Wild camping in UK

[BigPussyEnergy]

I know legally you're not supposed to go wild camping in most of the UK but I know there are a couple of spots in which it is/was allowed, and that Scotland is mainly free for all.

Has anyone been wild camping, can you recommend an area for a first timer, somewhere I can park up and go for a reasonably gentle walk/hike, pitch a one man tent for the night, make a cup of tea on a little fire and look at the stars!

I've got all the gear and will otherwise just have to find some reasonably priced campsites but would ideally like to have the freedom to pitch where I like rather than being squeezed into a pitch with neighbours chatting and snoring!

I think it's ok on Dartmoor if you can't be seen from the road?

You have reminded me of lovely holidays many many years ago. No car but we would get half way up mountains in Wales or the Lake District. Rucksacks with everything needed. Small tent. The object was to stay away from any people or any civilisation for as many days as possible. Moved on every day.
We took pride on leaving absolutely no trace that we had been there.

I do understand your wish to get away from campsites.
Perhaps you could find a farmer who will let you camp?

Every teenager on the Gower peninsula goes wild camping in the summer. There are so many places to camp and not be seen .

Well I guess the best place to start in England is Dartmoor, where it's legal! (The Dartmoor National Park Authority has a map of exactly where you can camp, but as a rule of thumb if you're on open moorland a few hundred metres from the nearest road it should be OK). It's also beautiful.

Lots of people walking the South West Coast Path clandestinely camp, and it seems to be tolerated. It's not always easy to find a discreet pitch along the path though.

There is a few Facebook groups on Wild camping.
In my teens and 20s this wasn't a " Thing" we were bikers and every weekend in summer we would put our tent n sleeping bag on back of our motorbikes and camp just about anywhere.. the coast.. the Dales.. the lake district.. the peaks.. the moors.
I don't think there were so many rules and regulations back then

I do a decent amount of camping at Loch Earn in Scotland. It’s wild camping but regulated by Loch Lomond and trossachs camping in the season. You pay £4.20 a night and get a guaranteed pitch in a lay-by / clearing next to the road. It’s a single track and very quiet apart from fellow campers. Pitches are a couple of hundred metres apart so you can vaguely hear neighbours/ see the smoke but it’s not intrusive. You get a campfire spot and a litter bin. There are rangers who stop by and say hello and check permits. I’ve camped there as a single woman with dc and it’s always felt very safe.

Re Scotland there ARE rules
https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/camping

These might be helpful

Wild camping uk hisyury

Wild camping in Lake District

I have wild camped a lot in the Lake District, above 2000 feet. The key is to be discreet, remote and keep it brief. I'd advise bring more than a gentle stroll from "civilisation".

Unless in a site with a fire ring or similar you should use a stove, not light a fire, since it will be difficult to “leave no trace” after a fire. And you should bring wood with you to burn if you can have a fire.

It is possible to find sites where you can camp in relative seclusion, choose your own spot and with big distances from other campers.

Search Pitch Up with the ‘wild style’ filter, back to basics, and fires allowed for good sites, and preferably go in school term time.

Also try NearlyWildCamping.org , The Greener Camping Club

I see individual wild campers in the Lake District but it isn’t legal, has to be above the intake walls, so in practice a proper lengthy uphill fell walk. Not a stroll.

Some great pointers thank you! And will take note about the fire/stove thing.

Love Gower peninsula and really fancy visiting the Lake District too. I’ll have to make a little plan and see how many of these I can manage over the summer.

Have a look at Coco's in Wales: www.cocoswildcamp.com/

We haven't been there yet but it's on our list to do. The closest you'll get to wild camping without anyone giving you any hassle for parking where you shouldn't etc.

There's some lovely Facebook groups based around wild
Camping OP. I hope you manage to get out there and enjoy the feeedom.

You have reminded me of lovely holidays many many years ago. No car but we would get half way up mountains in Wales or the Lake District. Rucksacks with everything needed. Small tent. The object was to stay away from any people or any civilisation for as many days as possible. Moved on every day.
We took pride on leaving absolutely no trace that we had been there.

What did you do if you needed a poo?

Wild camping.... please stay 1 night and clear up your rubbish including your bottles of wee.
We see and clear remains of so-called-wild camping. 28 tents in the last 3 months (that's not wild camping...)
Some people get it. Some people see it as a free holiday and leave crap/litter. It destroying the countryside/peaks/lakes etc

To answer question about poo.. Dug a deepish hole, replaced grass, any stones or twigs etc carefully. Plenty of animal poo around though.

👍🏼

Thank you oneday and I’ll check that out Clevs, looks ideal!

That's not wild camping. That's vile vandalism, littering etc..

Have a look ‘Wild with consent’ it’s a website where you can book wild camping, although you do have to pay. You’re paying for the privilege of staying somewhere no one else will be staying in corners of the countryside otherwise unvisited by tourists.

If you do go, please prepare to deal with your poo properly. Can't count how many times I've come across piles of human poo (with accompanying poopy tissues/toilet roll) in the country park where i walk most days (which for the record, is in a suburban area & bans overnight parking/camping but never enforces it)

When l was camping in the Girl Guides, even more years ago, the toilets were always a trench in the farmers field dug out by the Captain's husband. In sack stuff cubicles. Filled in and grass put back on top at the end of camp. I expect there is a more modern way now?? I'd like to know.
We made lots of 'gadgets ' out of sticks, tables and wash stands to hold bowls etc.
( you can tell l got the Pioneer badge!) Guide Captain was keen on camping, we even camped in her back garden. I realised later she had taught us well. Haven't been camping for years now.
Later, husband and l tried a few campsites, mostly awful, too noisy. Would think everyone had settled for the night but then sometent would decide it was party time. We did find a nice Welsh farmer who let us camp a few times when we had young children.

This is why I want to go a bit wild Frankley, nothing worse than trying to enjoy the great outdoors with some inconsiderate prick next door making a racket.

and yes, will be sure to leave NO trace!

Have a look at Comrie Croft campsite near Crieff in Perthshire. It's not "wild", but it's a very low key campsite.