How This Post Will Help You
I wanted to help you by doing two things in this post:
1). Clearing up a fallacy around if 'wild camping is legal in England & Wales'; and
2). Reveal 5 simple steps you should follow to help you wild camp in England & Wales.
What does the Law say?
Wild Camping is illegal in the UK, right?
Wrong!!!
I'm not a lawyer, but that's my understanding at least.
I am a Mountain Leader though. I have run Adventure Solos for years. I've wild camped thousands of times and taken hundreds of people wild camping.
Unfortunately, we see this myth, or over-simplification, that 'wild camping is illegal' written time and time again all over the internet.
I think it's an oversimplification by those who don't have time to understand or explain the nuances, which has then been perpetuated over time. For example, if you ask Google, results will tell you it is illegal in England and Wales. These results are sourced from the internet - sadly even places like Ordnance Survey incorrectly state that wild camping in England & Wales is illegal.
This is my understanding of the law in each country (but please do your own research too!):
1). SCOTLAND
Wild Camping is generally legal in Scotland.
Under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, you can usually wild camp in sensible places in Scotland. The main exceptions to this are that there are some by-laws in place in a few busy areas that restrict these general freedoms. This includes requiring permits around Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park from March to September (take note if you'd like to camp some of the West Highland Way!).
2). NORTHERN IRELAND
I've never camped in NI and unfortunately can't advise of the laws or rules. Drop a comment below if you know and/or have experience, I'd love to hear.
3). ENGLAND & WALES
It is often stated that wild camping in England and/or Wales is illegal.
Something being 'illegal' means you have committed a criminal offence, and can be arrested for that.
Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 ("CROW Act") typically you, as a member of public, have the right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (eg mountain, moor, heath and down - you can find this denoted on OS maps). However, the CROW Act doesn't give you the right to camp.
That doesn't mean it's illegal though.
Instead, if you're caught camping, this is considered 'trespass'.
Trespass is a civil matter.
A 'civil' matter is very different from a 'criminal' matter.
In theory, you could be sued in a civil court if you'd caused any damages - so don't!
Trespass not being a criminal matter means it (and wild camping) is not illegal!
However, if you were asked to leave if found trespassing, and you refused, you may be acting illegally.
This is because refusing to leave may be considered 'aggravated trespass'.
(Whereas if you were to move on, you wouldn't be acting illegally and couldn't be arrested.)
Feel slightly reassured but still not sure what this means in practice or how you can start wild camping? Read on...
What does this mean in practice?
I can't think of a time when I've come across a landowner whilst wild camping in the UK - never-mind had them ask me to leave.
This is because, wild camping (to me at least) is all about being respectful, going somewhere in the countryside that's a little remote, and being discrete.
I recommend you follow the tips below to ensure two things:
i) It will mean it's extremely unlikely you will encounter a landowner; and
ii) It will help you ensure your wild camping remains legal.
5 simple steps to wild camp legally in England & Wales
1). Respect locals & other land users
Camp somewhere sensible, where it's generally tolerated, such as higher up on the hills, out of the villages, in the Lake District.
A good place to start is 'Open Access Land' on an OS map (if you're not sure what this means, you might like to learn more on one of my map reading events here).
2). Be discrete
Camp somewhere discrete, and don't have a fire, so you're unlikely to be asked to move on. Ideally set up late and move on early, not too close to any footpaths.
3). Leave no trace
This is standard practice in terms of good toilet practices, not chopping down any trees, nor burning any dead wood and of course not littering or scorching the ground.
However, leaving no trace also has the bonus that there's likely to be no damages to a landowners' land. This means there are likely to be no damages to sue you for in a civil case (e.g. don't burn down a farmer's woodland, then there are no damages).
4). Be respectful and polite
You're not likely to come across a landowner if you follow the points above.
However, in the unlikely event that you encounter other people or a landowner, be respectful and polite.
Many landowners, if you're not camped in their back garden, will let you stay anyway if they can see you are respectful, doing no harm and agree to move on in the morning without a trace.
5). Move on if you're asked
If you refuse, this may be classed as 'aggravated trespass'. This does then fall into the 'illegal' category (meaning you could be arrested).
If you were to move on, you couldn't be arrested as you haven't done anything illegal.
Summary request
Have you found this post useful or interesting?
If so, please consider sharing this post with others that might find it useful as it really helps me (eg Reddit or any relevant Facebook groups).
Final point
Are you nervous about your first wild camp?
Are you unsure of where you can camp?
Don't know any good camping spots?
Don't want to waste money buying the wrong camping gear?
Would you like to meet a small group of like-minded people to camp with?
Do you want to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to wild camp?
Do you want to get started in a safe environment?
We can help!
Check out our Wild Camping for Beginners Events here now.
Find out more about our Wild Camping for Beginners events at AdventureSolos.com or click the link below:
Chris
Other Resources:
Wild Camp and paddle from the West to the East of Scotland - no experience required on this awesome Canoe Scotland Expedition!
Join us for laser tag, climbing, buggy building, abseiling and more at the Dearne Valley Weekend.
Get set up for wild camping with Wild Camping for Beginners;
Here's my review of a £700 lightweight tent;
Try giant stand-up paddleboarding, raft building and some tree-top challenges at the Winderemere Weekend.
Tackle the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge on this sociable weekend! Take a look here.
Join the mailing list to be kept up to date.
Found a broken or out of date link? I'd appreciate it if you could email to let me know.
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