So you want to try wild camping? Good! It's one of the best things I've ever talked myself into, but I'm not going to pretend I knew what I was doing when I started, because I really, really didn't.
I've spent years now sleeping out in fields, on mountains, and in places I probably shouldn't have, mostly on my own. I've made just about every beginner mistake going, frozen on nights I should've packed warmer, been scared of noises that turned out to be sheep, and learned the rest the hard way.
So this is everything I wish someone had told me before my first night out: the legal stuff, where to actually go, what to pack, and how to get through that first night without talking yourself out of it.
It's less scary than it looks, I promise. Let's get you out there.
This post contains a few affiliate links. I only ever recommend gear I actually use and would tell a mate to buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Is Wild Camping Even Legal in England?
Short answer: mostly no. But it's not as scary as it sounds, and it's worth understanding properly.
Dartmoor is the one exception. It's the only place in England where you have an actual legal right to wild camp without asking the landowner. That right was nearly taken away, it went through a long court battle, with landowners trying to ban it, but in May 2025 the Supreme Court confirmed for good that the public can wild camp on the Dartmoor Commons, as long as you arrive on foot or horseback and follow the local byelaws. So Dartmoor is the safe, simple place to start if you want zero ambiguity.
Everywhere else, technically, you need permission. Outside Dartmoor there's no legal right to wild camp in England.
Without the landowner's permission, pitching up is classed as trespass.
But here's the thing people get worked up about for no reason: trespass is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Pitching a tent isn't a criminal act in itself, the worst that usually happens is someone asks you to move on, and as long as you do, that's the end of it. It's only if you refuse to leave when you're asked that you risk it escalating. So no, you're not going to get arrested for putting a tent up for one night in a quiet spot.
So what do I actually do? I follow the responsible camper code and leave no trace, every single time. It's what keeps wild camping tolerated, and honestly it's just common decency:
- Camp high and out of the way. Get above the fell walls, away from farmland, houses, and roads. The higher and more remote you are, the less you're bothering anyone, and the more likely you'll be left in peace.
- Arrive late, leave early. Pitch up in the evening, pack down in the morning. You're sleeping somewhere, not setting up camp for the weekend.
- Keep it small. One or two tents, not a whole group. A field full of tents is a campsite, not wild camping.
- One night only. Move on the next day rather than settling in.
- No fires. They scar the ground, they're a genuine wildfire risk, and they're a fast way to ruin it for everyone. Use your stove.
- Leave absolutely no trace. Take everything out with you, and I mean everything, including your loo roll (more on that further down). The aim is that nobody can tell you were ever there.
Do all that, and you're being the kind of wild camper that keeps the whole thing alive for the rest of us.
One important note: this isn't legal advice, and the rules genuinely do change, there's ongoing debate about access and trespass law in England. So always check the current rules for the specific area you're heading to before you go. A two-minute check saves a lot of hassle.
Where Should You Go for Your First Wild Camp?
If you want your first one to be as stress-free as possible, go where you're actually allowed: Dartmoor. As we just covered, it's the one place in England where you've got a legal right to wild camp, so there's no second-guessing, no worrying about being moved on, you can just focus on the experience. For a first timer, that peace of mind is worth a lot.
After that, you'll want to start finding your own spots, and honestly, that's half the fun. So rather than handing you a list of exact pitches, let me tell you what I actually look for. Partly because finding your own spot is part of the whole point, and partly because the last thing a quiet, fragile place needs is fifty tents turning up because of one blog post.
Here's what makes a good first spot:
- Not too far from the car. I know it's tempting to go big, but your first wild camp doesn't need to be a ten-mile hike into the middle of nowhere. Pick somewhere you can retreat from easily if it all goes wrong. A bail-out option takes a lot of the pressure off.
- High and out of the way. Above the farmland, away from houses and roads. You're less likely to bother anyone or be bothered, and it just feels more like proper wild camping.
- Flat-ish ground. This one sounds obvious until you're sliding down a slope at 2am. Have a proper look at where you're pitching before you commit.
- Near water, but not on top of it. Handy to have a source nearby, but don't pitch right next to it: it's worse for midges, condensation, and the spot itself.
- Somewhere with signal, at least to begin with. Until you're confident, pick spots where you've got a bit of phone signal or a clear safety plan. You can go properly remote once it's second nature.
And the most important bit of all: your first wild camp shouldn't be your most ambitious one. Start gentle. Pick somewhere forgiving, have a good first experience, and you'll actually want to do it again. Throw yourself in at the deep end on a remote, exposed, miserable night and you might never go back. Build up slowly, there's no rush, and the big adventures will still be there when you're ready.
As for actually finding spots, OS Maps is your best friend, learn to read the terrain and you'll start spotting potential pitches everywhere. (And if you'd rather skip the guesswork entirely, I'm working on region maps with spots I've actually camped, all of this already worked out - more on those soon.)
So What Do You Actually Need?
Shelter: tent, tarp, or hammock?
As a beginner, I'd always say start with a tent. It's nice and simple. Get a freestanding tent rather than a pole one, they're much easier to put up. Don't stress yourself out with a hammock; you can't lie flat and it'll probably just ruin the experience. You can experiment with all that further down the line.
Sleeping system
Three things:
- a sleeping mat
- a sleeping bag
- a pillow
Some people say a pillow's optional. I strongly disagree, it's worth the weight every time, and so much more comfortable than bunching up your coat under your head.
Waterproofs
You want a good, solid set of waterproofs, and make sure they're actually waterproof before you head out. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Brands will say "waterproof" when it's really only water-resistant, and you'll get there, get drenched, and have a miserable time. Test them before you go.
Cooking
Keep it simple and lightweight. You don't need a two-person stove with double burners, just a tiny fold-away one. I use the MSR PocketRocket; it's tiny and screws straight onto a gas canister.
Speaking of which, you'll need gas, I'd just get the small canister, since you won't be out long and it's lighter to carry.
Add a pot and some cutlery and you're sorted.
Safety kit
This is the bit I won't cut corners on:
- A Garmin inReach Mini 2: I recommend it to anyone. It's brought me so much reassurance when I'm in the middle of nowhere with no signal; I can always get a message out if I need to.
- A good first aid kit: keep it up to date. If you use something, replace it as soon as you're home so you never have to think about it.
- A head torch.
- And always tell someone your plans and route before you go.
What to skip (for now)
Don't bother with separate kit for every season to start with.
And don't overspend on fancy gear straight away. You don't know yet if you'll love it or how often you'll go. Stick with reputable budget brands, Naturehike and OEX are two I come back to again and again for solid kit that won't break the bank. And for the love of Christ, don't buy Arc'teryx. I flippin' hate it.
And remember you can shop second-hand. You don't have to buy everything new, and you can borrow gear from mates to start with too.
Everything I Wish I'd Known
It's not glamorous.
There's a lot of romanticising of camping online, and the truth is it's not as glamorous as it looks most of the time.
The views are beautiful and it's genuinely incredible, but a lot of the time you're just sleeping on the floor with nothing between you and nature but a bit of fabric.
You'll have to sacrifice a comfy bed and fancy meals. But that's kind of the point. You're stripping it all back to only what matters.
So no, it's not glamorous, but it's worth it. You get beautiful views all to yourself, you see things most people never will, and you end up one step closer to nature.
How to go to the loo.
This is probably the question I get asked most, and honestly, it's really not that difficult. The only tricky one is a number two.
For a wee, just squat (or, if you're a guy, you know what to do). Make sure you're not near any water sources, do it respectfully, and always pack your toilet roll out, no matter what.
For a number two, you'll need a small trowel. Dig a hole about six inches deep, squat over it, do your business, and cover it all back up. Pack the toilet roll out with you. If you're somewhere you're not allowed to dig, you'll need some little bags instead (called WAG bags).
Some things are worth taking, some aren't.
Weight matters, but not if it means being miserable. For me, my slippers are worth every gram. They're only about 200g, but for some people that's a massive no.
People can get a bit obsessive over weight, and the catch is that lighter gear usually means a lot more money. The lighter you go, the more expensive it tends to get.
Don't get me wrong, you don't want to be hauling a ridiculously heavy backpack, and stripping it back is the goal. But don't stress about bringing the things that make it comfortable, especially in the beginning. I always bring my Kindle. Bring your slippers. You can cut them out later if you don't need them.
Because you will refine your list as you go. It gets smaller every trip, and you slowly learn what you actually need and what you don't.
Fear is normal. It's literally science.
To this day I still hear things outside my tent or tarp that make me think I really don't like that. It might just be the fabric flapping in the wind, or a fox wandering past, but it still puts me on edge. That's human nature. We're built to be scared of the dark; it's a normal, hardwired reaction. And most of the time, it turns out to be nothing.
That said, always trust your gut.
This is different from fear, and you'll learn to tell them apart over time. Fear in the dark usually passes. Your gut is information.
So don't let your ego talk over it. If your gut's saying leave, but you're thinking I've walked all this way, I want the photos, just leave. The mountain will still be there another day. The forest isn't going anywhere. You can always come back.
If something is telling you to get out, for any reason, and it's safe to do so, go.
I've got plenty of experience with this. I travel alone a lot, I solo wild camp a lot, and there have been plenty of times I've simply packed up and left because something didn't feel right. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. Just leave.
If you only remember one thing:
It gets easier. With every trip comes a bit more experience, and you'll grow into it as a wild camper.
So go, don't overthink it. Pick somewhere easy, go and have a slightly uncomfortable night, and see how you feel in the morning.
Happy roaming!
Common Questions
Is wild camping legal in England?
Only on Dartmoor, where there's a legal right to wild camp without permission, confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2025. Everywhere else you technically need the landowner's permission, but responsible camping high on the fells is widely tolerated.
Can you get fined or arrested for wild camping in England?
No. Trespass is a civil matter, not a criminal one. The worst that usually happens is someone asks you to move on, and as long as you do, that's the end of it.
Is it safe to wild camp alone?
Yes, with sensible precautions: tell someone your route, carry a way to call for help, trust your gut, and start somewhere you can easily retreat from if you need to.
Where can I wild camp in England as a beginner?
Dartmoor is the easiest legal starting point. Beyond that, look for high, out-of-the-way spots not too far from the car, with flat ground and a bail-out option nearby.
What do I actually need for my first wild camp?
A tent, a sleeping mat, a sleeping bag, a pillow, waterproofs, a small stove, and a basic safety setup like a head torch and a way to call for help. You don't need to spend a fortune.