Wild camping in the UK

[rik_uk3]

I don't know what "wild-camping" is!

There's camping, and then there's queuing at the toilet block and signs saying you can't light a fire or being ordered by the site Gestapo to put your fire out at 10.30; for good reason, as that's when the Gestapo run and hide from the numpties tossing beer bottles around on their way back from the pub. That, to me, seems like Wild Camping!

I am about to move to London and am already concerned with details of how and where to escape the city. Right now, the problem seems insurmountable, going to an alien environment and having to find my own way around in country I don't know, with rules I don't understand.

I'm not a city animal and can foresee my camping habit bringing me all sorts of grief.

Is there anybody out there? Or at least, anyone who can point me in the right direction?

Its all camping, soon as you leave home to spend the night(s) outdoors you've gone camping its as simple as that; the only difference is the site you pick and the camp craft skills you employ.

[drewdunnrespect]

Its all camping, soon as you leave home to spend the night(s) outdoors you've gone camping its as simple as that; the only difference is the site you pick and the camp craft skills you employ.

good thinking i never would have thought about it in that way but your not wrong

[soulstar1963]

try googling happy campers......there may be some sites near to you ...good luck

[sumguy197]

hi im 16m and kinda know what you mean, so i just practise iton my own

[willky20]

any one know of any decent places (walks, sights) on exmoor, pref near simonsbath or tar steps ???
Am local but new to the camping thing. Cheers

[Rachel4]

Anyone know a gaood place to go wild camping in Sussex? I don't know what the rules are for wild camping in woods, like which ones you're allowed to camp in, but I want to try and get into it more. Thanks!

[backpacker]

Hi Rachel,

I live in Sussex and have found quite a few sites for wild camping especially on the coast and further inland, but most of the sites people find are really kept a secret, rule of thumb is find a quiet secluded place to camp and keep well away from the beaten track and make camp before sunset and strike camp early at sunrise so noboby knows you were there because most places in Sussex as well as other counties are not to keen with us bushcrafters pitching tents on there land!
Good Luck

Backpacker

[Petey]

Anyone know a gaood place to go wild camping in Sussex? I don't know what the rules are for wild camping in woods, like which ones you're allowed to camp in, but I want to try and get into it more. Thanks!

Yeah, as BP hints it's a case of 'stealth camping'.
I'm fortunate in being a canoeist - most folks see the canoe as a licence to camp anywhere discrete on the river and I've yet to be bothered. Leave no trace whatsoever and people catching you on return visits are likely to be friendly. The folk most likely to find me are anglers, and they're no strangers to kipping out. A canoe, hammock & tarp seems to make most people I've met want to know more and be rather jealous/impressed!

Obviously the official line is that you should seek permission - and it's worth seeking. You'll hear of people on here saying that they're "heading off to the permission" for the weekend etc. You'll be turned down immediately if you just go asking strangers if you can doss in their woods. get some contacts, build a reputation, do some volunteering and sooner or later fortune may come your way. It'll be really worth it but you're playing a long game!

[nobby8126]

You are spot on with the canoe thing. I go around the coast and camp on the parts that are only accesible by water. completeley untouched and no chance of getting disturbed. There is an added bonus of being able to feed yourself from fish you catch en route giving a feelin of wild living with out the urge to wreck the countryside "surviving".
Let ppl know where you are going and when you'll be back as it can be pretty dangerous

[bushbarbie]

Wild camping should be just that - no persmission sought - just do it - not getting seen is all part of the fun. Personally I got myself a basic army camo bivvy bag - and I'n all my nights in the heather above Reeth I've not been caught yet.

B.

[Toddy]

Please remember that this forum requires posts not to advocate, encourage or condone illegal activity.

cheers,
Toddy

[Squashy8]

Hey, I'm new here but looking to do some wild camping down in Cornwall this summer (well, wild if we can find it - if not will be paying the rip-off tourist fees most campsites charge after May...). I'm also looking to try my hand at abseiling (on my list of new things to try in 2011) and found this site for abseiling cornwall near Penryn.

Wondered if anyone had been there, and if they could let me know how good i'll be by the end of it? Will be down there with a group of 5, and would be great if we were prepared enough by the end to take ourselves off to explore some cliffs (and hire the kit obviously). Any thoughts/suggestions?

Also, back to the wild camping theme - does anyone know of a portable fire device - something you can put down, make a fire on and then remove leaving no trace? If not I will get some of my genius friends on to inventing one (fires are the only things ive had issues with when wild camping).

Cheers.
Squish x

[Tom1980]

Thanks guys, this is useful stuff. Can wait too get some time off to go camping

[cbkernow]

Hey, I'm new here but looking to do some wild camping down in Cornwall this summer (well, wild if we can find it - if not will be paying the rip-off tourist fees most campsites charge after May...). I'm also looking to try my hand at abseiling (on my list of new things to try in 2011) and found this site for abseiling cornwall near Penryn.

Wondered if anyone had been there, and if they could let me know how good i'll be by the end of it? Will be down there with a group of 5, and would be great if we were prepared enough by the end to take ourselves off to explore some cliffs (and hire the kit obviously). Any thoughts/suggestions?

Also, back to the wild camping theme - does anyone know of a portable fire device - something you can put down, make a fire on and then remove leaving no trace? If not I will get some of my genius friends on to inventing one (fires are the only things ive had issues with when wild camping).

Cheers.
Squish x

Never tried wild camping in cornwall, plenty of farmers who might be worth chatting to, and campsites a bit further from the coast might be a bit cheaper.

"BF Adventure" is a great spot, been with our Scouts a few times (and my dad lives basically next door), but I doubt you'd be in a position to go off climbing on your own after that course, I doubt they teach much about setting up pitches, choosing routes etc, more a basic intro to the sport. Its worth having a chat though, they might be able to offer something a bit more comprehensive.

Also in Penryn (about 3 miles from the "BF" quarry) is an indoor climbing centre which offers instruction: http://gpclimbing.co.uk/index.php

Depending on dates I could probably arrange for you to use our scout site which is less than a mile form the indoor centre and a short hike from the quarry site. Toilet block and water but no woodland so not really a bushy site, but we have a fire circle and wood pile for a couple of quid per night :-) (even cheaper for scouts!)

I could probably also find someone who could take you out climbing in the area.

[pastymuncher]

Hey, I'm new here but looking to do some wild camping down in Cornwall this summer (well, wild if we can find it - if not will be paying the rip-off tourist fees most campsites charge after May...). I'm also looking to try my hand at abseiling (on my list of new things to try in 2011) and found this site for abseiling cornwall near Penryn.

Wondered if anyone had been there, and if they could let me know how good i'll be by the end of it? Will be down there with a group of 5, and would be great if we were prepared enough by the end to take ourselves off to explore some cliffs (and hire the kit obviously). Any thoughts/suggestions?

Also, back to the wild camping theme - does anyone know of a portable fire device - something you can put down, make a fire on and then remove leaving no trace? If not I will get some of my genius friends on to inventing one (fires are the only things ive had issues with when wild camping).

Cheers.
Squish x

Looks like they set it up for you to just abseil down. Unless you have experience or training of setting up anchors etc for abseiling I suggest you stay away from the cliffs. Unlikely you can hire the kit for doing either. Unlike climbing, you are 100% dependent on the rigging and equipment, there are far too many very experienced climbers who died abseiling.

[cbkernow]

hmmmmm pasty muncher with a name klike that are you a cornish ex pat?

[pastymuncher]

hmmmmm pasty muncher with a name klike that are you a cornish ex pat?

Yep Falmouth boy.

[cbkernow]

Yep Falmouth boy.

Oooo unlucky :-)

(I'm a Penryner - though now do my Scouting in Falmouth)

[Totumpole]

Hi,
Thank you all so much for this useful information.......... If anyone has details of cheap family campsites across the south, we live in the stifling City of Portsmouth, I'd be really grateful if you could let me know. Also, anywhere that my boyfriend & I can go seashore fishing &/or wild camping, with permission, & how to get that permission, if possible. Thank you.
You have really inspired me & brought back all the wonderful feelings I have when I am outdoors. I can't wait 'til the weather's warmer, I really feel the cold, but I wrap up warm and sit close to the fire!
Happy Camping,
Kinky-Minx.
(We're going to do some serious camping this year......it's intense!)

You could try Blackberry wood campsite - www.blackberrywood.com - been meaning to go for a while. Looks reasonable, nice setting and allows open fires

[Spike589715]

http://www.woodgas-stove.com/
I have one of these - works great
cheers
Simon

[PBASH]

Looks like they set it up for you to just abseil down. Unless you have experience or training of setting up anchors etc for abseiling I suggest you stay away from the cliffs. Unlikely you can hire the kit for doing either. Unlike climbing, you are 100% dependent on the rigging and equipment, there are far too many very experienced climbers who died abseiling.

These look pretty cool

http://wildstoves.co.uk/tripods-triv...put-fire-bowl/

there's a review on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPjQirHwax8

[zed4130]

Great information mate, i found out just what i needed to know, thanks

paul

[Welshwizard]

http://www.woodgas-stove.com/
I have one of these - works great
cheers
Simon

Do they ship to UK or is there a UK supplier for these ?

[Alan 0909]

Do they ship to UK or is there a UK supplier for these ?

UK supplier - http://wildstoves.co.uk/wood-cooking-stoves/

[iboga]

Ok the following places in the Midlands are awesome to wild camp in:

Lickey Hills (pick a spot within dense woodland)
Wyre Forrest (make sure you respect the red ants!)

I'll add more when I've found em

[Skaukraft]

Hmm.
Reading this makes me apreciate our "Allemannsrett" even more.

[Drewsif]

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone out there has wild camped near loch Ken in the galloway? Me, a mate and dog are going up there next week to canoe and practice some bushcraft. We're pretty new to the scottish landscape. Last summer we went up to Sandwood Bay and were lucky enough to bump into Julia Bradbury filming up there, but other than that it was a wet and windy camp on the beach followed by a brief midge attack in the morning before we headed off back down the coast. The forests of galloway sound like a good opportunity to combine the canoeing with wild camping. Any advice or experiences would be welcome.

Cheers

Drew.

[Scots_Charles_River]

Check through bloggs on www.songofthepaddle.co.uk as there are lots of info and ideas there.

[Wulfman]

Great post Ged.

As for the the request for a portable fire my suggestion would be the Grilliput fire bowl. When it is collapsed you can carry tinder inside, I usually have mine tucked into the top of my rucksack, it's very light.

I found this link but am sure with a bit moresearching you can find one cheaper:-

It's also a pretty cool design.

[Glydr]

I've been moved on by Forestry Commision in Delamere Forest, just went and found somewhere else in same forest and camped a bit more stealthily. Delamere is a tourist forest. Clocaenog on the other hand is just a working timber production forest, and easier to get away with. All very well gaining permission in theory but in practice, every time you ask permission everybody says no. I remember seeing a Ray Mears clip where he camped in the New Forest and he said, "I've got special permission to camp here and light a fire". I thought of course you've got permission, you're Ray Mears, no one will refuse you. Try getting permission if you're Joe Public, aint gonna happen. Camping stealthily and staying out of sight just adds to the fun and adventure IMO.