Where to Go Wild Camping in the UK?

Wild camping is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the outdoors, but where can you actually do it in the UK? The answer isn’t straightforward. The rules vary depending on where you are, but more than that, access, confidence, and respect for the land all play a role in shaping the reality of wild camping.

For the purposes of this guide, we’re looking at four broad types of wild camping—acknowledging that there is no single definition. As access to land and outdoor recreation evolves, so does the way people approach camping in the wild.

1. Adventure Wild Camping

This is what most people simply call wild camping—heading into remote upland areas, carrying everything you need, and sleeping out in nature. It’s the most traditional and arguably the purest form of wild camping, but we’re calling it Adventure Wild Camping here to distinguish it from other types.

There’s no formal standard for wild camping, and it has evolved significantly over the years. However, there are a few widely accepted best practices:

• Stay high & hidden – Camp above the fell wall, away from roads, buildings, and marked paths.

• Arrive late, leave early – Pitch at sunset, leave at sunrise.

• Minimal impact – No fires, no rubbish, use neutral-coloured gear to remain discreet.

• Carry in, carry out – Leave no trace.

Where Can You Adventure Wild Camp?

🏔 England & Wales

Outside of Dartmoor National Park, where limited legal wild camping is allowed (check the Dartmoor National Park website for an up-to-date map), wild camping is not legally permitted without landowner permission.

That said, in areas like the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Peak District, some people discreetly camp in remote areas where it is often tolerated if done respectfully.

🏴 Scotland

Scotland offers the best legal access to wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. However, not all of Scotland is open for wild camping.

Highlands & Uplands – Most unenclosed land is fair game for wild camping.

Lowlands & Private Estates – Large areas of Scotland, especially in the Lowlands, remain inaccessible despite the Access Code. Extended stays in certain areas can be challenging.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – Some areas require a permit due to previous overuse issues.

Who Can Access Adventure Wild Camping?

It’s important to recognise that adventure wild camping is not accessible to everyone.

Location is a barrier – Most people live far from areas where this is possible.

Experience & confidence – Navigation, safety, and weather skills are essential.

Kit costs & preparation – The right gear makes a huge difference, but not everyone has access to it.

While courses exist to help people gain confidence, this doesn’t change the fundamental challenge: this type of wild camping is for the few, not the many.

2. Stealth Camping

Stealth camping is about finding a hidden spot on private land and camping without permission. It often happens in woodlands, quiet corners of fields, or beside rivers. The aim is to stay completely unnoticed, leaving at first light.

Is It Legal?

No—stealth camping is trespassing.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, all land is owned, and camping without permission is a civil trespass (not a criminal offence).

The difference between civil and criminal law is crucial. If asked to leave, you must go, but you’re not breaking a criminal law unless you refuse or cause damage.

However, perception is a massive barrier.

Even though the risk of being confronted is very low, many people are put off by the fear of being moved on, met with hostility, or feeling like they’re doing something wrong. This perceived risk is enough to stop many from trying.

The Fight for Better Access

There’s an active campaign for better access rights, which you can follow & support at Right To Roam. However, even if this succeeds, it won’t automatically mean people know how or where to camp. The conversation should be about more than a legal right - it should focus on respect, responsibility, and connection with the land, as well as making the experience accessible to all.

3. Car, Van & 4x4 Camping

Car camping, campervans, and 4x4 overlanding are growing fast in the UK. They offer a way to enjoy the outdoors with a few more comforts, but they also present different access challenges.

Where Can You Car Camp?

Scotland – Some unenclosed land permits vehicle camping, but there’s a fine line between what’s allowed and what’s tolerated.

England & Wales – Overnight parking spots are very limited and usually require a fee.

Apps like Park4Night and Britstops provide listings of car-friendly locations, but these tend to be car parks rather than wild spots. There are also directories of farmers who love a landy & welcome overlanders onto their farms.

Can You Car Camp with CampWild?

Yes! CampWild allows you to filter Wild Spaces by vehicle type, making it easy to find places where roof tents and campervans are allowed. However, our focus remains & will always be on wild camping under canvas.

4. Permitted Wild Camping

If you want a real wild camping experience without the hassle of trespassing or hiding, permitted wild camping is the answer.

This is wild camping on private land with landowner permission—giving you legal access to secluded, nature-rich spaces without the worry of being moved on.

Was It Easier to Camp on Private Land in the Past?

Only half a century ago, most people had a direct or family connection to farming or rural communities. If you wanted to camp on a farm, it was as simple as knocking on a door and asking.

Fast forward to today, and over 80% of the UK’s population now lives in urban areas. The connection to the land has weakened, making it much harder for people to even know where to start. For most, finding a willing landowner and gaining permission feels impossible, which is why so few people explore this option.

Why Is It So Valuable?

Permitted Wild Camping is not just about avoiding legal grey areas. It’s about feeling welcomed, connected, and trusted in nature.

• Time to truly experience a place – Unlike adventure wild camping, where you have to leave by sunrise, you can fully immerse yourself.

• A bridge between urban & rural – Many people today have lost their connection to rural land, making it harder to know where to start.

• A gateway to bigger adventures – For those wanting to try remote adventure wild camping, a permitted Wild Space is the perfect first step.

CampWild: A Revolution in Wild Camping

For decades, wild camping in the UK has been limited by legal restrictions, accessibility issues, and lack of connection between people and the land. CampWild has removed these barriers, creating a new way for people to experience wild camping without restriction, risk, or uncertainty.

How CampWild Solves the Problems of Wild Camping in the UK

🚫 Adventure Wild Camping – Limited to remote uplands, requiring experience, expensive kit, and confidence to navigate the wilderness.

✅ CampWild – Opens up wild camping to everyone, providing safe, private access to nature-rich spaces without needing advanced skills or gear.

🚫 Stealth Camping – Legally uncertain, with concerns about trespassing, confrontation, and disruption.

✅ CampWild – Offers legal, permitted access, removing the worry of being moved on and replacing uncertainty with welcome and trust.

🚫 Car & Van Camping – Few legal overnight options, most involving commercial car parks rather than true nature experiences.

✅ CampWild – Enables wild camping with vehicles, filtering sites by roof tent, campervan, or 4x4 access, ensuring true immersion in the wild.

What Are CampWild’s Wild Spaces?

Wild Spaces are unique, secluded locations on private land, each offering exclusive access to a natural, untouched setting for up to 48 hours. Unlike traditional campsites, they have no facilities, no structured pitches, and no crowds—just pure nature, as it should be.

Currently, CampWild offers nearly 200 Wild Spaces across the UK, including:

🌲 Ancient Woodlands – Camp beneath towering trees, immersed in the sights and sounds of the forest.

🏞 Remote Uplands – Experience the wild freedom of moors, hills, and hidden valleys.

🏕 Private Lakesides & Riverbanks – Camp beside untouched waters, perfect for wild swimming and peaceful escapes.

🌿 Wildflower Meadows & Rewilded Land – Sleep among nature-rich, ecologically restored landscapes.

Each Wild Space is carefully selected to balance access, conservation, and adventure, ensuring campers experience nature without harming it.

How CampWild Is Revolutionising Wild Camping

CampWild is more than just a booking platform—it’s a new model for wild camping, built on trust, respect, and responsible access.

✔ E-waivers for instant, secure permission – No more legal grey areas.

✔ Interactive Route Cards – Enabling campers to explore safely and confidently​.

✔ Snap-In Snap-Out System – Reinforcing leave-no-trace ethics and ensuring land remains pristine​.

✔ Continually Expanding Network – New Wild Spaces are added every month, with a goal to unlock thousands more acres.

✔ Building a New Culture of Wild Camping – By bridging urban and rural, campers and landowners, CampWild is redefining what wild camping means in the UK.

This isn’t just a new way to camp—it’s a movement. A movement that reconnects people with nature, provides real outdoor freedom, and opens up a future where wild camping is truly accessible for all.

Be Part of the Future of Wild Camping

Wild camping should be accessible to more people—but not at the cost of landowner rights, environmental protection, or community relationships.

CampWild provides a new way forward. It’s about respect, connection, and the freedom to explore nature without restrictions. It also acts as a gateway for future adventures, helping people build the confidence to take on bigger wild camping trips across the UK and beyond.

🏕 Ready to Experience True Wild Camping?

Find a Wild Space today at CampWild.uk