IS WILD CAMPING ILLEGAL IN THE UK? | Top tips and tricks for beginners
IS WILD CAMPING ILLEGAL IN THE UK? | Top tips and tricks for beginners
Is wild camping illegal in the UK? In this video, I give you my top tips, tricks and wild camping hacks for beginners for finding the best locations to camp legally in the United Kingdom, in particular, England and Wales.
The good news is, wild camping isn’t illegal everywhere in the UK, but there are some do’s and don’ts and things you have to be clear on when planning your next trip. If you follow these guidelines, leave no trace and are respectful of the land, it doesn’t have to be a scary or stressful experience when thinking about the law.
During the coronavirus lockdown, wild camping wasn’t allowed anywhere, but recently the doors to the wilderness have reopened, so it’s important now more than ever to follow these tips and make sure you’re up to speed to keep you and the wilderness safe.
All of the national parks like the New Forest, Peak District, Brecon Beacons and many more don’t promote wild camping, but the Lake District and Dartmoor do so we’ll look at those as well as some map reading, planning and preparation.
Resource links:
Wild camping in the lake district: https://bit.ly/2BSen6u
Dartmoor wild camping best practice: https://bit.ly/2XlFWwE
Dartmoor wild camping interactive map: https://bit.ly/3fpnKsa
Be sure to check out my other wild camping tips videos below in the series for more info:
Wild camping in Scotland tips: Coming soon
Top tips and tricks for wild camping solo in the UK: Coming soon
5 differences between wild camping in the UK and the USA: Coming soon
Top tips for leave no trace: Coming soon
BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR
Kit list as of June 2020:
Backpacks
Atom+: https://bit.ly/31oHlFF
ULA Circuit: https://bit.ly/37XbigX
SHELTERS
Stratospire 2: https://bit.ly/317A9gS
Zpacks Solplex: https://bit.ly/2CtyJmr
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Katabatic Sawatch: https://bit.ly/3fWSxNM
Katabatic Palisade: https://bit.ly/3ewt5OL
Neoair Xlite: https://bit.ly/2YrKSB4
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak 4.0: https://bit.ly/2B5fHm8
Gaiters – Altra gaiters: https://bit.ly/37ViBFY
CLOTHING
Waterproof shells
Rohan Helix: https://bit.ly/37ZKbSo
OR Helium 2: https://bit.ly/3fVmzBq
Frogg Toggs: https://bit.ly/2Nqlrth
Insulated jackets
Patagonia Micropuff Hoodie: https://bit.ly/2YwQZ7f
Trespass Rustler: https://bit.ly/3i0HODx
Base layers
Ice Breaker base layer: https://bit.ly/3eGSdlG
Shirts
Rohan Expedition: https://bit.ly/388teWl
Shorts
Patagonia Striders: https://bit.ly/2Npw2EX
Hats
REI desert cap: https://bit.ly/3hWUKdJ
Berghaus beanie: https://bit.ly/31dGvvi
Sunglasses
Sungods: https://bit.ly/2zZ0wKG
Gloves
Salomon gloves: https://bit.ly/2ByVMMf
Ski gloves: https://bit.ly/383TCQX
Socks
Injinjis: https://bit.ly/3dwpmPG
Darn Toughs: https://bit.ly/3hX28G2
Sealskinz: https://bit.ly/3hXAnNG
NB Flat Knit: https://bit.ly/31e0Dx1
Mosquito net
Smidge: https://bit.ly/2B8d9DH
Buff
Camino Buff: https://bit.ly/31awGho
FILM AND SOUND
Phone
iPhone 11 Pro Max: https://bit.ly/2NosT83
Drones
DJI Mavic Air 2: https://bit.ly/31oIn4v
DJI Mavic Air 1: https://bit.ly/2VbNn8E
Cameras
Canon M50: https://bit.ly/3eyCPrQ
Sony RX100V: https://bit.ly/2NqQOUy
Mics
Röde Micro: https://bit.ly/2Npt1nX
Tripods
Gorilla Pod 1K: https://bit.ly/31c74Rf
Gorilla Pod 500: https://bit.ly/3ewApts
Manfrotto Action: https://bit.ly/2Ys689O
NAVIGATION
GPS units
Garmin InReach Mini: https://bit.ly/384Keg4
Garmin GPS Map 66i: https://bit.ly/3dxY4bI
Compass
Silva Field: https://bit.ly/31aS3iD
WATER TREATMENT
Filter
Sawyer Squeeze: https://bit.ly/2YwRJt3
Purifying drops
Aquamira drops: https://bit.ly/3euuQM9
Water storage
Cnoc Vecto 2L: https://bit.ly/31e1AFB
ELECTRONICS
Power banks
20,000mah: https://bit.ly/2NnBQyA
13,000mah: https://bit.ly/3hZhvOg
GPS tracking watch
Garmin Forerunner 35: https://bit.ly/3drJUc9
Wall chargers
UK : https://bit.ly/2BxbgQW
US : https://bit.ly/3dpUIrb
Data
Apple SD reader: https://bit.ly/2VfnnsW
EQUIPMENT
Lights
NU25: https://bit.ly/2Z5S70p
H2R Nova: https://bit.ly/2BB5fCV
Tiki: https://bit.ly/3hXBKfi
Ice axe
Grivel Helix: https://bit.ly/2Z6e0Nm
Trekking poles
Alpine Carbon Cork: https://bit.ly/3hXWiUL
Traction
Microspikes: https://bit.ly/3fQC5hV
Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2: https://bit.ly/2Vfl4WL
Spoons and knives
TITO titanium spoon: https://bit.ly/3ey0oAT
Victorinox mini classic: https://bit.ly/2Yr7dP8
Poop trowel
Deuce of Spades trowel: https://bit.ly/3i7H3c6
Sit pad
Kumfie pad: https://bit.ly/3euvJnX
Tent stakes
Tarptent stakes: https://bit.ly/3hZik9O
MSR Mini Ground Hogs: https://bit.ly/3ew7VAe
OEX Y-shaped stakes: https://bit.ly/31bAnnd
Tent poles
Zpacks carbon fibre tent poles: https://bit.ly/3du14pM
Ground sheet
Polycryo ground sheet: https://bit.ly/37XLmBW
STORAGE
Pack liners and pods
Atom Packs DCF pack liner: https://bit.ly/2YrMPxo
Heacy-duty rubble sacks: https://bit.ly/31dqPba
Lake district national park web site current advice is wild camping Not permitted.
(Covid 19 visitors are causing problems)
If you want to wild camp legally, and bring your high powered rifle, shoot deer, pigs and goats, and light fires, move to New Zealand. State forests, forest parks and national parks all over the country. It’s what I used to do for a living. Hunt and trap. I wouldn’t go back to the UK if you paid me to. Police state.
Considering I stayed in a tent on Wandsworth roundabout for a week back in 1995 and was never discovered I’m sure there must be parts of the English countryside that I could stay in undisturbed for weeks?
but what about the coronavirus….. is wild camping alowed now?
It’s not dedicated hikers and wild campers that causes problems it is the casual walker that tend to leave rubbish , mountain rescue are OK with wild camping but mountain rangers might take issue they are concerned you will have a fire and set the hillside on fire .
I know camping anywhere in the Alpine Zone in the White Mountains of NH, USA is prohibited.
562,285 acres of land in the UK, That is Scotland, England and Wales is owned by Foreign Interest Companies and or Individuals. Second only to The Military, and Royalty and Nobility who own 2,785,317 acres between them.CAMP WHERE YOU WANT !
A bivvy bag, alcohol stove and a stealty leave no trace approach, in at dusk out at dawn has never left me with a problem along Roman road camps.
can you just list locations with open access land…?
Thanks for the video, it’s good to be reminded that there are places in England where respectful wild camping is tolerated
I’ve been looking at getting into wild camping over the last few years, I’ve been out with my mate in the Brecon Beacons but I’m still to do my first solo camp. As a bit of a noob I made sure to look into the rules and while I found that it wasn’t strictly legal in most places, it was refreshing to find that in many it was tolerated as long as you stick to a few simple rules, like you say.
It’s clearly all about common sense and respect, the ‘leave no trace’ rule says it perfectly, it’s one of the things that I really like about wild camping and its community. The only down side is that I live in London and all the good places seem to be miles away! haha
Power job!!! 👣
It’s a real shame that most of the other National parks in England and Wales aren’t as pro-active as Dartmoor with regards to wild camping.
If anything, promoting responsible camping and especially the ‘leave no trace’ principle, maybe even having some random signs showing some basic bushcraft skills to try out at random locations, any of that would help educate people and reduce the amount of deadheaded trash-producers out there.
There’s too much of a stigma against going outside and enjoying yourself responsibly, it’s about time for some action there, all things considered.
Boiled down…forget England and Wales just go camping in Scotland it’s far less hassle.
Great info. Wasn’t aware of the lake district being so lenient. 👍
Great info. Thanks 😊
Many thanks for your informative advice👍
Worth noting that Trespass is not a criminal offence, you can’t be arrested for it, and no criminal record.
Cheers bud, very helpful vid.
great video for those thinking of staying over night in the Lake District it maybe worthwhile reading the two bye laws "For Access Land" which appears to apply to 30 areas identified and "for Car Parking" which applies to 40 car parks and I will let you make up your minds if it applies to the whole area Happy wild camping and leave no trace
Myself and a few bandits followed your top tips and leave no trace when we camp and commit crimes. We have not yet had a problem with the law as a result. Thanks.
Shame England doesn’t have the same laws as Scotland when it comes to camping
So funny to see people worried about the legality of wild camping while each city has 100’s of people "wild camping" or sleeping rough on the streets even outside council offices and police stations and they never go to prison or get arrested. Apparently it is illegal to ride your bike on the pavement yet everyone does it. Apparently you can legally shoot an Englishman from a tower with a bow and arrow from some place in Wales yet nobody does it 😋
I’ve been wild camping my entire life and never had any trouble nor have I known anyone to get into any trouble other than a bunch of teenagers once who were camping on the beach 100 yards from a campsite, drinking beer and playing music late at night. They had the Police come and move them on but what do you expect! 😄
An update on Dartmoor is that camping is banned at Bellever Woods for 27 days due to huge lack of respect by ‘fly campers’.
https://www.facebook.com/798188313597194/posts/3154280407987961/
So I still can light a fire to cook with my stove but just can’t light a fire on ground? Good video mate, thanks
If you can be there during the day whats really the difference of being there at night?
Can’t imagine being moved on having a picnic or a nap on a rug during the day… Wild camping is just the same just with a little shelter!
no problem wild camping in a farmers field … just stay hidden and pitch up at sunset and leave at sunrise
That was really helpful. Thank you.
This video title is misleading as it does not cover the UK but does cover Great Britain!
Got me sub’d! Thanks for posting!
Just want to say thankyou so much for inspiring me to go out explore and wild camp and showing me just how beautiful the uk is and helping me with getting started the correct way! Did my first wild camp last week at llyn y fan fach in the Brecon Beacons
Too many laws in life. Bollocks to them all and do what the hell we want ! End of the day no one owns anyone, No one owns nothing, its only borrowed while our time is on this planet.
Wildcamped most of my life when I have the time. Never left any residue of my night or two camping as it should be. For the most part I don’t believe anyone ever knew I was there as I always find that spot way away from others and never been bothered because of that! As for the law, never had much use for it!
Great video Riss and well explained. I also like to adopt an ‘pitch late, leave early’ approach too. Didn’t know about the purple Dartmoor areas so that’s very handy to know! ATB mate and thanks for sharing with us. Ben 👍👍
I’ve wild camped in snowdonia, peak district and lake district with no problem but they have been alot stories in the press lately of wild campers leaving tents a d rubbish behind
The green/lime green colour scheme seperating open and private woodland absolutly sucks for colour blind people. I really can’t see any difference at all!
watch mr ballen lol
Brilliant advice bud cheers, liked and subscribed 👍🏻
Gotta like this, too many You Tubers film themselves camping in lowland areas and light fires.
Wildcamping will be soon completely illegal,due to government making trespass a criminal offence.
If you don’t think some land owners won’t use this new law against walkers, cyclists and wild campers then we are naive.
My rule. Go where I need to go until someone tells me otherwise. Of course I pick wisely sometimes ha ha. Its about adventure and taking risks. Stop been a pussy.
camp where u want just dont get caught and if you are caught tell them to go bollocks, its a civil case not a criminal one and it’ll cost them money to take action against you, which they wont be able to unless you’ve caused damage anyway.
Absolute legend for this video! Big fan of wild camping in New Forest too 👍🏻
Hi Russ, great videos… if you ever come to Switzerland for hiking let me know. Some great places like the Binntal (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpXAqs9bfjc for some inspiration)
Very informative Russ. ATB – Julia
When did this country become so over-regulated?
This guy is superior in that he recognises the differences in Scotland unlike other videos who think the UK is one country.
Great work. Thanks Russ 👍🏻
Planning my first trip to the Peak District. Believe it is generally tolerated there. I keep seing people saying ‘above the highest fell’. Can anyone tell me what this means in laymans terms and how to know im above that point. Thanks
Its not in Scotland