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Know Before You Go: Wild Camping in the UK

Fall in love with the British countryside and experience it like never before.

A backpacker walks through the British wilderness on a camping trip
Hi, I'm Anna!

Anna Richards is a travel and outdoor writer living in Lyon, France. Her work has been featured in The Independent, SUITCASE, The Telegraph, and many others.

When it comes to quintessential British landscapes, Cornwall, Devon, and Yorkshire; the craggy mountain peaks of the Scottish Highlands and Wales’ Brecon Beacons; or the lush, rolling hills of the Peak District, all come to mind.

Wild camping, though, doesn’t sound very British. In a nation known for handing out pamphlets detailing how to queue in the correct way (thank you, Wimbledon), would anyone ever flout the rules, let their hair down, and camp in the wild?

Yes, is the answer! After all, what better way is there to put the stoical “stiff upper-lip” approach to the test than coping with the elements and sloshing around an undesignated campsite in rubber boots as the rain pounds down on canvas for the fifth consecutive day? (And don’t get us started on relishing the opportunity to talk about nothing but the inclement weather over a cup of tea.) Here’s all you need to know about wild camping in the UK.

What is wild camping? And why should I try it?

A group of people walk in the English countryside looking for a place to set up their campsite.
Wild camping doesn't consist of an established campground.Bildquelle: Dan Senior / Unsplash

Surely Center Parcs is just as good?

Wild camping is, in short, camping in the wild, beyond the boundaries of established campgrounds. And, well, it’s free—but that’s not the only pull. Wild camping can be born out of necessity.

If you’re trekking in a remote corner of Scotland, the chances are that 5-star campgrounds complete with line dancing and bingo nights are few and far between. Then there’s the adventure factor along with the satisfaction that comes from going completely off-grid and being self-sufficient. You’ll sacrifice the comforts of running water and electricity, but you get to choose the view that you want to wake up to.

Is wild camping legal in the UK? And where?

A horse by huge rock formations in Dartmoor National Park, where you can camp, in England.
Much of Dartmoor, in South West England, permits wild camping.Bildquelle: Delpixel / Shutterstock

Don’t pitch your tent in Hyde Park.

You can legally wild camp almost anywhere in Scotland according to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, meaning that the Highlands are a veritable playground for campers. But in England, it’s a bit trickier. Much of Dartmoor, in South West England, allows wild camping. (The Dartmoor National Parks map is especially useful.) However, there are three firing ranges to avoid, and you’re not allowed to pitch your tent right by the road … but you surely didn’t come to the moors for a view of the tarmac, anyway.

Outside of these areas, wild camping is only permitted with the consent of the landowner; however, that doesn’t mean that wild camping is out of the question. There are actually many socially accepted wild camping spots across the UK, but stays are generally limited to 1–2 nights, so don’t take up permanent residence. Beyond that—and provided that you’re a responsible camper and leave no trace—there are plenty of remote spots where you're unlikely to have problems if you pitch your tent late and leave early.

Insider tip: Apps such as VanSecrets have great recommendations for wild camping spots.

Where can I find the best views in the UK?

A canal and bright houses along the Norfolk Broads.
The Norfolk Broads is known for its waterways.Bildquelle: Helen Hotson / Shutterstock

Spoiler: it’s subjective.

The UK has 15 spectacularly scenic national parks. They vary, from the wild horses and wooded copses of the New Forest to the tranquil waterways of the Norfolk Broads. The prettiest beaches and most dramatic cliffs are generally found in Cornwall, or Wales’s Gower Peninsula, while the best mountain peaks are undoubtedly in Scotland, where many people try to ‘bag’ all 282 ‘munros’ (mountains over 3,000 feet, or 915 meters).

What’s the best season to go wild camping?

The Tay Bridge from the a public footpath on the riverbank of River Tay at Aberfeldy, Perthshire in the Scottish Highlands on a sunny spring day.
Keep in mind the weather changes quite a lot in the UK countryside.Bildquelle: Duncan Andison / Shutterstock

With the right gear, you can camp in any season.

The UK has a mild climate, which means that temperatures and conditions are suitable for camping at any time of year in most places. The exceptions are in the Scottish and Welsh mountains, and anywhere where the winter months tend to see large quantities of snow and below-freezing temperatures. Having said that, even in the summer, the conditions in the mountains can change very quickly, and thick fog and high winds are common. Midges are an added annoyance in Scotland during summer; pack insect repellent.

Whatever the time of year you go, though, go prepared for rain. Those vibrant green fields for which the UK is known? They’re that color because it rains, a lot.

What should I pack for wild camping?

Backpacks stacked outside a tent in the forest.
Be sure to pack appropriately when wild camping.Bildquelle: kabby / Shutterstock

It’s similar to packing for a campsite, but with a few extras to consider.

Like the explorers of old, you’re leaving civilization behind you, and this requires a little extra preparation. First, do your research. Will you be near water sources, or do you need to carry water for the duration of your trip?

Take a portable charging pack and a headtorch. Make sure you’ve got bags to carry your trash with you, and a trowel to bury your business. And don’t light open campfires except in designated areas. (The number of forest fires started unwittingly by irresponsible campers is staggering.)

A surprising necessity? Sunblock. Mild temperatures in the UK are deceptive, and it’s possible to burn even on a cloudy day. And if you’re hiking, wear moisture-wicking fabrics that dry quickly. Merino wool and bamboo are two particularly good choices. And make sure that you’ve got adequate footwear. Hiking boots are a good choice, but having flip-flops for camp is also sensible.

What should I do if I’m caught camping somewhere illegally?

Panoramic view with famous Scottish lake Loch Shiel with Glenfinnan monument on sunset, Scotland.
If found camping illegally, kindly pack your things and leave.Bildquelle: Egor Baliasov / Shutterstock

Stay calm, and stay polite.

Keep in mind that laws and regulations can change, so it's always a good idea to check for the latest information and adhere to local guidelines when it comes to camping in the wild. Also good to know that The Access Code's access rights do not apply to motor vehicles.

Beyond that, make sure to cooperate with authorities, be polite, and apologize. Offer to quickly pack up your tent and move on. And don’t argue. But if you’ve got the landowner's permission, you shouldn't run into any problems.

Frequently asked questions

Beautiful landscape panorama of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. UK
Follow our guide to wild camping in the UK to have the best experience possible.Bildquelle: Pajor Pawel / Shutterstock

Everything you need to know about wild camping in the UK.

  • Is wild camping the same as dispersed camping? The terms are similar, but not quite interchangeable. Dispersed camping is a US term used to refer to camping on public land, as opposed to at designated campsites. Wild camping is a UK term referring to setting up temporary camp on either public or private land, typically with the permission of the landowner in the latter case.
  • Is wild camping the same as primitive camping? The US concept of primitive camping simply refers to camping somewhere without facilities like bathrooms or picnic tables. Wild camping is, to some degree, the British form of primitive camping, but it specifically takes place in the wilderness. Primitive camping, on the other hand, can still happen at a designated site—just one without amenities.
  • Is boondocking different from dispersed or wild camping? Boondocking specifically refers to camping in an RV in an amenity-free, hookup-free area outside an established campground. It's essentially the same as dispersed camping in the US or wild camping in the UK, only it takes place in an RV, not a tent.

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