Wild camping is an adventure like no other. The sun setting and rising over a wild horizon, glittering stars in the
night sky, the fresh morning air in your lungs, and no trace of civilisation in sight. It’s the ultimate way to reconnect to nature, making you healthier and happier.
But isn’t wild camping is only for the toughest adventurers? Don’t you need to spend hundreds of pounds on expensive gear before you can try it for yourself? And aren’t you better off going abroad to do it?
Take it from me - the UK is one of the best countries for wild camping, and anyone can do it.
Ours is the land that inspired Middle Earth: mountain ranges, magical woodlands, ancient temples and plenty in between. No matter where you live, you are never more than an hour away from an amazing place to spend the night in nature. These are adventures that you can squeeze into a weekend or less. A multi-day hike with wild camping can’t be beat, but even a weekday evening camp between the 9-5 is a revitalising experience.
In this guide you’ll learn about the following:
What is wild camping? - and why do it?
Is wild camping legal? - everything you need to know
The Golden Rules of wild camping - short, sweet and easy
Finding places to wild camp - and how to choose the best spot
What to take with you - from bare essentials to creature comforts
General advice - learn from the mistakes of others, not your own!
WHAT IS WILD CAMPING?
It’s sleeping in the wild - as opposed to in a campsite or someone’s garden. You pitch up in nature and have a good old time. It doesn’t come with the cost of staying in a campsite, but neither does it have the facilities.
Sometimes you might want to camp with showers, toilets, your car parked next to you, a fire pit and a campsite shop. But sometimes you want the old school excitement of heading into the wilderness with nothing but your wits and the stuff on your back.
Some people think of wild camping as roughing it: they’re right. And that’s exactly why it’s worthwhile. Sleeping outdoors is a guaranteed way to get your regular dose of nature, which is good for your mood, energy levels, immune system and countless other benefits that we miss out on by spending 90% of our lives indoors. As you settle down for the night, the trappings of ordinary life peel away and leave you free to relax, flush out your jitters and recharge your batteries straight from the source. This is a nervous system reboot with effects lasting long after the aches of sleeping on the ground have gone.
“We’ve become victims of convenience - bored, risk averse and disconnected from the natural world. The absence of adventure is keeping us from being the best versions of ourselves.” - Belinda Kirk
IS WILD CAMPING LEGAL?
In Scotland, wild camping is allowed in most places, assuming you are sensible and check in advance if you can camp there. In England and Wales, it isn’t allowed anywhere. There are some exceptions, such as parts of Dartmoor - but that’s another story!
The commonly discussed workaround is to ask the landowner for permission before camping on their land. I have no doubt that many landowners will actually be very happy to oblige. But not only is that a faff (how do you even find out who owns the land?) but it ignores the fact that we shouldn’t even have to ask in the first place.
WHY IS WILD CAMPING BANNED IN ENGLAND AND WALES?
A long time ago, commoners were allowed to wander and sleep wherever they chose. But over the last 1,000 years, the ruling classes slowly claimed the land for themselves, and invented laws to make this permanent. (There’s a good write-up of the history here.) Today, these landowners claim it's best to keep the land private because the public leave litter and harm the environment - although they never seem to worry that the land is being polluted on a much larger scale than any amount of litter could ever cause. Meanwhile, the public are increasingly blocked out of the natural environment which they are entitled to, leading to a deterioration of health, happiness and meaning in life.
Everyone is entitled to have their own space that is private from other people. But when 92% of England’s land remains off-limits and barely used, that is simply not fair. And it is true that some wild campers do leave litter and cause a nuisance. But by prohibiting responsible public access to the land, the problem is only made worse. The way to stop people damaging the land is to give them a reason to respect it. Educate people how to behave in it instead of shutting them out completely!
I believe that a common sense approach should be taken to wild camping. It works in Scotland and many other progressive countries, and it can work in the rest of Britain.
THE LAW
When you wild camp on privately owned land (everywhere in England and Wales) you are trespassing. This is a civil offence, not a crime, and therefore not punishable by arrest.
The punishment for trespassing is…being asked to leave. That’s all.
Aggravated trespass is a criminal offence, for which you can be fined or worse. But this applies only if you are suspected of:
not leaving when asked
being abusive
damaging the land
a repeated offence
If you have done none of these things then there is no crime. Even though the law against trespassing was tightened in 2022, the government website states:
“The criminal offence applies to those who cause significant damage, disruption or distress while residing on land without permission in or with a vehicle. This will ensure unintentional instances of trespass are not caught by the offence, such as hikers and walkers accessing the countryside as part of a recreational pastime. The offence does not apply where no harm is caused, ensuring that a person will not be criminalised for their mere presence on the land.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU'RE CAUGHT?
If you are unfortunate enough to be caught, you will likely be asked to leave. If you leave politely and with no trace you were there, you have not committed an offence, and you cannot be prosecuted.
Let me say that again. The worst that can happen is that you will be asked to leave.
Even if the landowner threatens to call the police, there is nothing to fear, provided you don’t come back, abuse anybody or cause damage. What is more likely is a polite conversation with no harm done. If you are lucky then they might even let you stay for the rest of the night if you promise to leave ASAP in the morning.
THE GOLDEN RULES OF WILD CAMPING
Here are some basic but essential rules for responsible wild camping. They are polite, environmentally friendly, and will put you in good stead if anyone comes across you. It is vitally important that we all respect these rules, or else you will be spoiling it for everyone else!
Leave No Trace
Be Discreet
Be Responsible
LEAVE NO TRACE
This one is the most important. Don’t leave any evidence that you were ever there. Leaving a trace is bad for the land, plants and animals, and is the most common reason for wild camping being stigmatised in the first place.
Don’t damage the environment in any way
Take all litter home with you
Don’t bury anything that an animal might dig up again
Try and improve the area if you can by carrying away litter left by someone else
BE DISCREET
Don’t draw any attention to yourself. It’s to minimise nuisance caused toward other people, but also about not spooking animals either.
Only stay for one night
Arrive late/leave early
Don’t make excessive noise
Not within sight of a path or near a road (usually 100 metres away or more)
BE RESPONSIBLE
Don’t do anything silly that risks harming yourself or freaking anybody out. You will be in serious trouble if someone has to summon mountain rescue, the coastguard, the fire brigade or any other overworked public service that is not going to be happy about dealing with your shit.
Tell someone where you’re going - peace of mind all around, you don’t want anyone worrying about you
Check the weather - it’s true that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation. But if you’re not equipped to handle the cold or wet, you are putting your health at risk
Don’t get lost - always have a method of navigation. If you’re using your phone then make sure you have enough battery and have saved the maps offline, in case you lose signal
Think twice about fires - wildfires cause serious environmental damage in the UK every year: all started by people who thought they knew what they were doing. If you do have a fire, it is essential that you follow some guidelines to limit risk to the environment
Don’t let your dog run off or scare animals - if you let it near cows you could both be in very big trouble as the cows might stampede (do not mess with cows)
Leave No Trace. Be Discreet. Be Responsible. If you can’t remember these three rules, just remember one:
DON'T BE A DICK
If you are wild camping and you are not a dick, you’ll be fine and so will everyone else.
FINDING PLACES TO WILD CAMP
If you stick to the golden rules, there is more land available than you would think. You can look online for inspiration on where to wild camp, but most sources will not give details of specific places. This avoids overcrowding and damage to popular spots. Instead, use your initiative to find a place where you won’t be bothered or cause damage.
Google Maps - I’ve found a lot of good spots using Google Maps, but also some memorably bad ones, so make sure you do your research to check if the land is suitable. It’s a sad feeling indeed when you finally arrive at your spot after dark and realise it’s patrolled by guards or in the middle of a swamp
OS Maps - use them to see extra land features like hills or marshland that will help you choose a good spot from bad. Paper maps are the most fun, but you can download the OS Maps app for free, or get them for free using Bing Maps!
National parks - some parks like the Lake District are more tolerant toward wild camping - they do not allow it but provide guidelines for those that choose to do it anyway
Sensitive places - Be aware that some areas are of particular environmental or historical importance, such as rare species habitats or ancient monuments. Camping in these areas is discouraged as the risk of damage is greater
Farms - the most likely way to get caught is by a farmer trying to go about their daily work. Try to avoid farmland if possible. On the other hand, places that are managed by large organisations are less likely to trouble you. Their employees are likely to be home in bed; and it’s not their land and livelihood being personally impeded, so a polite conversation is the likely outcome
Parking - an important one if you’re driving. Some car parks are strict about no overnight parking, and even laybys in some places too. Try and plan this in advance, otherwise you risk getting a ticket or parking further away than planned
CHOOSING A SPOT
Once you’ve arrived in the area you have chosen to camp, find a spot that is:
Hidden - from roads, paths or houses. Trees or hills are usually best for keeping you out of sight
Flat - no more than a gentle slope, otherwise you’ll have a hard time sleeping when you’re sliding all over the place
Smooth - no rocks, branches or bumps to dig into your back overnight
Dry - ground that appears dry might actually be wet, best to thoroughly check before pitching your tent or sitting down
If you’re near water, you’ll have the sound of it all through the night, which might be good or bad depending on how you sleep. There are likely to be more bugs flying around near water too.
Think twice before camping in a popular spot. If it is used a lot then it means the environment might need time to recover from high foot traffic and human occupation. Alternatively, it might be best to use a well-worn spot to preserve the environment nearby. Use your common sense!
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
There are some essentials you can’t do without: otherwise you can bring anything you want. Although you’ll probably want to keep your weight to a minimum, especially if you plan to walk a fair distance.
Now lots of people will talk about how wonderful it is to have invested £800 in their state-of-the-art carbon methane poly tent, but chances are you are not ready for that commitment. You do not need to spend lots of money on gear to be able to go wild camping. You might have a bulkier bag and you might need to wear an extra layer, but take whatever you need to enjoy your experience. Remember: that’s what it’s all about!
ESSENTIALS
Tent - if it keeps out the wind and rain, it’ll do the job. Make sure it has an inner and outer layer to stop the inside of your tent getting wet (yuck), but all but the cheapest tents come with two layers nowadays. Or why not bring a bivvy bag (basically a sleeping bag made of tent material) for the ultimate sleeping outdoor experience?
Sleeping bag - better than blankets or duvets because they trap in all of your body heat, and pack down small. If you’re camping in the summer then most sleeping bags will do. Check the temperature rating if you’re camping in colder weather
Sleeping mat - essential for a comfortable night’s sleep: the ground is harder than you think. Also, the Earth will suck the warmth out of you overnight so having an insulated layer prevents this. You can get roll mats or inflatable ones that pack down smaller
Warm clothing - keep your body’s heat in with layers, layers, layers. Some materials, like wool, are better than others but generally most things will do if you wear enough layers. A cheap pair of thermals (top and leggings) work wonders
Light source - so you can see what you’re doing after dark. Headtorches are good so you can keep your hands free. Your phone torch is ok in a pinch (combine with a plastic bottle for a a makeshift lantern) but these don’t actually produce much light - and they chew up your precious battery
Food - think about what you’re going to eat. On shorter trips I’ll bring cooking equipment (see below). On long expeditions I like to bring dry goods only (fruit, nuts, cereal bars) to conserve space in my bag. You can bring leftovers in tupperwares, but best to wrap those bad boys up in a carrier bag incase of leakage (from many grim personal experiences)
Water - there’s nothing worse than a dry thirsty mouth. Actually there is, and that’s getting the shits from drinking dodgy water straight from a stream. I recommend a minimum of 1 litre per person per night. A water bladder is better than bringing plastic bottles - they take up less space there and back. You can get water purification tablets, or a device to filter water you come across. If you’re taking booze then bring water too unless you want a monster hangover
These are the bare essentials to keep you alive - but it doesn’t stop there. Depending on the length and depth of your adventure, here are some other items for your kit list:
MORE USEFUL THINGS
Backpack - the further you are planning to walk with heavy gear on your back, the more advised you are to have a good backpack. They will be comfortable and stop your back getting sore too. Plus they usually have lots of useful pockets to make your stuff easy to access
Portable charger - do not let your phone die. It’s not only your camera and possibly your map, but also your way of calling for help if anything goes wrong. (Top tip: if you need to save battery, switch on airplane mode and you’ll last much longer)
Pillow - you can roll up some spare clothes to rest your head on, or you can bring an inflatable one
Rubbish bag - unless you want to drip dinner sauce or beer juice all over the contents of your bag when walking home
Trowel and toilet roll - used to bury your calls of nature (more on this below). Hand sanitiser is useful too for washing hands
Something to sit on - folding stools are ideal as they take up very little room, but even a plastic bag could make the difference between a soggy bottom or not
Cooking equipment - if you need it - gas canister, stove, lighter, pot, cutlery, plates/bowls
Multitool - or Swiss Army knife. As well as a knife (for cutting food), they usually have a tin opener, a bottle opener and a corkscrew. (You’d hate to carry out that lovely bottle of red only to find you can’t get the cork out!)
Eye mask - when the sun comes up the inside of your tent will light up with it. This will help you get better quality sleep
Earplugs - block out snoring distant road traffic or pesky animals
Toothbrush/toothpaste - you can skip a night if you want but be warned that your mouth will probably feel gross in the morning
Towel and swimwear - if you’re planning to swim. Microfibre towels are good as they pack down small and dry out fast
Insect repellent - especially in warmer weather, a plague of midges can appear out of thin air near sundown and ruin your trip if you are unprepared. Long sleeved clothing will help cover your skin from bugs
First aid kit - you can buy cheap prepacked ones from outdoor stores, but at the very least you can take some paracetamol and plasters. Antihistamines are good incase you get a sudden bout of hayfever - sleeping with a blocked nose is never fun
Speaker - keep the volume low - you shouldn’t be able to hear music more than 5 metres away from your camping spot. This is polite to nearby animals, but also if you’re discovered by someone, they are more likely to be upset with you. Don’t let that stop you from quietly enjoying your music though!
WILD GLAMPING
Here’s a controversial fact: wild camping doesn’t have to be rough. You can be in the wilderness and still be in comfort. Of course, sometimes you want to keep things minimal to feel as close to nature as possible, but if you follow the golden rules then what’s the problem with bringing an extra bag to make yourself comfortable? Leave no trace, ignore the snobs and do as you please.
Inflatable bed - the easiest way to a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors. Just make sure there’s enough room in the tent. And don’t forget the pump!
Blankets - lay them on the ground for picnics, wrap up in them outside, or use as an extra warmth layer on top of your sleeping bag
Proper pillow - it can make a big difference to sleep quality. Just take the pillow from your bed, or someone else’s - just don’t get caught!
Folding chairs - strap them to the outside of your bag
Cool bag - insulated to keep your food and drinks cold and fresh
Games console - Nintendo Switches are great, assuming your hands don’t get cold!
GENERAL ADVICE
First timers - try finding a spot not far from the car or from your house, so you can bail out if you’re really not enjoying it. It’s also a good go with someone else, especially if they’re more experienced than you are. Learn from their mistakes, not your own!
Keep your stuff dry - once wet it’s very difficult to get dry again. And wet stuff means cold stuff. If your sleeping bag or clothes get wet then it’s a night of misery in store
Keep your inner tent door closed - to stop insects getting in and feasting on you while you sleep
Extra clothing - even in the summer you’d be surprised how cold it can get overnight. A spare layer or a woolly hat can make all the difference
Going to the toilet - a liberating experience in the great outdoors, but do it responsibly. Don’t wee within 30 metres of open water. If you need to poo, dig a shallow hole for it and then cover it with a layer of soil to let the ground break it down. Thoroughly burying a small amount of toilet paper is fine. Wet wipes are the bane of the earth so take them home with you!
Staying safe - the remote countryside is much safer than a city centre, as there are slim chances of any wandering nasty people coming across you. If you want to feel confident, bring someone with you and let someone know where you are going. Don’t advertise your plans to strangers and don’t post on social media until the next day
Cows - do not mess with cows. Try not to camp in a field with them, especially if there’s baby cows around, and especially if you have a dog. Cows are naturally peaceful, but are highly protective of their offspring, spook easily, and kill UK walkers every year
If you forget something - don’t worry about it. As long as you have the basics to keep you alive, then just embrace it as part of the adventure. You’re tougher than you might think, and wild camping helps you to realise it. It might be uncomfortable but it’s not going to kill you
If you’re thinking about trying a wild camp, I urge you to go for it. It really is an incredible experience that you will bring back to every other area of your life. It’ll show you who you are and prove that there is more to life than screens and modern conveniences. It might not turn out perfectly, but that’s the point: it’s how all the best adventures happen.
“The road may be rough, the journey may be tough and the experience may be bitter, but they are stepping stones to our future thrones.”- Bamigboye Olurotimi
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