5 Wild Camping UK Locations
Love camping but long for a more remote spot to pitch up your tent or bivvy bag? While campsites are a great option for many, if you’re looking for more freedom and a deeper connection to the great outdoors, wild camping could be just what you’re looking for. Whether it’s camping in the forest or on remote moorlands, pitching up in the wilderness offers an experience like no other.
Looking for inspiration? Here at NorthShore Watersports, we’ve picked out five of our top wild camping UK destinations for you to choose from.
Wild Camping Scotland
Camasunary, The Isle of Skye
From the Scottish Highlands and Islands to the Southern Uplands, Scotland is home to a huge number of idyllic wild camping spots to choose from. Whether you want to bag some Munros or simply soak up the scenery, its beautiful glens, picturesque lochs and majestic mountain ranges provide plenty of amazing areas to pitch up to.
One of our top picks when it comes to wild camping in Scotland is Camasunary on the Isle of Skye, a stunning beachside spot surrounded by the famous Blaven peaks, Cuillin range and Sgurr na Stri. Head to the remote, hidden bay to pitch your tent, where you can enjoy the sunrise over the Eigg and Rum isles come morning.
Wild Camping Wales
Snowdonia
If you’re thinking about wild camping in Wales, Snowdonia is one of the most spectacular places you can pitch up. Whether you’re up to the challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon itself, trek the trails on one of its smaller mountains or explore some more of the stunning Welsh landscape, wild camping Snowdonia will offer you some of the most breathtaking views the UK has to offer.
If you plan on wild camping in Snowdonia this year, we recommend the Carneddau range of mountains to the north of the national park. Formed over 400 million years ago, the range now boasts seven of the highest hills in the country and encloses several beautiful lakes, including Llyn Cowlyd and Llyd Eigiau. It’s much quieter away from the tourist bustle of Snowdon, and you’ll find plenty of heather-covered banks and grassy expanses upon which you can pitch your tent and take in the view.
Brecon Beacons
Alternatively, you can head further down Wales for a night in the great outdoors in the Brecon Beacons National Park, home to Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in south Wales. With its rugged moorlands, wild terrain and woodlands to explore, the Brecon Beacons is a fantastic area of natural beauty and ideal for wild camping, providing you find a secluded area.
There are several spots you can choose from for the night; the deep valleys and ridges of the Black Mountains provide some sheltered areas largely shielded from the wind, while Black Mountain itself on the western side of the park offers a backdrop of beautiful views.
Wild Camping Lake District
Haystacks (Innominate Tarn)
Home to some of the most striking spots of natural beauty, when it comes to wild camping in the Lake District, you aren’t short of breathtaking locations to choose from. From the north to the south of the national park, the UNESCO World Heritage site has a plethora of rugged fells, stunning lakes (excellent for watersports), atmospheric viewpoints and quaint market towns to explore.
Just one of our top wild camping spots in the Lake District is Haystacks, located on a corner of Buttermere Valley. Haystacks was famed fell walker Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell, so much so that it’s here that his ashes are scattered. It’s one Wainwright fell well worth bagging and you’ll be rewarded by stunning views of Ennerdale Water and Buttermere at the summit, where you can find a quiet spot to pitch your tent.
Wild Camping Dartmoor
Bellever Tor
If you’re looking for a wild camping UK destination further down England, south Devon’s Dartmoor National Park is a fantastic location for sleeping under the stars. Home to vast expanses of moorlands, woods, river valleys, impressive stone tors and even wanding wild ponies, wild camping Dartmoor will definitely do the job of reconnecting you to nature.
One of our top locations when it comes to wild camping Dartmoor is the picturesque Bellever Tor, near the village of Postbridge. Providing a spectacular 360-degree view of its rugged surrounding scenery, Bellever Tor is an ideal spot to pitch up your tent for the night and watch the sun go down. Once you’ve explored its walking routes, the nearby Bellever Forrest is also well worth a visit on your stay.
It’s important to note that, while wild camping is legal in most of Scotland, it isn’t legal in most parts of England and Wales (though these rules vary in some areas, such as Dartmoor). While this is the law, in many locations in the UK, there are unspoken agreements when it comes to wild camping, providing campers respect the land and leave no trace behind when they leave. Remember to always do your research about each location before your stay, seek the permission of the landowner beforehand and always avoid farmland and private property.
Got all you need for your trip? Head over to our range of wild camping equipment, where you can find everything from freeze-dried food to lightweight pots, pans and stoves for dining al fresco.
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