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.
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.
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.
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.
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—seems quintessentially British. 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 a 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.
Wild camping, though, sounds much less 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? And is wild camping even legal? Here’s all you need to know.
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, and 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.
You can legally wild camp almost anywhere in Scotland, meaning that the Highlands are a veritable playground for campers. Much of Dartmoor, in South West England, also allows wild camping. (This map shows where.) 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 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 give great recommendations of wild camping spots.
The UK has 15 spectacularly scenic national parks. They’re very varied, from the wild horses and wooded copses of the New Forest to the tranquil waterways of the Norfolk Broads. The prettiest beaches and 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).
The UK has a mild climate, which means that in most places temperatures and conditions are suitable for camping at any time of year. 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 the summer months; 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.
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 rubbish with you, and a trowel to bury your business. And don’t light open camp fires except in designated areas. (The number of forest fires started unwittingly by irresponsible campers is staggering.)
A surprising necessity? Sun block. Mild temperatures in the UK are deceptive and it’s possible to burn even on a cloudy day, especially as the ozone layer over the UK is thin and lets through more UV rays than in other, warmer parts of the world.
Comfortable, breathable clothing is key for wild camping. But are you going to be hiking, or just camping? 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 it’s also sensible to have flip flops for camp.
OK, you got busted. Be polite and apologetic. Pack up your tent and move on. Don’t argue. If you’ve asked the landowner's permission this shouldn’t happen, though.
