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 likely 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? (Or: “Will I Be Arrested for This?”)
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.
- 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 & Wales: Ah. 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. It’s important to note that wild camping is technically a form of trespass, and whilst trespass is a civil, not criminal act, it does 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 areas or ask for permission.
The Wild Camping Rulebook (That’s Not Actually a Book, Just Common Sense)
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. Here’s how:
- 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.
- No 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.
- 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 bathroom, so you’ll have to make your own arrangements. If there are no toilets nearby, dig a small hole at least 30 metres from water sources, paths, and campsites. And for goodness’ sake, take your toilet paper with you—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 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
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 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. Sleeping bags are generated 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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). A 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, be sure to 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).
