Is Wild Camping Legal in the UK? Laws, Fines & How To 2025
Is Wild Camping Legal in the UK? Laws, Fines & How To 2025
Wild camping simply means spending a night out in the hills or countryside in a small tent or bivvy, away from official campsites, carrying everything you need and leaving no trace. Think quiet pitches well off the beaten track, arriving late, leaving early, and blending into the landscape. It’s not the same as parking up a campervan overnight, and the rules that apply to “tent on your back” camping and vehicle overnighting are different.
If you’re unsure what’s legal in 2025, you’re not alone. This guide sets out the UK position clearly: the country-by-country laws (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), the latest Dartmoor update for backpackers, when you need permission or permits, how byelaws work in popular national parks, and what happens if you’re asked to move on. You’ll also get practical, step‑by‑step advice to do it responsibly and safely, van and motorhome rules, Leave No Trace and sanitation basics, fire and stove guidance, lightweight kit lists, legal alternatives, and official resources to check before you go.
UK wild camping at a glance (2025)
Rules differ by country, and whether you’re in a tent on foot or in a vehicle matters. Here’s the quick snapshot for 2025 so you can plan with confidence.
- England & Wales: Not legal without the landowner’s permission. Dartmoor is the exception—backpack camping is allowed in mapped areas on the commons (right confirmed in 2025). Otherwise it’s civil trespass.
- Scotland: Allowed on most unenclosed land under access rights—tents only—following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs has seasonal permit/management zones.
- Northern Ireland: Permission required; otherwise it’s trespass.
- Campervans/motorhomes: Not covered by access rights; use designated sites, stopovers or permits where provided.
What counts as wild camping in the UK
In UK terms, wild camping means pitching a small tent, bivvy, tarp or hammock for a single night away from official campsites and facilities, usually without the landowner’s express permission. It’s a self‑supported, low‑impact, arrive‑late leave‑early style. Crucially, where it’s allowed it applies to walkers/boaters/cyclists in tents, not campervans — the activity behind the question ‘is wild camping legal UK?’
England and Wales: what the law says
In England and Wales, wild camping is not legal unless you have the landowner’s permission. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act grants access to mapped open country, but it explicitly excludes camping, so pitching up without consent is civil trespass and you can be asked to move on. National Parks don’t change this (for example, the Lake District confirms no wild camping without permission). Police powers around unauthorised encampments are aimed at larger groups refusing to leave when asked. The narrow Dartmoor exception is covered next.
Dartmoor National Park: where backpack camping is allowed (2025 update)
The standout caveat to “is wild camping legal UK?” is Dartmoor. In May 2025 the right to backpack‑camp on the commons was upheld, so you may pitch a small tent in permitted open‑moor areas without asking permission—so long as you keep impact minimal and follow the Park’s simple rules.
- Backpack only: No vehicles or roadside camping.
- Where and how long: One or two nights, well away from roads/settlements, in designated moorland areas.
- Low impact: Tiny groups, leave no trace, and move on if asked.
Scotland: your rights and responsibilities
In Scotland, wild camping is legal under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 on most unenclosed land, provided you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It’s for small tents only and for people arriving on foot, by bike or boat, not vehicles. Keep impact low, be discreet, and use a stove not fires.
- Tent-only: Access rights don’t cover campervans or motorhomes.
- Duration: Two or three nights max in one spot.
- Respect: Tiny groups, discreet pitches; leave if asked.
- Loch Lomond & Trossachs: Permit zones/byelaws; use designated permit areas.
Northern Ireland: the rules explained
In Northern Ireland, wild camping isn’t a legal right. If you’re asking “is wild camping legal UK?”, in NI it’s “only with permission”. As in England and Wales, you must get the landowner’s consent; without it you’re trespassing and can be asked to move on. There’s no general access right for tents or vehicles. Always follow local byelaws and signage.
Popular national parks: local rules you need to know
Rules vary by park but don’t override national law. Lake District: no wild camping without landowner permission; car parks/road verges are banned, though discreet one‑night high‑fell pitches are tolerated and may be moved on. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs: Camping Management Byelaws and permit zones apply. Peak District, Eryri/Snowdonia, Yorkshire Dales: permission required. Dartmoor remains the sole English exception.
Campervans and motorhomes: overnighting rules
Overnighting in campervans or motorhomes isn’t covered by wild‑camping access rights anywhere in the UK. If you’re asking “is wild camping legal UK” for vans, the answer is no without landowner or authority permission, or a designated stopover. Many places ban it—Lake District forbids camping in car parks and on roadside verges. In Scotland, access rights are tent‑only; Loch Lomond & The Trossachs has permit zones with specific motorhome/campervan areas.
Permissions, permits and byelaws: how to check and comply
When people ask “is wild camping legal UK?”, the answer often hinges on permissions, permits and byelaws. England, Wales and Northern Ireland generally require landowner consent; Dartmoor is the mapped backpack‑camping exception. Scotland has tent‑only access rights, with permit zones in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
- Ask first: Permission is required in England, Wales and NI; outside Dartmoor’s mapped areas too.
- Check park rules: Lake District needs permission; Loch Lomond & The Trossachs has permit zones.
- Keep proof and comply: Use official maps (e.g., Dartmoor), keep stays short, obey signs; move on if asked.
Fines and penalties: what happens if you’re asked to move on
Across England and Wales (and NI), unauthorised wild camping is civil trespass. A landowner, ranger or warden may ask you to pack up and leave; comply and that’s usually the end of it. If you refuse, cause damage or camp as part of a larger encampment, police powers on unauthorised encampments may apply, with fines or arrest. In Scotland, access rights don’t shield you: breaching local byelaws or permit rules (e.g., Loch Lomond & The Trossachs) can result in penalties.
How to wild camp legally and responsibly (step by step)
Do it the right way and you’ll enjoy a night out without hassle. If you’re asking “is wild camping legal UK?”, this quick checklist keeps you compliant and low‑impact; it’s aimed at tent‑based backpacking, not vans.
- Pick a legal area: Scotland tents; Dartmoor; else permission.
- Check byelaws/permits: Loch Lomond management zones.
- Arrive discreetly, stay short: small groups; late in, early out; 1–2 nights.
- Use stoves only: never light ground fires.
- Leave no trace: pack out everything and restore the spot.
- Move on if asked: be polite; that usually ends it.
Leave no trace and sanitation basics
Leave it as you found it is the unbreakable rule. Keep your footprint invisible. Pack out every scrap (including sanitary products). For toileting, dig a small cathole and bury human waste well away from water—at least 30 m; many guides advise about 200 ft (≈60 m). Avoid soaps/detergents and rinse kit well away from streams. Plan sanitation before you pitch and be self‑sufficient.
Fire safety and cooking: stoves vs campfires
Across the UK, the safest, least‑impact option is a compact stove; open campfires are widely discouraged and often prohibited (for example, Lake District guidance and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code). Use a gas or alcohol stove, never disposable BBQs, elevate to avoid scorch, cook away from dry vegetation, carry water, cool fully, and obey any local fire byelaws or seasonal bans.
Legal alternatives to wild camping (bothies, low-impact campsites, permit areas)
Prefer zero‑stress options that still feel wild? These legal alternatives deliver solitude without trespass worries and work whether you’re on foot or in a van. They’re the safest answer when someone asks is wild camping legal UK but you still want a night out.
- Bothies: Simple shelters; only where open/allowed; tiny groups; no fires unless clearly permitted; strict leave‑no‑trace.
- Low‑impact campsites: Small “wild‑style” sites with basics (the Lake District highlights plenty); bookable, scenic and legal.
- Permit zones: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs camping permits (tents and some motorhome/campervan areas); Dartmoor’s mapped backpack‑camping areas; always heed signs and stay limits.
Planning and safety checklist for UK conditions
UK weather turns fast, so plan conservatively and keep your night low‑risk. Check the mountain forecast and daylight, carry paper mapping and a charged phone, identify water sources and a bail‑out route, tell someone your plan, and choose discreet, sheltered pitches well away from roads, properties and water.
- Navigation: OS map and compass; GPX only as backup.
- Emergency: Headtorch, warm layers, first aid, power bank.
Lightweight kit checklist for a UK wild camp
Keep weight low without compromising safety. For a one‑night UK wild camp pack: shelter (solo tent or bivvy with pegs/guylines); sleep system (3‑season bag around 0°C and insulated mat); stove (canister, lighter, small pot); water (1–2 L plus filter); layers (waterproofs, warm mid‑layer, hat/gloves); essentials (headtorch, map/compass, first‑aid/repair, power bank, trowel and waste bags).
Official resources and maps for up-to-date rules
Rules and permit zones change. Before you pack a tent, check authoritative sources and map layers so you’re not guessing at ‘is wild camping legal UK’ on the hill.
- OS 1:25k maps: Access Land shading; rights of way.
- Dartmoor NP: Backpack‑camping map and guidance.
- Scottish Access Code: Tent rights; Loch Lomond permits.
- National Park/GOV.UK: Local byelaws; Countryside Code.
FAQs on wild camping in the UK
New to wild camping or just after a 2025 refresher? These quick answers cover the most common questions people ask when they search “is wild camping legal UK?”, including tents vs vehicles, National Park rules, and what happens if you’re asked to move on.
- Is wild camping legal in England & Wales? No—unless the landowner says yes. Dartmoor’s mapped commons allow backpack camping.
- Do National Parks allow it? Being in a Park doesn’t change the law; the Lake District says no without permission.
- Are vans covered? No. Access rights are tent‑only; use sites, stopovers or permits.
- What if I’m asked to move on? Pack up and go. Refusing or causing damage risks enforcement.
- How long can I stay? Scotland: 2–3 nights; Dartmoor: 1–2 nights; elsewhere only as permitted.
Key takeaways
Wild camping in the UK is simple to plan when you know the rules: Scotland allows tent‑only access; Dartmoor is the English exception for backpackers; elsewhere you need permission. Vans aren’t covered by access rights anywhere. Keep it discreet, short, compliant with byelaws, and leave no trace.
- Know where you stand: Scotland tents; Dartmoor mapped areas; permission elsewhere.
- Vans: Use sites/permits.
- Respect: Move on if asked.
- Gear up: Pack light—shop smart at Take a Hike UK.
