Before digging deeper into our list of recommended wild camping spots in England, its important for your to take the time to understand some of the rules of wild camping you need to follow while exploring or sleeping under the stars in remote nature destinations.
Whether you want to head to hills and mountains or find peace in the English countryside, you will have a much better time enjoying the sights and savouring the experience since you won’t have to worry about legal repercussions.
In this article, let’s cover the wild camping laws in England and penalties you might face if you are caught trespassing while wild camping. We will also share extra tips for you to keep in mind and address some questions that you might have about wild camping in England.
The wild camping laws in England
In an ideal world, the great outdoors should be free for everyone to explore and experience. The reality is not as romantic as that.
We’ve tackled before whether wild camping in England is legal or not. If you have not yet read that article, let’s discuss the critical points you must bear in mind in the following section.
Why is camping illegal in England?
Camping per se is not prohibited in the country. Several official campsites are open for explorers and nature enthusiasts. Anywhere else may be considered an act of trespassing, which is what makes the activity illegal.
The majority of spaces suitable for camping in England belong to landowners. That means you must seek the owner’s approval before heading there and pitching up your tent.
Pushing through with your plans to go camping without permission is considered trespassing. If caught red-handed, you may end up having to pay a fine and/or getting imprisoned, especially if you put up a fight when asked to leave.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981)
Aside from honouring the landownerships, the restrictions imposed on wild camping in England serve as a means of protecting the wildlife from any deliberate or unintentional acts that could harm them or their habitats.
The primary legislation that supports this goal is the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. Through this, the UK integrated the measures undertaken by the EU on the conservation of the indigenous wild bird species in Europe. Many improvements were applied over the years to widen its scope, but it remains relevant and true to its core to this day.
Different public agencies and organisations enforce this Act. Breaking this law while wild camping may lead to hefty fines, imprisonment, or both.
Trespassing when wild camping
No matter how good you are at staying lowkey and leaving no trace behind, failing to respect the rights of the landowners can land you in legal hot water. But when is it considered a civil offense, and how does it become a criminal act?
Let us explain how your trespassing will likely be handled depending on various factors.
Civil trespassing
In general, trespassing is a civil offense under English law. That means if you enter someone else’s land without prior permission, you are guilty of trespassing, but you will not be immediately arrested.
Most cases are quickly resolved with a discussion and agreement between the landowner and visitors. Some allow campers to stay, provided they abide by the rules and clean up after themselves. Others require an apology before asking the intruders to leave as peacefully as possible.
The latter part is essential to note because wild campers cannot be expelled with force from the area. Doing so may lead to assault charges. Therefore, in such instances, the owner will have no choice but to reach out to the police for intervention.
Criminal trespassing
The situation can escalate into a criminal act called aggravated trespassing if your continued presence in the area is proven to be intentionally malicious.
For example, you might be intimidating anyone trying to get you to leave, or you are obstructing or disrupting others while camping to the point where those people can no longer perform lawful activities in the area you have occupied.
Since this is a criminal offense, you will be arrested by the police. In addition, camping in certain spots, like along the railroads or near military training or defence positions, will lead to immediate police detention.
Our top advice: Get permission before wild camping
We enjoy indulging in our spontaneous ideas now and then, but there’s always a limit that we should never cross. That goes double when you go camping since you have to consider how to manage various risks while outdoors.
As we have always encouraged, plan your camping trip carefully to avoid wasting your precious time and energy. Add contacting the landowner to your to-do list while preparing for it. Many fantastic and unforgettable wild camping spots in England belong to individuals who welcome travellers who will carefully follow the rules established to protect the surrounding plants and animals.
So can you wild camp in England?
Yes, as long as you’re willing to take the necessary steps to respect the land and its owner. Research carefully where you want to go wild camping. Pay attention to the conditions, and request the owner’s permission before packing your gear.
If you believe these measures take away the fun, you might want to go wild camping outside of England instead. We recommend checking out Scotland, which has fewer restrictions on this activity.
FAQs about where to wild camp in England
In addition to excellent survival skills, you must be experienced in planning and organising nature trips. It will help you find the perfect destination and minimise the potential risks you will encounter outside an official campground. Wild camping also requires good interpersonal skills, so you can express well your intentions to the owner and convince them to allow you to stay on their land.
The wild camping regulations of England and Wales closely resemble one another compared to those imposed by Scotland. As explained earlier, you don’t have the right to enter or stay in most areas without the approval of the landowner. Regardless of the place, we recommend following the golden rule of wild camping: leave no trace.
Mind Your Manners Even While Wild Camping
No matter where you want to pitch your tent in England, the key to a fun yet legal and safe camping trip is respect. Show courtesy to the landowner by reaching out to them first. Demonstrate how much you care about nature by minimising your presence and impact on your chosen campsite. If asked to leave for whatever reason, apologise sincerely and move on to your next stop.
We hope you won’t feel discouraged by wild camping restrictions in England. Some might believe it can be over the top, but as you have learned earlier, the rules are there for a good reason.
So, go the extra mile when preparing for your wild camping trip. It’s one of the most intimate ways to get to know England, after all.