high water mark. But generally I’d say that if you’re the type of person who simply cannot imagine camping without a fire, just go to a campsite. Please don’t be one of those dipshits that leaves burned logs and scorch marks all over the hills.

Pack Out What You Pack In This includes all rubbish, leftover food, and anything else you brought with you. If you carried it in, you can carry it back out; yes, even if it’s heavy, and yes, even if it’s a banana peel (which, contrary to popular belief, does not decompose instantly into our ecosystem like some kind of organic sorcery).

Toilet Etiquette Nature does not come with a designated loo, so you’ll have to make your own arrangements. If there are no toilets nearby (and really, there shouldn’t be, because the whole point of “wild” camping is to be some distance from, you know, public amenities), dig a small hole at least 30 metres from water sources, paths, and campsites. And for goodness’ sake, take your toilet paper with you because nothing ruins a scenic hike like discovering a trail of shitty tissues left behind by less considerate campers. Yes, I’ve actually encountered this (and it’s become increasingly prevalent) and it’s beyond gross.

Respect Wildlife & Locals Keep noise levels down, don’t disturb animals, and don’t assume you have the right to camp wherever you please. Don’t be like those plonkers I saw on Loch Lomond in the summer, blaring out techno that could be heard a mile away and throwing stones at the birds.

Essential Kit for a Successful (and Comfortable) Wild Camp

I’ve written a more in-depth article on this topic here, but here’s a brief summary.

The point of wild camping is about simplifying things, slowing down and spending time in nature, but it doesn’t have to feel like a survival reality show. Having the right gear will help you stay safe and comfortable. Here’s a very basic overview of what you’ll need:

A lightweight tent or bivvy bag No need to bring a mansion-sized family tent. Actually, definitely don’t do that because you’ll look like a tit. The smaller and more discreet, the better.

A warm sleeping bag Because UK nights can go from “pleasantly cool” to “why are my toes numb?” in no time, even in the summer. Sleeping bags are generally rated according to the seasons they’re most suitable for; pay careful attention to these, as many sleeping bags are not suitable for autumn and winter. Buy for the stated “comfort” rating, not the “extreme limit” rating.

A sleeping mat Unless you enjoy the sensation of lying directly on cold, lumpy ground. Like sleeping bags, mats are rated thermally, using something called an R rating. The higher the R value, the warmer the mat. For summer, a mat with a rating of 1-2 or so is fine. For winter, you generally need a mat with a rating of 4 or higher.

A head torch Because fumbling around in the dark trying to find your stuff sucks. I know most phones have torches these days but a head torch is slightly more practical in some circumstances; for example, if the worst happens and you’re asked to leave, a wearable head torch is going to be a lot more practical for navigating in the dark than a handheld phone.

A decent backpack One that won’t leave you questioning all your life choices after a few miles. Backpack fit is very personal and I’d strongly recommend you try out several in an outdoor shop before buying one. Don’t cheap out on this item, you’ll regret it.

A stove and food A hot meal at the end of the day makes everything better.

A mug with tea or coffee Because you can’t camp without a good brew.

Water and a filter Streams look pure, but that doesn’t mean they’re free from stomach-upsetting surprises. Many of our rivers these days are downright hazardous. Popular compact filters include the Sawyer Squeeze, Katadyn BeFree, PureClear and Lifestraw.

Warm layers & waterproofs Because British weather enjoys being unpredictable.

A rubbish bag For packing out everything, including used toilet paper (yes, I’m mentioning it again because it’s that important). I find a small dry bag works best for this, as it safely contains damp items.

A basic first aid kit – a lot of all-in-one kits sold online have some items which may be unnecessary for your needs, so be sure to tailor the contents of yours. If you’re hiking, add items like blister plasters, and during the warmer months, add tick tweezers and some form of treatment for insect bites (an over the counter anti-histamine or similar).