Everything you need to camp wild in the UK

Wild camping in the UK

There are few experiences more magical than waking up with nothing between you and the morning light but a bit of fabric and a view. No car parks. No reception desks. No checkout times. Just you, your tent, and the sweet, serene silence of the British outdoors.

This is wild camping. It’s not glamorous. It’s not always comfortable. But it is one of the most rewarding, soul-nourishing ways to spend a night in the wild — and the kind of thing that reminds you, very quickly, what really matters.

A glowing orange tent set up in a forest clearing at dusk, with silhouettes of tall pine trees, mountains, and a starry sky in the background.

At its best, wild camping is the antidote to modern life. It’s a chance to unplug from the world and plug into nature instead. Whether you’re tucked behind a dry-stone wall on a Lakeland fell, pitched up beside a trickling stream in the Cairngorms, or cowboy camping on a Cornish cliff top with nothing but the stars for company — wild camping gives you a front-row seat to Britain’s greatest show: the great outdoors itself.

But with that freedom comes responsibility. The UK has a complicated relationship with land access, and wild camping exists in a legal grey area in many parts of the country. Knowing where you can go — and how to leave no trace — is absolutely vital if we’re to protect the places we love for generations to come.

This hub is your starting point. We’ve built it to help you wild camp safely, responsibly, and confidently. Inside, you’ll find gear reviews, practical guides, inspiration for your next overnighter, and first-hand advice from folks who’ve spent more nights under canvas than they care to count. Because if you ask us, there’s no better way to fall in love with the British landscape than to spend a night sleeping right in the thick of it.

Join one of our guided wild camping adventures across the UK — the perfect way to try your first wild camp, pick up new skills, and try top gear included as standard. Ready for your next big adventure?

Guided wild camping trips with the GBAC

What you need to know before your first UK wild camp

  • Person lying in green grass with legs stretched out, wearing black hiking shoes. In the grass, there is a blue carton of Rebel energy drink, and in the background, green rolling hills and a mountain under a partly cloudy sky.

    Leave no Trace: The wild camper’s code

    Learn all about the Leave no Trace principles — a simple but impactful philosophy we all need to follow — so you can enjoy the freedom of the wild while protecting the places we all love.

  • A green camping tent set up next to a small river in a forested area, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.

    Where to wild camp in the UK: How to get started

    Discover how and where to wild camp legally in the UK. This guide breaks down the rules, highlights the best spots, and shares practical tips to help you plan and pitch with confidence.

  • Camping scene with a tent, Jetboil stove, and North Face mug on grass, overlooking rocky hills and a cloudy sky.

    Wild camping in the UK: expert advice for first-timers

    Find out everything you need to get out on your first wild camp — from essential kit to practical tips — so you can head off safely, confidently, and ready for an amazing first night under the stars.

  • Two black camping tents set up on a grassy field in a mountainous area with rocky formations and a cloudy sky.

    Your essential solo wild camping kit list for your first night outdoors

    Discover exactly what to pack for your first wild camp — from tents to sleeping bags and more — with this clear, no-fuss kit list that’s designed to help you head out prepared and confident.

Our latest wild camping gear reviews

Come wild camping with us

Eager to get out on your first wild camp but don’t know where to start? Join one of our expertly guided wild camping adventures in dozens of locations across the UK — with top quality gear included in every booking. Starting at only £149.