Are you allowed to camp anywhere?

[freddiefrog]

Sorry, strange question, but DH and I were talking about getting away for a couple of days with the kids and we both said we'd love it if we could bung a couple of tents in a bag and either walk or hop on bikes and just pitch up wherever we found ourselves. Really, properly explore the area we live and have a little adventure

We live in a really lovely area, with lots of lovely costal paths and little woods and streams and places like that, but there aren't really a whole load of proper campsites

So, are you actually allowed to pitch up in the corner of a field or something like that?

There is no legal right to, no, and landowners can insist you leave, but if you are in a secluded area away from dwellings, not in farmers field, etc and make sure you leave no mess or damage, you probably won't be noticed.

Thanks

This area is mainly AONB, National Trust or farmland with public footpaths through. There just aren't any proper campsites in the area, or we'd camp there

We obviously wouldn't make a mess or cause any damage.

It just seemed like a good way to get away for a few days and get out on the coastal path and millions of footpaths near us. Maybe the reality is not all that great though

Our local NT property has a wild-camping area, maybe others do too?

(Ours is a nature reserve type place rather than a house)

We went camping from college a few years ago, pitched up in a field beside a stream - farmer came along and said we shouldn't be there - we said we had blisters could we stay and he offered to rub our feet for us!!

• You have never seen 3 girls pack up so quickly!!! The next pub had a field they let us camp in for nothing so long as we ate there!

If you are in Scotland you can camp anywhere but it is good to check in with local farmer if you can.

I'd just do it but not make a big song and dance and leave as you find.

If there is an obvious landowner I would ask and offer a nominal payment though.