Have you ever wild camped and is it less scary second time round ?

[Lardlizard]

As I might do it agin this summer, did it for the first recently
Was not the best night of my life but the kids enjoyed it, over the summer hols I might do it again, but just wondered on here if you campers have any experience ?

You are so brave, I would love to do this but so far I'm too scared!

Only did it once die to lockdown but wouldn’t mind doing it once more ! Although I’m also happy to pay if I can find somewhere close enough although this does feel like quite the adventure although perhaps it should be a once in a lifetime adventure

Go to a campsite.

Look on PitchUp.com and use the filter for ‘wild style’. There are lots of sites that have camping in woods, are secluded etc.

It’s legal, and you won’t be risking coming up against nighttime poachers, immigrant agricultural workers saving money by camping under tarps, police looking for same.

You won’t be trampling on rare orchids or polluting the water table with your toilet arrangements.

If you have done it only once and are asking advice on MN you are obviously not an experienced bushcrafter or a walker with experience of overnights in the high fells, but are basically trespassing and potentially polluting.

Camping on campsites can be just as enjoyable and an adventure for the kids.

Not sure where you are op but we have been several times to a place with your own bit of wood, peat loo and water butt +sink. Proper facilities a ten min walk.. Feels like proper wild woods but with a safety net!!. Amazing - get a fire put and wood for the cold evenings for a fiver extra!

Yes, but not keen due to toilet situation (well lack of)

Shell Island its almost wild camping and a must do place
www.shellisland.co.uk
We have a motor home, its has been known for us to camp in a lay-by, car parks, side of road etc!

I haven't done it for about 25 years... but being woken at 4am by Chthulu devouring my tent ... oh wait, it was a sheep grazing on the grass by my head...was one of the scariest moments of my life!

I have wild camped many many times in the high fells... snowdonia and lake district mainly. It is illegal in England but generally accepted in higher areas. I would only ever camp low level if I’m canoeing and the pitch is remote (no footpaths nearby).
I have done a handful with the kids, but you have to carry more kits so it’s not as fun!
The best wild camping trips with the kids for me have been when we have canoed as the boat carried the kit 😀

I have, not sure if it is less scary second time around, depends what it was that scared you? Most of mine have been on Dartmoor were it is permitted outside of enclosed land and a certain distance from the road, and not visible from a road. You have to carry your kit, water and food (unless you are going to purify water from a suitable source i.e fast flowing water). I've wild camped in France too and on the odd occasions places you aren't meant to over here. These involve putting your tent up really late and getting it down early and having a very small tent. Not the most relaxing and generally been on a needs must basis when not been able to find somewhere suitable.
As others have said there are lots of basic sites which give a legal "wild camp" experience which might be better. You are often as a bonus allowed a fire which I never have when genuinely wild camping as it's not allowed in places like national parks.

Did it once in Cairngorms- walked our stuff in the day camped up top of mountain near a loch and walked back to the car the next day. I did not enjoy the experience one bit, was freaked out being in middle of nowhere in the pitch black, thank heavens I’d decanted some drambuie in a hip flask so sipped on that until I fell into an exhausted slumber. Thankfully now DH has no interest in following Ex-BFs passions for remote camping and we’re now caravanners instead

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/press-release/unprecedented-rise-in-fly-camping-and-campervan-staycation-numbers-halts-conservation-work-and-puts-nature-at-risk?campid=SocialShare_Central_MainSite_Facebook_1431876815681
Maybe book a proper campsite instead. It looks like you wouldn't be alone anyway.

I think in most places in England it is not allowed apart from certain areas eg parts of Dartmoor.

Where did you go before @Lardlizard?

I think in most places in England it is not allowed apart from certain areas eg parts of Dartmoor.

You just need to ask permission from the landowner for it to be legal.

I should have said get permission.

Wild camping is not illegal in England, it is unlawful, different thing altogether.